Why cant the auto makers make a useful car or truck.

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funboy6942

Lifer
Nov 13, 2001
15,362
416
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Originally posted by: Skoorb
Honestly I think the reason we dont see made in China cars here is because the Chineese know what the people want
Evidently Americans want all of that cushy stuff you mentioned, and if you don't want to pay $30k for a new middle of the line sedan, then buy used. That's what I do. KIA and others have tried making these cheap vehicles, and when it costs little you realize why a car costing twice as much does cost twice as much. For one, it isn't a piece of sh*t on wheels, like most bargain cars, which have build quality issues, no amenities, and drive like ass. No air conditioning? If I worked for a company driving its cars all day in the alabama sun without AC I'd look for a new job.

You can still get cars without nav, ac, power windows, cruise, etc.
It about owning a new car, not someone else's troubled car, and not needing all the other crap.
You used to be a mechanic, right? You know as well as I do that a used car is not as simple as inheriting somebody else's problem, unless somebody else considers a flawless vehicle that drives another 150k miles with few repairs to be a problem :)
What happened to the K-cars! They were cheap, reliable, good transportation. I
They're called KIA. You want a sh*ty piece of garbage that costs well under $10k new, look no further than your local KIA dealership.
The problem with a cheap simple car, is all the regulations required make a car cost $6000 minimum.
Yeah I guess things like airbags do throw cost in. How do you get to $6k tho?


Yes I used to be a mechanic but because of my condition I cannot anymore. I also for just once like to own a good dependable new car. You seem old enough to remeber stuff back in the say late 70s-mid 80's. Think back on the old chevy pick ups. Why can they not make them again. They were big, powerful, can be upgraded cheap, and not much to them and yet still safe to drive. That swhat I am asking for. I dont want to drive a plastic go cart. Give me what my dad had and I had as a teen. I ruggid made of steel full size car/truck with no computer options at all except what would be needed for safetly reasons.
I mean a truck back then was basicaly 4 wheel and a seat. You had a carberated v-8 350 (which they still use the same block), vac operated 3 speed turbo 350-400, and damnit that was it. If I bought the aveo I would be afraid to hit a bug on the highway with it for fear it would dent it and then the cost to fix would be outrageous. You build a car like back then it was a friggin tank and the cost for it was so cheap you expected it to get dinged up.
 

Savij

Diamond Member
Nov 12, 2001
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My dad bought a new (at the time) 98 Chevy S10 with no frills. No radio, hand cranked windows, manual transmission, no carpet...

The best part was how easy it was to clean:
1. Open door number one.
2. Open door number two.
3. Use leaf blower with outlet nozzle pointing into door one.
4. Done.

... 4 cylinders of raw puppy stomping power. It was cheap. It didn't have this luxury "4 seats" option you talk about. It went from A to B.
 

mordantmonkey

Diamond Member
Dec 23, 2004
3,075
5
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my mom just bought an '05 ford ranger for 11k. power nothing, 5 spd, vinyl flooring; basic fleet vehicle. she did get the 7ft bed though.