LJWorld.com weblogs BigPrune
Posted
by Bigprune
December 16, 2008 at 10:46 a.m.
Would you buy an American car?
Would it be safe to buy an American car these days with them on the brink of financial collapse? It is easy to surmise that if they go under the parts suppliers will as well. If you bought an American made car and the Big 3 went under, could you still get your car repaired in the future? Is it worth the gamble?I know this was a question for the street people a few weeks back but I wonder if things have changed in your opinion?I'm thinking about buying a Christmas present for my little lady.
and 5 others
Top ads RSS
Marketplace
Arts & Entertainment · Bars · Theatres · Restaurants · Coffeehouses · Libraries · Antiques · Services
- Drug testing for Kansas welfare recipients proposed February 14, 2012 · 48 comments
- Two Lawrence police department employees suspended, pending investigation February 14, 2012 · 77 comments
- Toughened up, Jeff Withey ‘fabulous’ February 14, 2012 · 24 comments
- Frank Martin: Game was ‘men’ vs. ‘kids’ February 14, 2012 · 6 comments
- Despite federal budget cut, getting NBAF remains a priority for Kansas, leaders say February 14, 2012 · 3 comments
- Blog: What Is The Matter With Liberal Kansans? February 13, 2012 · 33 comments
- On the street: What type of sled are you using? February 14, 2012 · 34 comments
- Poll: Did you get a Valentine today? February 13, 2012 · 9 comments
- Sound off: Are stop signs in grocery store parking lots legally enforceable? February 12, 2012 · 44 comments
- On the street: How would you feel about working with your significant other? February 13, 2012 · 34 comments
- Toughened up, Jeff Withey ‘fabulous’ February 14, 2012
- Town Talk: Minsky's to open in downtown Lawrence; renderings for 31st and Iowa apartments; East Lawrence coffee house up for approval February 14, 2012
- Two Lawrence police department employees suspended, pending investigation February 14, 2012
- A clean sweep: Tyshawn Taylor talks it up after KU victory February 14, 2012
- Business dean talks customer service February 14, 2012
- Town Talk: Craft beer festival coming to Downtown Lawrence; city commissioners set date to begin discussing trash changes; weekly property sales February 13, 2012
- Frank Martin: Game was ‘men’ vs. ‘kids’ February 14, 2012
- Sisters, family: Surviving Clutter daughters hope to preserve their parents' legacy April 4, 2005
- Branch manager of Chicago Public Library to be first of three finalists to interview for directorship of Lawrence Public Library February 13, 2012
- Jayhawks in the NBA February 14, 2012
Comments
LJWorld.com doesn’t necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post. Read our full policy. Also, read about banned accounts and harassing comments.
Pay_N_My_Way (anonymous) says…
I have a Toyota Camry runs great and looks great. no rust. i have the same year Ford Ranger Runs great and is damn near a rust bucket. I should have bought a Toyota. I think the workers in Detroit are overpaid. Furthermore, the Union says it is not thier responsibility for this mess, they are PART of the problem. If they would take some of the money they pay thier workers and themselves and put back into thier product (cars & trucks) to make them a better product, the product would sell itself. Remember back in the 70's when the Jap cars where rust buckets? Now look at them. Get the car manufacturing out of Detroit.
consumer1 (anonymous) says…
I have a chevy, there will always be parts, the market will still exist for existing cars. Besides they are not going to go out of business!! They are just learning how to better screw the american public. They are learning from the pros, that is our politicians.
sfjayhawk (anonymous) says…
No - not until they produce a safe, reliable and fuel efficient one.
BuffyloGal (anonymous) says…
My uncle is a Master mechanic with Ford. I drive a Honda per his advice.
OldEnuf2BYurDad (anonymous) says…
If the "Big Three" filed bankruptcy, their operations would not be affected. They'd still be in business. They'd be "protected" from their creditors, and would someday pay them back. This chicken little attitude about the U.S. car industry going under doesn't make sense. There is no "gamble", Big Prune.
TheStig (anonymous) says…
I also am looking at cars. I was think new but now I am thinking of a used Volkswagon GTI or Audi hatch. There are a couple of Ford's available in the UK and built in Germany that I would buy today but they are not available in the US till 2010. If I had to buy a new car today owned by an American company I would probably go Mazda3 or MazdaSpeed3 (Ford. made in Japan) or Volvo C30 T5 (Ford, probably made in Sweden). I could easily pick one up with a pretty nice kit in the low $20,000's. In either case if Ford goes under some car company will pick up Mazda and Volvo.
Danimal (anonymous) says…
Go out and get yourself a Cadillac CTS-V, you'll get about 16 MPGs but you'll be driving a BA car. Actually my roommates girlfriend just got a new TDI Beetle and, while I would never drive a Beetle, I would definitely buy a TDI because they get something crazy like 50MPG highway, and 40-something in town.
TheStig (anonymous) says…
Danimal (Anonymous) says… "Actually my roommates girlfriend just got a new TDI Beetle and, while I would never drive a Beetle, I would definitely buy a TDI because they get something crazy like 50MPG highway, and 40-something in town."I'd never get a Beetle because I'm not gay.
Newell_Post (anonymous) says…
Stig:Ford recently sold most of its stake in Mazda, and it is talking about selling Volvo to the government of Sweden.http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/11/18/business/mazda.php
The_Original_Bob (anonymous) says…
Big Prune -Yeah! I knew you had it in you. Great idea for a blog post.I'm convinced the Big 3 will be bailed out one way or the other. It seems inevitable. That being said, will they be in business in five years? Dunno. However, even if they go under there will be places to get your car fixed. Hell, just because they go out of business doesn't mean everyone with a Big 3 car (I own two) are going to drive them to the dump and buy foreign. Free market. Some ingenious folks will find a way to make money. I wouldn't worry about it. I imagine you can get a really, really good deal on a car right now. I'm not sure how the warranty angle works out if they go under. That would be something to investigate.
TheStig (anonymous) says…
Newell_Post (Anonymous) says… "Ford recently sold most of its stake in Mazda, and it is talking about selling Volvo to the government of Sweden."True, so if it were just a car currently "mostly owned" by an American car company, it would have to be the Volvo C30 T5. If Ford gets rid of Volvo I'll have to wait for the Ford Fiesta or Focus which have a Volvo engine in 2010, hopefully. Interesting that the Volvo C30 T5 and the Focus (UK version) are built on what Ford call the "C1" platform. In November 2007, the BBC reported Sheffield University survey data as showing that 40% of UK families owned two cars, and one was 'likely to be a Focus'. Still Ford own 13% of Mazda and I really like the Speed3 so for now I'll keep it in my short list.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7071611.stm
BigPrune (anonymous) says…
Thanks for all your responses. I forgot I posted this until this evening. I have a nice 15 passenger van picked out and under negotiations. The dealer will lose money on it but at least they'll get some money coming in. My wife will be shocked at her new present. Now she can pick up the kids from school, goody for me. Me lady will look real sexy behind the wheel. Just kidding about the 15 passenger dear. I forgot you read what I write. Spoiled my surprise again. NOW is the time to buy! I have never seen car dealers so willing to wheel and deal for business.