8th Jan 2011, 17:37
The greatest worth is a car you absolutely love driving and owning from day 1. Not just mpg. Buying off a magazine and statistic evaluation will never match opening the garage door and having true exhilaration driving them.
I have had cars myself that were resale oriented only, that I flipped. I never liked the cars, it was about money to finance my next one. Maybe it has lousy seats or is uncomfortable.. I think anything you buy in the current economy, you should totally like it first. It may be a bit harder to resell, but why buy over stats only. I know there's people that it's money only, not about loving what you bought. I remember I bought a car off its review, and special ordered a sunroof. I never drove one with that option, and my head was stuck against the reduced headroom ceiling for 36 months. I truly hated that car, but I got more for it over a sunroof option in the 70s.
I don't buy anything today without a road test with road manners, and joy to drive is the prerequisite. Not being the armchair magazine buyer on someone else.
9th Jan 2011, 11:32
Once again, putting your wants before what is best for the environment... and the economy. The Middle East loves people that think this way, and would rather buy more gas than have the little luxuries in life, just so they can burn more, and oil can go up to $175 per barrel again! America's love affair with the automobile really needs to be checked. We just don't see the position this has gotten us into, and no one cares I guess as long as they look cool cruising around town.
9th Jan 2011, 13:07
"Ummm... have you seen the Camry, Avalon, most of the Lexus lineup, the Accord, and most of the Acura lineup"
Yes, I have. As a former import owner, I will never buy anything but a Ford or GM. I bought a Ford Fusion and a Ford Mustang. Both are absolutely flawless. The Fusion drives and handles much better than any Japanese car, has better build quality and is more reliable.
As for the Mustang, there is no Japanese competition for it. I looked at a Toyota Solara, but threw up and ran out of the dealership as fast as I could.
10th Jan 2011, 10:44
Yes, I have too. I left new Acuras and Mercedes as well. What's wrong with cool cars? If you work, and drive in and come home, why not love what you drive? I am not a gas pump victim or ever desire to be. The only hybrid I like is the new Fiskar hybrid. I can afford one. It has plenty of great incentives to own. Great performance, very fast and fun. I will test one in 2012. If I burn the same amount of fuel as the long distance commuters in the subcompacts, what's the issue? I drive and live close to work and home. I hit Starbucks every day as well. We both burn the same amount of fuel. But coming out driving the super miniature hybrids with silly smile grilles is not for me. Is that what we are being forced into? I am not getting herded into a car I despise, because of middle east fuel woes.
10th Jan 2011, 14:00
11:32 You will be hard pressed to remove all the automotive enthusiasts involved in car clubs, racing car shows, and cruises throughout this country. Some of us buy jet fuel at 9 bucks a gallon on the street. I was at a cruise night last summer with over 1000 cars in attendance. And shows everywhere each weekend with huge turnouts. There's a lot of people who disagree with you.
10th Jan 2011, 14:43
See, biases can take hold of you even before you look at anything you don't like in general, such as import cars. You don't like imports, so be it.
I tend to like what works best for me, and not go with all import or all domestic. As far as the Fusion being a better car then any Japanese car... I disagree. I think the Honda Accord is a better car overall. I actually test drove the V6 Fusion in 2008 against the Honda Accord. The base 4 cylinder Accord LX was a better performer than the Fusion with a V6 in it. I was really surprised, as I really do like the Fusion. The Accord is smoother and felt as powerful, if not a little more powerful than the Fusion, because of the smoothness. Obviously the Fusion would beat it off the line, but who races sedans? I could always opt for the 271 HP Accord anyhow if I needed to take down a Fusion... ha ha ha!!
As far as reliability....well my current 2009 Ford had to be flatbedded to the dealer at 8K miles for SYNC issues that killed it so completely it couldn't be jumped. I have never had to flatbed any import to the dealer at any mileage. This is just my experience, but to me imports are better overall, as most of my domestics (especially GM) have been a nightmare to keep running properly.
As far as competition for the Mustang goes... well there is the Accord Coupe with the V6 and a six speed manual. There is also the Nissan 370Z, Mitsubishi Eclipse, Altima Coupe and the Hyundai Genesis Coupe, which is Korean, but still import. There are quite a few import choices over the Mustang, and many of them are front drivers, so they make more sense as a sole car to drive year round in winter states. If I were to buy a new Mustang right, now I would surely park it for the winters, whether it was a V6 or a GT.
10th Jan 2011, 15:11
"I am not getting herded into a car I despise, because of middle east fuel woes."
So when you speak Arabic, will you then think twice about buying a better car for fuel consumption. I mean really, what does it take?
11th Jan 2011, 18:05
Everybody laughs at my car, but I have lots of money in the bank, and no debt.
I only drive old GM cars from the 80's and 90's, preferably V-8 and rear wheel drive. I never pay more than $1200, and usually can get a low mileage, senior owned car for that price.
People ask me how I afford the gasoline for my 1990 Caprice Classic; well, when you have a reliable car that needs no maintenance, that is paid for in full, you can afford a lot of things.
$2 a day more in gasoline to ride in a comfortable land yacht that rides like a couch on a cloud is worth it to me.
I spend a lot of time commuting, totally worth it to me.
Most of my friends own newer imports they are financing; large car payments, higher insurance and expensive maintenance. Most of them are just scraping by, paycheck to paycheck, with no savings in the bank.
The myth that getting a newer, fuel efficient car will save you money in long run is total BS. It has not saved anyone I know any money, the upkeep on the new cars is very expensive, and they are made to be disposed of instead of repaired. My uncle has a 2006 Jetta that is pretty much ready to be junked already, talk about flushing money down the toilet. My best friend has a 2005 Civic that is driving him broke in repair cost, and my girlfriend has a 2004 Accord sitting in the driveway with a broken transmission ($4000 to fix)
No compacts or imports for me! No car at any price will ever match my Chevy Caprice for comfort, safety, luxury, reliability, low purchase price, and operating cost.
8th Jan 2011, 11:37
Giving up Starbucks, Red Bulls etc was my way of saying you can spend the money towards fuel if money is so tight. I would rather ride with my family in a nicer car. If it costs you 5 bucks more a day for example, give up one of your many life minimal luxuries to drive something nicer or drive less. Maybe quit smoking or quit drinking expensive bottled waters; staying out of the vending machines vs gripe about gas. Price some movie tickets or games for example. Cut back a couple and drive a sports car. I have a co worker on a budget, who bought a Solstice. It's at least an economy sports car vs a total bore. It's out of production, maybe wasn't cheap to buy, but he's keeping his. Not selling. Fun car to ride in. I would rather look at that in my garage vs a boring bland hardtop.