Buying American Cars What Does It Mean?

7263 messages, Last post on May 27, 2009 at 4:31 AM

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What is this discussion about? Car Buying

With parts coming from everywhere, does "Buying American" have much meaning anymore? Is quality and price the bottom line?

Outline

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#6522 of 7263 Re: Investment? [andre1969] by lemko Nov 07, 2008 (4:12 pm)
Replying to: andre1969 (Nov 07, 2008 4:03 pm) That last RWD LeSabre was a really nice car with a really plush interior. I remember that sharp example we saw at Carlisle about two years back. Funny that the Park Ave/Electra didn't do as well as the LeSabre in the quality reviews. It's basically the same car with nicer trim and a more upright back window. I was surprised how much rear seat room the '88 Park Ave had when I first got it.
#6523 of 7263 Re: Quite possibly... [lemko] by circlew Nov 07, 2008 (5:09 pm)
Replying to: lemko (Nov 07, 2008 1:31 pm) That's the defining moment of time that was the true US auto industry. The 1960's is what I will remeber best. Since then,
#6524 of 7263 Re: Invest the difference... [circlew] by nvbanker Nov 09, 2008 (9:29 am)
Replying to: circlew (Nov 05, 2008 3:45 pm) I've been wondering how frustrated those Hybrid customers are now that gas is reapproaching $2 a gallon.... Must feel great to be green and have spent a $5 premium to feel that way, cause they're not saving any money now after you factor in the initial cost. Replies to this message: andre1969 (Nov 09, 2008 11:12 am) circlew (Nov 09, 2008 5:09 pm) 62vetteefp (Nov 09, 2008 5:26 pm) circlew (Nov 09, 2008 6:05 pm) and 3 more...
#6525 of 7263 Re: Invest the difference... [nvbanker] by andre1969 Nov 09, 2008 (11:12 am)
Replying to: nvbanker (Nov 09, 2008 9:29 am) Well hopefully they're thinking long-term, and that fuel prices will ultimately go back up. Plus, while it's hard to put a dollar figure on it, there is the satisfaction of knowing you're conserving fuel, plus the convenience of not having to stop off and refuel as often. I'm sort of going through the same thing with the heat pump I had installed back in September. I made the decision back over the summer, when home heating oil hit $5.60+ per gallon. Now, I wouldn't be surprised if it was down under $3.00 per gallon. By the time you factor in all the ductwork, and the electrical upgrades my old house required, that sucker set me back $12,650. It's going to take a long time to recoup that initial cost. I averaged about 450 gallons of oil per year, although last winter was a bit mild. Plus I did some insulating and sealing, which helped a bit. My initial estimate was that my electric bill might go up around $500-600 total for the year because of the heat pump. It'll raise my bills in the winter, but in the summer, it'll probably lower them because the heat pump should be more efficient than the three window units I had been using. Also, the service contract for the furnace was running about $200 per year, and was going to go up to $300. So initially, I was figuring the thing might save me about $2200-2500 per year. More if oil prices rose. Or breakeven in 5-6 years, max. It might take longer now. But at least I'll have the comfort of central air throughout the whole house. Plus, now I have heat upstairs. The old oil furnace only had ducts downstairs, so heat rising up the stairwell was all that warmed up the upstairs, plus occasional space heater use. And I'll never again have to worry about turning off the window a/c in the kitchen if I want to use the microwave, for fear of tripping the circuit breaker. And while fuel prices are suddenly low again (we would've bitched about these prices back in the summer of 2004), I'm sure it's only a matter of time before they go up. I just hope people don't get too short-sighted and start dumping their hybrids for guzzlers again!
#6526 of 7263 Re: Invest the difference... [nvbanker] by circlew Nov 09, 2008 (5:09 pm)
Replying to: nvbanker (Nov 09, 2008 9:29 am) Well, honestly, it's still costing them relatively less at lower prices although it will take way longer to recoup the difference. The best is the $70K Caddy Hybrid Escalade...why bother? Regards, OW Replies to this message: 62vetteefp (Nov 09, 2008 5:26 pm) circlew (Nov 09, 2008 6:05 pm) 62vetteefp (Nov 10, 2008 9:00 am) and 2 more...
#6527 of 7263 Re: Invest the difference... [circlew] by 62vetteefp Nov 09, 2008 (5:26 pm)
Replying to: circlew (Nov 09, 2008 5:09 pm) "The best is the $70K Caddy Hybrid Escalade...why bother?" $2000 per year in gas vs. $4000. Lots more in actual savings than a Camry vs. Camry Hybrid. Replies to this message: circlew (Nov 09, 2008 6:05 pm) 62vetteefp (Nov 10, 2008 9:00 am) fintail (Nov 10, 2008 10:02 am) and 1 more...
#6528 of 7263 Re: Invest the difference... [62vetteefp] by circlew Nov 09, 2008 (6:05 pm)
Replying to: 62vetteefp (Nov 09, 2008 5:26 pm) $2000 per year in gas vs. $4000. Lots more in actual savings than a Camry vs. Camry Hybrid I calculate the difference at a lower $1,300/year savingsand at $12K price difference, 9.4 years to break even. (20 MPG vs. 12 MPG). Not very effective but at least is a shade greener. Regards, OW Replies to this message: 62vetteefp (Nov 10, 2008 9:00 am) fintail (Nov 10, 2008 10:02 am) 62vetteefp (Nov 10, 2008 11:23 am)
#6529 of 7263 Re: Invest the difference... [circlew] by 62vetteefp Nov 10, 2008 (9:00 am)
Replying to: circlew (Nov 09, 2008 6:05 pm) My point was not economics since your remark was based on being "green". People do buy the SUV's and in fact there was a report today on the radio that an SUV plant is working OT due to demand with gas at $1.90/gallon. Going from about 10 MPG to 20 MPG on a huge SUV saves a whole bunch more fuel than the same on a Camry vs. Camry Hybrid. That is why someone should bother. Americans are going to buy the vehicles they want when they can. Replies to this message: fintail (Nov 10, 2008 10:02 am) 62vetteefp (Nov 10, 2008 11:23 am)
#6530 of 7263 Re: Invest the difference... [62vetteefp] by fintail Nov 10, 2008 (10:02 am)
Replying to: 62vetteefp (Nov 10, 2008 9:00 am) I think spending 70K on a car makes one forfeit the right to complain about mileage I hope the suckers are lining up to buy SUVs again...these gas prices are an anomaly, and the same people will regain their victim mentality when reality sets back in. Replies to this message: 62vetteefp (Nov 10, 2008 11:23 am)