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?

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#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)
#6532 of 7263 Found it [fintail] by 62vetteefp Nov 10, 2008 (11:23 am)
Replying to: fintail (Nov 10, 2008 10:02 am) In an odd turn of events, the General Motors Assembly Plant in Arlington will begin working overtime next month as GM struggles with the severe financial crisis that's gripping American businesses. Tony Sapienza, a spokesman for GM production, said Friday that the Arlington overtime is not related to any future announcements on cuts and closures. The plant builds full-size SUVs such as the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon, a segment that has been in steep decline all year. But GM has offered large incentives on big pickups and SUVs, and sales have increased some as gas prices have eased. "It is purely market-driven and could be related to a drop in supply because of our employee discount sales event," Mr. Sapienza said of the overtime decision. In addition, full-size SUVs are some of GM's more profitable vehicles at a time when the company is reportedly burning through $1 billion a month in cash. Wendi Sabo, a spokeswoman for the Arlington plant, said the factory's 2,500 workers will begin working overtime Nov. 3 and continue through the end of the year. The plant's two shifts will each work one hour of overtime a day Monday through Thursday and a half-hour on Friday. They will also work two Saturdays in November and one in December.