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2008 Minivans - READ ONLY

1261 messages,  Last post on Feb 27, 2008 at 7:47 AM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, Dodge Caravan, Hyundai Entourage, Mazda MAZDA5, Kia Sedona, Car Comparisons, Car Buying, Van

#442 of 1261 Re: Honestly.... [dennisctc] by mfletou1 Oct 07, 2007 (7:40 pm)
Replying to: dennisctc (Oct 07, 2007 1:30 pm) Exactly. You won't see that at Honda and Toyota because the inmates aren't running the asylum.   As for R&D, maybe some of you are finally getting it. Because of years of capitulation to big labor, the Big Three aren't able to invest the same as Toyota, Honda, and now Hyundai on R&D, and the end results are inferior products. Not to say that Detroit isn't capable of putting out decent cars, of course.   My larger point is that fundamentally, I'm a free market guy. I've changed as I've gotten older (and I'm not old, I'm still in my 20s!) Four or five years ago, I would only buy American out of that sense of guilt. But I've been left stranded and abused (literally actually) by an American company that I finally got driven to Toyota, and I haven't looked back. I'm not longer convinced its the "right" thing to do, in fact I feel like by settling for inferiority, I'm basically enabling a flawed industry that needs drastic reformation. Replies to this message: tedebear (Oct 07, 2007 8:10 pm) marine2 (Oct 07, 2007 9:47 pm) KarenS (Oct 08, 2007 7:38 am)
#443 of 1261 Re: Honestly.... [mfletou1] by tedebear Oct 07, 2007 (8:10 pm)
Replying to: mfletou1 (Oct 07, 2007 7:40 pm) As for R&D, maybe some of you are finally getting it. Because of years of capitulation to big labor, the Big Three aren't able to invest the same as Toyota, Honda, and now Hyundai on R&D   It's called corporate greed. GM management complains that they are losing $1,500 per vehicle because of higher labor costs than Toyota. However, that doesn't keep the top executives at GM from averaging 250x more money per year in salary and bonuses than their average production worker.   I read a statistic recently that said if GM would go back to the 60s, where the top executive salary was "just" 20x more than the average worker, they would turn that $1,500 loss per vehicle into a $1,000 profit. Replies to this message: marine2 (Oct 07, 2007 9:47 pm) KarenS (Oct 08, 2007 7:38 am)
#444 of 1261 Re: Honestly.... [tedebear] by marine2 Oct 07, 2007 (9:47 pm)
Replying to: tedebear (Oct 07, 2007 8:10 pm) I'm going to carry this over to the other thread (Minivan Shopping - Domestic vs. Foreign) where it belongs. Wish they had an open forum for this. Replies to this message: KarenS (Oct 08, 2007 7:38 am)
#445 of 1261 Re: Honestly.... [marine2] by KarenS HOST Oct 08, 2007 (7:38 am)
Replying to: marine2 (Oct 07, 2007 9:47 pm) The Auto News board would be the best place to start a new discussion. You might want to look through the current topics as there may be something already suitable.   Automotive News & Views
#446 of 1261 This is cool.... by dennisctc Oct 10, 2007 (4:45 am)
Note the LED pipe lighting Same as the new Chryslers   future minivan Replies to this message: ateixeira (Oct 10, 2007 10:16 am) marine2 (Oct 10, 2007 2:20 pm) hansienna (Oct 10, 2007 2:39 pm) carcom2 (Oct 10, 2007 5:59 pm)
#447 of 1261 Strike is on by ateixeira Oct 10, 2007 (10:07 am)
As of 11am, UAW is on strike against Chrysler. Likely will delay the arrival of the 2008s, so it might hit them where it hurts.
#448 of 1261 Re: This is cool.... [dennisctc] by ateixeira Oct 10, 2007 (10:16 am)
Replying to: dennisctc (Oct 10, 2007 4:45 am) Gosh that is hideous. The outside looks like they slapped a new front end on the old Ford Aerostar!   Plus, that only seats 6, my Sienna seats 8. This is progress?   Mood lighting has been in many concepts before, and I doubt that would make production.   I like the 4 DVD screens and the center console, and the 2nd row seats remind me of the LS460L's.   I'll pass, though, too much pseudo-luxury and not enough utility. Replies to this message: marine2 (Oct 10, 2007 2:20 pm)
#449 of 1261 Re: This is cool.... [ateixeira] by marine2 Oct 10, 2007 (2:20 pm)
Replying to: ateixeira (Oct 10, 2007 10:16 am) That does look sharp.
#450 of 1261 Re: This is cool.... [dennisctc] by hansienna Oct 10, 2007 (2:39 pm)
Replying to: dennisctc (Oct 10, 2007 4:45 am) YES. I may decide to buy another Toyota if they will eliminate the console between the front seats.
#451 of 1261 Re: This is cool.... [dennisctc] by carcom2 Oct 10, 2007 (5:59 pm)
Replying to: dennisctc (Oct 10, 2007 4:45 am) It does look cool. If I were to get DVD players I actually would prefer them on the back of the headrests - easier on the neck and it doesn't interfere with the view through the rear view mirror.   Fully reclining seats are excellent. Don't know why Chrysler doesn't have it in 2008's. They come in handy when you pull over to a rest area.   Keep this stuff coming on this Toyota. Any idea yet on if it will be in the US?

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