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Does America Even Need Its Own Automakers?

1007 messages,  Last post on May 27, 2008 at 6:51 PM

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What is this discussion about? Automotive News, Truck, Sedan, SUV


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#998 of 1007
Re: My take on Saturn... [no_one] by andre1969
May 26, 2008 (6:38 am)
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Replying to: no_one (May 26, 2008 6:27 am)

Of course, this does not bode well for the 2010/11 Saturn Astra, which is rumored will be built in Mexico.
 
That might not be an automatic death sentence, though. The Fusion is built in Mexico, and so is the PT Cruiser. Neither of those are bad cars. Not exactly class-leading technological tour-de-fources, but they're not 1976 Volares or 1980 Citations, either.
#999 of 1007
Re: My take on Saturn... [andre1969] by gagrice
May 26, 2008 (6:47 am)
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Replying to: andre1969 (May 26, 2008 6:38 am)

My 1998/99 Suburban was built in Mexico. It was more solid built than my 2005 GMC Hybrid PU built in Indiana. Actually it had better fit and finish. Heavier sheet metal which is a management problem not a worker problem.
#1000 of 1007
Re: My take on Saturn... [gagrice] by andre1969
May 26, 2008 (6:58 am)
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Replying to: gagrice (May 26, 2008 6:47 am)

Heavier sheet metal which is a management problem not a worker problem.
 
Yeah, that's something for the "they don't build 'em like they used to" files. I remember a few years ago, my cousin got her 2002 or so Durango stuck in the mud. She had parked on the soft shoulder in front of my mother's house, instead of in the driveway for whatever reason. Ended up getting stuck. When we tried to push her out, I remember trying to shove against the rear liftgate, and the whole thing started to buckle in. Luckily I let off before leaving an imprint.
 
And to think that with my old '85 Silverado, sometimes if the tailgate didn't close right, I'd just kick it closed! Guess you can't do that with a new truck! Sometimes if the door didn't close right (you have to really slam it, which I'm sure really helped contribute to the squeaks and rattles those 70's/80's vehicles would often develop), I'd just shove against it and it would close. That would probably muff up a newer truck, too.
#1001 of 1007
Re: My take on Saturn... [andre1969] by gagrice
May 26, 2008 (9:25 am)
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Replying to: andre1969 (May 26, 2008 6:58 am)

I had the 2005 GMC PU with the overlapping doors. You had to really slam the little door to get it latched or the main door would not close correctly. I asked them to adjust it each time I went in for oil change. Never did work well. So it will probably be my last GM vehicle. They also lost a sale on a 2007 Denali when they tried to rip me on trading the truck in. They offered $7000 under what I sold it for on Craigslist. I will look and check out future generations of GM vehicles. If they come up with a small diesel option in a nice SUV, I may give them another shot. Not likely though.
 
I am looking for a very clean pre 1995 Ford F250 Powerstroke. I want to get rid of my 1999 V6 Ranger that is underpowered.
#1002 of 1007
Re: My take on Saturn... [no_one] by jeffyscott
May 27, 2008 (8:26 am)
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Replying to: no_one (May 26, 2008 6:27 am)

One other side note, the new VW Rabbit was rated to have above average reliability by Consumer Reports and is only built in Germany.
 
The similar, built only in Mexico, Jetta achieved an average reliability ranking in last year's auto issue...have not seen this year's issue. I really don't think the parts care too much about where they are put together. I think the whole "cars built in location X are bad, cars built in location Y are good" thing is mostly mythology.
#1003 of 1007
Re: My take on Saturn... [jeffyscott] by british_rover
May 27, 2008 (11:14 am)
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Replying to: jeffyscott (May 27, 2008 8:26 am)

More then one Mercedes service manager has told me the C-Classes built in Brazil are better put together then the C-Classes built in Germany. They have less warranty problems with the Brazilian C-Classes then the German ones.
#1004 of 1007
Re: My take on Saturn... [british_rover] by nippononly
May 27, 2008 (2:59 pm)
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Replying to: british_rover (May 27, 2008 11:14 am)

Is the new C-class proving as troublesome as the old model was?
 
All the luxury brands should get out of the entry-level game unless they can build in the same quality in the low-priced models that gave them their cachet in the first place.
#1005 of 1007
Re: My take on Saturn... [nippononly] by british_rover
May 27, 2008 (3:06 pm)
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Replying to: nippononly (May 27, 2008 2:59 pm)

Nah this was several years back on the previous generation C-Class. I have no idea how the current gen model is doing. I don't think it has been out long enough for anyone to have a say one way or the other. From what I have heard about the launch of the new S-Class Mercedes really hit that one out of the park so if they can do that with the C-Class they will have a huge hit on their hands.
#1006 of 1007
Re: My take on Saturn... [british_rover] by fintail
May 27, 2008 (4:19 pm)
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Replying to: british_rover (May 27, 2008 3:06 pm)

How many non-German W203 made it to the US? I can't say I ever recall seeing that country on a sticker...but admittedly I never cared much for that car, so I never really looked very often. I did drive a 2005 C230 that belongs to a friend...it seemed well made and was pretty engaging with the kompressor and all. As with MB products for ages, the ones to get are the ones at the end of the model lifespan.
 
I see new C-class all the time now, they must be selling decently. I haven't read anything bad about them or the new S, either,
#1007 of 1007
Re: My take on Saturn... [fintail] by british_rover
May 27, 2008 (6:51 pm)
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Replying to: fintail (May 27, 2008 4:19 pm)

I am not sure on the numbers. Our GM had a C320 of that era that was Brazilian made. He might remember what the ratio of German to Brazilian C-Classes was.

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