Thread: Big 3 Bailout -- What is your position?

This just in. Toyota wants GM to survive. Their argument? If GM goes down then the void will be filled by Korean and Indian automakers. They are cheaper than Toyota and will put further downward pressure on U.S. auto revenue. Toyota would be hurt and American workers income would be hurt even more.

http://money.cnn.com/2008/12/15/news...kers/index.htm

Originally Posted by Consultant

I don't know if Honda or Toyota have made THAT much progress, really.

Everybody these days is bragging about 25 MPG on the highway like it's some miracle.

When I was in college I drove a 1991 Honda Accord that got like, 28 MPG on the highway. It took me something under half a tank to drive 4 hours home when I went.

No car maker is making that much progress with their gas-only engines.

Hybrids are another story, but a 4 cylinder gas engine today gets damn close to the same mileage it did 10, 15, even 20 years ago. We've all heard the stories about the VW TDI Jetta, a Turbo Diesel Jetta that got something ridiculous like 50 MPG in the 80s.

THAT is the innovation we need.

Emphasis mine. Interestingly these have been banned in Cali for some time (although apparently it's being lifted soon). You can grandfather them in from other states, but dealers can't acquire diesel cars... ?! Go figure. 'Emissions', is what I thought they said.

Yes, the TDI Jetta gets around 50mpg, give or take some (take a lot in city driving).

Great cars.

Edit: Correction, was lifted!
I think this is year one.

Opinions... hmm wow here we go... Here's what i think of the big 3...
Ford/ GM/ Dodge... I think it all started with the higher ups to say the least. I really don't wanna offend anyone by this but it's hard not to. It seems there vehicles have been engineered to break down and be pretty costly for consumers to repair and this has been going on hmm i dunno probably the early 80's I'd say. There vehicles.. well some maybe have stood pretty well but others to say the least in my opinion are junk/ or maintence nightmares.. I've had 4 f-150's the 4th one i threw in the towel after a blown engine and replaced a rear end not to mention break and steering problems. Oyea and my window always went off track... I never knew how to work on a vehicle till i owned a ford. I got fed up one day and discovered honda.... I then purchased and 02 accord special edition. Never had one problem with it drove it 60000 miles with a few oil changes... car is still probably makeing someone really happy.. the point is that the foreign auto makers have been making a funcional and reliable vehicles for decades it seems.. I myself have caught on.. I will never own another american made vehicle except a harley.. If it breaks on me.. I'll never own one again.. I properly maintain my vehicles... yes... But I now drive a 07 tundra which i love, havent had a problem with it, it now has around 55000 miles with no problems whatso ever. To me it has alot to do with reputations. If you read consumer reports on mid and compact cars you will see the top cars rated as honda accord/ corolla(best) , and toyota camry. I can't say the make there trucks any different considering there track record. I hate to say it but i think they dug there own grave. I really feal for all the hard working men and women the us automotive industry, there people like you and I and there taking orders from someone above them. I pray they will have and continue to get retirement benifits. But as for gas vehicles period I will not spend one more penny on one. This my final vehicle.. My next will be electric for sure. As for german auto makers some of the best in the buisness I think they make some of the best but a bit pricey. I guess you get what u pay for. But the next time you purchase a vehicle look at the depreciation lvl. Cause when I traded my 02 accord which i ragged out and still ran the same as when i first got it I still got a good trade in for 9k. And bought my ... X .. wife... a 05 fully loaded v6 accord which was a super sweet ride. I think the Fords chevys and dodges especially are engineered to break down, i mean it makes perfect sense to me to keep other things going smooth. Like part manufacturing and other buisnesses assosiated with the automakers.. This is just an opinion of mine that I've viewed throughout my life. Some people may be bitter towards it but if you look at the track record most of my statements stand true. But as far as trucks go I still think till this day that ford makes one of the best if only they could make it more relieable and not depreciate as fast. As for the turdra it's my top choice, the hydraulic tail gate 16 inch brake rotors and the pulling power are really impressive. Not to mention the turning radius. I think if u buy a truck to get better gas mileage your a fool. I test drove them all. Chevys... sigh... I was impressed but witht hose big texas editon wheels your steering sticks the turns and steering wheel doesnt correct itself.. which led me to buy a toyota. And another thing on the chevy's the 4 cylinder deal... never worked for me.. Only doing downhill... pretty much useless in my opinion. Then if it breaks.. forget about it...