big 3 decline - related experiment

[JHZR2]

Hi,

I want to run an experiment of sorts, related to the discussion on the big 3 decline topic... My theory is that unfortunately, most of the cars that any set of the responders could/would buy are of big 3 AND made in the USA statuses.

Rules: list as many cars as you like. They have to be REASONABLE cars to buy, if, say, tomorrow you NEEDED a new vehicle, and HAD to buy a new one. It has to be within your means without significant monetary burden... SO, I might desire a SUbaru legacy, and that would be OK, as I could afford it... however, I could not list that Id buy a new MB E-class diesel, as its beyone my means, and I couldnt list that Id buy an E39 BMW, as it is not new... catch my drift?

So, my list, if I HAD to buy today is:

-Saab 9-3
-Subaru Legacy
-Dodge Ram Cummins TD
-Dodge Stratus
-Nissan Sentra

Ok, so 2/5ths of the cars are not big 3 nameplates, and only 2/5ths (that I know for sure, the legacy and the Stratus) are made in the USA.

This is an indication of what cars appeal to people as reasonable cars to buy (so we get a good cross-section of cars that the average buyer would buy), and then we can see which of said cars would be big 3 cars, and which of said cars would be union made... The end results might be interesting...

Lets not trash each other's choices, but add build location and union or not info if you have it... THen we can compile the results, and see just how the big 3 and how well union-made vehicles do as far as pulling sales and desire from the average consumer.

Thanks!

JMH

P.S. I suppose we could just looka t sales numbers to pick out info, but this might be fun! (maybe not

)

 

[Win]

My 1994 Xj12 is still low miles (76K) but is getting old.

I am thinking (only thinking) of replacing it with a Cadillac CTS or CTS-V. But, I might also replace it with another Jaguar. The new one I bought for the wife is mighty nice.

I won't buy a front wheel drive car, regardless of where, or by who, it is built.

 

[mormit]

Funny, I'm just starting to think about buying my next vehicle

Where I'm coming from:
*Me, wife, 2 very young kids...oldest is 2.
*Wife stays home with the kids and her best friend is expecting her first.
*Safety, reliability, reasonable maintenance, and good gas mileage are high on my list.
*Preference on where it is made: #1) US, #2) countries we are on very good terms with like Europe and Japan.
*We have no interest in a minivan or SUV.
*4WD/AWD not needed. I can handle snow just fine and it's just a waste of HP and gas.

My picks:
Volvo V70 - first by a long shot. Carrys 7 passengers, good gas mileage for its size, relatively plush, and great personal experience with the brand. Meets all criteria but I wish it was made in the US and was diesel.
VW passat wagon. Diesel but not as good as above.
Considered Honda Element and Scion XB but both off the list.
I want to like the Dodge Magnum. Not a wife mobile though and I think the V70 meets my needs better.

[ January 29, 2006, 01:44 AM: Message edited by: mormit ]

 

[brianl703]

I'd consider a 9-3. If I wanted an inexpensive car with a proven powertrain, a Saturn Ion (I really do like the Ecotec and I've been unable to find any dirty laundry about the 4T40E). The Ford Fusion is another possibility but they don't yet offer it with the Duratec 3.0L V6 and the 5-speed. As a side note, I've seen more Mercury Milans than I have Ford Fusions on the road.

 

[Not the Autorx Frank]

My choices:

Mustang GT
Toyota tundra limited
BMW 5 or 7 series

My Wifes:

Lexus ES 300
Lexus IS
Toyota Avalon

 

[Vilan]

Right now, if I bought a new car, it would be a Smart Fortwo. I have this strange obsession with tiny cars. Though before I bought my current car, I was also considering a Mazda Miata. Sporty and not too expensive.

 

[rjundi]

My choices:

Honda Odyssey
Toyota Sienna
possibly Dodge minivan

we just had a child AND our other ride I absolutely love, a nice 250HP

5 speed Subaru Legacy GT wagon.

 

[thooks]

Another 2005 Honda Accord EX-L 4cyl no Navigation
2001 or 2002 Accord coupe, black, 4 cyl
Toyota Tundra (new)
BMW 330i
BMW 530i
2002 Suburban 4x2

 

[GROUCHO MARX]

Scion xB
Scion tC
Scion xA

 

[1sttruck]

Large vehicle - Dodge Ram with a diesel. We have one, and if for some reason I needed to replace it I'd get another.

Smaller vehicle - we have two Taurus sedans and I don't really see a replacement; bench seats, seats six, not too expensive (the 93 was $13 new), almost 28 to 29 mpg on the highway. A diesel sedan would be nice but I'm guessing that we're talking $25k and up. A Subaru wagon is kind of a no brainer for good traction but mileage isn't very good and they're expensive. I tend to view vehicles as 'solutions to transportion problems/preceived needs', but I gather that a Subaru isn't a common choice for those who think that a vehicle is some kind of projected image of who they are :^)

Econobox - diesel seems like a good place to start, but they're expensive. If I couldn't get a diesel I'd stick with a higher mileage sedan or wagon.

Summary - A stripped down diesel Subaru wagon would be ideal. Please don't make it more expensive than needed with foo foo stuff.

 

[Hirev]

quote:

---

if, say, tomorrow you NEEDED a new vehicle, and HAD to buy a new one.

---

Well I just ordered Toyota Tundra a week ago after looking at 1/2 ton trucks for 6 weeks. I thought the F150 was nice also.

The Dodge, and Chevy were eliminated soon after a test drive.

I don't know what Honda was thinking with their so called truck. That was an over priced joke.

 

[ALS]

I'm looking to GM when the daily driver (87 Volvo 745 333K) finally goes.
I have taken a liking to the new Malibu. I especially like the mileage figures on the 4 cylinders. I'm one of those if it has four wheels and gets me there I'm happy.

 

[rpn453]

Right now, I'd test drive and pick between these:
Mazda3
Honda Civic
Subaru Impreza
Toyota Matrix

But if I had a little more money, I'd take these for a spin:
Lexus IS250 (no stick on the 350!)
BMW 3-series
Infiniti G35
Volvo S40/V50
Subaru Legacy

And, if I end up working rigs and need a true 4X4 it would be between these (both have available 6spds):
Nissan X-Terra
Jeep Liberty

So only 1 out of 11 on my list.

 

[1sttruck]

Forgot to mention...

Performance vehicle - Yamaha FZ1000, as the bars on the ricky racer models are too low for touring. Putting a chip in the truck and driving it stupidly is counter to one of the main reasons getting it, which is long life.

 

[Amkeer]

Toyota Tundra 4-Door Limited XPS Edition
Lexus GS300
Toyota 4-Runner

 

[javacontour]

I just bought a brand new car in the past 30 days. I shopped the Honda Civic, Mazda 3i and the Scion tC. I probably could have gone either way. The Scion guys won because the Scion seems to have better resale and they had one on the lot.

I didn't care for the new dashboard on the Civic and the Mazda guys couldn't find a car the way I wanted it, (manual transmission, 6 disc/moonroof pkg and the SAB/SAC/ABS pkg) without a boatload of options I didn't want.

So now I'm an all Toyota house, but none of my Toyotas have a Toyota badge (Scion and Geo Prizm)

T

 

[Lumberg]

Probably a little Honda Civic Hatchback 4-cyl and Manual.

 

[brianl703]

They still make hatchbacks (Civic ones anyway?)

 

[AndyH]

No Civic hatchback anymore, although perhaps there are leftovers still out there on dealer's lots.

 

[michaelc80]

I'm considering getting the wife a car this spring/early summer to commute with and leaving her Jeep parked except when we need the extra space/towing/4WD capabilities. Fuel mileage, reliability and safety will be the main factors. I'm considering:

Honda Civic
Toyota Corolla
Mazda 3
Nissan Sentra
Hyundia Elantra