beater/daily-drvr... which would you get (sedan) ? Options

[rpoz-29]

I'm not sure how much of the car is actually built here. A few years ago, some American built Hondas were sent back to Japan and compared to those built there. Surprisingly, the US built cars were considered to be the better built of the two. It is darn near impossible to find an "All-American" car these days.

This post has been edited by rpoz-29: Jan 14 2006, 02:28 AM

[bsim]

My $0.02...

I had one of THESE and really liked it. Trust me, the wife will like it. Mine only went away for the Corvette now occupying my driveway. PLUS, if you get a used 'Select' version, the warranty goes to 6yrs/100k miles.

Or a one or two year old CTS-V. :drive:

[NataSS Inc]

I'm looking for a family car (sedan) with the following goodies:

• leather
• dual-climate-zone
• heated seats
• HIDs
• sun-roof
• leather interior
• decent handling/power
• automatic (wife doesn't want manual)

Volvo S60 R

And the availability to make it go fast is there.

[Crazy Canuck]

I'm looking for a family car (sedan) with the following goodies:

• leather
• dual-climate-zone
• heated seats
• HIDs
• sun-roof
• leather interior
• decent handling/power
• automatic (wife doesn't want manual)

Volvo S60 R

And the availability to make it go fast is there.

Yikes... like it, but too pricey.
For that price, I rather get other cars first, such as the CTS-V, even a used one from a local friend of mine that is considering selling it... car is 2 year old and would be selling for 1/2 price... but i need automatic.

[Crazy Canuck]

Dodge Ram..........built in Mexico.

Z-28 Camaro.......built in Canada. (And a lovely car it is too!) (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

Hyundai Sonata..built in Alabama.

When an American company moves operations overseas we bitch. When a foreign manufacturer sets up shop in America, the temptation is to gripe because "they're taking over". As long as it's employing Americans, it is an American company.

I think I made up my mind.
It's an american car, and built in CANADA (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
Last car was a Camaro, built in QC... the one I'm thinking is built in ON, our neighbours.
Price is a tad on the steep side, but great value/fun/features... great bang for the buck... now I just need to take it for a test drive
Just hope I won't enjoy it more than the SS... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rotf.gif)

[35th_Anniversary...]

Last I checked Canada & Mexico were part of "America".


Not sure about the other cars. I went on tour of BMW X5 / Z4 plant in SC. Steel (sheet metal) was sourced locally from Spartanburg Steel. Source of raw material is unkown to me. But what's funny is most people think they are buying a German car when almost all of it is made here in the US.

Another comment. I'm not for unions, but alot of the foreign car companies have been able ot operate non-union plants here in the US and that gives them a significant cost advantage over the Big Two. The other things that are most likely killing GM / Ford, etc is the pension benefits that they are paying out. They have many retired workers from before the automation. It doesn't take anywhere near as many employees to build a car now compared to 40 years ago.

And the commments about at least they are assembled here... well what about the designers? the drafters? the engineers? etc, etc. What about all those workers you are taking away their jobs b/c you buy an import. I got no problem doing manual skilled labor, but I paid alot of money for a piece of paper that might won't mean squat if all the technical jobs are overseas.

And another comment. About those who say alot og the GM vehicles are made in Canada - Eugenio is from Canada, don't you think he would like that?

ok rant off

[bsim]

:stupid:

... well what about the designers? the drafters? the engineers?

...and most importantly profit.

[Crazy Canuck]

Last I checked Canada & Mexico were part of "America".


Not sure about the other cars. I went on tour of BMW X5 / Z4 plant in SC. Steel (sheet metal) was sourced locally from Spartanburg Steel. Source of raw material is unkown to me. But what's funny is most people think they are buying a German car when almost all of it is made here in the US.

Another comment. I'm not for unions, but alot of the foreign car companies have been able ot operate non-union plants here in the US and that gives them a significant cost advantage over the Big Two. The other things that are most likely killing GM / Ford, etc is the pension benefits that they are paying out. They have many retired workers from before the automation. It doesn't take anywhere near as many employees to build a car now compared to 40 years ago.

And the commments about at least they are assembled here... well what about the designers? the drafters? the engineers? etc, etc. What about all those workers you are taking away their jobs b/c you buy an import. I got no problem doing manual skilled labor, but I paid alot of money for a piece of paper that might won't mean squat if all the technical jobs are overseas.

And another comment. About those who say alot og the GM vehicles are made in Canada - Eugenio is from Canada, don't you think he would like that?

ok rant off

agree... and as a matter of fact, i would push the envelope and say I hate unions... they distroy whatever is good, and no longer look for the good of the employees, but their own agenda... ie political power.
Apart from that, I would really like to support the local economy if possible, as long as I get something that serves my needs.
This weekend, while thinking hard on a model i like alot, north american model, I found out it was made/assembled in Canada, in a city close to Toronto... that made me very (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) ... I think it's in Brampton, ON, CANADA.... I could be wrong... bad with names.
Anyways, the price is a bit steep, but with some $aving$, I'm ok.
It's a rwd car with only 425hp stock but has all the goodies @ decent price... great bang for the buck... now I need to convince the wife to go black instead of silver.
(IMG:http://www.dodge.com/gallery/img/charger/enlarge_11.jpg)
(IMG:http://www.dodge.com/gallery/img/charger/enlarge_14.jpg)
(IMG:http://www.dodge.com/gallery/img/charger/enlarge_12.jpg)
(IMG:http://www.dodge.com/gallery/img/charger/enlarge_20.jpg)
(IMG:http://www.dodge.com/gallery/img/charger/enlarge_2.jpg)

[Crazy Canuck]

btw, this week-end @ Detroit show, saw some Mopar performance parts available for the SRT8... nice exhaust, with resonators instead of mufflers for the center mufflers and no rear mufflers.
Under warranty and can have it on delivery of the car, installed by dealer and warrantied (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
thinking on getting that and the cold air intake package, as well as the stage-2 program with faster tranny shifting. ~+50hp
in winter, put back the stock program... and either way, always under warranty (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

should be a hell of a FUN beater :drive: (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/thumbup.gif) (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rotf.gif) (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/2thumbs.gif) (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/cool2.gif)

[Crazy Canuck]

what you guys think compared to this:
(IMG:http://www.chrysler.com/300/features/exterior_photos/img/enlarge_3.jpg)
(IMG:http://www.rsportscars.com/foto/02/srt805_02.jpg)

[firehawkclone]

The black one (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/2thumbs.gif)

[BigEnos]

I drove a charger SRT-8 over the summer. Only briefly and at lower speeds, but I must admit I loved everything about it I was able to ascertain from my brief time behind the wheel. Big ol (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/2thumbs.gif) from me for either.

The Charger I drove was black, hard to argue with the presence that thing has. The 300C is hard to discern from the non-SRT, not necessarily a bad thing, just a thing.

[slowTA]

The only bad thing I've heard of about the SRT-8 versions over the R/T and base model cars is that they don't have cylinder deactivation. So they're gas guzzlers. A friend of mine has a Magnum R/T and thats why he didn't get the SRT-8, his wife drives it alot and it gets worse milage than the '94 V8 Cougar it replaced.

But if that doesn't matter to you, then get the black one!

[BigEnos]

The guy who was driving the car for the week (it was an SCCA official vehicle) said it had the little light on the dash to indicate it had gone into cylinder deactivation. On the site it doesn't say that it has that capability, though. The mileage also shows a bit of a drop, too.

[Soma07]

Because we're F-body enthusiats, I'm kind of surprised more of us aren't recomending more GM products.

Just my opinion but aside from a few select models (C6, CTS, GTO) most GM cars are sorely lacking compared to their competitors. For example, who would buy a Malibu over an Accord for almost the same money? If just flat out being a better car wasn't enough factor in the resale value after 4-5 years and you'd have to be crazy to buy the Chevy.

I used to be a big fan of GM cars but now they make very little that appeals to me. Certainly nothing I can afford. Ford is no better and while Chrysler seems to be doing with with their RWD cars they're all too heavy for my tastes.

[Soma07]

Sorry to offend Jason but my experience with the BMW dealer just further reinforced my BMW stereotypes.

Were you there to buy a car or the dealership?

If that particular dealer pissed you off then find another one. There are shitty dealers selling every brand of car. Not really fair to say that all BMW dealers/drivers are assholes because of your negative experience with ONE.

Or even better buy a slightly used (1-2yr old) car from a private party and skip the dealer all together.

[Crazy Canuck]

Because we're F-body enthusiats, I'm kind of surprised more of us aren't recomending more GM products.

Just my opinion but aside from a few select models (C6, CTS, GTO) most GM cars are sorely lacking compared to their competitors. For example, who would buy a Malibu over an Accord for almost the same money? If just flat out being a better car wasn't enough factor in the resale value after 4-5 years and you'd have to be crazy to buy the Chevy.

I used to be a big fan of GM cars but now they make very little that appeals to me. Certainly nothing I can afford. Ford is no better and while Chrysler seems to be doing with with their RWD cars they're all too heavy for my tastes.

not to mention that GTO aren't sold in Canada, and can't be plated here if bought in US.

[Crazy Canuck]

The guy who was driving the car for the week (it was an SCCA official vehicle) said it had the little light on the dash to indicate it had gone into cylinder deactivation. On the site it doesn't say that it has that capability, though. The mileage also shows a bit of a drop, too.

not the SRT8, then... SRT8's don't shut certain cylinders... full-time 8 cylinder running.

[slowTA]

Because we're F-body enthusiats, I'm kind of surprised more of us aren't recomending more GM products.

Just my opinion but aside from a few select models (C6, CTS, GTO) most GM cars are sorely lacking compared to their competitors. For example, who would buy a Malibu over an Accord for almost the same money? If just flat out being a better car wasn't enough factor in the resale value after 4-5 years and you'd have to be crazy to buy the Chevy.

I used to be a big fan of GM cars but now they make very little that appeals to me. Certainly nothing I can afford. Ford is no better and while Chrysler seems to be doing with with their RWD cars they're all too heavy for my tastes.

I usually use up cars until they're not worth much anymore so I've never had to worry about resale value. As for the Accord being a better car... maybe, maybe not. Nothing lasts forever! I just don't care about imports very little of the profit stays in the US. Thats why I'm crazy enough to buy American.

[rpoz-29]

I'm with Chris...I keep cars forever, so resale value isn't a driver. Here's a story you may not believe...the WORST car we've ever owned was a US built 1990 Camry. I bought it from the original owner at 60,000 miles, maintained it by the book. The heater bypass tube burned out, the sunroof cables broke, every seal in the darn engine started to leak, (I fixed those), then the head gaskets went, (negating the work on the seals), the transaxle let go, the knock sensor went, all by the time it had 130,000 miles. This doesn't include the axles, brake repairs, and a power antenna that was posessed. Nothing like turning on the radio and watching the antenna pop out of the quarter panel and flop along beside the car! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)