GM/Delphi Continue Struggle To Survive

[Nickdfresh]

Originally posted by DrMaddVibe
I believe the Germans have the car production down pat and everyone else is playing catch-up. Those BMW's, Audi's, Benz's and VW's are built for the long haul, especially the luxury models. The entry class is for wannabees that need a key ring to brag about.

America has been down this road before and didn't learn its lesson. Now history is repeating and the "man" still wants more.

Oh, he'll burn.

I don't know, that used to be true, but in all seriousness, I think they're coasting on reputation. Some BMWs, and especially Mercs, have some bad electrical problems... I've known at least two people that heve dumped their Beemers for Acuras because of this...

And the new VWs have severe slugging problems with their newer engines (poor design)...

[DrMaddVibe]

I haven't seen the problems that you mentioned, especially on the luxury models, and I sure as hell haven't heard of someone jumping from a BMW or Benz into an Awrecka.

[what waz zat]

VW is coasting on it's reputation. They have had lots of quality problems the last few years. Benz quality is not what it was either. GM and Ford have better quality than both and many of GM cars have just as good or better quality than Jap vehicles. As usual, perception lags reality so it will take people a few years to figure it out.

[Roy Munson]

Originally posted by Nickdfresh
I don't know, that used to be true, but in all seriousness, I think they're coasting on reputation. Some BMWs, and especially Mercs, have some bad electrical problems... I've known at least two people that heve dumped their Beemers for Acuras because of this...

And the new VWs have severe slugging problems with their newer engines (poor design)...

True. My A6 is a little sluggish off the start as are the Passats. However, it's the only complaint I have about the entire car. Other cars in its class have a little more juice off of the line, but the feel of an Audi is what appealed to me. Also, the Quattro system comes in handy up here in Northern Minnesota when the roads are shitty, which is more often than not.

One of my closest friends bought a new Chevy Impala a year ago. He took me for a ride in it and the fucking thing sounded like a wind storm inside. It was horrible. In the Audi...barely a hint of road noise.

All of this said, I will probably look closely at the Accord hybrid next time. My parents have a Camry that is also a great car. I might consider one of those, too.

I gotta admit that the 300M is a nice looking machine, though.

[Nickdfresh]

Try Castrol SYNTEC 0W-30...

[Roy Munson]

Originally posted by Nickdfresh
Try Castrol SYNTEC 0W-30...

You talkin' to me?

[FORD]

Originally posted by Nickdfresh


And the new VWs have severe slugging problems with their newer engines (poor design)...

Is that the gas engines, turbo diesels or both?

Actually some friends of mine just recently got a Eurovan, and I was amazed how quick it was for a van.

I think it's time VW re-entered the pickup market again. I was surprised that the 80's model (based on the Rabbit/Golf) didn't last longer. True they had a "concept" truck at recent autoshows that was an update of the 60's microbus modification model, but they don't neccessarily have to go with that design.

I have heard a few bad things about recent VW models, and if so, that's a damn shame. They used to be good cars.

[Cathedral]

Hey, this is what happens when the youth of today flocks to Handa, Nissan and Toyota lots to buy cars because, "They run better, Baaaaahhhhhhhhhh".

The government outsources our jobs and our american idiots just hand them more money in sales...which is also unfair trade on our end.
One of my brothers kids swear by foreign cars, the other, they're Mopar maniacs just like me.

Hell, my 11 year old has more pride in her country than the entire "Tuner" population.

[FORD]

Originally posted by Cathedral
Hey, this is what happens when the youth of today flocks to Handa, Nissan and Toyota lots to buy cars because, "They run better, Baaaaahhhhhhhhhh".

The government outsources our jobs and our american idiots just hand them more money in sales...which is also unfair trade on our end.
One of my brothers kids swear by foreign cars, the other, they're Mopar maniacs just like me.

Hell, my 11 year old has more pride in her country than the entire "Tuner" population.

Honda and Toyota build cars in the US. and Mopar is owned by the Germans. How is one more or less an "American" company than the other anymore?

[Nitro Express]

I had a Mexican made Chevrolet Suburban. It burned oil like crazy after the engine break in. After a big go around with the dealer they finally installed a new engine. Problem fixed.

I use the four wheel drive quite a bit. I had it stick in Nuetral and wouldn't switch out of it. Computer problem. Good thing I had a cell phone because I was in the middle of nowhere stranded.

The front transaxle had catastrophic failure at 3,000 miles. $4000 repair.

The car cost $40,000

I then traded the piece of shit on a GM Hummer. Font end problems, transmission problems, and electrical problems.

Got rid of that and bought a used Range Rover. No problems. It's a tank. Had the power seats blow a fuse. That's it. The best four wheel drive I've ever owned and I had them all.

Inherited my brothers Mercedes G Wagon. Great vehicle. In short, a German Land Rover.

For what these GM pieces of shit cost, get a quality vehicle. Volvo, Audi, Lexus, and some Mercedes are great buys on the used market.
The best car I ever owned was a Mercedes 500. Tanks that drive great and keep on going forever.

[Nitro Express]

Volvos are still great cars. You can't go wrong with Hondas or Toyotas. Right now for Luxery runaround, Lexus beats anything out of Germany. Most die hard Mercedes people I know now drive a Lexus. BMW right now is a joke. I like their motorcycles but their cars aren't what they should be.

[Little Texan]

Originally posted by FORD
Is that the gas engines, turbo diesels or both?

Actually some friends of mine just recently got a Eurovan, and I was amazed how quick it was for a van.

I think it's time VW re-entered the pickup market again. I was surprised that the 80's model (based on the Rabbit/Golf) didn't last longer. True they had a "concept" truck at recent autoshows that was an update of the 60's microbus modification model, but they don't neccessarily have to go with that design.

I have heard a few bad things about recent VW models, and if so, that's a damn shame. They used to be good cars.

These are the only Volkswagens I bother with...

[Cathedral]

Originally posted by FORD
Honda and Toyota build cars in the US. and Mopar is owned by the Germans. How is one more or less an "American" company than the other anymore?

The numbers my man, German Engineering has never impacted domestic sales the way the foreign whores have.
But don't take that as support of Germany either, it's still a foreign car.

But in defense of Germany, Mopar is still run domestically and pays an equal share into the american market whereas Toyota, Honda and Nissan do not.
Though that may change in the next several years since it was announced that the '09-'10 Dodge Challenger is being slightly re-styled by Mercedes R&D Department to make the car thinner and able to meet industry standard requirements. it is changing, but not much from the concept, and it WILL be sporting a 6.1 Hemi which is a direct throwback to the 426 Hemi of the first Muscle Era.
On the plus side, with Mercedes involved and their love for the original Challenger and Cuda line, the emphasis is more on building a bitchin car than a freeaking newer version of a Aries-K car which American designers always come up with.

You'll have a limited run the first year, and then if sales go well the second year will introduce a V-6 model with a few more of the R/T 6.1 Hemi models.
The Charger is said to be getting a more retro face lift as well since the LY platform will be skinnier than the concept Challenger and the wheel base lengthened a little (about 4-6 inches), and it will offer a 2-door version with an optional pistol grip stick shift.
The Cuda' is also set to return under the Chrysler badge, and will be little more than a re-styled Challenger...the originals shared very little with each other beyond looks and were two completely different cars structurally, despite the popular opinion of the uneducated Mopar fans.

The Germans know how a partnership works, and that deserves the respect of the american worker.
But if Bush has his way he'll destroy that relationship too.

Us Mopar freaks, though very pissed when Diamler first took over, are greatful for their deep pockets and little need for more money...if that changes then they'll end up just like the other foreign whores.

Until then, they support the american worker with it's Mopar lines.

[FORD]

Originally posted by Little Texan
These are the only Volkswagens I bother with...

Yeah, I have an uncle who's into restoring old VW's. He bought an old bug (67 maybe?) and restored that one and then he got a Karmann-Ghia that he totally pimped out in some unnatural shade of burgundy that the Germans never thought of painting it.

I know they still manufactured the old Bugs in Mexico up until a couple years ago.

Anyone in Texas try to sneak one across the border?

[Little Texan]

Originally posted by FORD

Anyone in Texas try to sneak one across the border?

I'm sure quite a few people have. I used to dream about smuggling one over here. I've liked VW Bugs since I was in diapers...always thought they were neat little cars.