[xzins]

I don't look at the things they look at.

And you simply can't get a deal on a Honda or Toyota.

Ford will win this war by cutting their labor costs by a third and then putting out road-worthy, but very cheap, automobiles.

Where I live in middle america, a 30,000 dollar car is half the price of a decent house and a third of the price of really nice house.

They should team with Hyundai/Kia in the way that GM did with the Geo.

Go with the 10 year 100,000 mile warranty and small buyers won't care that a Toyota will get 50,000+ more lifetime miles. They will care about a monthly payment they can afford attached to a 4 or 5 year loan.

[green iguana]

Ford will win this war by cutting their labor costs by a third

How do you think they are going to pull that off? And even if they do, I don't think a third will be enough.

[Dr. Luv]

"Where I live in middle america, a 30,000 dollar car is half the price of a decent house and a third of the price of really nice house."

For 30K here in NYC, you get two shingles and a doorstop...

[spikeytx86]

Toyota And Honda offer the best sedans for the middle class. When it comes to SUV's though, they are out of range for the typical family.

If you want a sedan go with Toyota,Nissan, or Honda.
If You want a truck or SUV go with Chevy.

[jude24]

And you simply can't get a deal on a Honda or Toyota.

No. But the total cost of ownership may be lower. My dad's 1999 Accord has been in the shop only for routine maintenance and one accident. My 1989 Civic was generally reliable, until the repairs started nickel-and-diming me to death in 2005-2006.

If I were out of school, I'd probably get a new Civic, although I must admit the Toyata RAV4 my roommate just got seems particularly attractive for Western NY winters. It gets better gas milage than my 2000 Malibu.