Posted on 01/05/2009 10:35:30 AM PST by traumer
You’re so right. There’s the other fact too — autos are just getting too expensive.
We bought a F-350 Powerstroke in November of 2000 for about $37K. We ordered it through the fleet dealer, with a stripped-down package, manual trans, manual hubs, etc. Got exactly what we wanted.
Today, Ford wants so badly to sell you a standard build that is on their dealer lot - unless you’re willing to take the “standard” fleet build - white, auto, single seat cab, etc. So today, to replace that truck, I’d be forking up at least $45K to $48K off a dealer’s lot. That’s absurd. We thought $37K for a pickup was absurd in 2000. I think the prices are even more absurd today.
When the engine gets run out on our F-350, I’m pulling the Powerstroke and I’ll drop in a Cummins - and run it for another 300K miles. Absent a wreck, Ford might have sold me the last vehicle I’ll ever buy from them. I’ll just keep rebuilding this thing until I’m too old to do it.
There were some dire predictions, GM got reduced to junk bond status in 2007 if I recall correctly. Two things happened in recent months to change everything though, first was the government proving they would bailout poorly run companies against the wishes of the people and most sound economic advice, and the second was a serious free fall in the sale of anything that required credit (tied very closely to the first thing). These things hastened their decline but also showed there was good money to be made playing beggar in DC.
Could it be the Obama syndrome?
These sales figures are for December,,,,after the election.
Gun sales are up due to Obama's past record.
Due to Obama being elected are sales of big ticket items effected to some degree because of his lack of experience?
The latest news now is Honda also had a steep sales decline, GM not so much. Who’d have guessed? Toyota is reportedly going to have the first annual loss since 1938, just after they were founded.
Ford recently sold off (or is in the process of doing so) their substantial ownership stake in Mazda (I think they owned about 35% of Mazda). From what I understand, the two companies will continue to maintain the strategic alliance on a certain level, including sharing technology and perhaps even cross-branding vehicles like they did before.
I still have my PREVIOUS vehicle, too . . . a 1994 mid-sized SUV with about 325,000 miles on it!
The point is that we been living in a Gov't artificially stimulated economy for the past 8 years which has created excesses and bubbles. On paper, from a GDP and unemployment perspective that looked good, but we lived high on the hog off borrowed money..
We'd have been a hell of a lot better off if the recession of 2001 - which we were slipping into, had been allowed to proceed without Gov't interference.
I insist on going to the dealer for regular service and repairs as long as the vehicle is still under warranty, and I'll probably continue to do so even after the warranty is expired. I purchased my truck at this particular dealer specifically because their service department came so highly recommended.
I want to buy a Toyota right now but they’re not negotiating for some reason. Maybe word hasn’t gotten down to the lower tier yet that they need to sell some cars.
Right. Especially for the F-150. It was redesigned for the 2009 model year (and selling well, from what I've heard), so I imagine Ford dealers have been having a hard time moving the last of the 2008s.
If I had time, I'd go back and find the thread from about a year ago where I was suggesting that I'd be selling all of my Toyota stock if I were a short-term trader.
If you are a handy guy, I suspect you could have a glass shop cut a new mirror for you. Disassemble the housing and replace the glass.
The PC drone before him was no bargain either. Good old Mr "too many white guys" Nasser. With one stupid quote, he alienated 75% of the truck-buying market.
My friend, whose Toyota Tundra is coming off lease said that no-one would give him a new lease. They no longer are leasing...according to him.
My friend, whose Toyota Tundra is coming off lease said that no-one would give him a new lease. They no longer are leasing...according to him.
Good points!
What government interference specifically are you talking about after the 2001 recession?
There’s a plastic carrier frame which pops out of the housing. No need to take the housing apart in any major way.
The glass, however, has a curve to it so a local shop was not able to make one. Another fellow gave me an EBay site where I ordered it for $30.
When I got mine, there were two other people taking delivery of the F-150. Hard to tell there is a "depression" from what I observed, though I have to say there were still quite a few left on the lot. This is my first American vehicle in quite some time, but I've always been comfortable with American built trucks. A friend has a midsized landscaping business and has a bunch of F-350s, 250s, and 150s. Loves em. Had them for years. Tells me the F-150 basically built America.
Does your friend with the Tundra have a high FICO score. In my experience, the Toyota dealers are very concerned about that.
I hate the idea of leasing because I do not want to pay interest. I would rather pay cash, but the tax laws for business owners are such that you really need to lease in order to get the full deduction.
What government interference specifically are you talking about after the 2001 recession?
The overuse/abuse of fiscal and monetary policies (e.g. increased Gov't spending, lowering of Fed rates to induce public and private borrowing, increasing debt ceilings, increased public sector employment, etc, etc).
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