I understand that there are exceptions to every rule. My mom also had an Escort that got over 200,000 miles on it. The only problem that occurs is that most American-made cars haven’t been able to do it. I know times have changed, but inferior products of the past is the real problem that faces the “big 3″. Just look at which company benefitted the most from the “Cash for Clunkers” program – Toyota. What is their track record? GM’s current ad campaign of “may the best car win” is absolutely rediculous. I think it already has. Number 1 and 2 in sales every year are the F 150 and the Camry.

Ford stock has gone up over 11% in 2 days. Now’s the time to buy. From 11.08 to 40 by the end on the year.

After what has occurred the past year, you really know the answer to that question, don’t you?

Is it that silly to say that they knew? Or does it mean darker things are at work of which we choose not to recognize? Remember how Martha caught hell for insider trading? You know that the housing bubble and credit crunch was facilitated by government interference in the housing markets. CRA and the quasi’s (freddie/fannie) built the bubble, the fed played off it with interest rates until it popped. Being a high value player (large corp with many jobs) with inside connections(lobbyists, unions, etc..) is it really to silly to say that luck had anything to do with it? I mean these guys all play golf together and hang out at the same cigar bars. You don’t think that they follow the “you wash my back..” philosophy they are the top of the food chain and will do whatever to stay there and keep their buddies up with them?

Perhaps if you didn’t prefer to buy American and bought automobiles from Japan that will last longer than 120,000 miles, you wouldn’t be needing to replace the wife’s Explorer. Granted, if I would even consider buying American, Ford would be the only choice. Be that as it may, I’ll take a Toyota or Honda any day.

I have been looking but I’m on a budget, it would still take quite a bit of “bailout discount” for me to consider anything but a Ford or sister company. Even used.

Its almost sad. The new Camaro and the Corvette (including the ZR-1) are the hottest performance bargains on the market. Period.

And the Dodge Charger/Challenger/Magnum/Chrysler 300 platform is a modified Mercedes E-Class platform which is as technically advanced as there is on this side of the Atlantic.

And still people are bying Fords and ignoring the two union-owned bailouts.

Imagine that!

Or the Dems could just skip the “programs” and simply assign a new Government Motors car to every family for free. People are so numb to the buying of votes that they wouldn’t blink as they accepted the keys.

I Bought a new Ford in Sept. Had a Dodge , will never buy a Gov.Moters Car.

Gotta disagree with your assessment of US cars. I had two ’95 Ford Escorts (bought both used) that I got over 200,000 on each before they quit (son wrecked one, which is why I bought the second one.) Second one dropped a valve at about 230,000 miles. Not too bad for a “throw-away” car, huh?

They also have a more popular stable of “energy efficent” cars like the Focus. I happen to drive an F-150, but I chose it over a Chevy and Dodge because I wanted something with low(er) miles (I bought used) and drove nice. I could just as easily be driiving a Dakota or a Silverado. This was in 2003.

I would absolutely not buy anything but a Ford if I was in the truck buying mood again, and my satisfaction with my current vehicle is not the only reason why.

And here I thought if they televised enough commercials with ex-football players that sales would surely rebound and save GM from trouble. I drive and Excusion, I love it. We also have a Saturn that we got some years ago. It’s not a a bad car, but I wouldn’t have chosen it personally. How long till we hear that GM needs more money to keep in business?

I’m not so sure about the performance bargain aspect – the Shelby GT 500 is a pretty smokin’ car at a price point below the ZR-1 (obviously above the Camaro and others you listed). May not have the handling of the ‘Vette, but it will definitely keep you broke putting tires on it. Either way though your point is valid – I told my wife the other day that it wouldn’t matter to me if GM or Chrysler were making the best cars on the planet, at present you couldn’t pay me to buy one.

While I agree that it’s good that Ford didn’t take bailouts, luck was definitely in their favor. They mortgaged every piece of property they own right before the credit crunch. They got private financing when it was available at reasonable rates, the other two waited too long until nobody would loan them money and their factories were worth half what they could have mortgaged them for two years prior.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/27/business/27cnd-ford.html?pagewanted=print

You could argue that Ford was just plain smart, but it’s pretty silly to say that anyone knew for certain what the credit and property markets would do in 2008.

Well, GMAC is already there. Not quite the same thing, but still. Good money after bad.

Purchased a new F150 in October and this was a large factor in my decision.