Here in the real world, they're shuttin' Detroit down.

I was driving the other day, and heard this song on the radio. It really hit home to me, so I thought I'd share it with y'all.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OShDv7HR8Y"]YouTube - Shuttin Detroit Down-by John Rich[/ame]

 

We just gave away the whole auto industry to the imports on a silver platter!

Who's to blame, ourselves!

 

I haven't bought a new car in 15 years and don't plan to buy a new one ever again. I guess it's partially my fault.

 

I say we thank those idiot GM bosses who were to cowardly To stand up to the UAW thug bosses. And the unions themselves for demanding so many perks and bennies not mention wages above the market value, while doing nothing to help make a better more competitive product.

 

It all goes back to the government. They regulated the charachter and style right out of the cars, and nobody really wants to drive a jelly bean.

 

Nah, you buy a new car to last longer than the payment schedule. Can't find one anymore. Don't feel bad.

The idea in manufacturing is to become more efficient with time, right? A new Model T was under $800 in 1923. A new Chevy Belair was $1,800. A new Impala Sedan was $4,400 in in 1966 (CDN$). My new 1981 Fairmont Squire was $9,400. And today's prices cost twice more than I paid for my 100 year old house in 1999!

They blew it, somehow.

Not your fault for expecting that something that costs a mortgage payment should last past the payments.

 

to some defense of a certian car company ....FORD....
they are actually banging out one hell of a product now.
regaurdless, this needs to be delt with swiftly. gone are the days of our wagons.

the reason toyota did so well and got where they are is because building a car for them is a matter of honor and pride. the result, one hell of a quality car. but they were not the pioneers of this! this mindset was what detroit was built on. what companies like Ford, GM, Chrysler, AMC, Studebaker etc were founded on. now the cars are designed for maximum profitability....this is when quality suffers.

20 yrs ago a toyota starlet with 900,000 miles on the original motor was a source of honor and pride to the japanese. they felt they did something right. Fast forward to 1997 Ford kills the 300Ci I6 because it is "too reliable" because "if they can keep the truck running, they wont buy a new one!!!!! "

your reason for detroits collapse is somewhat rooted in engineered obsolecensce

 

I think they need to think reliability, style, and craftsmanship. You know, I had my 60 Bel-Air, new off the line was $2,550. I bought it in 2006 for $2,500 and drove it every day. No problems, great runner, beautiful car. Now, they knew how to build 'em then.

My dad said that nobody ever really bought new vehicles when he was a kid either. My grandpa only bought one new car in his life and it was a 1949 Nash. Otherwise, he'd buy them when they were a year old trade in. He bought his 1960 Impala in 1961, his 66 Caprice Wagon in 67, his 68 Impala SS in 69. And he kept all those cars for nearly 10 years before selling them. So, where does the whole 'people don't buy new cars like they used to' come into play?

 

during the late sixties and early seventies detriot found that people bought new cars about every 3 years, so why make them last longer. after the oil crisis when people bought econo boxes from japan they noticed that tha only thing thay did to it was tune ups and general maintanance not major repiars. so they keeped them a little longer. and when they did trade it off they got anotherone. profits over quality, same as today. $20,000.00 for a basic pickup is outragious.

 

I would be interested in a basic no-frills new car. A modernized Chevette or Omni per se. But Korean imports have the bottom line covered with the Chevy Aveo (Daewoo), Accent, Rio, and various small Suzuki-branded Daewoo designs (Reno, Forenza).

Even the old Japanese econoboxes would be nice to have today. A Starlet, a 2nd-generation Subaru hatchback (80s model), the 1300 engined 80s Civic hatchbacks, even the Mitsubishi Mirages and captive import Colts were nice and simple and cheap.

 

I'd buy a manual steering, manual drum brake, no air bag, etc, etc, car if it were cheap enough. (As long as it wasn't ugly as sin) if that's what it takes to keep the costs down, why not have the option?

 

I'd buy a Smart Car in a heartbeat!

 

hey clark,

the smart car is not worth the money. for 16 grand you get a car that gets 33/41 and is 8 ft long and seats two and only a 2 yr 24k warranty.

i was in a smart car at the pittsburgh auto show over the weekend and made it a point to get up close and personal with one.
im 6' and 250 lbs my wife is similarly equiped.... and i could tell you that i could not own one..its too narrow... you are practically sitting on the passenger. you couldnt fit your hands between my wife and my hips.

not to mention if you get hit by a truck... your a gonner!

for 16 grand you can get something like a well equipped suzuki sx4 get a heavier car, with a better warranty and awd.


wagon master....remember when you could get almost any car with a stick? now (domesticly speaking) you can only get the ford fusion (4cyl) ford focus and mustang. chevy cobalt camaro and corvette. dodge caliber and challenger. the only truck with a stick is a 3/4 ton and up
ram!!!!!
jeep is the standard tranny hero here....standard in all except commander and grand cherokee