The steadily disappearing American car

CNBC ^ | Apr 6, 2018 | Robert Ferris

[Eric in the Ozarks]

The Ranger was built at St. Paul, MN.
It was a good idea to be driving a Ford when making a call...

[trebb]

Nah - keep it...I rememeber when the Chargers/Challengers first came out and they were hyping up the Hemi so many folks thought it was a new concept engine instead of a veteran powerhouse. One kid with rich parents started showing up with a bright orange Superbird and was the envy of the school.

The last American cars I bought was an old K car (Dodge Aries) (circa '83) and two Jeeps about the time it became Daimler/Chrysler.

Bought a few Toyotas since and 2 Mercedes - just traded my Rav4 for a new Mercedes GLC 300 because ever since I traded the first Mercedes for the Rav, I've been missing the feel....wife loves her Toyota Highlander and I love my Merc.

[SandRat]

All because of these sadly Designed, Crappie Engineered, over Womanized, pieces of CRAP!!!

[hanamizu]

Just lost maps and I understand that instead of the normal software update, I am supposed to replace the whole system.

---

Maps went out on my Camry. Dealer told me it was likely a failure of a single switch, which, of course can’t be repaired, whole unit must be replaced. They might be able to find a used one for about $800.

Maps on my phone work just fine—and they’re up to date.

[dp0622]

K CAR!!!!

I bought one for TWO HUNDRED bucks 23 years ago and it lasted the ENTIRE summer back and forth to the Jersey shore from staten island. Figure 45 miles each way each weekend.

I’d get off from driving the cab at 5am and go sleep on the boardwalk for a few hours before heading to the house :)

Saying i had baloney skin tires is an insult to baloney skin tires lol

Last two weeks after the summer ended and i pulled over and took off the plates, scratched off inspection and that was that. Had friend pick me up.

Easier times to get rid of a car. Dont think one can do that anymore.

[magna carta]

Sounds like a top notch crew of cars!

[trebb]

Mine was bought new and other than low power, mediocre gas mileage, lousy handling, and drooping headliner (after about 50K miles), it wasn’t too bad - until the cheap head gasket blew. I think I got a sympathy $200 as a trade-in when i bought a Honda Civic Hatchback SI as a replacement - that was sols after 185K miles, still had the original clutch and I ouldn’t have been afraid to take it on a cross country trip. I guess that’s why, other than the Jeeps, I have stuck with foreign cars - then got hooked on “the feel” of a Mercedes and will probably stick with them until the time I can’t drive any more.