Posted on 12/02/2007 10:04:23 AM PST by Chi-townChief
I’m surprised that goofy 4-door Charger didn’t make the list.
My dad had a ‘31 Model A but longgggggggggggggggggg before I was born (I think it was a ‘51 Merc then.)
Same here. Turbine smooth engine, superior handling, never had a problem, good residuals, excellent mileage, attentive dealer (even with older BMW).
I was born in ‘44 but there were quite a few A’s still on the road then. My older brother’s first car was a ‘52 Merc bought used in ‘59. That was quite a ride!
Funny, I did not see any mention of all the recalls by the most sacred of automotive giants...Toyota. Yes friends, Toyota has racked up several recalls during the last few years. Bet you didn’t read or hear about it in the MSM either.
“I like the new DeSotos.”
Ah, my first car (a ‘57, bought very used for $50).
I think it figures out as 329. Lots of power/torc and good mileage for a V-8. 15-17 both highway/city in my 4x4 F-150.
I have towed over 12,000# ( lol...slow wild ride with no elec brakes on trailer) but it had plenty of balls to pull it with, just hard to stop.
“I like the new DeSotos.”
Of course, It’s Delightful, It’s Delovely, It’s DeSoto :)
I’m a committed car guy and I have to agree with you that VWs are really good vehicles. Like you, I have had some issues with American vehicles in the past but I have owned a couple of recent models (Pontiac and Saturn) and was quite impressed with the cost/quality ratio.
Since about the mid-90’s American manufacturers have really begun to step up. I’m a research nut when it comes to buying a new vehicle and will take up to 3 months to make up my mind. Sometimes that research points to an American vehicle, sometimes not. Currently, I drive a Nissan Titan. It was simply the best truck for the money when I bought. As an “import” it was built 60 miles from my house.
I bought an 07 Wrangler- the new four door model.
I’ve had problems, I will tell you. Little annoying things. It’s a blast to drive, but it’s just rough around the edges. Not real solid, like a Jeep should be.
Speaking of cars, I keep seeing a commercial on TV which bugs the heck out of me. It’s for the Ford Hybrid Escape. The young girl tells her dad t0 drop her off a block away from her friends because they all drive hybrids. The camera then pans to the rear of the Escape and clearly shows that “Hybrid” is written on the rear of the vehicle.
The dad explains to the girl that their car is a hybrid. The girl askes why he never mentioned theat before. The dad responds “because I didn’t think I had to”. What they should of had the dad continue to say was “... because I thought at your age you could read.”
This is just another reason that I can add to my list of why I never have or never will buy a Ford.
ping
Well, on the mustang side, I was into drag racing for a while when I was a young 2dLt with time on my hands and I have seen 4.6s with 40K miles on them with rod holes out the side of the block, whereas you can dog a 5.0 out for 200K miles racing it every weekend and it just asks for more. All you have to do to one of them is liberate it from the smog control crap and it will love you back. I do think they got it right on the 4.6 after 2001 or so, the first few years they were really bad.
But I want carburetors on everything too, so thats just me. I had an 85 stang with a 4 bbl and there is no sweeter sound then a 5 speed with a 4bbl and glasspacks.
In my opinion the worst cars/trucks in the world to work on are Honda's, Nissan's, Audi's and Chevy's in that order. that may not be true for every model, I expect the Nissan hard-body trucks arnt that bad, but I was thinking of the altima I changed a motor on and that was a nightmare from the word go.
I either dont know the tricks to them or Chevy trucks are too hard to work on. I did a rear main seal on a suburban and it was a royal pain. I can do it on my dodge or a jeep Cherokee in less then 30 minutes and only about 45 on a 5.0 mustang.
The S-10s used to be pretty awesome for their intended purpose as well. I had an 89 with the 2.5L and a 5 speed that was a real trooper.
I’ve got 160,000 miles on my 02 Focus ZX3 5-speed, after getting rid of a turdo Saab. This car is more fun to drive and thrifty. Only problem: the steering column locked in Grand Junction Colorado.
Hey, I just don’t think an automatic is sporty.....unless it’s in a very expensive car.
I don’t drag race but I have done a lot of hard trailer pulling and hauling with an ‘89 150 that I bought new. I just sold the old truck about a month ago and the 302 was still running strong with 200k on it but the rear seal was pouring oil out, that seems to be the main weakness on that engine. No doubt it was a toughie! There was never a problem pulling a load but it could be real scary trying to stop! I used to laugh at people who seem to think they need the biggest engine made to pull a trailer. All you really need (unless you are climbing mountains) is the right gearing and a way to stop all that load.
What's the world coming to?
thats true, I think the biggest difference in the trucks now if they are so light, they have light duty brakes, suspension and frame. Also the body panels are thinner, sometimes even plastic, and they cant take the abuse of actual work like the older ones can.
My uncle has an old 1 ton dodge with a flatbed that could pull a mountain and has a slant six. Top speed: 59 mph, revved out!
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