Posted on 12/26/2009 8:38:52 AM PST by Responsibility2nd
Buyers Weigh the Prospects for Shuttered or Endangered Car Models; Where Can You Find Parts?
Like many drivers, Edward Suchodolski is facing the prospect of life with an orphan car.
The 43-year-old construction manager bought a sporty Pontiac G8 GXP in March, about a month before General Motors Co. announced it would discontinue the Pontiac brand. While he loves the car for its power, its handling and the fun of shifting its manual transmission, he is starting to worry about the future. The anxiety is just enough, he says, to cut into his enjoyment.
I find myself driving it less," says Mr. Suchodolski, in part because he wonders what will happen if he damages the GXP's unique front-end bodywork, which differs significantly from other G8 models. The Arlington, Va., resident figures replacement body parts could be in short supply as the discontinued car gets older.
"If I get into a collision, will I be able to replace that front end?" he asks.
The answer is yes, though the part probably won't be as plentiful as the same one for other versions of the G8. And it won't be cheap.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
It won't be long until Obama introduces his cash for idiots who bought a Pontiac plan.
I'd be less worried about replacement parts and more worried about being an idiot who paid too much for a car that will be worth less than a Chevy.
Resale value may be a particular concern. A 2008 Saturn Aura XR, for example, which sold for about $25,675 new, is now worth $13,450 as a trade-in in good, "clean" condition with 20,000 miles, according to the National Automobile Dealers Association. A comparable 2008 Chevrolet Malibu LTZ, which is similar to the Aura, cost $27,095 new and has a trade-in value of $16,525. The Chevrolet holds 61% of its new value while the Saturn retains 52%—a big difference after just two years.
I’m sure GM must maintain emission warranties for 8 years. We’re still driving our 95 Riviera, my 99 Siverado, 90 SS454 and my 68 Chev step side. We will probably buy a Buick LaCrosse in 2010...
Cagey individuals are now buying up lots of spare parts for their vehicles, as out of stock parts have long been the bane of classic car ownership. In most cases, it is common sense what somebody should obtain.
Start from the most frequent replacements, calculating how often they will need replacement for the expected life of the car. Then maximum effort needs to be made to store them properly so that they don’t decay.
All told, if the parts are still common, they will cost a lot less than when they come from junked cars, and a lot less than when they have to be machined.
Resale value is not the same as trade-in value. I look at car sale ads. Plymouths and Eagles (remember them?) sell for the same as their comparable cousins. Ditto Oldsmobile.
Just the same, no more Chrysler or GM for me. It was a nice ride.
My Grampa’s driving his daughter’s ‘99 Oldsmobile; she got it cheap after GM killed the brand. I’m expecting old Pontiacs to be similarly affordable. I’ll buy one. My best GM ever was a 200,00 mile ‘96 Grand Am V6. Biggest problem we ever had with it was a front wheel bearing.
That new LaCrosse is a nice car.....
*** about a month before General Motors Co. announced it would discontinue the Pontiac brand.***
Just for that I will wait for a new Studebaker!
How does it feel to be stuck on stupid..
Why MUST GM maintain any warranties? Have you never heard of sovereign immunity? The government can and will do what is best for our rulers in Washington. If honoring these warranties is good for them, they will be honored, but if there is no benefit to them you are expendable. My guess is any Volvo (Ford) warranties must be honored, as for GM & Chrysler who knows
No GM or Chrysler products for this family.
That’s the policy in the household too.
Congratualtions. You are one of the sane.
GM’s four door Euro look-alikes with their limp wristed jelly bean styling are part of the reason GM is failing. Even with a Corvette engine crammed under the hood they are still nothing but ugly Metro-Sexual mobiles.
I’m the kind of guy that wants a car that goes from Point A to Point B, with minimal fuss. That is, I open the door, get in, shut door, insert key, turn key, car starts, press accelerator, car goes, car does not stall or quit in route, car brakes quickly when I press brake petal, car goes faster when I press accelerator harder, and finally, turning key in opposite direction upon destination arrival makes car un-start. Car does this each and every time, and car performs this process equally well in all manners of weather and conditions: hot, cold, wet, snowy, day, night, you name it.
I’m willing to add additional gasoline and wiper fluid on an as-needed basis, and also change the oil and oil filter, and replace tires, bulbs, windshield wipers, brake pads and battery as they wear out.
Scheduled maintenance is fine too, items such as replacing brake fluid, transmission fluid, engine coolant, spark plugs, timing belt, lesser filters, and the occasional minor gizmo.
Beyond the above, I don’t want to have to do much of anything else.
Oh, and car must be safe and have sufficient room for family, friends, and/or a bit of cargo. Car should run for at least 200,000 miles, depreciate linearly with the number of miles on the odometer, mechanics should find car reasonable to repair, and parts must be ubiquitously available at reasonable prices.
I ask no more and no less from car.
After much trial and error, I’ve found such a car. It’s called a “Honda”, and it’s made right here in the good ol’ U.S.A. and with non-union labor to boot!
If space is available, just buy what's known in the trade as a parts car. If the car is a GM such as a Pontiac engine, drive train, suspension, etc, are probably common with other GM brands. So, what one should be concerned about would parts that are unique such as certain pieces of sheet metal/plastic, items that are badges, etc. Lastly, predicting what car will have collector value is tricky business. Just watch the Garret Jackson or Mecham auctions on tv sometime. You may be surprised what brings top dollar and what doesn't. If keeping as an investment, there are things better than an old car.
Me, too. Mine's a Camry.
Any GM or Chrysler purchase is a vote for Obama and government intervention and bail-outs. Don’t do it.
Plus, the reason they went broke is because they build generally crappy cars.
Well, at least he won’t get rained on. Hahahahahaha!
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