How much was an 03 Cobra new? This goes back to resale values. My 03 Evo has 320 wheel HP. I'm at 55k miles on the stock cluck and internals. Never had a reliability issue, never had a warranty claim, never a moments problem. I like the 03 Cobra's... it a really nice car, but it is a straight line car; just like the new Shelby's. I like to go fast AND turn. Tell me an american car that is comperable to the Evo or Sti in performance and handling that doesn't cost 10k more.

 

I can think of about 30-40 cars but in the same class I would have to say ford fusion. Or the new chevy malibu.

 

Is it OK that American auto makers are now building cars abroad as long as they employ "more" Americans than the next guy? They are going to have a hard time employing the most Americans if they don't make some serious changes. When a company pays out more than they take in, that is poor buisness practices. That's the reason GM is building cars outside the US. Trying to save a dollar is the reason American autos have suffered for so long.

 

They are makin huge changes. Quality has risen dramatically, the cars are safer and get better fuel mileage. Like I said Ford is equal with Toyota in quality as of the most resent studies.

 

I like the "look" of the new Malibu, but it needs some time to be tested. Look at the last model Malibu... that thing is a TURD. We'll see how the resale goes for the Fusion and the new malibu. I'm guessing it will go the same as the Taurus and the older malibu. No thanks.

 

Bingo, the Fusion is a beautiful car at a great price. Has been winning quality awards since it first went into production.

 

Its the only car in its class to have a 6 speed auto tranny too! Its very nice.


And the 03 cobras were about $31k at a dealer in Apopka Florida where I bought my Ranger I used to have. I was drooling all over them when I was there. I am pretty sure the o3 cobras are still in the low-mid 20's though because they hold their value very well.


What ya got done to your evo? I used to be into DSM's. I basically just raced and built DSM's for 3-4 years as my hobby.

 

Werent' the cobras closer to 35K? I don't remember an MSRP on the cobras as low as 31K.

I've just got some basic bolt ons... Turbo back exhaust, air intake, manual boost controller set at 21lbs, and dyno tuned by Turbo Trix. It's definitely a fun car to drive.

 

It was Mullinax Ford. They have the type of procing where they put the low number on the windshield and you cant deal with them. I like buying cars that way so there is no haggle. I am sure the MSRP was $35k but the window price there was $31k.

And I hear ya about the evo. I love them. I have owned a couple DSM's. But in trucks I wouldnt get anything but Ford.

 

Solid (if not biased) points-

But-

The US auto-industry made it's bed by producing crap cars & trucks through the 70's, 80's, and 90's when compared to comparable Japanese and German alternatives, so- the end result is- they lost sales.

The only thing that has kept the US auto Industry from tanking is full-sized trucks. But, now- at $4.00/gallon- trucks are sliding in sales as people move back towards cars. And, who's right there, still, at the pinnacle of automotive excellence- waitign to embrace would-be truck buyers as they go back to what they need (transportation for up to 5) as opposed to what they want (roomy transportation for up to 5 or 6)???

That's right! Toyota, Nissan, and Honda. America has come out with some great cars in recent years (300, Fusion, Five Hundred/Taurus. Charger, Malibu), but- is it too little, too late? With Johnny come-lately's like Kia, and when didi you start makign good cars (Like Hyundai) coming up, and offering decent cars, at affordable prices- the auto industry is indeed a tough challenge.

At the end of the day, Ford, GM, and Chrysler are going to have to spend some money on changing customer perception to overcome 30 years of automotive mediocrity, in order to win customers back from their Accords, Civics, Corollas, Camrys, Sentras, Altimas, and Maximas, not to mention their Galants, their WRX's, their Jettas, theri 1 and 3-series Bimmers, etc...

 

Wrong, here's why. These people that buy the Jap cars or Korean is because a) the consumer wants everything for nothing= cheapasses and b) they are brainwashed into thinking everything foreign is better because Honda powerwashing engines are good. Trust me, look at something made in the USA vs China. There is a noticeable difference in quality, fit and finish to name a few. How can domestic car companies win with a fixed deck of cards? Telling suppliers to cheapen their product which equates to flimsey plastic. Once that fails, it's off to lower labor countries. Give the big 3 that much for holding on as long as they have and to keep suppliers on OUR soil but crap trade policies help foreigners and dig the knife deeper into OUR own countrymen and women. Union or not, companies are forced to go overseas to remain alive and competitive which should be a rule this game HAS TO change and quick.

Not to dismiss your view totally, it just seems very much like a simple cop out to a problem way larger and growing out of control. Since when should we let others dictate what we need to drive and should drive to compensate them. F them.

Good find, hopefully even a small portion sinks in to people or at least makes them think and find their own answers. Not hard to do, watch the news, local and CNN and get some ideas why things happen and the results.

 

http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2007/1...s.html?ref=rss

As of Oct 2007 Toyota had 17 of the 39 most reliable vehicles. They may be slipping, but that haven't slipped that far.

http://www.mobilemag.com/content/100/354/C13595/
The top 5 automakers based on over all reliability are... Honda, Acura, Subaru, Scion (basically toyota), then Toyota. Ford was 13th and Chevy wasn't even mentioned.

 

That is a bad way to make your point.

A certain 15% of the Chevy Equinox is made in Shanghai, China.

The huge portion of that would be the engine.

Not that I was going to buy an Equinox, but if I was...you'd have changed my mind.

But, hey, those GM profits (that are nonexistant) stay in the USA...

 

They employ 2-3x more Americans than Toyota. The cost of business for Ford & GM finds its way into the economy here and that alone helps

 

I love how everyone but manual seemed to skip right over my posts. AGAIN, not to sound like a jap loving *** hole, but none of you seem to be considering all the absolute crap that is coming out of mexico in our fords?


Thanks for the compliments manual. The 4.0 is a sick engine i love this truck.

Toyota is losing its quality, and i love it. Nissan i feel is not taking a massive **** like toyota is. I love how in the new toyota commercials, they feel their best selling point is "because it's a toyota".