Car Chat

[MX793]

Man shit is grim for domestics.... 97% of FCA's global profits came from its NA operations (aka RAM and Jeep); Ford dropped to 1 notch above junk status.

Planet Money has an interview with Jim Hackett.... I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt, but so far he is kind of the idiot everyone is proclaiming him to be. I'm about 1/3 in and he's going on and on about developing a "Vehicle Operating System".... hopefully at some point soon in the next 2/3rds he'll explain how Ford is going to survive between now and then, whenever then is. Because the bridge is looking shakier by the minute.

A guy who spent his career in the office furniture industry talking about turning cars into operating systems...  Terrifying.

[giant_mtb]

I listened to that interview yesterday.  It was interesting.  And I'd like to give him - and Ford - the benefit of the doubt.  However, it just sounds like mumbojumbo to me.  Catchy words!  Technology!  The cloud!  Operating system!

Meanwhile the company decides to abandon sedans...and then shortly after decide to maybe bring them back and call them all Mustangs?  Wtf, yo.

[Laconian]

Ford should be hedging its bets with autonomous/fleet efforts but they shouldn't bleed into their Actual Car business the way they have been.

[FoMoJo]

They bought some outfit that shares electric scooters ...Ford buys electric scooter sharing company Spin

It's time for Bill Ford to step back in until they find someone qualified to run the company.

[Laconian]

Nah. HP and MPG are so last century. Nowadays all millenials care about is the blockchain hashrate of their transportation solutions.

[2o6]

As we've said before, Ford not being able to profitably sell car shaped things sounds like Ford has issues with design and production efficiency, rather than a "no one buys cars anymore". Ford literally sold more Focuses and Fiestas than Mazda sells in its entire lineup.

Thin profits are better than no profits. I don't understand how all of it's competitors don't seem to be having this issue. The Japanese competition's cars are the best they've ever been; same with GM. Saying "no one wants cars" is a cop out. 500k+ people wanted Ford branded cars.

[AutobahnSHO]

Those Union pensions!!!

Plus Donald's "you can't build in Mexico!"

[Laconian]

My guess is that the CEO is impatient for major YoY growth, and isn't happy with just incremental gains or steady marketshare.

The solution is clearly Blockchain.

[AutobahnSHO]

Wife wanted to take Odyssey today and have me take Impreza.
What a hassle- we'd both have to adjust the seats and mirrors and steering wheels. Then we'd both have to adjust them back next time we take them. (She likes to have the side of the car in the mirrors    ) and the seat too far forward and the steering wheel point up at her face).

I countered and we both drove 'our' cars. She says she likes the comfort and uprightness of Odyssey. I suggested looking for a CR-V or Rav4. She isn't too opposed.  I mean, Impreza is ok but it's uncomfortable for my back and doesn't get as good gas mileage as other cars and it's just no fun with a slushbox and low power.

[AutobahnSHO]

My guess is that the CEO is impatient for major YoY growth, and isn't happy with just incremental gains or steady marketshare.

The solution is clearly Blockchain.

LOL

[Laconian]

You tend to hold onto cars for a while, right? Then a used CX5 might be good to look at. They sit up high, they drive pretty well for CUVs, and the residuals are lower so you can score one for a nice price.

[giant_mtb]

(She likes to have the side of the car in the mirrors    )

I have a bit of the side of my truck in my side mirrors, just for spacial reference (very convenient off-road so I'm not scraping on tight trails).  I'll face them out more at night so that I'm not getting headlights right in my eyes.  Or sometimes point them down towards the tires if I'm hXc0re wheeling and need to check tire placement...or just 'cause I like watchin' dat tire flex.

I always check my blind spots when changing lanes, and Taco has very good blind spot visibility.  I don't rely on my mirrors for that, I prefer to physically look.

[AutobahnSHO]

You tend to hold onto cars for a while, right? Then a used CX5 might be good to look at. They sit up high, they drive pretty well for CUVs, and the residuals are lower so you can score one for a nice price.

Umm, this should be fun.
TL;DR yes, we do keep our primary drivers pretty long. I'll have to check pricing on CX-5. We HATED the Murano we drove for a couple weeks this last summer, the angles were just weird so the cabin and front felt crowded. We both bashed our head on the A-pillar a couple times getting in. Seems the CR-V is not that angled and I have seen some in our price range for swapping with Impreza. (Around $10k, KBB for Impreza is $4500 for private party sale right now). 

How long I've had cars?...

Odyssey almost 4 years so far
Impreza 13yrs so far
Sienna 4+ (ex took it and sold it later)
Grand Caravan 4 yrs (totalled in accident)
Legacy 7 yrs
Chevy van just 2
Miata just 1 (divorce casualty)
CRX 2 yrs
Voyager 4 yrs
SHO 2 yrs (blew engine, someone offered free replacement, didn't have money to ship it to Germany.)
Premier 1 yr (electrical problems I was tired of)
Taurus 1 yr (went to Army)
Taurus 1 yr (totalled in accident)
Civic 3 yrs (went to Army)

[BimmerM3]

Impreza 13yrs so far

Wait really? Did you buy it new?

[BimmerM3]

You tend to hold onto cars for a while, right? Then a used CX5 might be good to look at. They sit up high, they drive pretty well for CUVs, and the residuals are lower so you can score one for a nice price.

They're definitely the best looking car in that segment, IMO. I might look at one if I decide to go through a garage shake-up in the spring.

[AutobahnSHO]

Wait really? Did you buy it new?

Wife did.

She laments she wished she'd gotten a manual. She just walked into the dealership wanting a Subaru "because they're good snow cars" and the salesman said she wouldn't want a manual. He steered her into "Red" and she's had it ever since. It does at least have the subwoofer, 6disc changer, and heated seats!

[AutobahnSHO]

We've talked of buying a New car, that's just a ton of money though!
I'd get an Odyssey or Sienna (although I hate how the Yotas look). All the options. And keep it for 15+ years...

But then we've also floated the idea of getting a Tacoma so in a few years we can get a small camper.

Too many choices, not enough moneyz! 

[Laconian]

Wife did.

She laments she wished she'd gotten a manual. She just walked into the dealership wanting a Subaru "because they're good snow cars" and the salesman said she wouldn't want a manual. He steered her into "Red" and she's had it ever since. It does at least have the subwoofer, 6disc changer, and heated seats!

It's had a great run.

[AutobahnSHO]

It's had a great run.

Except for the Dealership in GA not being able to figure out a headgasket issue, which kept causing massive overheating, which prompted us to replace the engine, YUP!! Just barely rolled 100k miles, when we got married in 2014 it only had 68k.

We even drove it from UT to SC fully loaded with a giant roofbox fully loaded with no issues except a windshield rockchip in Atlanta.

[BimmerM3]

Too many choices, not enough moneyz! 

Ain't that the truth. And these days, even the mid-generation refreshes can be massive due to technology upgrades. Just one more thing to complicate the shopping process if you want the newer tech.

[12,000 RPM]

If you can get a car in which you can swap out the radio, you can update the car. A lot of cars with complicated integrated radios have modules you can install as well.

[cawimmer430]

Nice review. I love this guy's channel. He usually does Mercedes' and AMGs, but once in awhile he'll have something different.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=lW-muXaFOug

[shp4man]

This ignorant SOB. I suppose I should hope he actually gets $45K for this, but damn, how stupid does he think people are? This is the same as my truck. Bolded comments are mine.
https://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/cto/d/1966-chevrolet-stepside/6740615753.html

ALL REASONABLE OFFERS WILL BE CONSIDERED. MOTIVATED SELLER.
This is a rebuilt now rust free California restomod with full documentation to go with buyer.
▪   The original 231 motor was replaced long ago and now is powered by a JEGS new 350 crate motor at 260 plus horsepower with a 750 cfm Edlebrock carburetor with high rise Edlebrock manifold. It was a 230 or a 250 you ignorant shit.
▪   New paint in turquoise blue original Chevrolet color. Grandpa's farm truck has original look with two tone paint, off white bumpers, top with matching wheels, including the California side mirrors. All wheels, tires, drum brakes, shocks are new with original standard steering. The swing down tail gate with hidden stainless steel spring loaded latches, front fenders, hood panels, door steel replacement panels, front bed panel, and cab quarter panels/corner body assemblies are all new steel. Interior floor panels/support structure where needed were replaced with OEM metal. This is a rust free truck garaged since restored in 2015. When truck was painted it was done in pieces, totally disassembled so that paint wraps panels. That's not an OE 1966 color 
▪   Wood bed is custom which includes 1/2 inch treated plywood underlayment on rust oleum coated frame (hammer finish) followed by 1/8" oak plywood, finished with 1/2" oak boards. Each board is finished by hand in oak or mahogany stain installed in alternating colors then hand finished with teak oil.
▪   New windshield with original side glass having replaced both window lifts with new including new door hardware as OEM with new felts and window gaskets where needed. Ya. You paid some joker a bunch of cash for a 30 minute job with Chinese parts
▪   Utility box is made from original bed oak from 1966.
▪   Truck interior is finished in the off white which matches the off white of the truck exterior with piping and carpet matching the main color turquoise truck exterior. Check out the back of the front seat finished in matching turquoise floor carpeting. I vastly prefer the OEM Fawn color.
▪   New Flowmaster style side exhaust with sweet thrush sounds allow for joyful cruising. A new Retro sound system was added to provide the original look with modern sound.
▪   New custom parking brake system allows for secure parking. Too weak to pull the lever?
▪   JEGS automatic floor shifter adorns the fresh transmission rebuild. Couldn't find an OE automatic column, huh?
▪   Asking $49,999 and will consider offers. Cash only. Face to face. Are you out of your fucking mind?

[CaminoRacer]

Lol that's a super base 350 and an otherwise "decent build" truck. Worth like $15k.

[Galaxy]

I think a lot of those people add in the cost of what they paid to restore the truck, and think that makes up a part of the market value.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

Lol that's a super base 350 and an otherwise "decent build" truck. Worth like $15k.

WORD!!!

[giant_mtb]

I think a lot of those people add in the cost of what they paid to restore the truck, and think that makes up a part of the market value.

Yup. When you have that much "blood, sweat, and tears" into it, you should know that you don't actually want to sell it for what it is.

[Soup DeVille]

I think a lot of those people add in the cost of what they paid to restore the truck, and think that makes up a part of the market value.

Yep. Many do.

Number one rule of restoration is you never get out of it what you put into it.

[cawimmer430]

Some examples of narrow roads here and why the Cadillac F650 XXL Laramie isn't selling here. 

[MX793]

If this pans out, I'll never purchase another Ford product.

https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/2018/11/13/ford-motor-credit-data-new-revenue/1967077002/