Because the UAW gives huge campaign contributions to the party currently in control of Congress (hint: starts with a D). Those folks are not about to end a political campaign gravy train, even if its bad for the country. The bailout is not about the big 3, its about the UAW, plain and simple. The UAW had renegotiated contracts last year for the Big 3 to turn full control of pensions over to them, transferring literally 10s of billions of dollars to them. The big 3 have been unable to do so because of their financial situation. Follow the money trail as it keeps leading back to the UAW.

 

That kind of stuff just makes me sick.

 

The thing of it is Ken..Driving an American Car or Truck shows your American pride..


And I prefer to have an XL model over one decked out...More toys means more expenses to have that garbage repaired..
Call me old fashion but..

Trucks and cars are meant to be driven and that is what there purpose there not meant to be a living room with so much comfort that it distracts the driver ..


The politicians have sold the USA out to over Sea's Company's through lobbyist..I would love to if I was in Office to Tax the heck out of people that buy foreign cars if they do not buy one from the big3

 

My pride in America is reflected in my support of the troops, my voting, my values, my beliefs in liberty, my educating myself, and taking maximum advantage of the opportunities my country gives me. I have no problem with toys, so long as my priorities are straight (never carry any debt, put away at least 15% of all my income away for the future). Cars and trucks are meant to be any thing I want them to be. Its my money and its not yours or anyone else's business how I spent it. If I want a GPS system... mind your own business. I don't tell you not to smoke, not to drink, where to go to church, how much to put in the collection plate, what hobbies you like, etc., and you have no business telling others they can't enjoy and spend their money on their vehicles however they want.

I hear lots of people talk about American pride but what about doing meaningful things like writing to our troops, sending care packages to the troops, writing your congressional representatives and senators often not only to tell them how you want them to vote on issues, but also to thank them when they vote the way you want, getting involved in your community. Spending money on transportation isn't a sign of patriotism -- that's consumerism. Getting involved with your country shows patriotism. Just the way I see it.

I used to wave the American flag about Ford... but now know its just a bunch of marketing. Many of their vehicles aren't made in the USA, a great deal of their parts aren't made here, etc. What am I to do, buy a Ford truck and say its because I'm only patriotic 65% partriotic because the 45% came from other countries?

History has repeatedly shown protectionism and isolationism not to work --- and I believe its immoral for the government to tax people to change their behavior and immoral for people to want to use government to force people to not act freely. How would you feel if the government decided to tax you for not attending their preferred church? Or taxing you for not picking the correct phone company? Taxing behavior (such as taxing alcohol) is extremely anti-liberty and anti-freedom -- how dare the government, or anyone tell me what to buy and punish me with taxation because I don't buy the brands they want me to buy?

Waving flags doesn't fix problems. The are fixed only by acknowledging they exist and taking them on head-on. Tax politices, regulations, unions, politics and poor management are the reason why the Big 3 are in trouble... not because of their competitors.

Sorry to come off so harsh, but I believe in freedom, and it seems below the belt to talk about patriotism on the one hand and then on the other critizing people exercising their rights to spend their money how they see fit, on things they enjoy.

I like the goodies in my truck. The data logging equipment, the supercharger, the built-up transmission, the headers, the exhaust and so much more. Its my hobby and I have a damn good time with it... I hope you have a good time with your hobbies. I won't criticize you for spending money on things you enjoy.

 

Well Ken, I couldn't agree more. I'm canadian but I agree with everything you say in your post. It applies to all of us.

Sorry about the trouble with your differential, that really sucks. I agree that ford's build quality is generally good, expecially with trucks. My old trucks have never let me down, but the new stuff worries me when you consider the lack of dealer support.

 

I understand sir, jerking your chain a little. However, I do refuse to buy Toys and Hondas and have never bought anything "un-Ford". I do own a Honda, but it was given to me for free. I have more repair money tied up that little POS trhan anything else I've ever had.

Peace

Tim

 

That bad? I sure hope my wife's honda has better luck...

Your post just surprised me, that's all...probably was inappropriate for me to reference that word to begin with...

 

Yeah, one owner car, well maintained, gingerly operated, blah, blah. I have learned (while knuckle busting) that every component that exists in a Honda is also in a Ford, to varying degrees. The engine is rock solid, but everything else is, well you know.... I know full well that not all Hondas are like this just like not all Fords are bad.

Sorry dude, didn't mean to come off like an ***. That's actually one of the things that brings me back to this awesome site mutliple times daily is the opinions, the facts, personal experiences and the RAW emotion that we truck owners put into our posts. We can't all be bobble heads, no one benefits.

As for the union bashing, I agree with everyone to certain degrees. As for the unions in the Post Office, being a non member could be as hazardous as a fisherman not owning a personal floatation device. I'm not going to elaborate on details as it has nothing to do with building trucks. Then someone will say that my pay is too high because stamps cost $.42.

As for quality: Everyone has different tolerances to pain just we all have different perceptions of quality. My (bought new) '99 Taurus for instance just rolled 100k on the odo. In it's lifetime, Ive replaced the rack & pinion, three o2 sensors, brakes, serpentine belt, two tranny flushes, two coolant hoses and did a coolant flush in the process and just replaced all spark plugs and wires. Some may consider that to be excessive, I do not.


Tim

 

No problem, Tim...I have a bad habit of getting a bit...um...overzealous in some of my replies too!

 

Tom, it's a pleasure, I've always enjoyed your posts, your well written and make perfectly good sense.

Tim

 

Personally I would consider the rack and pinion excessive.

What year is your honda, and what have you all had to do to that, if you dont mind me asking?

Im also a believer that its hard to compare a new car to a used car, when comparing stuff, its sometimes hard to tell how hard the previous owner has been on a vehicle. (seems like routine maintenance goes along ways and some people dont get that!)

 

Not all cars are perfect so ididn't get upset over the rack since it's the only repair that I've done. It went out at 55k miles, just a bad part I suppose.

As for the Honda. 1990 Civic. Currently has 165k on the odo. Had 147k on the odo when it was given to us 3 years ago. The previous owner is my neighbor. He is the original owner. This guy is an engineer and a maintanence freak. He had several problems with it during his tenure as well. Mostly electronics.

1. Both CV axles
2. Alernator
3. Starter relay
4. Distributor
5. Timing belt (Normal wear item)
6. Replaced the water pump with timing belt replacement
7. All fuel injectors
8. Rear part of exhaust system
9. AC has crapped itself R-19 system

The point is, people act Honda's are the cat's meow and they may be, but this one has been a dissappointment. I've never done that much work to any Ford that I've ever owned. I've kept the car because I've done so much to it and now it runs great. The upside is, the car was free. I could have bought my daughter a used anything and still had problems. But, it's a HONDA.

Tim

 

Yeah you and me have been through this dance before I was just kind of curious what all you had to do to it!

Id also be interested to see what all you have got done to your taurus when it hits 165k. Be interesting to see the comparison.

 

Wife has an 01 toyota camry bought 1 year old with 11000 miles. Now has 80000 miles. 2 sets of tires, 1 battery, 2 sets of front pads, 1 $50 engine sensor, 1 corroded battery terminal, drivers side window regulator at 50000probably 15 various light bulbs. 3 sets wiper blades.
I have an 97 chevy cavalier purchased with 400 miles on it. now has 70000(I gave it to my teen age son 3 years ago). alternator at 30000, hole in drivers seat at 60000, 1 battery, 1 speedo cluster at 20000, broken seat plastic both sides prior to 10000, 1 multi function headlight switch at 35000, 2 sets of front pads, 1 set of front rotors, radio at 50000, 2 recalls, 1 for starter switch wiring , 1 for air bag sensor. muffler support at 65000, bulbs too numerous to count.3 sets of tires, 1 cracked rim (no accident).3 sets wiper blades
My 02 F350 bought new. Now has 50000 miles. 3 light bulbs, 1 recall(cruise), 1 power door lock solenoid. 1 alignment(due to factory never had wheel perfectly centered) . original battery, tires and brakes still. 2 sets wiper blades.

My ford faired the best, then the camry, and by far the chevy was worst.

 

ya it kinda is hard to compare..one of my buddies was always bragging about how tough his new chevy p/k was and i told him id look at it in 30 years,and mines still doin alrite,even tho she sold to my neighbor