Import owners are to blame for the recession

Um, I think you have that backwards...

http://www.stationwagon.com/gallery/pictures/1974_Chevy_Vega.jpg

http://www.hollywoodbobsmoviecars.com/graphics/1972_chevy_vega_gt01s2.jpg


Keep trying, though. You might convince some 14 year old.

But they're smarter than you were at 14. Shoot, they're savvier than you
are NOW.

 

"Retired VIP"...

Actually it is not all that complicated at all. The "transmission" is much
simpler and they stuck an electric motor in it.
http://john1701a.com/prius/prius-userguide.htm
Tomes

 

"PeterD" ...

That's what they want you to believe to make their case. There are plenty
of taxi Prii in use with well over 200K miles.
Tomes

 

"Hachiroku ãƒãƒãƒ­ã‚¯" ...

Only if it actually needs it. Time will tell....
Tomes

 

There are also millions of very unhappy Taurus owners. They should
have picked a new name.

As for never owning one, my Mom had one and two of my close friends
had one. All had tranny problems at ~ 70k miles. I'm familiar with the
details of their repairs, the costs, etc.

 

What model years? I had a 92 with no tranny problems by 130K. Other stupid
shit, but no tranny problems, and I even towed a small boat with mine. It
was the 6 cylinder model.

 

You might want to go back and read the thread, chump. Hunter was
claiming that most vehicles can go 300k miles with "proper
maintenance".

 

Why even bother trying to carry on a sensible debate with Hunter to begin
with?

 

That's the word from Toyota. Remember, I used to work for a dealer. Of
course, we're talking an imperfect technology here. The batteries may
actually wear out prior to 120,000 miles, depending upon use.

Unfortunately, I don't know if they are warranteed to last 120,000 miles.

 

I refer to them as Turduses. . . . .

And don't mind Mike too much. He's mostly conservative, but thinks every
American should WANT to own a full size car. I've driven several
'full-size' cars over the years, and I wouldn't wish them on on my worst
enemy, or even JSB.

BTW, "The proof of the pudding is in the eating" - Don Quixote.

Sir Charles the Curmudgeon

 

Beyond the tranny problems, if it was a 3.0 you were likely OK but the
3.8 engine was a time bomb. It wasn't a question IF you would have
serious problems, but when.

And then there were the early ones who's front subframes dropped out
because the washers on the rubber mounts rusted off. Not to mention
the bottoms rotted off them (even the later models) at a rediculous
rate. My brother had 2 of them, and several friends had them as well -
both Taurus and Sable.
NONE were particularly happy with the cars long term.

 

I wonder if my luck with the tranny was also due to my mechanic, who nagged
me to stay one step ahead of the scheduled tranny maintenance, specifically
because I was towing with the car. When this guy retires, I'm probably going
to switch to riding a horse.

 

Yet, I haven't read anything that indicates that the batteries are not
good for a longer lifespan. Toyota and Honda were really conservative
with the batteries when they first came out. For example, they kept
the charge within a really narrow window, something like between 60
and 80% charge, until they had real-life experience to guide future
battery usage.

Jeff

 

I've owned three older Sables (1996, 2001, 2005), and not ONE of them had
any "serious electrical issues". I did have one whose Tranny went around
100,000 miles. Of the other two Sables, one tranny's was still going strong
when I sold it at around 128,000 miles, and the other one is still fine at
50,000 miles.

Derek

 

That was from an Oct. 2004 "first drive" review, which might not have even
been a production vehicle. In any case, the current Taurus is considerably
better. Even Car and Driver now says so.

Derek

 

Then you'll have to find a good vet!!!
Maintenance CAN prolong the life of even a Taurus - but there were
some issues that even preventative maintenance could NOT stave off -
particularly on the 3.8.

 

Yeah, I remember hearing this. Also, it helps the batteries to last
longer, IIRC.

 

I would blame the investment bankers which caused the credit freeze.

 

Find me one of these:

HHR LT 2LT

Starting at $20,800.00

* Features shown below are in addition to, or in place of, 1LT
features: * Audio system feature: Pioneer premium 7-speaker system
with amplified tweeters and rear subwoofer * Brakes: Four wheel
antilock, front disc/rear drum * Bright Chrome Exterior Appearance
Package: Includes bright chrome grille, outside mirrors, lift gate
appliqué, door handles and roof-mounted side rails; when equipped *
Engine: ECOTEC 2.4L DOHC four-cylinder with 172 hp * Exhaust tip,
3.5-inch bright chrome * Foglamps
* Mirror: Inside rearview auto-dimming with compass display. Outside:
power with bright-chrome cap. * Steering Wheel: Leather-wrapped,
includes mounted audio controls. * Suspension: Sport
* Traction contron: all-speed, full function * Wheels: 17-inch
high-polished, forged-aluminum

NOTE: 5 speed transmission.

Your search returned no vehicles. Please modify your criteria and search
again.


This is within 100 miles of Massachusetts.

Nice. I can't get what I want! Any wonder I go to Toyota?

 

But what are the basis for those drops? A year ago Ford was already
experiencing crappy sales while Toyota was still strong. 33% less
than good beats 30% less than crappy. Remember that two years ago
Ford was actually outselling Toyota.