Carmakers’ bailout makes us think of our best, worst cars
On the drive to work this morning, the odometer on my 2000 Ford Explorer hit the 160,000 mile mark right about the time an analyst on the radio was talking about the government bailout for automakers.
Earlier this week, we heard the General Motors would need as much as $30 billion or so from the government. Chrysler wants another $4 or $5 billion. Ford, thus far, has said thanks but no thanks to government aid.
Since I began buying and paying for my own vehicles, I’ve bought three used vehicles (not counting the car our daughter drives) and three brand new ones. One was a Chevy, one was a Honda, one was a Ford. I have fond memories of all of them, for different reasons.
I don’t need or want all the bells and whistles in a car. Most of us probably want the same thing — a reliable ride, good gas mileage and the two or three ‘extras’ we really don’t want to drive without.
What’s been your best car, or your worst? If it was the beater you drove to and from college, or the Gremlin you proudly bought when you got your first job, we want to know. And, if you want to share a photo of that super-sweet ride, post it here.
Probably the most reliable, dependable car I ever owned was my ‘66 Rambler American. My favorite(s) were my ‘66 MGB and my ‘64 Triumph Spitfire…not terribly dependable (British cars are nightmares of electrical and leaking problems) but a lot of fun. I can do without a lot of the stuff that drives up the price of cars like power everything, rear view cameras, GPS systems(use a map, ask a local, etc.), 20 speaker sound systems,heated seats, mirrors (I put a ziploc bag over the mirrors) etc.. If you really wanted all that you could probably add them on yourself a lot cheaper. I miss the ability to do most repairs myself most of all I think. I used to watch my step father rebuild generators in the garage, rewind, replace bushings, etc.. He often says there are no mechanics anymore, just part swappers. I haven’t really “enjoyed” a car since the 70s.
The best car I’ve ever had was a 1985 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. I bought it used, and drove it until it had over 185,000 miles on it – and when I sold it, it still ran fine. It only had 2 mechanical problems during my ownership, I rebuilt the carburetor (cost me about $45 dollars in parts and 2 hours of my time) and I had the transmission rebuilt (cost me less than $300). Very nice, very reliable car – although it was stolen twice (finally had to use the club).
The worst car I’ve ever had was a 1984 Toyota Camry. I also bought it used and the mechanical problems were almost non stop. I swear that car Ate transmissions! It broke so many times it was a sick joke. To make matters worse, the cost of the parts were very high compared to US parts, and it was much more difficult to work on.
However, a close runner-up for worst car was my 1991 Nissan Maxima. I bought it used, it was in good condition, and I knew the seller. It began having a mystery problem where the engine would just turn off. I tried everything – changed all the ignition components, sensors, ran the wiring, replaced the computer, replaced the distributor, power transistor, coil, fuel pump, etc, etc. This was after spending loads of money at various shops who never got it fixed. I sold it for $200 to a guy with Full disclosure. I think he thought I was just a lousy mechanic, and he and his buddies could get it running in no time. I talked to him years later – he never got it to work, and it ended up in a scrapyard.
Oh yeah, worst car I ever had? 1980 Toyota Corolla. Car ran ok but the service manager ran off with my wife.
Hey Slamfist.What was the name of that dealer who ran off with your wife? I could use both,a new car,and a new wife. Chuckle chuckle.
Worst car was a 1989 Ford F150 4×4. This was my first new vehicle. It was a total pos. I traded it in less than two years later. From the engine being rebuilt to the paint peeling off and eveything else you can think of. The fact that the dealer treated me like dirt didn’t help matters. That was my last Ford. I have purchased GM and one Dodge since than and have been very pleased. The best car I owned was a 1991 Chevy Lumina Euro. I purchased it used with less than 10,000 miles. I traded it in with a little over 130,000 miles. In that time, other than regular maintence, not one thing broke or had to be fixed. It was a great car!
The worst car I ever owned was the first one I ever DROVE, not owned, however. It was a 92 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, black with gray cloth interior. Little plastic things began falling apart over a short period of time, followed by the transmission going south at 50,000 miles and soon after, electrical smoke would occasionally fill the cabin. This was in lieu of my father following the factory maintenance guidelines to a tee, and became the last American/GM made car we owned after a string of several that failed to meet our expectations over the years. Around my freshman year in high school, I discovered the safety and quality of Volvo’s then-new 850 sedan with side airbags, and the rest is history. Between me and my family, we’ve owned at least 10 Volvos, myself two currently, a 940 Turbo sedan with 200,000 miles and a 2004 S60 R with 50,000. Also in this time frame, one Volvo saved my life, actually prevented me from even injury in a crash where I would have likely been killed had I not been in a Volvo. Both vehicles have their quirks, but are far beyond their American-made competition in several areas, safety especially. We had to buy a truck recently for our business, and again looking at the categories of quality, safety, and function, Toyota’s Tundra came in on top. Our family understands the importance of supporting our nation, but looking at how the top execs at GM and Chrysler live, and how their vehicles stack up to the competition, we have to put our needs as consumers first. I wish GM & Chrysler the best, but don’t owe them one more dime of our tax money to bail them out of years of hideous management and inferior automobiles.
Best car? Toyota Camry, hands down. My Olds Omega (79) was a good car too, considering how old it was when I got it.
The best car I have owned is probably the one I drive everyday now. A 2003 Jeep Liberty. It has 126,000 miles on it and has never had one problem. It is like the day I bought it. My favorite car has been my Jeep Wranglers and CJ’
s. They are like driving a go-cart. You can take the top down and go anywhere. I still own one that I don’t drive daily. Only on perfect weather weekends.
I drove a 1966 Mustang Convertible for my last two years of high school and my first two years of college. No AC in the summer and I wore a blanket over my legs cause the heater wasn’t much. The top leaked a little when it rained real hard; And oh the days where it would die at a stop light or just decide not to start. I had to have it towed a couple of times.
It was nice cause my friends never wanted me to drive anywhere for fear of being stranded.
Believe it or not, all the good times FAR OUTWEIGH the bad.
God I loved that car!! I miss it.
I’ve never had a lemon. I’m 35 and only on my 3rd car out of high school. First one was a new ‘91 Chevy Cavalier Z24. Got rid of that in ‘97 running fine with about 140,000 miles on it. Next car was a used ‘95 Jeep Wrangler that I sold running fine with 146,000 miles on it. I sold it to a friend, and it worked great for two years for him until he totaled it in a wreck. Current car I bought used is a ‘03 Ford F150 4 door 4X4. Has 60,000 miles on it, and haven’t had a problem with it yet.
The only car I’ve ever had problems with is the mustang I drove in high school. The starter went out every so often. That was my fault, though, because I put headers on it that sat too close to the starter. It just burnt up constantly. After the first starter replacement, I just took the burnt up one back to Auto Zone and got a warranty replacement a few times until they told me they wouldn’t replace it free anymore. Then I just went to NAPA and got a starter there, and the next two were free….