I just bought an American car

dawn69's picture

Well, classic Murphy's Law:

I paid off my '02 Bonneville in August and, last Monday, the engine locks up - it's a goner. Now, isn't that par for the course?

I got estimates on a new engine, and best deal was $4000 (w/ labor) for a rebuilt engine with 50K miles. The question then becomes - do I continue throwing money at a car that's not even worth $4 grand, especially when I also need a new cad. converter, intake manifold thingy, and transmission. Of course not, even Clark Howard wouldn't do that.

So, I went shopping for a new car. Like a good American, I looked at the American car companies first - excluding Pontiac (you know, screw me once shame on you...). I liked the Ford Fusion. Nice body style, reasonably priced - built in Mexico.

Now, my WWII veteran grandfather would roll over in his grave to know that what I drove home was an '09 Honda Accord. It's beautiful! 2-door (the kids are pretty much out of car seats now), dark grey, 100,000 mile warranty, great gas millage, and will flat fly for a 4-cylinder. Country of origin for the engine - USA, Country of origin for the transmission - Japan, final point of assembly - Ohio = American jobs!

Now, I could absolutely vomit at the thought of taking on a car note at this time; however, I am in love with my new American made Honda. It's nice to have a heater that works, a gas gauge that works, and a car that I can rely on.

Sorry, grandaddy, if you can hear me: This is not the same economy you knew, the market is global and there is no such thing as the 'American' automobile of your generation.

P.S. Classic Murphy's Law
* Blow an engine on Monday
* Buy a new car on Tuesday
* Hail storm on Wednesday

Smiling Smiling Smiling

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Good for you Dawn
Submitted by mysteryman on Mon, 03/02/2009 - 8:01pm.

I have always bought Chevy or Ford Trucks, being a welder in the concrete industry, you cannot carry or tow much, on an import, i wish the govt would lift its embargo on foriegn pickups with GVWs of 7000 lbs not being allowed into the country. I would sure like to see the Nissan Patrol that i was assigned while in Brazil 2yrs ago, it was an suv, with a 3/4 ton weight rating and a six cylinder turbo diesel that averaged 28 miles a gallon, we put that thing through he** the six months that we were in the jungle building that concrete plant, and it never flinched. Best yet it was a 2004 and when you opened the hood you could actually repair it in the field if need be. If these trucks were ever allowed into the U.S.A the big three might as well close up shop. Anyway all american automobile and trucks, if people would take the time to look under the hood and turn a wrench or two, would be shocked to know that most of the components in the powertrain are stamped with such sayings as "HENCHO EN MEXICO" or "Made in SRI LANKA" as the antilock brake computer on my silverado is stamped. I am especially fond of the Injection pump on the duramax, for it reads Assembeled in the peoples republic of Vietnam." But hey like you said with your Honda, its all put together right here in the good ole U.S.A. If Nissan or Toyota would bring in 1ton or 3/4 trucks, diesels that would last forever, I would be first in line....PEACE..

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New Hondo
Submitted by baroombrawl on Mon, 03/02/2009 - 9:13am.

I take it the hail storm golf dimpled you new vehicle. Sorry!

Don't ever love a car. They are nothing but expense forever if you let them be.

I have never, nor will I ever buy a foreign car name. Most of the parts come from Japan or elsewhere.
I suppose that is due to my uncles being shot up by the foreign auto makers in WW2. Their countries subsidized them long before we started that here recently.

May I suggest that you buy a Ford Taurus 0f say 02-07 vintage---made in Atlanta. Cost about 4000 to 12000 max.

One of the best cars I have ever owned. Also inexpensive and easy to fix any minor repairs or service.

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Baroom
dawn69's picture
Submitted by dawn69 on Mon, 03/02/2009 - 1:02pm.

I know, I think it was Mitsubishi that used American P.O.W.'s as slave labor in their plants. My grandfather, who fought in the European theatre, told me stories of the Batan Death march - horrific!! I understand where you're coming from, like I said, it went against everything he ever taught me. But then, times are different, the global market is different.

The best car I ever owned was a '76 Chevelle Malibu classic with a 3.50, Krager wheels, swivel bucket seats. That car would fly and drank gasoline like a dehydrated football player in July - 10 miles per gallon. God, she was beautiful. A drunk/stoned driver totaled her and me. Had my Chevelle not been constructed of steel and brawn - I might not have survived.

Sadly, those old muscle cars are not being made anymore and gone are the days of picking up an old rod for cheap and fixing her up. Priced any classics lately? I recently saw an old Shelby go for close to $45 grand!

My dad is a diesel mechanic and worked for Allied - the car haulers. They hauled mostly Fords coming off the rail. When the Hapeville plant closed, Allied filed bankruptcy soon after. Dad has gone on to try and finish up his Teamster retirement elsewhere.


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A silver lining on buying a car now, lower tax
mapleleaf's picture
Submitted by mapleleaf on Mon, 03/02/2009 - 7:13am.

Just think you'd have paid one percent more in sales tax (the school SPLOST) if you had had to buy your new Honda in April. At least, that's a couple hundred dollars staying in your pocket.


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