We have the same oponions on the cell phones my phone is to talk on I can't even get just a plain cell anymore, everything on the market has all kind of junk I just plain don't want and my take is the more unwanted junk it has the more there is to go wrong.

My thinking is that way with vehicles too. A couple years ago I decided I wanted a NEW dodge diesel, out of 50 60 diesel pickups at the amarillo dealer not one had a standard transmission. The salesman said he could order me one but I told him I was in the mood now and probably would get over it before it came in and I was right I really was over it by the time I left his lot.

 

Dave,

I agree highly ... Progress!, I think not, I'd say Greed!

In 2004 I sold my computer business for the same reason, everything is throw away, It's costs more to repair a computer then it does to replace it! You can buy the whole system cheaper then you can buy the components, IF you can even find the component. Most off the shelf (Dell, HP, Compaq, Gateway, etc...) computers have proprietary components and can be purchased only from the manufacture, They know this, It's intensional, by design!

About 1 year after a computer model is sold, the parts are obsolete, If that long, I have seen cases where the parts were not even available for their own in house warranty repair and have been forced into replacing the system with a newer model. Of course the warranty is for the duration from the original purchase! So basically you get a new system without (or very short) warranty!

Cellphones are no different... Progress of Market Control!
The contract thing with Cell phones is where I really go ballistic!

And I think thats enough from me I'm winding up!

-Enjoy
fh : )_~

 

When I was 18 way back in 59 I bought a 55 TBIRD. It was the best car, Sold it in 61 Uncle Sam needed me for Nam. Got out of the Marines after 20 years, Found that same car BOUGHT IT, Had it redone. It didn't have a back seat so the girls thought they were safe . I wouldn't sell that car for 10 of what they are building now. Remember when you could just look at a car driving by and know exactly what it was. Today they all look like the same EUROPEAN CRAP. Nothing is AMERICAN anymore. What the Hell happened to this country? I too have my M1 Garand and 10000 rounds so they better back off. Ever body better pay attention come Nov of 2010. The only way to stop these idiots is to boot there butts out of office. Thank you for putting up with to me

 

The only way I will replace my truck is with something genuinely and completely better. No carbon steel (rust), no pistons(30% efficiency), no fuel($$$$$$ and emissions crap). Until that day comes, I'll be keeping ol faithful in good working order and making updates as I see fit.

Though strangely enough, it seems the cost of batteries are coming down far enough that for the cost of a new truck, I could convert my F150 into a 200 mile electric vehicle. If I can do it why can't detroit? Bail them out if you want, but I know I will never buy new especially after knowing my money is used to keep those idiots working.

I refuse to submit myself to the mass consumption marketing strategy. Thats not who I am and never will be.

 

Amen!

-Enjoy
fh : )_~

 

Besides that I'm cheap. To me a vehicle is a means to get me and whatever I want to take with me from point A to point B the most efficient way at 2 to 5 mpg gains do you know how many miles it takes to make up the price of a new one even if we don't include the interest taxes insurance and all the extra costs that probably will take care of the fuel gains by themself.

 

uh, yeah that too......

Thing is, I'm already getting MPG numbers that new trucks have a hard time matching in the real world.

 

My dually running close to empty will consistantly get 16 so I'm close nough to the newer ones that with the miles I drive it, I would not live long enough to save 30,000 bucks in fuel.

 

my dad has a 2000 c1500 with a ?4.6? small v8 and auto/od tranny - 17 mpg cost 21000$ he also has a 1996 dakota v-8 318 with auto/od tranny - 17 mpg, bought it 2 years ago for 3500$ i have a 87 v-8 6.9 diesel 4sp manual w/O od - 17 mpg bought 2 1/2 years ago for 300$ i see it much like ya'll do... with my price tag and fuel mileage, WHY would i go buy something that get even 25mpg? i am not gonna do the math, but i bet i would be way on my way to retirement before the cost would be worthwhile on buying a new(er) vehicle. Especially since i pay parts no labor no computer fees none of the bs that goes with the "great" vehicles on the lots now.

and when you know how/where to look, there are some awsome mechanics just a click away. but only if you own a real vechicle, not a death trap on wheels

 

Ya my wifes pickup is a 99 F150 4x4 with the backward doors and is nice for what it is, gets 17 usually but is built for comfort or very light loads more of a car with a short bed on it. My old diesel dually 4x will haul home anything I decide to and still gets 16.

 

todays cars are keep pices of crap thats t i shop old school no power windowa or looks it the way i role

 

Where you gonna get a new Ford diesel 4x4 F350 for 30,000?

Better add about 10,000 to that number where I am at.

What I would have "IF" I bought a new truck would be closer to 45,000.

I have less than that in my house if I don't count my labor or contents.

But then again I have not been on the lots with all of the incentives and rebates out there right now.

 

I have heard not seen personally new loaded to the hilt with rebates 37000 and I consider that out of my price range. I get the fever every three or four years but the salesman can always talk me out of it before any papers are signed.

I have only bought one new pickup and one new motorcycle in my life both were mistakes in my book. The new pickup was a 79 in 80 when you could no longer get a 460 I found a new unsold 79 to pull a 35 foot travel trailer. The salesman claimed I would not notice the difference in the 351 compared to the 460 because the 80 models were 360 pounds lighter than the 79's, so I asked him what that 360 was going to matter with my 7,000 pound trailer.

 

I can't absolutely gaurantee it but I think my Cousin just bought an '08 Dodge 4-door (quad cab) Cummins automatic 4wd. for $30K.
He's a Chevy guy but finally saw the "LIGHT"!

That's basically what my Dad paid for his '97, new.

There were so many discounts and incentives he made a SCREAMIN' deal anyway. His wife kind of let the $30K number slip so I'm not 100% positive.

I think the Fords cost more, the price they have to pay Navistar for the new "smogged-up" motors is rediculous.

 

hybrid tech is stupid and does not work in real world driving. to offset the cost gov't gave tax breaks to buyers, so hybrids would sell, and get the propiganda on the road. Here in CA tax breaks weren't enough to justify the price of a hybrid so the gov't decided to let hybrid drivers use the carpool lanes. Not because they were carpooling but because they were driving a new hybrid. Now a couple of years later with the tax credits gone and the carpool pass gone there are noticeably less new hybrids on the roads.