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Where's Iacocca when you need him? Can't he arrange another too big to fail gubmint bailout or something? Maybe they can change the hood ornament on their upcoming new models to a dog with three heads.
Well, if the shysters won't let us have our market crash, I'm glad that they (Cerebus) are bleeding red ink in the car business (although I feel sorry for the workers).
Chrysler had a proto-type S car back in the 80's. It had a slug for it's hood ornament. Everywhere it went people pointed and said, "look at that S car go".
MOT,
The problem I have found with cars that you need to power with your feet is it is hard. And tiring. I think some minivan without required feet power would be a better seller.
Looking at the results from casino Dow jones, black 32. Black 32. One spin of the wheel left this week. Make sure you get your chips off the table after the spin; unless you are crazy enough to let them ride.
I had to think for a minute. What cars does Chrysler make? I don't even know anyone who drives a Chrysler. The only car they make that comes to mind is the Seibring?? Something like that.
I guess the only American owned manufacturing lines actually producing vehicles next year will be the Humvee, and whoever makes the M1A2
Chrysler, Ford, and GM are all -- like the airlines before them -- going to declare BK to restructure debt and renegotiate union agreements. Other than straight liquidation, this is their only option.
The problem I have found with cars that you need to power with your feet is it is hard. And tiring. I think some minivan without required feet power would be a better seller.
Yes, but it gives the hyperactive kids in the backseat something to do!
Days like today make me suspect that the market is being manipulated. Might have something to do with yesterday's $75B auction. Can't wait to see all the IB's burning in hell... And their CEOs in jail.
OT:
last quarter was the first quarter ever where there were no IPOs brought to market by venture capital. (at least since they started tracking that, which was over 30 years ago)
Funny you would mention that because MarketWatch just issued the following bulletin: "STARBUCKS SAYS IT'LL CLOSE ABOUT 600 'UNDERPERFORMING' STORES; SHARES HALTED AFTER HOURS".
Hmmm...the day is closer when those bright boys at cerebus (who, dryfly, could only be the smartest guys in the room if they were the ONLY guys in the room) get to pay Chery to take Chrysler and produce the new Fung Wah* Minivan.
*(My hat tip to the infamous Boston Chinatown/NYC bus that was $15 each way when I took it. If you didn't mind sitting next to a chicken or a turtle).
When the deal was announced Jan. 11, it was valued at around $4 billion. However, Bank of America's stock price has since declined from $38.50 per share to Monday's closing price of $23.87 per share. Based on that drop, Bank of America paid about $2.5 billion for Countrywide.
The Honda dealer tried to buy back my Civic Hybrid yesterday. Said he was completely sold out of the hybrids, after getting $3000 over MSRP for what they had. Waiting list a mile long.
I bought a little over a year ago, for less than list and got the $2100 tax credit, too. Current credit dropped to $650. yesterday, I guess it won't hurt sales now a bit.
Anybody even remotely paying attention could see this coming.
This just in:
Zimbabwe has exceeded analysts expections by keeping inflation at 550,000%. It is also reported that the majority of citizens can now eat one meal a day, shattering previous projections of one mean every-other-day...
That sounds pretty cool. Maybe they can put them on mini-cars and have that be the selling point
Bah.
Try playing fetch with a three-headed dog. Unless you can throw three balls and have them land in the same spot you better be on a first name basis with a veterinarian.
This just in:
Zimbabwe has exceeded analysts expections by keeping inflation at 550,000%. It is also reported that the majority of citizens can now eat one meal a day, shattering previous projections of one mean every-other-day...
...the good news just keeps on coming...
But... but... I thought you could only have a an economy collapse with deflation... and that inflation was a magic cure-all that made everything better and happy.
I mean, these people have so much money, how can they be poor?
You could send out 7 figure stimulus checks in Zimbabwe!
i would appreciate the views of the board on this idea...just a thought experiment
fuel taxes should not be lowered.
all oil importing countries should come to an emergency agreement to raise taxes on oil 2 cents for every 1 cent increase in the price of oil thus placing a drag on the growth in the price of oil.
mock turtle | 07.01.08 - 4:22 pm | #
I'm sure Cerberus will make some kind of statement to the press about how this was all part of their plan and everything is fine.
Funny how much they have been in the financial press lately defending the deal, especially when privacy is supposed to be one of the benefits of private equity.
It has a feeling of "thou douth protest too much".
The SBux disaster could be seen from a mile away. Many of these yuppie companies are still delusional. Another of my favorite shorts: Williams Sonoma revenue guidance, expecting a second half recovery.
I have a suggestion for Starbucks. What about a drive in, where people in SUV's can just park outside and then you have cute yound high school kids and soccer moms bring a cup of coffee to your car? Starbucks could just have a pot of coffee brewing all day and drop the phony bullshit thing where everyone pretends that its so cool to have some one make you a malted... I mean coffee drink, and obviously, why pay high rates for floor space for cheap stooges to sit back and act like elitist gourmets with ultra deep pockets? They need to re-invent the coffee shop and downsize big time, cause people are not gonna have massive amounts of disposable income and then waste cash on over priced drinks. A cup of coffee costs about a quarter....wake up and smell the aroma!
A cup of coffee costs about a quarter....wake up and smell the aroma!
Doubleshot on ice is a bargain, by SBUX standards. 5 shots of espresso and creme over ice for $3 and change. Doing that at home would cost me about $2, not to mention the mess.
"I have a suggestion for Starbucks. What about a drive in, where people in SUV's can just park outside and then you have cute yound high school kids and soccer moms bring a cup of coffee to your car?"
SBUX bought an empty fast-food outlet with a drive-thru in my town two years ago, and hasn't done a thing with it but put up chain-link. It'd be a great place to test your theory; it's even near several public schools.
Oh baby, I can't control my bladder or keyboard, this will start the avalanche BIG time due (baby)!
This is symptomatic of the BIG BOx Sprawl that took place in almost every community in America -- damn near Global! Every retail outlet was build on that cheap tsunami of BOJ (bank Of Japan) lending, which was part of the subprime euphoria that Greenspan and Bush promoted as part of The OwnerShip Society! This action by SBUX is a very large domino wake up call, that the vast majority of over-built bullshit commercial/retail growth of the last 6 years -- will be smashed and it likely that as with SBUX 70% of the stores opened from 2005, will shut down in the entire retail sector!
I'm Kona Wet Pants Gold and I'm live from chopper one, where we are watching The Hindenburg coming in for a landing and they are holding.it burst into flames...tragic...
Doubleshot on ice is a bargain, by SBUX standards. 5 shots of espresso and creme over ice for $3 and change. Doing that at home would cost me about $2, not to mention the mess.
James Bednar | 07.01.08 - 4:58 pm | #
Doing that at home would probably cause the SWAT Team to come and bust down your doors - equivalent of cooking speed.
I've got no comment on monetary policy and let me just be clear on that. Whether it's Ben Bernanke, or whether it's Jean-Claude Trichet, if there's one thing I respect, it is an independent central bank setting monetary policy," Paulson said. "And I understand that independence, and I respect that independence."
You can buy 2 pounds of good coffee at costco for $10.00 and you need to stop using dairy anyway, cause you don't have the enzymes to break that crap down (in your stomach), so just brew a nice fresh french press and toss it on a few ice cubes and viola, you gotcha a nice booster for what..... what was that you ordered a triple?
The perfect storm: People that got into subprime at the wrong time with ARMS, bought Chrysler SUVs and then never saved a dime in the last year, because they were so busy having fun drinking $5.00 Starbucks. ..perfect!
This is a perfect example of just how brain-dead the management at Chrysler is.
They have a really nice new vehicle - the Jeep Wrangler 4-door unlimited. Only problem is that it gets terrible gas mileage.
In Europe, however, you can buy that Wrangler with a nice, very fuel-efficient diesel. American Jeep aficionados have been clamoring for the diesel version over here for 2 or 3 years - and have been totally ignored by Chrysler.
"The little car that is manufactured in India for $2500.00 would be great on gas. The price is appealing also."
The typical American blubber butt would have to grease themselves up with a can of Crisco in order to slip into one of those cars. Don't see it happening.
I don't mean to turn this into the shopping channel, but Costco just got Ethopian Yergacheffe coffee. That stuff is wonderful. Skip the Starbucks. Trust me, we sober up our customers that way.
Chrysler is Kaput. Why do you think they brought Nardelli, who has zero experience in the auto industry, to be CEO. Nardelli is a slash and burn man (think Home Depot). The complete map for Chrysler's future was drawn behind closed doors before the company was taken private.
This was all about a gradual break-up and sell-off of the pieces. Daimler didn't want the company. It was a lead weight around their neck. No other car company would touch it. Answer, take it private and sell it off piece by piece.
I'd buy a diesel wrangler 2-door 4wd. Do they make those? Conversely, how fuel efficient is the diesel 4-door (and can I assume they have a 4wd version)?
Ford has been advertising the heck out of the focus on the TV stations I watch (35mpg, 7k less than a prius, etc.) I'm a little surprised more people didn't bite.
How I beat SBUX and fight the recession: after the bike ride, I find the busiest SBUX, there's one every 3 blocks to choose from, and ask for a DECAF(!). If they have to brew it, it's on the house.
No gas fill-up. Free coffee. Ready for the depression.
Most of the articles I've seen on the auto industry problems seems to chalk it all up to a simple change in consumer preference for fuel-efficiency. No one wants the SUVs and light trucks anymore.
Or is this downturn occuring for some other reason (i.e. other than the rising cost of gas)? I notice that even the sales numbers for light vehicles are down.
Sitting in my garage is a 1994 Chrysler LeBaron GTC convertible (the last year for the model). Far and away the best looking (post flipping headlights) and best engineered (four wheel disc brakes, sway bars, peppy 3.0L rice burner engine and great Infinity sound system) I have ever owned. You would think a front engine car would understeer ("push" for you NASCAR fans) but it has tremendous neutral cornering ability that I will put up against anything newer, more expensive.
I will drive it as long as parts are available or until I die (whichever comes first). Absolute joy to drive. I use it as a "beach car" in the Summer (basically mid-April through mid-October) and let it hibernate in the Winter.
Why can't Chrysler duplicate the engineering feat they accomplished 14 years ago?
Ford has been advertising the heck out of the focus on the TV stations I watch (35mpg, 7k less than a prius, etc.) I'm a little surprised more people didn't bite.
cough... I did...once. The focus has had more recalls than you can shake a stick at, and it was a huge hassle to get even warranty/recall service done with Ford (translation: PAINFUL). I traded it in for a Honda Civic. By the way, the Civic is about 20% more fuel efficient and doesn't depreciate as quickly.
Time to bring back the K-car, to save Chrysler, again.
Where's Iacocca when you need him? Can't he arrange another too big to fail gubmint bailout or something? Maybe they can change the hood ornament on their upcoming new models to a dog with three heads.
how about bringing back Lee Iococca, too. Maybe make him freaking President.
I think all Chrysler needs to do is develop a minivan that gets 200 miles per gallon. Then, they will be golden again.
Geoff: a dog with three heads
That sounds pretty cool. Maybe they can put them on mini-cars and have that be the selling point
Private Equity - the smartest guys in the room (if the room happens to be a greenhouse).
Elvis, like the Fred Flinstone car where everyone uses their feet?
The smartest guys in the room got eaten by a three-headed dog.
The big three are doomed. Asia has always done a much better job reaching women and young drivers........
Well, if the shysters won't let us have our market crash, I'm glad that they (Cerebus) are bleeding red ink in the car business (although I feel sorry for the workers).
Wait a sec dryfly. Don't diss the plant kingdom like that.
Good thing they don't have any fixed overhead.
We don't need Lee Iacocca anymore. Now, every CEO knows how to get a handout from the government.
Chrysler had a proto-type S car back in the 80's. It had a slug for it's hood ornament. Everywhere it went people pointed and said, "look at that S car go".
MOT,
The problem I have found with cars that you need to power with your feet is it is hard. And tiring. I think some minivan without required feet power would be a better seller.
Looking at the results from casino Dow jones, black 32. Black 32. One spin of the wheel left this week. Make sure you get your chips off the table after the spin; unless you are crazy enough to let them ride.
I had to think for a minute. What cars does Chrysler make? I don't even know anyone who drives a Chrysler. The only car they make that comes to mind is the Seibring?? Something like that.
I guess the only American owned manufacturing lines actually producing vehicles next year will be the Humvee, and whoever makes the M1A2
Chrysler, Ford, and GM are all -- like the airlines before them -- going to declare BK to restructure debt and renegotiate union agreements. Other than straight liquidation, this is their only option.
Speed Racer, is that you dad?
The problem I have found with cars that you need to power with your feet is it is hard. And tiring. I think some minivan without required feet power would be a better seller.
Yes, but it gives the hyperactive kids in the backseat something to do!
Days like today make me suspect that the market is being manipulated. Might have something to do with yesterday's $75B auction. Can't wait to see all the IB's burning in hell... And their CEOs in jail.
Maybe a better name for the CCI would be the Third World Crisis Meter.
Whatever the cause, I don't think you can argue that there's any good news in this.
Yes son, it's me. I've fallen and can't get up.
Honda sales up 1.1%!!!! C'mon ride the DOW 36,000 with me at 9:30 in morning on the morrow.
OT:
last quarter was the first quarter ever where there were no IPOs brought to market by venture capital. (at least since they started tracking that, which was over 30 years ago)
they discussed this many times on CNBC today.
Since when is "better-than-nothing" sales a good thing?...I mean, I guess eating once a day beats expectations of starving to death...
geesh.
Coffee, gas, coffee, gas?
600 SBux closing.
tranches of like writes:
Wait a sec dryfly. Don't diss the plant kingdom like that.
tranches of like | 07.01.08 - 4:09 pm | #
You are right - that was a cheap shot, I apologize to orchids & african violets everywhere.
Besides PE's weren't always that dumb, they were a lot smarter when Greenspan was chairman. Did he take them with him?
[/sarcasm]
Speed Racer,
That snail joke is great! LOL!
they discussed this many times on CNBC today.
Yearning To Learn | 07.01.08 - 4:15 pm | #
Did they once mention the words 'exit strategy'?
Coffee, gas, coffee, gas?
600 SBux closing.
A guy came into work this morning with a paper cup of coffee that said something like "No high prices. No overpaid baristas." on the back.
I have to find out where that came from.
Surely a sign of the times.
Taking companies public is so two quarters ago.
ac,
Funny you would mention that because MarketWatch just issued the following bulletin: "STARBUCKS SAYS IT'LL CLOSE ABOUT 600 'UNDERPERFORMING' STORES; SHARES HALTED AFTER HOURS".
Hahaha!
Did they once mention the words 'exit strategy'?
From "Exit Strategies Dummies":
Always get outside before yelling fire.
Hmmm...the day is closer when those bright boys at cerebus (who, dryfly, could only be the smartest guys in the room if they were the ONLY guys in the room) get to pay Chery to take Chrysler and produce the new Fung Wah* Minivan.
*(My hat tip to the infamous Boston Chinatown/NYC bus that was $15 each way when I took it. If you didn't mind sitting next to a chicken or a turtle).
Always get outside before yelling fire.
...lol... [dryfly writing] I'm going to remember that one...
You want to title that? Say "ac's rule #1 of vc investing/".
Really good - made waking up today worth it.
Starbucks closing 600 stores.
Load up on coffee, Sebastian!
These clowns are a zero.
With all these Starbucks closing, does this mean that this isn't the "End of the Universe" after all?
The End of the Universe
...lol... [dryfly writing] I'm going to remember that one...
You want to title that? Say "ac's rule #1 of vc investing/".
Really good - made waking up today worth it.
How about the First Commandment of Wall Street?
also OT (I'm sorry)
countrywide deal is completed
When the deal was announced Jan. 11, it was valued at around $4 billion. However, Bank of America's stock price has since declined from $38.50 per share to Monday's closing price of $23.87 per share. Based on that drop, Bank of America paid about $2.5 billion for Countrywide.
Charles Grasso just had the lawsuit challenging his $115 million payday dropped too.
I am ready with a pitchfork. This system has failed. I am ready to hear about alternatives.
Elvis said:
"Taking companies public is so two quarters ago."
Actually, taking companies public was so pre-Sarbanes-Oxley.
badger boy writes:
Looking at the results from casino Dow jones, black 32. Black 32. One spin of the wheel left this week....snip
i have not entered a casino in 30 years (last time realto in sanjuan, won insame amount of money using the double down strategy...in know im an idiot)
but hey isn't 32 red?
was that part of the joke and i missed it???
The Honda dealer tried to buy back my Civic Hybrid yesterday. Said he was completely sold out of the hybrids, after getting $3000 over MSRP for what they had. Waiting list a mile long.
I bought a little over a year ago, for less than list and got the $2100 tax credit, too. Current credit dropped to $650. yesterday, I guess it won't hurt sales now a bit.
Anybody even remotely paying attention could see this coming.
This just in:
Zimbabwe has exceeded analysts expections by keeping inflation at 550,000%. It is also reported that the majority of citizens can now eat one meal a day, shattering previous projections of one mean every-other-day...
...the good news just keeps on coming...
Paid $2000 under invoice (in cash) for a new civic last month. It's depreciated less than the US dollar methinks.
Geoff: a dog with three heads
That sounds pretty cool. Maybe they can put them on mini-cars and have that be the selling point
Bah.
Try playing fetch with a three-headed dog. Unless you can throw three balls and have them land in the same spot you better be on a first name basis with a veterinarian.
Starbucks halted - closing 600 stores
This just in:
Zimbabwe has exceeded analysts expections by keeping inflation at 550,000%. It is also reported that the majority of citizens can now eat one meal a day, shattering previous projections of one mean every-other-day...
...the good news just keeps on coming...
But... but... I thought you could only have a an economy collapse with deflation... and that inflation was a magic cure-all that made everything better and happy.
I mean, these people have so much money, how can they be poor?
You could send out 7 figure stimulus checks in Zimbabwe!
Fewer SUVs buying $5.00 mochas..oh my riggn God!
Starbucks said it now expects to open fewer than 200 new U.S. company-operated stores in fiscal 2009.
i would appreciate the views of the board on this idea...just a thought experiment
fuel taxes should not be lowered.
all oil importing countries should come to an emergency agreement to raise taxes on oil 2 cents for every 1 cent increase in the price of oil thus placing a drag on the growth in the price of oil.
mock turtle | 07.01.08 - 4:22 pm | #
I'm sure Cerberus will make some kind of statement to the press about how this was all part of their plan and everything is fine.
Funny how much they have been in the financial press lately defending the deal, especially when privacy is supposed to be one of the benefits of private equity.
It has a feeling of "thou douth protest too much".
ipod: "cerebus [may] get to pay Chery to take Chrysler"
Daimler paid Cerberus* to take Chrysler. They'd just be passing the vig on down the road.
Top 5-10% effort (in terms of quantity of futures purchases) by the PPT/schmucks to save the market today.
C'mon, Ben: cut these goofballs off, or we are not going to give you fingernail polish remover after we tar and feather you.
The SBux disaster could be seen from a mile away. Many of these yuppie companies are still delusional. Another of my favorite shorts: Williams Sonoma revenue guidance, expecting a second half recovery.
2Q: 828-846M
3Q: 869-887M
4Q: 1.26-1.29B
I have a suggestion for Starbucks. What about a drive in, where people in SUV's can just park outside and then you have cute yound high school kids and soccer moms bring a cup of coffee to your car? Starbucks could just have a pot of coffee brewing all day and drop the phony bullshit thing where everyone pretends that its so cool to have some one make you a malted... I mean coffee drink, and obviously, why pay high rates for floor space for cheap stooges to sit back and act like elitist gourmets with ultra deep pockets? They need to re-invent the coffee shop and downsize big time, cause people are not gonna have massive amounts of disposable income and then waste cash on over priced drinks. A cup of coffee costs about a quarter....wake up and smell the aroma!
Since the auction was yesterday, what's the latest on the Fed's balance sheet?
To Rupert: none of your business.
Ben B.
Head Schmuck
Who goes under first Chrysler or SBUX?
Starbucks is ALL subprime!!!
Starbucks said 70 percent of the stores targeted for closure have been open since the beginning of fiscal 2006.
When "Amerikan consumers" no longer want to get drugged up in the morning on overpriced coffee, the "terrists" have won!
Hahaha!
A cup of coffee costs about a quarter....wake up and smell the aroma!
Doubleshot on ice is a bargain, by SBUX standards. 5 shots of espresso and creme over ice for $3 and change. Doing that at home would cost me about $2, not to mention the mess.
Paulson Says U.S. Welcomes Rubles
http://www.moscowtimes.ru/article/600/42/368636.htm
===============
Someone is desperate!
"I have a suggestion for Starbucks. What about a drive in, where people in SUV's can just park outside and then you have cute yound high school kids and soccer moms bring a cup of coffee to your car?"
SBUX bought an empty fast-food outlet with a drive-thru in my town two years ago, and hasn't done a thing with it but put up chain-link. It'd be a great place to test your theory; it's even near several public schools.
Oh baby, I can't control my bladder or keyboard, this will start the avalanche BIG time due (baby)!
This is symptomatic of the BIG BOx Sprawl that took place in almost every community in America -- damn near Global! Every retail outlet was build on that cheap tsunami of BOJ (bank Of Japan) lending, which was part of the subprime euphoria that Greenspan and Bush promoted as part of The OwnerShip Society! This action by SBUX is a very large domino wake up call, that the vast majority of over-built bullshit commercial/retail growth of the last 6 years -- will be smashed and it likely that as with SBUX 70% of the stores opened from 2005, will shut down in the entire retail sector!
I'm Kona Wet Pants Gold and I'm live from chopper one, where we are watching The Hindenburg coming in for a landing and they are holding.it burst into flames...tragic...
Doubleshot on ice is a bargain, by SBUX standards. 5 shots of espresso and creme over ice for $3 and change. Doing that at home would cost me about $2, not to mention the mess.
James Bednar | 07.01.08 - 4:58 pm | #
Doing that at home would probably cause the SWAT Team to come and bust down your doors - equivalent of cooking speed.
Paulson, Trichet Talk Quickly Turns to Oil, Food
Treasury's Henry Paulson: Paulson, Trichet Talk Quickly Turns to Oil, Food - CNBC
I've got no comment on monetary policy and let me just be clear on that. Whether it's Ben Bernanke, or whether it's Jean-Claude Trichet, if there's one thing I respect, it is an independent central bank setting monetary policy," Paulson said. "And I understand that independence, and I respect that independence."
Goodbye dollar.
"When "Amerikan consumers" no longer want to get drugged up in the morning on overpriced coffee, the "terrists" have won!"
Overpriced? Ha! Try 5 euros for a tiny coffee in a cafe in Paris. And it sucks too.
"Chrysler's sales slumped to 117,457 from 183,347, with car sales tumbling 49% to 29,858 and truck sales decreasing 30% to 87,599."
is anybody else surprised that cars fared more poorly than trucks for Chrysler?
Anybody got an idea of how many of these sales were fleet sales to Gov't agencies?
Cheers,
is anybody else surprised that cars fared more poorly than trucks for Chrysler?
Yearning To Learn | 07.01.08 - 5:09 pm | #
Not at all - it the only thing they make even half-assed.
In the depression Coffee Shops were a popular hang out where people bought coffee and donuts because they were a cheap treat.
This must be a very different time since KKD and SBUX are leading us down.
re: Chrysler cars
The 300 is stale at this point and nothing else has come down the pike to goose sales.
@dryfly:
unfortunately I gotta work so will miss the JJHill thing. thanks for the link though, I work right by it.
In the depression Coffee Shops were a popular hang out where people bought coffee and donuts because they were a cheap treat.
My local library has a coffee shop and free wifi. And comfy chairs. And free books and newspapers. Just the place to wile away a depression...
James Bednar,
You can buy 2 pounds of good coffee at costco for $10.00 and you need to stop using dairy anyway, cause you don't have the enzymes to break that crap down (in your stomach), so just brew a nice fresh french press and toss it on a few ice cubes and viola, you gotcha a nice booster for what..... what was that you ordered a triple?
The perfect storm: People that got into subprime at the wrong time with ARMS, bought Chrysler SUVs and then never saved a dime in the last year, because they were so busy having fun drinking $5.00 Starbucks. ..perfect!
The little car that is manufactured in India for $2500.00 would be great on gas. The price is appealing also.
Maybe the almost big 3 could look at something like this.
This is a perfect example of just how brain-dead the management at Chrysler is.
They have a really nice new vehicle - the Jeep Wrangler 4-door unlimited. Only problem is that it gets terrible gas mileage.
In Europe, however, you can buy that Wrangler with a nice, very fuel-efficient diesel. American Jeep aficionados have been clamoring for the diesel version over here for 2 or 3 years - and have been totally ignored by Chrysler.
"The little car that is manufactured in India for $2500.00 would be great on gas. The price is appealing also."
The typical American blubber butt would have to grease themselves up with a can of Crisco in order to slip into one of those cars. Don't see it happening.
I don't mean to turn this into the shopping channel, but Costco just got Ethopian Yergacheffe coffee. That stuff is wonderful. Skip the Starbucks. Trust me, we sober up our customers that way.
Chrysler is Kaput. Why do you think they brought Nardelli, who has zero experience in the auto industry, to be CEO. Nardelli is a slash and burn man (think Home Depot). The complete map for Chrysler's future was drawn behind closed doors before the company was taken private.
This was all about a gradual break-up and sell-off of the pieces. Daimler didn't want the company. It was a lead weight around their neck. No other car company would touch it. Answer, take it private and sell it off piece by piece.
Brautigan,
I'd buy a diesel wrangler 2-door 4wd. Do they make those? Conversely, how fuel efficient is the diesel 4-door (and can I assume they have a 4wd version)?
Ford has been advertising the heck out of the focus on the TV stations I watch (35mpg, 7k less than a prius, etc.) I'm a little surprised more people didn't bite.
How I beat SBUX and fight the recession: after the bike ride, I find the busiest SBUX, there's one every 3 blocks to choose from, and ask for a DECAF(!). If they have to brew it, it's on the house.
No gas fill-up. Free coffee. Ready for the depression.
Most of the articles I've seen on the auto industry problems seems to chalk it all up to a simple change in consumer preference for fuel-efficiency. No one wants the SUVs and light trucks anymore.
Or is this downturn occuring for some other reason (i.e. other than the rising cost of gas)? I notice that even the sales numbers for light vehicles are down.
I thought it was cause no one has money for new cars any more.
Sitting in my garage is a 1994 Chrysler LeBaron GTC convertible (the last year for the model). Far and away the best looking (post flipping headlights) and best engineered (four wheel disc brakes, sway bars, peppy 3.0L rice burner engine and great Infinity sound system) I have ever owned. You would think a front engine car would understeer ("push" for you NASCAR fans) but it has tremendous neutral cornering ability that I will put up against anything newer, more expensive.
I will drive it as long as parts are available or until I die (whichever comes first). Absolute joy to drive. I use it as a "beach car" in the Summer (basically mid-April through mid-October) and let it hibernate in the Winter.
Why can't Chrysler duplicate the engineering feat they accomplished 14 years ago?
Shame.
Jim
I have a 2006 PT Cruiser with an extended (7 tear) warrantee - wonder how long it will be good for?
Actually, the car is pretty nice - I cal it a "micro-van". Main problem is that the milage is so-so (about 20mpg), but carries a bunch and is fun.
mjc,
the 7 tear warranty is over as soon as the 8th tear slides down your cheek.
Go Honda go! Show all the American automakers how to make cars that people want instead of making cars that have more margin for the maker.
Ford has been advertising the heck out of the focus on the TV stations I watch (35mpg, 7k less than a prius, etc.) I'm a little surprised more people didn't bite.
cough... I did...once. The focus has had more recalls than you can shake a stick at, and it was a huge hassle to get even warranty/recall service done with Ford (translation: PAINFUL). I traded it in for a Honda Civic. By the way, the Civic is about 20% more fuel efficient and doesn't depreciate as quickly.
I have a 2001 focus, runs and drives great. Rented a new focus last month, a real peice of trash. Quality zero. Forget it. A good car once, no longer.
I have a 2001 focus
I lost count...did that have 6 or was it 8 recalls?
Fuel pump defective
Ignition defective
Rotors that wear down prematurely
Back door latches
Rear seat latches....
etc; etc;
Nope, not 1 problem in 82k miles. But I'm pushing my luck, only put 7k mile on it in the past 3 years, trading it in on ??????? 1st of next year.
Cerberus is looking more like Sisyphus every day.