esevans

A few years ago at work, a minivan pulled up. Sliding door opened. Out rolled one of the biggest dudes you ever saw. Was sitting on the floor, seats removed from van.

F150 first became a work truck when it was introduced back in 1975. Had to wikiepedia that, I was only 6 at the time. I think it's more likely that the "personal use truck" is a more recent phenomenon. Mind you, I lived in farm country, so personal use/work could overlap significantly back in the day. Not being a product of the suburbs, I can only guess that there weren't nearly as many "personal use trucks" in the subdivision 30-40 years ago as there are today. Still rememeber people looking down on 6' beds as not being that useful. Rubber mats, roll up windows, no AC, metal dashes, three on tree. Fun times. Personal use trucks in my mind really took off in the mid-late 80's, Growing up, I saw very few trucks that didn't have a completely scratched (gouged) up bed after a few years from work use. Now, it's almost rare to see a standard, bare bones work truck. Most "work trucks" seem to be second-hand upmarket trucks, much like mine is (2000 F150 that I leave parked 90% of the time). People searching for a personal use/weekend truck are really better served in the used market. Never owned a Ranger, think I've ridden in one once, so I can't say I'll miss it. I have done considerable seat time in small toyota's and nissan's though, so I can see why some will miss them. However, all this commiserating over the dead Ranger leaves me confused. On one hand, the people buying the top of the line Ranger, can ease themselves into an F150, if not new, the slightly used, for similar money. The low end stripper model buyer can just hang on to theirs longer, go to another manf. or buy used (if they actually need a truck). I can understand the size issue, since I drive mine so little, I can't seem to get totally comfortable parking in some spots. IMHO, trucks parked in the garage waste garage space (unless it's a classic). I just don't get all the angst over the dead Ranger. In my mind, Ford has bigger things to worry about than the Ranger. 1. Fix Lincoln 2. Continue on the path with their cars. 3 Get the SUV/CUV thing right 4. Keep on improving/upgrading F-series . .... ..... 5. When everything is humming along, if they can find room for the T-6 or whatever it is at the time, and if it is profitable, bring back the small truck. They'll lose a few customers, but they really arent in the business of counting customers. As a shareholder, I would rather they count profits.

All you really need to see in that video is the Volt vs. F150 sales statistic. That's a real good comparison. When contracts are up at Fox News, they should contrast their viewership, with hot dog sales in the US. Surely a few billion wieners more are sold every year than their total viewership. Therefore, everyone should get fired/severe pay cut.

I'd say we'll see Mahindra's small truck here, along with a Chinese car with a growing fanbase, before Carbon gets past (not sure they will) vaporware stage.

This just really bothers me. Go ahead and let manufacturer's tell you what to think.

You're right and wrong at the same time. I agree they are different cars, and most buyers won't consider a corvette. Buyers with the budget and who have no need for a back seat (alot of mustang buyers since the beginning) can cross-shop the high end mustangs with the corvette. IMO, alot of people cross-shop cars in different segments when the prices overlap. Ex. loaded focus vs. entry mustang.

University in my town just purchased an apartment complex to tear down and pave a new parking lot. Parking decks are too expensive I guess. Strap a bike to your chevy, use on campus parking, and still have a 2-3 mile ride to class.

You do realize that in your scenario, the crash would have never happened had the American public been more fiscally responsible, therefore negating the need to drill baby drill? Lower oil prices would definitely benefit the economy. However, the average American needs to learn to save for a rainy day. If we had any sort of a decent savings rate in this country, the price of gas in your scenario wouldn't have had such an ill effect on the economy (I basically agree with your scenario). And I do think you have a point. But we ain't going to drill our way to prosperity no matter who is in the White House. We might however, deleverage our way to a more right-sized prosperity.

I remember back in the 1980's, my parents had an employee pick me and my cousin up from private school on a regular basis in an old broke down Maverick. The car was ugly, the woman was ugly, when she couldn't make it, her son drove the car, and he was ugly (think Onslow or his wife from Keeping Up Appearances). All the while upperclassmen driving away in their nice shiny Regals (were actually popular amongst the teens), Preludes, Jeeps, etc. Why she had an old crappy Maverick is beyond me, since she was embezzling.

I completely get what you're saying. However in your example, the family has instant savings of $70k by renting instead of buying, and another $10k by not buying a new car. With that $80k, they can be alot more comfortable financially by delaying gratification, or scaling back. I'm sure housing is much more expensive in NJ than NC as a rule. In most of NC $150k would get you a decent house in a decent neighborhood. A $40k car isn't a necessity. Having a financial cushion is a necessity (especially with kids) IMHO. The problem is, at least according to the OP (haven't read the source material), that alot of $100-150k households are living paycheck to paycheck. I know people like that, I used to be one of them. Living paycheck to paycheck while making a decent living is ridiculous. A couple of unforseen events, a few missed payments here or there, your credit is dinged, and you're on a downward spiral. A friend of mine does collections/repo's for a chain of furniture stores. Countless times he's gone into the ghetto and repo'd flatscreens. A couple making $100k a year living paycheck to paycheck is no better off (nor more intelligent) than the clown in the ghetto that had his 60" LCD repo'd out of his 10x12 bedroom (true story).

"In a recent study "Financially Fragile Households: Evidence and Implications," published by the National Bureau of Economic Research, 28% of respondents said they "certainly" would not be able to put together the $2,000 in 30 days, while 22% said they "probably" would be unable to do so. These respondents were in households making between $100,000 and $150,000 annually." That is beyond ridiculous. There are no words for someone who makes 100K a year, and aren't sure they could come up with $2000 in 30 days. A typical guy with a family making that scratch should be able to come up with at least 10K after a short drive to the bank. Probably should be able to come up with 50K in an emergency by moving some things around in a few days, and not touching retirement funds either. Proves to me that there are a lot of absolute morons making good livings while other, infinitely more capable people struggle to get by.

Most businesses can be run out of a small car. It's just that the typical small business owner (at least in my neck of the woods) needs a F350 Crew Cab 4x4 Diesel to run errands, and/or prove their manhood/signifcant other's manhood. I really like Bill Ford. I read about is idea of an increased gas tax once, and I thought he had valid points. I believe that was before the economy tanked, or at least I realized it had tanked. The majority of people can't handle a buck a gallon tax hike right now, whether or not they realize it. Lt. Dan has no clue whatsoever. People will buy the Cruze, Volt, etc. when they want to. Many are moving into smaller cars even as we speak, which is what they should have done after the last gas price spike. I know I parked my F150 (which did more work than most of the aforementioned F350's), and now I drive a Focus for 90% of my work related duties. And the Cruze and Volt aren't garbage either. The Volt may not be all that, but the Cruze is a fairly worthy car. Might as well call the new Focus "garbage-lite". While Lt. Dan runs GM off the rails, Mullaly and co. are doing right by Ford IMHO. Build good small cars with good mpgs that people want, rinse and repeat for midsize, etc. etc. etc. A $1 gallon gas tax hike would move people into more fuel efficient cars quicker. But IMHO, wreck the economy definitely in the short term, maybe longer. Not a good plan if your goal is to sell ever more new cars and trucks. Were that to happen, Lt. Dan wouldn't have to speculate about Lincoln being "done", he'd be busy brushing up his resume, what would be left of it.

I'm pretty sure in his universe, sales don't matter. On the other hand, if the Tundra was a super duper huge success and took the market by storm, sales would matter to him. It would be evidence that the tide was turning, and domestic buyers had finally seen the light. On the other hand, he does make some interesting points. Brand loyalty for instance is a pretty big deal. At least until a Ford, GM or Dodge buyer gets a truck that puts them down. Then brand loyalty goes out the window pretty quick. Most of his other points are IMHO pretty useless concerning truck buyers. An interesting thing from the comment section: "As far as the drivetrain is concerned: I only have 15k miles on my Tundra, but absolutely no hiccups whatsoever from the driveline both towing and hauling as well as a commuter vehicle. I wouldn’t drive anything else." I would hope with 15k miles, the truck would do its job and then some. Of course, I doubt he'll own the truck when it hits 115k, but if he did would there still be no hiccups? Never drive anything else? I mean I know people who have minor issues with cars after 100k and they think because the starter went out the car is a lemon. I'm a pig when it comes to cleaning a vehicle, and I'm sure after 15k miles, my vehicle would still have that new car smell. A trucks worth isn't known after 15k miles (unless you bought less truck than you needed). More like 115k.

While I think Toyota probably had a problem, maybe some covering up (who knows), I suspect alot of the complaints were just bad drivers. People love to pile on and complain about problems real or perceived when others do. BTW, I've had unintended acceleration on my 2003 Focus. I should complain about my size 14's inability to at times locate the correct pedal. I'm sure there are other well endowed dudes who've had this problem as well.

I'd be suprised if he did see many with 120K+. By the time alot of cars reach that mileage, trips to the dealer are only for specific service an independent shop can't or won't do. I know the Northstar had/has some issues, but they're not necessarily boat anchors past 100K. People just don't service their cars like they should. I suspect a Caddy with a Northstar can last quite a while with proper service. I've seen many at salvage auctions with 150K+. However many used Caddy buyers are already stretching to buy the car, and aren't going to keep them up. After awhile, the repair costs are greater than the cars value, and it's pretty much worthless.

Show me a good framing carpenter who can do a really cut up roof, and I'll show you a guy that is just as smart, if not smarter, than your local bank manager. Show me a school official who admires the work of a skilled tradesman, and I bet he's pushing 60 and probably the last remaining shop teacher on the school system payroll. Alot kids have no idea they would like to work in the trades, because they're never exposed to it. I know I wasn't. A few years ago, the local school system implemented a plan to put you on a career path when you were in 8~ grade. What a joke. Just have a well rounded education, which includes a shop class and available band/orchestra, and that's all kids really need. I'm sure the chick in my Accounting 101 class at university who didn't know what a percentage was really benefited from her high school education.

More or less they way it should be. But on the other hand, I imagine that a burger flipper today is worse off than a burger flipper of 50 years ago. I've known a few old timers who got by and raised families on jobs that today would barely support a single person.

Might as well leave race out of it. My local news leaves race out when they report police are looking for a suspect. They'll tell you everything down to the color of his underwear, but they won't say white, black, hispanic, etc. My local news is worthless.

It's unfortunate that Ford can't just buy Porsche and slap a big 'ol Lincoln grill on it. I think that would be the only thing to make FordBuyer believe Ford is on the right track with Lincoln.

Well, I guess we more or less agree, sorry if I came of as an a**. I will probably buy a new car sometime in the future, right now I can't justify it though. However, I would take any financial consideration offered if I were in the market. My father tried his hand in the car business, and working with him I drove a variety of different cars. I can buy a car today, and next month see something I like better. Plus the fact I didn't bother with a retirement account till a few years ago and am now maxing out my savings. As for voting I've purposely abstained from voting one Presidential election when one candidate had my interests at heart but I didn't feel he was right for the country. Didn't know if I could trust myself in the booth. Other candidates that election I had no real opinion so my vote would have been a guess.

You win. Go about your business paying taxes happily to a wasteful gov't. When the gov't offers money to encourage you to do something you would do anyway, let your principles be your guide (don't take the money). The gov't will put your money to better use anyway. Ride your principles all they way. Joe, meanwhile with his new Volt, will travel alot further with our $7500 in his pocket. You explain to your children why you stood on principle, and the college fund is $7500 lighter. I'll be a little more pragmatic, take the money, and explain to my children that the $7500 I stole from their future is why their college fund is a little bit heavier. Until the day comes (.00001% chance) that we have a national sales tax funding the bare-ass minimum efficient gov't for society to function, I don't mind taking some back that I and my family have paid in many times over. BTW, I'm not interested in a Volt. I had a interest in the electric Focus>Leaf, but they're not going to be sold in my market. As for my new car buying habits, I recently picked up a salvage Prius to replace my salvage Focus I used as my daily driver when I relegated my salvage F150 to work duty only when gas prices spiked a few years ago.

Actually, I've 42 and have worked continuously since my early teens, and have paid in multiples of 7500. Both my parents worked 40+ years and paid their share. Actually more than their share. My parents sold part of their business property a few years ago, and thru poor planning, ended up paying over 500K in taxes. A business can in fact pay capital gains. Right now, we have two properties that are borderline useless, but still have high property tax bills due to the boneheads at the county tax assessors office. Local gov't is constantly raising taxes. Anti-business all the way. Most people don't realize it, but fee increase=tax increase. They can't make do with what they have, so new fees, higher fees, higher property taxes, to the point that the cost of living in my town (eastern nc) is probably as high, or higher than the Triangle. I could take back 7500 each year the rest of my life with a completely clear conscious. I can put 7500 to better use in my sleep than a hundred PhD gov't bureaucrats giving their full effort. I really don't care if I have to explain to any future children or grandchildren that I took "my share" from the gov't. Should I have any, I imagine they would get left more than I took from the gov't. when I expire.

Don't see the problem. If the gov't is going to give you $7500, it might as well be done at the time of purchase rather than after your taxes are filed. $7500 can also make a big difference in financing. Unless you don't want GM to be able to lure people in with the tax rebate coupon. Me personally, if the gov't is going to hand out money, I'll take mine. They already get more than their share.

Reread my post. I never said Chrysler won't be around in 5 years. I too live in a city that loves imports. ~30K college students in a county that has 160K pop., what do you think they drive? No I don't see 95 Sonata's or 00 Elantras. For that matter, I don't see that many mid 90's Honda's, Toyota's, or Chrysler's. I rarely see <1999 Mustangs on the road. Does that put them on par with Scoupes and Excels? Not in my eyes. Not many people care to keep their mid 90's crackerbox on the road, unless their next choice is a moped. If you equate today's Hyundai with the Excel, you're kidding yourself. I've also owned 3 Chrysler/Dodge's circa 80's-90's. I don't miss them. I don't really miss any of my cars from that era. Wouldn't mind having a Chrysler muscle car. However, nothing in their current stable is all that impressive to me. I'd consider spending money for a Challenger, I'd look at Ram truck, If I wanted a big RWD sedan, the 300 might be good, I'd take a 200 and whatever else they have and try to sell it to the nearest dealer and buy something worthwhile. Like on their SUV's all you want, but gas is $3.50 here, and alot of people have lost interest in them. Whatever Chrysler built in the distant past is meaningless as to whether or not they will be a viable concern going forward. Antaus said : "I don't trust either cars long term." My point was, if you don't trust the cars long term, with everything else being equal, you got to go with the company you can trust long term. I'm pretty sure Hyundai will be here and able to honor their powertrain warranty in 10years. If Fiat pulls the plug in the next year, would Chrysler make it the next four? I don't know. Maybe they're in good shape. I can't invest in them, so I don't keep track. But after the events of the last few years and the Fiat rescue, my default is to be less than optimistic about Chrysler until I see otherwise.

Then Hyundai wins. When you buy a new car, you're counting on the company to stand behind it. Hyundai has a longer warranty, and will probably be around to service your powertrain for 10 years. Chrysler will probably be around in 5 years to service their powertrain, but who knows?