Locate an Auto Repair Shop in Duck, West Virginia

Duck, WV Car Consumer Discussions

Re: It's simple really...Unions need to go away! [dallasdude1]

by circlew on Thu Nov 13 18:53:28 PST 2008

If so, that tactic didn't save them from their present condition and no one can blame a UAW/union workforce for Circuit City's woes. That proves nothing because the auto union will go away soon...or at least be a lame duck organization. Regards, OW

Re: I've driven them all (almost)... [backy]

by shipo on Thu Nov 13 09:58:09 PST 2008

Yeah, I'm aware that the Mazda3 is in its last year, and as it turns out, the Rabbit has already been replaced (in Europe) as well, so both of my two finalists are "lame-duck" cars. Appropriate given our current economic and political situation. ;) As far as which version of the cars; I drove the models that offered the best mix of fuel economy (my 25,000 annual commute miles were looming large in my mind when I started doing my test drives, and that was when fuel was still north of $3.00 a gallon), extra goodies, and a stick shift. So, to run through the list, I drove: 2009 Mazda Mazda3 i Touring Value edition (2.0 liter & 5-Speed) 2008 VW Rabbit 2-Door (2.5 liter & 5-Speed) 2009 Chevy Cobalt 1LT-XFE Sedan (2.2 liter & 5-Speed) 2009 Ford Focus SE Sedan (2.0 liter & 5-Speed) 2009 Honda Civic LX Sedan (1.8 liter & 5-Speed) 2009 Hyundai Elantra SE (2.0 liter & 5-Speed) 2009 Toyota Corolla S (1.8 liter & 5-Speed) 2009 Nissan Sentra S (2.0 liter & 6-Speed) Best regards, Shipo

Re: Okay, you're dealing with a newbie here ....... [des5]

by tharrison57 on Sun Nov 09 19:41:26 PST 2008

Actually .......... we are now owners ! There seems to be more room than I imagined, except now after having had two vans, I'm learning how to "duck" all over agin when I get in ! It's something I'll get used to. Ahh, the buying experience. Yes, it had 6,600 miles, but no, it had NEVER been titled, but it wouldn't qualify for the 0% financing either. Mazda said they were sorry, but they couldn't help, had to stand behind the dealer, and he bought it at auction as a "Manufacturer's vehicle". The window sticker was a different story. While the dealer said they didn't have access, Mazda faxed it to me. GT with technology pkg, $30,950 sticker. The key in the smart key is loose, can almost drop out on its own. Nope, can't throw the second in because they're $300. Finally decided to split it. Oh, and in the middle of signing paperwork, "we made a mistake on the extended warranty price, it's an additional $200". Grrrrrr ......... :mad: We have had fun the first 200 miles, though. Just topped off the gas for the wife, and it figured 18.77 mpg. Zoom, Zoom ! ;)

Re: Cerberus and GM together is a dreadful idea! [fezo]

by circlew on Fri Nov 07 13:21:57 PST 2008

You are correct but if there is a meaningful and far reaching plan to close plants and buy out the affected workers and at the same time revamp the entire line up of products, then the investment would be worth it and the customers would see anew entity that would mean something again so no fear to buy their product. Dumping $50B into an industry that is so inefficient without drastic change is insanity. The merger seems dead now but there is some talk of an acquisition... DETROIT -(Dow Jones)- General Motors Corp. (GM) warned Friday that it risks running out of cash in the first half of next year without government intervention or a reversal of weakening market conditions. The largest U.S. auto maker also indicated that merger talks with No. 2 Chrysler LLC had ended and it was focused on boosting its precarious liquidity position through an extra $5 billion in cuts and savings. The warning is the starkest to date by GM as global auto makers struggle to align with collapsing sales in Europe and North America and softening emerging- market conditions. Without government intervention, a significant increase in auto sales or " substantial" proceeds from asset sales, GM said its liquidity will reach minimum levels required by the end of 2008 after burning through $6.9 billion in the September quarter. Rick Wagoner, chairman and chief executive, continued to shrug off speculation that the company may file for bankruptcy protection, telling CNBC it hoped Congress would act to support the industry during its lame-duck session. He said cash-burn during the fourth quarter would fall to levels seen in the first half of 2008. The prospect of a demand-led recovery look slim, focusing attention on industrywide efforts to secure government support on both sides of the Atlantic. The plan to merge GM and Chrysler had reportedly hit a stumbling block owing to the lack of financing. The end of any merger talks leaves the companies with one less option to deal with the current crisis. Chrysler Chief Executive Bob Nardelli in a statement Friday declined to confirm that merger talks had taken place. He said he continues to focus on returning Chrysler to profitability. "We are significantly challenged by today's economic environment and by the automotive industry's unprecedented downturn," Nardelli said in the statement Friday. "As an independent company, we will continue to explore multiple strategic alliances or partnerships as we investigate growth opportunities around the world that would aid in our return to profitability." Regards, OW

Re: Why It's So Difficult To Just Eliminate Brands [hpmctorque]

by steve_ on Thu Nov 06 11:18:39 PST 2008

Which leaves bankruptcy as about the only other option for renegotiating and canceling franchise agreements with dealers. And who's going to buy a car while a manufacturer is in Chapter 11 for a year or two working out all those deals? In other news, Auto execs, UAW to meet with Pelosi. (Yahoo) "Two people familiar with plans for the meeting said the top executives of General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler LLC, along with the union's president, will meet with Pelosi to talk about the impact of the credit crisis and the industry's access to government funding. She'll meet in Washington with Bob Nardelli of Chrysler, Alan Mulally of Ford, Rick Wagoner of GM and United Auto Workers President Ron Gettelfinger, the people familiar with the meeting plans said. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because the meeting is private. Pelosi has called for Congress to enact a stimulus program to shore up the sinking economy during its lame-duck session."

Re: 2003 crack in Liftgate [mtnman1]

by explorerx4 on Mon Nov 03 17:29:53 PST 2008

i am responding you your post over in the fusion forum, but i don't think you will like the answer. my '02 explorer has the same issue, and it is not extremely rare. how many vehicles it happens to, i have no idea. i even remember hearing it go 'crack'. it is purely cosmetic. the painted panel is not structural, so don't get too worried about any safety issue. i stuck a piece of duck tape over it for 6 months or so, until my wife and kids broke me down with complaints. my story is that i am very faithful(service every 3k) to the dealer i bought my explorer from and they did and 'after warranty adjustment(awa)'. your vehicle is eligible for 6 years or 75k miles, but it is pretty much completely up to the dealer to step up to the plate for you. i bought my first vehicle from the dealer in 1990 and this awa was in 2006. it's about a 450-500 repair. since the kids have been driving for the last couple years, the panel has some scratches on it anyway.