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Mount Storm, WV Car Consumer Discussions

On Government Help For The Auto Makers

by hpmctorque on Sat Nov 15 02:15:58 PST 2008

I favor government aid to the domestic auto makers, but with significant caveats. I believe it would be a mistake for the government to attempt to bail out the automotive sector without demanding concessions from labor that would essentially bring its costs in line with non-union ones. Some differences in the work rules could remain in place, so long as their economic impact is minor. This would be harsh for the auto industry workers, but anything less would be unfair to tax payers and workers in other industries. Also, anything less would ultimately fail since, in addition to manufacturing products that people choose to buy - a huge challenge, given current consumer preferences - the domestic auto industry must be cost competitive to survive. I think it would be very difficult, but perhaps not impossible in the current environment, for the Obama administration to demand the concessions from organized labor that are essential for the long-term viability of the domestic auto makers, but without them I believe any financial help would be doomed to fail. One could argue that it would have been easier for a McCain administration to play hardball with the unions, since they didn't enjoy much union support. On the other hand, there's the "it took a Nixon to go to China in the '70s" argument. It says that, because Obama had strong union support, he is in a better position to extract concessions than McCain would have been. He would have to use all of his considerable political skills to obtain the necessary compromises, though, and that's after he's persuaded Nancy Pelosi and others to side with him. At this point we don't even know if President elect Obama has the desire and will to demand major concessions from the unions, in exchange for government help. A major argument for throwing a lifeline to the auto sector is that its demise would increase unemployment. The degree of the increase is arguable, but more jobs would be retained, even with a shrunken domestic auto sector than without one. In addition, for a variety of reasons that are unique to this industry, including the long lead times required to design and introduce new products, the volatility of fuel prices plus the impact of the credit crisis, a good case can be made that the perfect storm has impacted autos more severely than other industries. Should Washington demand that the auto makers be forced to only produce green cars, as a condition for receiving aid? Absolutely not! Detroit has to produce cars that consumers want to buy, and despite a series of bad calls in the past, auto industry managers are more in tune with consumer needs and desires than politicians are. In addition to being bad strategy, it would be even a worse precedent to permit Washington to dictate auto design, beyond what it already does with safety, emissions and fuel economy standards. Further, management should be strongly encouraged, if not required, to reduce its compensation until the companies' viability is restored. For this effort to succeed, it's important that management lead by example. Finally, the demand for domestic vehicles needs to be stimulated. I would favor an appeal to patriotism in this time of need. To that end, the industry should mount a strong marketing campaign to encourage consumers to consider a domestic brand before they buy their next vehicle. It could be useful for the industry to appoint one or more respected, charismatic spokesperson to make its case with consumers.

Re: 2009 Fit Sport Manual Mileage Update [pf_flyer]

by pmeyers on Wed Nov 12 19:09:15 PST 2008

What I meant was that, here in snow country, leaving your alloys mounted in the winter is an invitation to curb rash (cause you can't see the curb for the snow and slush). My intention is to get used steel wheels from an earlier year civic or geo storm and get 175x70x 14 inch tires. Narrower tires are actually an advantage in the winter, since they apply the weight of the car to a smaller tread patch in the snow.

Re: [kentuckyranger]

by leo2633 on Sun Oct 05 16:21:20 PDT 2008

I have a 2001 Forester and my wife has a 2003 Outback. Both have the 5 speed manual trans and the limited slip rear differential. I have a set of Blizzak WS50s on steel wheels for both cars, and usually mount them around mid-end December and run them until around mid-late March. We've gone through some pretty good snow storms with both cars with the Blizzaks. I am extremely impressed with them. Along with Subaru's AWD, the Blizzaks have made the cars feel pretty much unstoppable in snow. Virtually no wheel spin when starting out from a stop, no sliding around turns and no problems braking or steering. As a matter of fact, I can't recall the ABS ever kicking in while driving in snow. I've owned conventional 4 wheel drive trucks, and the Subarus have worked better in snow, for me, than any of them. My wife and I have been driving for many years, and we both drive pretty conservatively, especially in inclement weather. We live in south-central New Jersey, and we usually get at least one good storm per winter, and several lesser storms (though last year we got almost nothing). If you're looking for a dedicated winter tire, I highly recommend the Blizzak WS50. Len

Winter Tires for 08 Fit Sport

by fitisgo on Sun Sep 28 10:53:47 PDT 2008

I don't know if any other Fit Sport owners out there have had this situation, so will post my info FYI. I have 3 08 Fit Sports and live in Nebraska, where we do get winter temps, some snow, and a lot of ice, with hilly terrain in some locations (like my driveway and the road I take to access the Interstate to go to work, or the secondary road I take to work when the freeway is a mess. The Fit Sport standard tires are Dunlop SP31s, and they are terrible in snow and ice (my experience last winter). Compounding the challenge is that I have yet to find a steel wheel in 15" diamater to mount winter tires on. Plus there's the TPMS sensors, so if you buy steel wheels you do without the TPMS and look at the warning light every time you drive with the non-sensor wheels on. Last winter I bought a set of Bridgestone Blizzad WS-50s in 195/55/15 size on clearance from Tirerack.com ($289 for a set of 4 with shipping), then paid Wal-Mart auto service $14 in fall and spring to swap the stock tires off and back on (no balancing). This winter, for Fit Sport #2, I just bought a set of General Altimax Arctic winter tires (same tires as a well-known European brand, since a German company bought General Tire). I also went to a 185/60/15 narrower/taller tire to see if that might help. These were on $269 for a set of 4 shipped (same deal with mounting, un-mounting fall and spring is the plan). I will post an update on these winter tires on this thread after we've had a couple winter snow and/or ice storms with a report on how both the Bridgestone Blizzaks and General Altimax tires performed.

Re: Thanks! [graphicguy]

by duke23 on Sat Sep 20 16:58:56 PDT 2008

New roof coming here as well, Lost alot of shingles, water forced it's way into the house so some drywall replacement . Had I not been in the house the damage would have been worse. We were able to mount the towel brigade for several hours. Lots of debris but thankfully the tree's didn't fall. Neighborhood looks like a chain saw competition was held here. Stores still not back to normal, most running on generators.Odd walking around in the dark. Canned goods but no perishables. 110 mph, Hurricanes blow !Power came on just in time to save the refrigerator contents. Post I made in another forum. All in all Rather lucky I'd say. 4:00 am Saturday, Sept 13th. Ike is officially a category two but was 1 mph shy of category 3, for about 4 hours you'd hear a train type noise alternating with the windows moaning.I know , weird but I don't know how else to describe it. I was asleep my wife couldn't and was up watching tv. The cable went first, then the power would go out for 30 seconds to a minute and come back on again. This happened 12 times in 45 minutes and the 13th time it didn't come back on. At 6 am the water started coming in from the atriums, towels and sheets were deployed immediately and sopping ones brought to the washer until finally the band passed us and we were in tropical storm, more sheets and towels, noise but not the " moaning" . My land line seemed to survive and I made a few calls. By 3:30 the telephone was mysteriously dead. Hmmm. I am dsl so goodbye internet as well. Open windows, high 80's but humidity at 99.9% so picture real feel of mid 90's . We read books in cloudy light then listened to the radio on battery. Cold shower and then bed. Awake Sunday and I tell the better half that I'm not going to do it again. I went through a week of no power and water with Alicia and I'm older and more sane now. Let's find a motel/hotel with power and check in. We go looking but there are no such with power. A local grocery chain has opened for business, HEB. Their sign is dark as is their store. We need Ice and batteries as what is in our fridge/freezer will spoil soon.Large cardboard signs penned in magic marker on each side on the entry with bouncer turning away those seeking the impossible.No ice, no water, no batteries, no bread, no meat, no fish, no produce or imperishables. Cash only and no change. We leave but I embrace a good feeling toward this chain as at least they were trying. 10:30 Pm Monday, the power comes on. Yippee !!!! First they were saying 1-2 weeks and then 2-3 weeks and finally 3-4 weeks before final power restoration . Centerpoint, the infrastructure provider for Harris county, flew in 7,000 workers from other power companies to get things up and running asap. First was health, second was water and/or critical needs last was least damage to power grid going toward most. My office, another county and another power grid infrastructure does not have power so I sit home on Monday. Tuesday as well as I contemplate going to the other side of town to conduct business . Tuesday 5;30 pm, Phone comes back on as well as dsl. Hooray! Office has gotten power so I can go to tomorrow. Double Hooray. Thoughts : I am truly lucky / blessed.They were talking 3-4 weeks and here I am almost 100% restored in in under 4 days.

bough fit sport AT silver on 04/26 at MSRP, pittsburgh PA

by fithawk on Wed Apr 30 22:21:33 PDT 2008

04/26, I paid MSRP for a sport silver, trade in my 12-year-old caravan. Put $100 deposit at 2pm and drove out with new car at 5pm 03/01~04/17 I had quick coolant leak, noisy belt, back up light stop working, slow engine oil leak, weired noise while making turns, hard to speed up...on my old van. Thinking it's time to change a car, so didn't fix any problem. I've been driving with water in cooling system and carrying water in van for a week. 04/18 Decided to go for a Honda, went to the Shadyside Honda 5 blocks away then decided we like the black fit, But dealer only had a black MT and sounded not sure when they can get the next Fit. 04/19 Had a test drive on a red sport AT at moon Honda which is 20 miles away, didn't like it for the sensitive brake, weak on uphill and the cheap looking in and out. Then went to a Scion dealer to test drive on XD, I liked everything but the rear view mirror is on my way to look out , sorry! Also price will be $1000 more for the same options. 04/21 Wife got a quote from valley honda 15 miles away, vivid blue, $150 under MSRP. Moon honda called and quote $200 under MSRP, also told me the red one was gone. 04/26 I called valley honda, was told they had a black sport AT in stock but when I got there sales told me they sold it a few minutes ago, I can only look at it. Later when I asked about if they can get me the same fit, sales told me they online trade the black one for another customer which means he lied at the beginning. Anyway I had them look at my old van and got $800 trade-in quote. On my way home, I decided to stop by shadyside honda. Then for the very 1st time I met my fit, the storm silver metallic one. sales told me they got it 4 days ago then had it waxed and park in show room. I told him all the story and quotes I received, tried to get price break. Sales was honest and solid, said they will only go for MSRP but might be able to give me more for the old van. After they had the used car manager look at my van, sales came in with a smile and told me they would pay $1000. So I gave him $100 cash without a receipt and he put a sold sign on the fit. I drove my van home, removed all the crap into basement, brought title and 2nd key and drove back to dealer ship. Another hour later I drove the fit back home. 16075+635+82(tile and transfer plate)+tax-1000=16900. After 4 days, 90 miles driving, it works for me! Also the color works too. But for summer I would recommend vivid blue. I purchased 8 year/100000miles Honda care online for $785 then got $25 accessory gift card for the purchasing. (dealer's financial manager offered me $780 for 5 years/60000miles before I sign the contract) I also purchased original all season floor mat set+3.5mm Stereo Cable(for Ipod or whatever) online for $97 shipped(dealer price is $170 for only mat include installation and tax). Floor mats came in today with mounting hardware and detail installation instruction. But I tried without hardware, it worked OK for me. So I will save the installation job for some hot summer Sunday afternoon.