I've been watching Fox News lately (Lord forgive me) and there was just an interview with a Van Nuys dealership. They pointed out that it was because they didn't take the bailout money. Could that be the only reason?

(05-20-2009 01:36 PM)nomad2u2001 Wrote:  I've been watching Fox News lately (Lord forgive me) and there was just an interview with a Van Nuys dealership. They pointed out that it was because they didn't take the bailout money. Could that be the only reason?

Doubtful. More than likely had something to do with those evil corporate leaders doing what's right. When I decide to park the Tahoe, a Ford F-150 is looking more and more tempting. I've just wanted a Tundra for the past 2 years.

I have some cash saved up through the service and I'm thinking of getting a Ford since my Maserati seems like a pipe dream. The Mustang looks real nice.

About 5 years ago when the analysts started to see the writing on the wall about the auto makers Ford was the only one of the big 3 that started to take proactive steps to deal with their problems. At the time Ford was the worst off of the 3, but it became clear very early on that Ford had what it took to break the mold with true long term thinking and a revamped business plan.

Part of that is also the fact that even though all 3 American auto makers have far better products then the outdated 1980s public perception gives them credit for, Ford is a cut above the other 2 in terms of both initial quality and longevity throughout their product line.

The union knew this too. There is a good reason why Ford was the first of the big 3 the UAW talked to about restructuring their contract in a way to help keep the company solvent.

(05-20-2009 01:41 PM)Rebel Wrote:  

(05-20-2009 01:36 PM)nomad2u2001 Wrote:  I've been watching Fox News lately (Lord forgive me) and there was just an interview with a Van Nuys dealership. They pointed out that it was because they didn't take the bailout money. Could that be the only reason?

Doubtful. More than likely had something to do with those evil corporate leaders doing what's right. When I decide to park the Tahoe, a Ford F-150 is looking more and more tempting. I've just wanted a Tundra for the past 2 years.

My next door neighbor has a 09 Tundra Crewmax SR5 package, 5.7 liter with a 6 speed automatic. Very nice truck, but pricey. I like it much better than my F-150 Supercrew however.

(05-20-2009 02:43 PM)WMD Owl Wrote:  

(05-20-2009 01:41 PM)Rebel Wrote:  

(05-20-2009 01:36 PM)nomad2u2001 Wrote:  I've been watching Fox News lately (Lord forgive me) and there was just an interview with a Van Nuys dealership. They pointed out that it was because they didn't take the bailout money. Could that be the only reason?

Doubtful. More than likely had something to do with those evil corporate leaders doing what's right. When I decide to park the Tahoe, a Ford F-150 is looking more and more tempting. I've just wanted a Tundra for the past 2 years.

My next door neighbor has a 09 Tundra Crewmax SR5 package, 5.7 liter with a 6 speed automatic. Very nice truck, but pricey. I like it much better than my F-150 Supercrew however.

My next door neighbor has a 09 Tundra Crewmax SR5 package, 5.7 liter with a 6 speed automatic. Very nice truck, but pricey. I like it much better than my F-150 Supercrew however.
[/quote]

I have a Tacoma SR-5 that loaded and my neighbor has a loaded Tundra and we love 'em (this after I vowed years ago to never buy a Japanese car) My boss has a Ford F-150 and it's a piece of crap. When possible I will never support anything that feeds the UAW.

(05-20-2009 02:43 PM)WMD Owl Wrote:  My next door neighbor has a 09 Tundra Crewmax SR5 package, 5.7 liter with a 6 speed automatic. Very nice truck, but pricey. I like it much better than my F-150 Supercrew however.

The first thing that turned me on to a Tundra was the automatic rear window that's equipped with the full-sized 4 door. The rest came through research.

A year ago, Ford sold both Jaguar and Land Rover for $2 Billion. I believe that they knew what was about to hit and they sold these lines to get quick cash to get through this tough period.

(05-20-2009 02:52 PM)Rebel Wrote:  

(05-20-2009 02:43 PM)WMD Owl Wrote:  My next door neighbor has a 09 Tundra Crewmax SR5 package, 5.7 liter with a 6 speed automatic. Very nice truck, but pricey. I like it much better than my F-150 Supercrew however.

The first thing that turned me on to a Tundra was the automatic rear window that's equipped with the full-sized 4 door. The rest came through research.

In his Crewmax there is actually room to RECLINE the rear seats. You can hold six in the cab easily.

(05-20-2009 02:52 PM)Rebel Wrote:  

(05-20-2009 02:43 PM)WMD Owl Wrote:  My next door neighbor has a 09 Tundra Crewmax SR5 package, 5.7 liter with a 6 speed automatic. Very nice truck, but pricey. I like it much better than my F-150 Supercrew however.

The first thing that turned me on to a Tundra was the automatic rear window that's equipped with the full-sized 4 door. The rest came through research.

In his Crewmax there is actually room to RECLINE the rear seats. You can hold six in the cab easily.

My next door neighbor was the GM of Hank Aaron Jaguar/Land Rover in Augusta/Evans. They just didn't sell well here. They were bought out and moved to a smaller location that used to be Ann Taylor BMW. The BMW place is not in the Jag/Rover location. BMW's and Mercedes are all over the road.

(05-20-2009 02:56 PM)Rebel Wrote:  My next door neighbor was the GM of Hank Aaron Jaguar/Land Rover in Augusta/Evans. They just didn't sell well here. They were bought out and moved to a smaller location that used to be Ann Taylor BMW. The BMW place is not in the Jag/Rover location. BMW's and Mercedes are all over the road.

Jags & Land Rovers do well in some places and not in others. In Florida and in CA, they are everywhere. In NC, they were nonexistent on the roads.

(05-20-2009 01:47 PM)nomad2u2001 Wrote:  my Maserati seems like a pipe dream.....

A Maserati pipe dream? Here is $34k for a used one. A new Mustang outside of a base V6 will run you close to that amount!



http://www.maseratiofminneapolis.com/use.../BU10100A/

.

Start counting how many Crown Victoria's you see on the highways.

They were smart enough to not drop their Rear Wheel Drive Police Package car.

They have made a killing off of those sales while the other two let that golden egg just slip thru their fingers big time.

I have to believe that this is one of the major reasons for their ability to stay out of the financial fray and especially to not fall prey to the Government Taking them Over.

.

(05-20-2009 06:22 PM)Tripster Wrote:  .

Start counting how many Crown Victoria's you see on the highways.

They were smart enough to not drop their Rear Wheel Drive Police Package car.

They have made a killing off of those sales while the other two let that golden egg just slip thru their fingers big time.

I have to believe that this is one of the major reasons for their ability to stay out of the financial fray and especially to not fall prey to the Government Taking them Over.

.

Trip, the Crown Vics had mucho problems in 1999-2003 with tha little "gas tank issue".

Ford for its credit stepped up and fixed it, rather than what GM did with the Caprice and the trasnmission issue.

I don't know if any of you got the magazine that Ford was mailing out that featured next years models. Pretty nice stuff with a lot of fuel efficient vehicles.

Their jump on fuel efficiency may pay huge dividends because they are doing it before everybody is forced to. They'll have most of their kinks worked out by the time the new standards come out.