Auto Industry Reality Check

Let's get straight to the point. American cars have way too many problems and major problems. When I was 16 I owned a used Ford Escort biggest junker I owned. Then came the big Chevy Impala which needed a rebuild at 120,000 miles. Then the Ford taurus which was like tortoise, No 1 selling car in the 80's but junk. I drove my first Toyota a 1986 Celica 4cycl/22re got it for a $1000.00 all beat up 117,000 miles and drove it to 200,000 miles replaced alternator,water pump,brakes,hoses,belts,tuneups,power steering pump,exhaust system,tires,headlights,battery did all the work myself over the years and it started EVERYDAY and got me from point A to B best car I ever owned at a decent price. NO transmission failure, No major engine problems like head,manifold,intake gaskets no broken serpentine belt tensioners, No serpentine belts falling off None of that crp. I would pay more for gas for a better power plant and drive train. I would also replace brake pads more often than deal with an American engine or Mitsubishi engine or Dodge transmission which is just junk going into chrylers if you like working on engines buy American You will be lucky to over 125,000 miles without spending a lot of money. I make less than $36000 a year and I need reliable transportation for my family. We don't need the recalls, or 100,000 mile warranty, build it right the first time like your sending it overseas and you can't get parts. Engineers better step up get the engine and transmission and electrical right and we got something to work with ,until then I will stay with Toyota. Every year I have been waiting to see if GM,Pontiac,Dodge,Chrysler,Ford will change the way they build cars. Why is Toyota,Nissan so innovative like having a fuel pump access plate under the seat or the oil filter right in front of the engine. Americans want to keep their dealers garages in business, maybe they think that Americans are so rich they will keep comming back to buy cars thinking things are going to change, that was what Saturn was all about. I want to buy American but until they make a better engine and transmission I am not spending my hard earned dollar on a shop car or making payments and getting the bill for known issues that are not covered. I have been looking at Hyundai a new rising star.

Rich of IL 1:07AM May 10, 2009

We are a family of 5 and have bad credit due to bankrutcy as to many medical medicals bills and no jobs took our cars and almost took our trailor. Now, we are trying to rebuild but the task seems alost impossible as the credit reports are O,SO Wrong! It's pathetic! They couldn't even get our current address right and they tried 5 times! The lawyer's assisstant didn't catch 14 items tht were wrong on our Current record. Now We pay $11/mo. just to keep track of our credit scores and get on their cases when they aren't moving fast enough. We have a dream of having a horse ranch-bringing in a new bread of horses and cattle. WE also want to be a part of the foundations that take in unwanted horses. I'm trying to find the right words for a Government grant(and yes i did read the articles about grant scams)to help cover all expensives involved-right douwn to the nail count! Also, my 3 girls can't afford to live on their own so we said just stay here until we can get the house we want. I'm on SSDI and everybody else has 2 jobs. The first problem that MUST be solved is reliable transportion, which we don't have. Trying to juggle 2 half working cars between all the jobs at different locations and different times is getting on my nerves. I can't drive either vehicle as it causes pain in my legs. I have to "fall into" the car and with this 6 month winter I fall out of the blazer and slide under it due to the ice. I've found a car for $7500 that suites me to a 'T". however because i don't have a full time job and bad credit, I can't get a loan , with my husband on it also, without a co-signer. I'm frustrated, dissapointed, and always in pain thus I must spend $$ on Icy Hot, special boots and gloves, ski poles just to get around an keep from falling. It doesn't always work, either! So, I'm asking if anyone out there knows how to get around all this financial mess or, perhaps, knows of a fund or foundation that would help. I also have a service dog that accompanies me which the main reason I'm looking into s used, but good quality used car. Alex and I have to get out of this cabin fever atmospher and find out what it's like out there in the real world of people and do things htat normal do. Please, Help me in anyway you might know--I'm all ears!

Gail Kay of ND 7:00PM April 02, 2009