FE Power Forums
FE Power Forums => Non-FE Discussion Forum => Topic started by: cjshaker on May 29, 2019, 02:23:42 PM
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I'm really surprised nobody has seen or brought this up. I didn't know anything about it until my Son told me about it last night. Not a done deal, but apparently it's a real possibility. I'm pretty sure this would send some forums into meltdown mode..lol
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/gm-merger-with-ford-looks-more-likely-2019-05-28
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GM could finally say that they've figured out how to make an overhead cam V8 ;D ;D ;D
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I know that neither Ford or Chevy is doing to well but I thought that we were doing better than them. I see more GMC than Chevy yes I know same thing but without GMCI think they would be in big trouble. I think it was a big mistake shutting down the E series van. I know we had a lot of them at my new work. Now we got some of the transits. GARBAGE. The Charger and Challenger platform is kicking ass in New York and yeah some people don’t like the Dodge Rams (electrical problems,reared problems, rack problems etc.) But they are at least ten thousand less than a FOrd or GMC pickup. We need something special to come out. We’re is the Bronco and the Ranger, we need a little excitement. And it’s gotta have the retro look to it. Did you see the new Blazer it looks like balls and they are making it sound like it the next best thing instead it’s like a Buick randevous. Pontiac might be still around if it didn’t fall asleep at the wheel while everyone was coming out with the retro cars. Imagine a GTO and Firebird. And I mean a GTO not a Grand am lookalike. Geez sorry to ramble but what happened to the days of Iacocca, delorean , the dodge brothers, when cars weren’t cookie cutters. You knew when a Ford or a Pontiac was coming down the street, now they all look the same. Same reason why NASCAR isn’t the same everything looks the same. If it wasn’t for the number on the car and the sponsor you would be lost. Well that’s it for me. Arrrrg.
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Sad news but been coming a long time. At least on the East Coast, look in all the parking lots and they’re primarily Japanese except for trucks and large SUVs being domestic, and that’s shifting now as well. US makers have a poor reputation amongst normal folks, plain and simple, and people aren’t willing to risk it when dropping $30-50k on a vehicle. I try to fight it but it’s tough, married into my wife’s Prius, just hit 110k and it hasn’t needed a single repair, zero. My 2013 Mustang GT had a loud gear howl that eventually required a whole new rear axle assembly, tough to keep overlooking things like this, not to mention how it has to kill profits. My 2009 Silverado had trans issues with 115k on it, people get stung like that and start looking elsewhere
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When i first visited USA some 20 years ago i saw verry few non amerikan cars
mayby a handfull in a week. Last time a couple of years ago i saw verry few
amerikan cars mostly Challengers what happened???
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While you can't pin their problems on one thing, I think Chilly460 nailed it pretty good. Honda and Toyota are killing them in car sales, reputation and resale value. Pretty much the reason for Ford and GM killing off nearly their entire car lines. But it's hard to believe Ford isn't making a good profit on cars like the Fusion, which I see a ton of out there on the roads.
Sad to say, but I'm beyond the point of caring. As cars get even more complicated and expensive, and repairs are so expensive that you can't afford to let them go beyond warranty, then I'm done with them. When there's an entire industry established around rebuilding wrecked Hondas, because resale value is still better than typical U.S. based manufacturers vehicles, even non-wrecked cars, then you have a severe problem. Still, I can't see a merger helping either one of them.
I just started work on fixing up my '70 F-350, restoring it and getting it ready to paint. By the time I'm done with it, I'll have 20k invested in a truck that will outlast and outwork anything on the market, at 1/3 the price. That $40k I saved (more, given interest on a loan) will buy me a LOT of fuel..lol
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I just started work on fixing up my '70 F-350, restoring it and getting it ready to paint. By the time I'm done with it, I'll have 20k invested in a truck that will outlast and outwork anything on the market, at 1/3 the price. That $40k I saved (more, given interest on a loan) will buy me a LOT of fuel..lol
This is also my deal. I'd love a newer crew cab DRW and may eventually find a nice late 90s or mid 2000s unit. Until then, it's us and the old 1993 F-350. Based on what I'd spend on even a decent used truck I could save a bunch of $$$$ by just stroking the 460 out a bit, rebuild and beef the trans and just keep on driving it. I have been thinking about scoring a 460/E40D unit out of the wrecking yard and get it ready to swap out. At this close to possible retirement, a $800+/mth payment for 6~7 years is not really a smart idea. The good thing is that our 350 is in excellent shape inside and out. Only issues are a leaking right exhaust manifold (that seals up once hot) and a bit of a drip from the rear of the pan. That's at 108K.
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About expensive repairs! I was at a junkyard a few years ago
when a transporter came in with a load of cars. Most of then
with just some damage to the bumprs or what you call those
plastic junk boards front and rear. I askt the guy why the are
scraping those almost new cars with minor damages. Well the
airbags was set of and to expensive to replace :o :o :o then
something is not right. Or the Audi they had jumpstarted was
more expensive to fix the elctrical damages then the cost of a
new car ??? ??? ??? Dont ad up in my head why building it like
that.
Your F350 is a bunch of mecanical solutions built out of steel and
Castiron. You Will never have to change some module for 400
Dollars to hopefully get running again.....only that is a LOT of gas
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Exactly. I have a scan tool and can work on the truck. I've done the brakes, had the cat replaced with a cheaper aftermarket item and such. Oh, and the in-tank fuel pumps need replacement. Front sender isn't working and the check valves are passing fuel between the tanks at times. Need to do that this off season. Hang 11,500 lbs on the back and chug off down the road at 64 MPH LOL.
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Perhaps the differences in perceived quality is deserved though I'm thinking some of the perceptions are thanks to foreign companies being better at bamboozling.
A big mystery for me is how we hear "Toyotas and Hondas are made in America" and then when a scary defect comes along we hear the reason is "they're made in America". By scary defect I mean things like Toyota truck frames rotting out in just a few years or Honda airbags spontaneously exploding and sending shrapnel.
I've had good luck with all the Fords I've owned. I also like my one Chevy except for the fragile injectors that cost a ton to replace in its Izuzu engine.
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I've always been told this by my Dad and thought "yeah yeah, yada yada, rabble rabble", but the older I get the more truth I see in his comment..... He says if you look at Honda and Toyota owners, they are generally OK with leaving a check engine light on. A Ford/Chevy/Dodge owner is generally going to see a check engine light and take action. This different expectation of acceptable has hurt the American manufacturers over time. He also says that judging by the reviews you should be surprised to find that Toyota and Honda techs don't just change oil and brake pads ;D.
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Where this story started, who knows. Ford and GM will not join, but consolidation in the auto industry is a sure thing. Ford and VW are well along in their talks, and will see more cooperation between them. GM's old exec Bob Lutz ( who also worked at Ford and Chrysler) has been going on tour saying that the move to autonomous vehicles and electric power will ultimately force manufacturers to merge. GM's big problem is having spent $14 billion on buying back it's own stock, much of it with borrowed money that is now due to be paid back. Ford has resisted buying back it's stock since 2014. General Motors Corporation is still mired in bankruptcy, and the company formed out of bankruptcy, ( General Motors Company ) has acquired a huge debt load, requiring most probably another bankruptcy.
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General Motors Corporation is still mired in bankruptcy, and the company formed out of bankruptcy, ( General Motors Company ) has acquired a huge debt load, requiring most probably another bankruptcy.
I wonder if the peoples tax dollars are going to pay for this one too? Are we ever going to get paid back? I would like to verify if and when that happens, it was supposed to...been 10 years now give or take. I could go on but that is not the point of this topic.
I do agree the article is likely hogwash. Why would they merge....that is the question...there has to be a gain and I do not see that from either side.
Mopar is killing the new "American" market because they started listening. Ford has, or had, a good idea with the new Bronco, but come on, is anyone awake there....Jeep has 0 competition. Build the Bronco with solid axles, make it "modular" and you now have huge market penetration to compete where there is NO COMPETITION. Add to that extra parts to sell, and support for the aftermarket industry who will support you. Nope...building it on the Ranger platform...FAIL. Another example of corporate idiocrasy.
I don't want to see any business go belly up but something has to give in the auto industry and fast or there will be a repeat of the last crisis. Too expensive, too complicated, too much of everything but sales and long term reliability which is vastly warranted by said prices.
Electric cars are a joke too....green they are not.
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One thing out of all this is Ford was the only company that paid a full pension to employees. There were buyouts, but only Ford, ( mainly William Clay Ford) was adamant that Ford owed employees that benefit. GM and Fiat cut pensions in bankruptcy. A family friend working at the GM truck plant in Canada lost about 43% of her pension as a plant supervisor. Since Chrysler Corporation is long gone and only a "brand name" for Fiat now, Fiat was against giving any money for Chrysler pension obligations, and instead received $3.5 billions from US taxpayers. Fiat is not and never has been on real solid footing. Fiat may become a "partner" in the Ford/ VW cooperative in the future.
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I ask how many times do you get burned before you stop going to the fire? My last three new Fords all had issues, and Ford fought me on a lemon law that I lost when they pulled an old Ford corporate lawyer out of retirement at age 83 to come to TX to fight my case. My wife's Avalon is nearly 9 years old, never had an issue until the battery in one tire sensor finally gave out at 8 years, replaced the car battery at 7 years, and just this month installed the first set of tires that were still good, but weathered to the point I did not want her driving on them any distance. I would consider buying a new F-150 if they weren't $60K before all the niceties. My Tundra just got it's first set of tires at 69,000 miles, and it has only had a battery replaced and GPS update. So, yes, I like dependability and service when I buy anything new, especially when they cost half what a house cost a few years ago. Joe-JDC
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m has some shifty lawers. They borrowed 9 Billion from the US in 2008 I believe when they went bankrupt.
A few years later they said they paid it back in full but forgot to mention that they borrowed 20 more billion from the US and used that money to pay off the 9 billion.
I have bought 3 new Mustangs since 2007.
The first was a 2008 GT, the second was A 2012 GT, and the third was a 2013 Boss 302.
I had no problems with the first 2 but the Boss had a tranny problem.
I complained to Ford and after a few month's they gave me a extra full warrenty at no cost to me.
I didn't trust the Boss and with 21,000 miles sold it and decided to go back old school.
I am in the process of restoring my Dads 71 Ranchero 429 CJ he bought new and I bought a 63 Galaxie to build when I finish the Ranchero.
They don't make a new car I would buy any more. As far as I am concerned they are all junk over loaded with features nobody wants.
Go and try to buy a base car with no options and see what you get.
All they have are packages. Buy the so called base car for 36,000 and if you want one option then you have to buy a 8 or 10 thousand dollar package to get that one option.
Oh well thats my rant.
Greg
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There have been quiet 'deals' between one and another of the 'Big Three' for many years.
I bought a new Lincoln Mark IV back in '75. With about four hundred miles on it, the power steering pump became impossibly noisy. One of the things I found out at the dealer was that Ford wasn't able to keep up with the steering pump demand from the assembly plants and had gone to the Saginaw operation at GM as an alternate source. The warranty claims on the Saginaw pump were four times the number of the internally-sourced part. I'd got a Saginaw pump.
As another example, most of you will be familiar with the eight bolt attachment holes on the front of the Top-Loader case. That came about because Pontiac didn't want to tool-up to build three speed standard transmissions. And Ford had a lock on the Rzeppa gear design that made possible a 'no-crunch' synchronized first gear. Pontiac sourced such transmissions from Ford and Ford found that it was easiest to simply make all the cases with both Ford and Pontiac patterns bored into the front attachment flanges.
I understand that the new ten-speed trans is a joint venture between Ford and GM.
I expect we'll see more of the same sort of thing as time goes on.
KS
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m has some shifty lawers. They borrowed 9 Billion from the US in 2008 I believe when they went bankrupt.
A few years later they said they paid it back in full but forgot to mention that they borrowed 20 more billion from the US and used that money to pay off the 9 billion.
I have bought 3 new Mustangs since 2007.
The first was a 2008 GT, the second was A 2012 GT, and the third was a 2013 Boss 302.
I had no problems with the first 2 but the Boss had a tranny problem.
I complained to Ford and after a few month's they gave me a extra full warrenty at no cost to me.
I didn't trust the Boss and with 21,000 miles sold it and decided to go back old school.
I am in the process of restoring my Dads 71 Ranchero 429 CJ he bought new and I bought a 63 Galaxie to build when I finish the Ranchero.
They don't make a new car I would buy any more. As far as I am concerned they are all junk over loaded with features nobody wants.
Go and try to buy a base car with no options and see what you get.
All they have are packages. Buy the so called base car for 36,000 and if you want one option then you have to buy a 8 or 10 thousand dollar package to get that one option.
Oh well thats my rant.
Greg
One of my biggest turn-offs about new stuff is the packages. You can't order something you want anymore. I want big HP, with comfy seats and no "infotainment" crap. Can't get that. Because if you opt for the nice seats it causes you to buy the package with the crap I don't want. My daily driver is a Ranger with 270k very hard miles on it and I was thinking about buying a new vehicle but it's impossible to get what I want anymore because of the packages. So I'll probably just rebuild the engine and trans and run it another 19+ years when it finally gives up.
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Don't believe all the silly hype about vehicle prices without seriously checking for yourself. I am an old school tight wad at the age of 40 and just bought my first new vehicle last Fall. I got a 2018 4 door 4x4 XLT with lots of bells and whistles for $38.5k and probably could've gotten a little lower but finally caved as it was getting late.
Union labor and corrupt politicians coupled with dumb voters and a complicit media are what has ruined the majority of our industries. A change is taking place but I think we are too far down the tracks to turn things around.
I can't see GM and Ford merging as that would marginalize too many potential buyers. I personally as a die hard Ford fan would be totally disgusted and be very glad I just bought a new truck to hopefully last me the rest of my life along with my classics.
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TJ. the foreign trucks aren`t the only ones to have frame rot. The last 10 years of domestic trucks have frame rot, I see this all the time. Its a piss poor design to box the frame and "NOT" put drain holes in the bottom section. There is a lot of holes in the sides but none big enough to self flush in the bottoms. I have had people bring me 2-3 yr old trucks to weld because of this box frame being better. The trucks look great on the out side but suffer underneath. Moisture and Salt are the main problem. I have flat out refused to repair them due to the liability issue. I agree that the new cars are all cookie cutters and are way to gaditized for my tastes and way to expensive.
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I suppose this is a good spot to reference my old Ford Excursion. Sold it a couple years ago now. Acquired in 2000, it went seventeen years and a couple hundred thousand miles in continuous daily use, through Michigan winters, salt and snow. Toward the end of my ownership it had developed an appetite for worn out parts - U joints, alternator, battery, brakes - but overall had been a very reliable vehicle. Had the 6.8L V10, and had never had the valve covers off of it, replaced the plugs and coils exactly once. Trans never out - changed the filter once or twice. Axles never opened up. Body was finally rusting out & decided to replace it. Really hope the newer truck is 1/2 as good.
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Glad to hear that Barry, as I bought a 99 F350 Dually with a 6.8L V10 and 5 speed about 5 years ago, for towing my race car trailer, and its been great. I bought it from a racing buddy in a dry area of Oregon, who ordered it new, and since he mainly used it to tow his car trailer too, it has never been driven in snow, so its still like new underneath, still has all the original brake pads and calipers, factory exhaust looks great still, and not a spec of rust on the frame either. Even my old 74 F350 ramp truck frame was very solid , despite 14 years of Canadian winters before I bought it in 1988. I was at my local Ford dealer the other day, and they had a brand new 2019 F350 DRW Crewcab, loaded 4x4 with a Diesel, and the window sticker was $107,000 Canadian, probably about $75,000 US. I still have the original window sticker for my 99 F350 DRW, was $28,000 US.Also looked at the new Rangers on the lot, only had 2, both 4WD crew cabs, both stickered in the low $50,000s Canadian, about 36 grand US. By comparison, my new 2010 Ranger was only $16,600 Canadian, although it is a 2WD 4 cylinder 5 speed model. But certainly the new vehicles have been skyrocketing in price in recent years. I have worked at a Toyota dealership for the past 22 years, and even here where we get minimal snow in the winter, and rarely have more that a couple of weeks of below freezing weather per year, we have replaced several frames on Tacomas, the most recent truck was a 2006 model. Hell, even my 59 Ford car has a factory box frame, and despite all of its 60 years of being in Canada, it does not have a rusted frame!
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So if they merge then i'd assume that they'd drop the slow selling Camaro in lieu of selling the Mustang at GM dealers! Then it would of course mean all years of Mustangs are grandfathered into the Camaro shows the way an AMX can enter a Mopar-only show.