Speakeasy forum: People keeping vehicles longer: report

I'm finding that American built Dodge and Chrysler cars hold up very well, and provide excellent value. I buy them used at about 30k miles, and drive them to 120k plus miles. Low maintenance cost and excellent performance.

People who buy new cars are the people who deliver a great car to me albeit at a substantially discounted value. It is a shame that the unions drove up the price of cars in a rather short sighted attempt to improve their economic position.

BTW. No, the union doesn't build them. Chrysler does. Chrysler hires employees, and some of those employees are trained to assemble the vehicle. The union doesn't build a single one of them.

Though at times I like to buy a new car, buying used has worked well for me. I'm willing to do basic repairs and/or upkeep for the last 4 cars/trucks I brought. It makes no sense to me to find a new car and have to pay goobs of money for it and insurance, etc.. Used, doesn't mean beat-up either and my experience shows that vehicles proven well to keep yet another 3-5yrs, before moving on. I wouldn't move-on if rust and hi-mileage proven wise to do so. I've yet to have a engine go bust on me but rather small repairs that seem to pile-up. -----Willy

I have a 99 Civic and have no plans on getting rid of it anytime soon (gets 35 mpg).

One of the reasons I'm planning on keeping mine is landfill. Talk about recycling! The longer you can hold onto a car, the less goes into the landfill.

I honestly see a future where the "repairmen" will be king. People will stop by as much new stuff, and will start refurbishing what they have.

Most of the car is recycled. That is why people will pay you for a junker. Recycling cars has been the standard practice for decades.

.... does not appear to have the stranglehold it once did on manufactured goods. Older ones lasted. Then for a couple of decades they seemed to be made to wear out. Now the pendulum may be swinging back to where years of good service can be expected, and the norm.

Recently I had to say good-bye to an early 1930's refrigerator. It was the first model with the compressor not on the top. We bought it used in 1958 for $25. In the late '60's it went to the garage to hold cold drinks, etc. It was moved long distance several times.

It gave up the ghost a few months ago. Taps should have been played.

Angeline
Speakeasy Moderator
click here to email
semods4@yahoo.com

whose main duties are administrative in nature. Unions do not own factories or any of the other equipment used to produce goods and services. Companies like General Motors own and operate the facilities which produce goods and services. No union produced your Chevy. General Motors did it. Some of the employees of General Motors are union members who help assemble the car.

Perhaps you didn't realize it, but there is far more involved in building a car than mere assembly. Management, designers, engineers, and a whole host of professionals must do their jobs long before a single bolt is tightened on the assembly line.

extorting money from employers who are trying to reduce their costs? I guess that might be, but such efforts still have not produced a single, solitary vehicle. So much for the thought that they are working to preserve the jobs of those who follow them. They are playing an end game to see how much they can get.

because then I would have to mention that there are numerous: white collar criminals (include individuals in religious orders), politicians, teachers, doctors, nurses, nannys, librarians, pharmacists, scout leaders and no need to name them all; that have broken laws or more importantly trust.

might as well mention what I ignored before. comparing union workers to welfare recipients is patently absurd.

the only thing holding anyone back is the person who does nothing about the situation they are in. unless you are in jail, you are free to change.

I chose, repeat chose, to be in a union. with only a general high school education it provided a fine life for me and my family. I am not responsible for your dilemma.

I do like that you are concerned about the environment. that has value.

I am not sure if this is scripture:

it takes a thief to catch a thief. it takes one to know one. we recognize in ourselves what we despise in others.

once you realize how imperfect you are you will advance to the next square on the board. who knows there might be a reason for you to: go to directly to jail, do not pass go. maybe for that insurance fraud idea you are suggesting: "setting your own house on fire", you do not know the future let alone the present.

don't be someone that has not noticed the light has changed.

I will explain in a non-union way that once you brought unions into this discussion I may add or embellish as you do with relevant examples of criminal activity.

because you brought your bat and ball (and allegory) to the game does not mean you make the rules. until you get 'chicken-claws' and hang on after the kick; all get to stay and play. this game will not be stopped because of darkness.

bringing unions into this discussion was an attack towards JP, why else mention it. I am also a union member and find your views misguided and parroting the corporate party manual.

you will never convince me, nor I convince you.

try to find some good in that.

ignore and then have it all deleted. I know he favors that approach.

that is why I asked for a link. I am not searching for what he says I said. I am a pagan, thank God.

what amazes me is he brings up something irrelevant; but hates into a discussion.

why not start an original 'I hate whatever' discussion instead of the "fly under the radar" tactic?

good idea.

I have pointed out that you see things in this discussion that have not been said. again you are providing us another example.

here is what I said:

"that is why I asked for a link. I am not searching for what he says I said."by WOODS-HICK - 2/26/08 10:32 PM
In reply to: He doesn't do links by JP Bill

that is not laziness. In my country (USA) I do not have to provide information or search for same to support what I believe is a false claim. my time is too valuable for such nonsense.

all you had to do was use that 'cut & paste' you love at the time of the accusation.

You chose to be in a union. So should people be free to chose not to be in a union? How do you feel about "Right To Work" states?