So, were auto prices just too high?

[MouseWife]

Oh my gosh, no!! I hated the car repairs!! Brakes, radiators, the lack of AC. Always something. We had a great warranty, as well, until it expired. Then it was paid for and we didn't want a payment. Hubster rides his bike to work and I only take the kids around.

BUT that is what was killing me. I told the Hubster that it wasn't safe and we HAD to get a new car. So, when we could swing it, we did. We still drive the van and plan to use it to help keep the miles off of the suv. We put on a lot of miles and I don't want to wear out our warranty in a couple of years!!!

People told me not to buy a new car but the headaches I had, the stress I had with the van. Ugh. I swear, it was killing me. The last time I took it into the shop {major brake work} I went and rented a really cool Gran Prix and I did not want to take it back! {hence my leaning towards the Mustang}. My feeling of stress disappeared the minute I got behind the wheel. So, yeah, I HAD to get a new car.

I do like the Hyundais. We had one before and never really had problems with it.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

I think quality has increased, though, in how cars are made. They offer the extended warranties are dirt cheap prices anymore because the cars simply run well and last longer.

I disagree with that assessment. I think cars are more disposable and less durable than ever. They offer the long term warranties because A) most people don't keep their cars for the length of the warranty, and since the warranty only applies to the original owner, it's risk free and B) parts are cheaper (for the companies...not for end consumers though) and everything is plug-and-play replaceable so labor is cheaper, so it's not a very big burden.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by MouseWife

I do like the Hyundais. We had one before and never really had problems with it.

My Hyundai, with 12,000 miles on it, had some minor issues.

[scaeagles]

My Hyundai has fared somewhat better than yours.

My comments about the warranties and better built cars is simply from my own experience. Since 1993, my wife and I have leased or purchased the following new vehicles:

93 Isuzu Rodeo - Great until it hit 38K, or just past the warranty.
95 Dodge Caravan - sucked from day 1. I actually had to invoke the Az lemon law on the dealer. It literally started spewing fluid from the engine the second time I started it after driving it off the lot. After about 9 months I'd had it and threatened them with legal action.
96 Ford Explorer - Purchased this after the Dodge dealer had to take back the minivan. 4 Wheel drive system always broken.
97 Ford F150 - Got when the repairs on the Rodeo were costing us more than a new car would. Never one problem.
02 Chevy Venture - only one step above the Caravan. Fortunately it was a lease.

But then, something magical happened.

02 Hyundai Santa Fe - Not one problem in 3 years.
05 Town and Country - Not one problem in 16 months.

Fortunately, everything was covered by warranty on the vehicles that sucked, expect the Rodeo. Got too expensive to keep repairing.

The Hyundai warranty cost us only 800 to go out to 10/100 from the factory 5 year.

The 05 Town and Country extended warranty cost us only 1200 to extend to 7/70, but that included all regularly scheduled maintenance up to 60K miles.

Both great deals. I don't think it is coincidence that these two vehicles have never had one problem and that the warranties were so cheap. I do believe that the quality is improving. Now, what you say, GD, about repairs actually costing less to make may very well be true, but I think they are building them better so they offer the warranties at a lower cost because they make money on them.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

My father is an auto mechanic and has been saying for years that cars just get better and better, and this is very bad news for mechanics. Not enough work for them, and mom & pop shops are especially suffering.

Sorry, dear husband

Your two points were correct though.

[MouseWife]

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

My father is an auto mechanic and has been saying for years that cars just get better and better, and this is very bad news for mechanics. Not enough work for them, and mom & pop shops are especially suffering.

Oh, I wish I had you dad as a mechanic. We've kept our mechanic pretty taken care of. I had 3 cars that we constantly had to take in {hello, what does that mean???} as well as my sister took her car in, too.

GD~ Our Hyundai had minor issues, as well. But it was a helluva lot of fun to drive! Small, we used to sneak around the parking lot poles at Disneyland and get really good parking at night....

Ugh! I hope our ford 4wd doesn't crap out on us!!!

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

Well, if you'd get a real job instead of that librarian crap, maybe you'd make enough money.

Heehee....after a summer of working only part-time, I'm almost inclined to agree with you

MW - maybe my dad fixed the cars too well?

[MouseWife]

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

MW - maybe my dad fixed the cars too well?

To him!

I'd imagine his car-ma is pretty good about now. I think mechanics who screw people over eventually get theirs. At least me and my voodoo doll hope so.....

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Originally Posted by MouseWife

To him!

I'd imagine his car-ma is pretty good about now. I think mechanics who screw people over eventually get theirs. At least me and my voodoo doll hope so.....

I'd agree. He had to quit jobs with shops that were bent on screwing people over. Now he works at a specialty classic car restoration shop, a fun job for him.

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by MouseWife

TI guess I always hear my mom telling me 'I only paid $19,000. for this house...'

Yeah, but what was the average income when the house was purchased?