On Dec 23, 2:53 pm, Voyager <m.whit...@computer.org> wrote:
> I probably need another minivan, but
> Hyundai dropped theirs and the nearest Kia dealer is too far away. So,
> it looks like back to Chrysler for the third time unless I decide I can
> get by with a car.

If you want a Chrysler, hurry (if you dare). They're currently in no
condition to be a viable automobile company. A quick look at their
product lineup will show that all they have that's competitivie in the
marketplace is the Challenger/Charger/Trucks. This isn't nearly as
large a portion of the market as they need. Reports are that it'll be
a couple years before they have a reasonable product lineup.

 

"Ed Pawlowski" <esp@snet.net> wrote in message
news:EbqdnfRVg9o_eqvWnZ2dnUVZ_oCdnZ2d@giganews.com ...
> Along the way, I did have a couple of station wagons though. A '68 Olds
> Vista Cruiser and a 71 Ford LTD that was, I think, 3 inches longer than an
> aircraft carrier.

I had one of those Country Squires (71 or 72) that felt like driving a boat.
Couldn't keep the front end aligned, did you have same problem?

 

Partner wrote:
> "Ed Pawlowski" <esp@snet.net> wrote in message
> news:EbqdnfRVg9o_eqvWnZ2dnUVZ_oCdnZ2d@giganews.com ...
>> Along the way, I did have a couple of station wagons though. A '68
>> Olds Vista Cruiser and a 71 Ford LTD that was, I think, 3 inches
>> longer than an aircraft carrier.
>
> I had one of those Country Squires (71 or 72) that felt like driving
> a boat. Couldn't keep the front end aligned, did you have same
> problem?

I don't think it mattered much given the soft riding suspension. Reminded
me of bouncing from cloud to cloud.

 

On Sun, 27 Dec 2009 16:15:34 -0500, "Ed Pawlowski" <esp@snet.net>
wrote:

>Partner wrote:
>> "Ed Pawlowski" <esp@snet.net> wrote in message
>> news:EbqdnfRVg9o_eqvWnZ2dnUVZ_oCdnZ2d@giganews.com ...
>>> Along the way, I did have a couple of station wagons though. A '68
>>> Olds Vista Cruiser and a 71 Ford LTD that was, I think, 3 inches
>>> longer than an aircraft carrier.
>>
>> I had one of those Country Squires (71 or 72) that felt like driving
>> a boat. Couldn't keep the front end aligned, did you have same
>> problem?
>
>I don't think it mattered much given the soft riding suspension. Reminded
>me of bouncing from cloud to cloud.
>
Ed;
As another Nutmegger (Marlborough) with children the same age I'd like
to share some of my own experiences of that time. My first two
daughters used to ride behind the back seat in my '68 VW Bug. No seat
belts, no car seats, nada. In fact nothing but hard metal trim and
pointy ***** and cranks.

Then in '74 we moved up to the big world... a Pinto Country Squire
wagon. Yep - 4 banger auto with A/C. With the family aboard in the
summer it took all it could do to hit 60 MPH. Following that was a
move to a '79 Olds wagon. Almost as big as the LTD in size and the
rear (3rd) seat faced rearward so my kids would make faces at the
people behind up who would then pass and look in and yell at me and my
wife for having unruly passengers.

These days we both drive '07 SF LTD AWD's which are far better than
most other cars I've had. My brother in law has an 06 Sonata with
416K miles on it. Waiting for it to die I suppose.

Just my $.02 worth...

 

bobmct wrote:

>
> These days we both drive '07 SF LTD AWD's which are far better than
> most other cars I've had. My brother in law has an 06 Sonata with
> 416K miles on it. Waiting for it to die I suppose.

416K in 4 years? That is 104K/year which even with a 50 MPH average
speed is 2080 hours per year. It is basically 40 hours per week, every
week. You are pulling our legs, right? I'd like to know what sort of
job he has that allows him to drive 40 hours per week every week with no
time off!

And where can I get such a job? :-)

Matt

 

hyundaitech wrote:
> On Dec 23, 2:53 pm, Voyager <m.whit...@computer.org> wrote:
>> I probably need another minivan, but
>> Hyundai dropped theirs and the nearest Kia dealer is too far away. So,
>> it looks like back to Chrysler for the third time unless I decide I can
>> get by with a car.
>
> If you want a Chrysler, hurry (if you dare). They're currently in no
> condition to be a viable automobile company. A quick look at their
> product lineup will show that all they have that's competitivie in the
> marketplace is the Challenger/Charger/Trucks. This isn't nearly as
> large a portion of the market as they need. Reports are that it'll be
> a couple years before they have a reasonable product lineup.

I have little concern buying a Chrysler. Most of the parts are from
third parties anymore anyway so parts availability for almost any wear
item is not a problem. Warranty repairs are the main concern, but I
don't expect Chrysler to disappear. Someone will buy them and in almost
all likelihood will honor past vehicle warranties. To do otherwise
would be a PR disaster and would seriously limit their future sales as
few people will buy from a company that would abandon past customers
like that.

I actually would be more worried about buying an Entourage since it had
a limited production run and thus even salvage yards won't be a good
source for parts. I nearly bought one a year ago as the local dealer
had some killer prices on the last 4 on his lot. Fortunately, I found
out that the model was being discontinued and that is a key reason I
decided to wait a while longer.

I may look at the crossovers a little longer, but frankly none of them
much appeal to me.

Matt

 

On Sun, 27 Dec 2009 19:14:15 -0500, Voyager <m.whiting@computer.org>
wrote:

>bobmct wrote:
>
>>
>> These days we both drive '07 SF LTD AWD's which are far better than
>> most other cars I've had. My brother in law has an 06 Sonata with
>> 416K miles on it. Waiting for it to die I suppose.
>
>416K in 4 years? That is 104K/year which even with a 50 MPH average
>speed is 2080 hours per year. It is basically 40 hours per week, every
>week. You are pulling our legs, right? I'd like to know what sort of
>job he has that allows him to drive 40 hours per week every week with no
>time off!
>
>And where can I get such a job? :-)
>
>Matt

He is a courier covering the CT, NYC, RI, Western MA, Southern NH/VT
and Albany areas. He makes mostly daily trips, many 7 days/week. But
hey, he likes it. Me? I couldn't do it. I have trouble driving 5-6
hours.

 

bobmct wrote:
> On Sun, 27 Dec 2009 19:14:15 -0500, Voyager <m.whiting@computer.org>
> wrote:
>
>> bobmct wrote:
>>
>>> These days we both drive '07 SF LTD AWD's which are far better than
>>> most other cars I've had. My brother in law has an 06 Sonata with
>>> 416K miles on it. Waiting for it to die I suppose.
>> 416K in 4 years? That is 104K/year which even with a 50 MPH average
>> speed is 2080 hours per year. It is basically 40 hours per week, every
>> week. You are pulling our legs, right? I'd like to know what sort of
>> job he has that allows him to drive 40 hours per week every week with no
>> time off!
>>
>> And where can I get such a job? :-)
>>
>> Matt
>
> He is a courier covering the CT, NYC, RI, Western MA, Southern NH/VT
> and Albany areas. He makes mostly daily trips, many 7 days/week. But
> hey, he likes it. Me? I couldn't do it. I have trouble driving 5-6
> hours.

Sounds like a great second career to me. I have no problem driving 8-10
hours in a stretch! However, I have never done it more than 3-4 days
running so it might get old if done week after week.

Matt

 

Voyager wrote:

>
> Sounds like a great second career to me. I have no problem driving
> 8-10 hours in a stretch! However, I have never done it more than 3-4
> days running so it might get old if done week after week.
>
> Matt

The 6 and 7 days a week does not sound like fun though, as I get older. I
can think of only two Sunday's that I've worked in the past 20 years and
maybe 5 or 6 Saturdays. Could be interesting though, especially if it is a
different trip each time.

Right now I have a stress free job with lots of independence. Retirement
will be cutting back to maybe 3 days a week. Meantime, I actually like
going to work. Honest.