JapCrap? Still living in the 70's? You honestly think a domestic car product is better than a import? Take a ride in a Cobalt then a Civic, a Fusion and then a Camry, an F250 and then a Tundra. A friend bought a 2008 Tundra and wow, it handles like a car and the interior is outstanding in design and materials. Chevy and Ford interiors have not changed much and have a cheap feel.

It's funny, history repeating itself again. Korea specifically Hyundai, KIA, cars were laughed at at first. Now they are getting better. Keep your eye on China and India as well. Things are shifting again. Another example, Lenses from Germany and other European countries were high end once and still are. However, who are the big 5 camera companies in the world? Canon, Nikon Olympus, Pentax and Panasonic. Japanese lens over the last few decades are just as good and in some cases better.

Your 89 van has done well. Mainly because the design hasn't changed in years. That 350 block is pretty much the same thing as a van from 40 years ago, apart from added electronics and fuel injection. So that is a well built van, no doubt. But it's handling is like a brick on a sponge. Gas mileage is high, ride and interior comfort is lacking but, that goes with the age of the design, no innovation. Their new vans are slightly worse.

My 03 Mazda MPV just hit 100,000KM (60K odd miles) with zero issues except routine maintenance. A family friend bought a Dodge Caravan (against my advice!) and had moderate tranny issues at 23,000KM, sure under warranty, but it's a hassle. Dodge vans are cheap for a reason.

What I do know for a fact is that I have never owned a vehicle less than nine (9) count em NINE years before I finally get another. None of my AMERICAN vehicle ever owed me anything. In fact if anything I have abused them more than most would. I had a 1980 Pontiac Pheonix with the "Iron Duke" that I abused and it came back asking for more. So yeah, I'm pretty sold on American Steel.

And I really don't think 19 Highway is all too bad for a vehicle of that size.

[Ratmagiclady]

If you think capitalism gone awry is ugly wait until you get a load of socialism backed by statism.

I'll tell you what, next time we have some kind of national movement where masses of the populace are roused to xenophobic insanity and demanding that all the popular wealth be slaved to corporate profit and some kind of sense of blind nationalism, which may just call itself 'National Socialism' and call for a return to some 'traditional values' that never existed, I'll say, 'Welcome back to 30's Germany.'

I don't suppose there's any random chance of looking at reality and managing our economy in a way that has something to do with present reality?

Or is freaking out just *still* that much fun?

I mean, I hate to be some kind of 'liberal' buzzkill, but, actually, people advocating torture and extreme government-supported corporate capitalism while blaming foreigners and talking all manner of religious identity politics.... Isn't a good sign.

I'll tell you what, next time we have some kind of national movement where masses of the populace are roused to xenophobic insanity and demanding that all the popular wealth be slaved to corporate profit and some kind of sense of blind nationalism, which may just call itself 'National Socialism' and call for a return to some 'traditional values' that never existed, I'll say, 'Welcome back to 30's Germany.'

I don't suppose there's any random chance of looking at reality and managing our economy in a way that has something to do with present reality?

Or is freaking out just *still* that much fun?

Question: Are you for real? or you just jerkin our chain here?

[Blue]

'Welcome back to 30's Germany.'

Under the current administration, it is more like Italy.

I don't suppose there's any random chance of looking at reality and managing our economy in a way that has something to do with present reality?

With BHO, Holder, Rhambutt, Gibbs, Clinton, Gates, Sec of Ed, Sec of HS, EPA, reality isn't a possibility.

Or is freaking out just *still* that much fun?

You tell me.

[Ratmagiclady]

I mean, I hate to be a bugaboo, but, if your taxes aren't going *down* about now, you might find better places to direct your 'populist outrage.'

[ajuett]

What I do know for a fact is that I have never owned a vehicle less than nine (9) count em NINE years before I finally get another. None of my AMERICAN vehicle ever owed me anything. In fact if anything I have abused them more than most would. I had a 1980 Pontiac Pheonix with the "Iron Duke" that I abused and it came back asking for more. So yeah, I'm pretty sold on American Steel.

And I really don't think 19 Highway is all too bad for a vehicle of that size.

I agree, a car/van/truck is the 2nd largest investment most people make and they should last 10 year minimum. 20 years really.

[Ratmagiclady]

Question: Are you for real? or you just jerkin our chain here?

Yeah, I'm just full of it. See. There's this nefarious Commie plan here, where I buy a bunch of Pentax stuff, learn all about photography, complain about computers a great deal, just to totally fabricate some notion Fox News ain't as 'unbiased' as it claims.

I'm really an agent of some disaffected faction of the Ukranian government, out to thwart you, Jack Bauer, truth, justice, God, and not-ignoring-what-waterboarding is.

You sussed it out, Mr. Calvin-from-Calvin-and-Hobbes not-overtly-urinating on the Unfavored Brand Of Pickup.

Spot on.

[ajuett]

Shouldn't that be Spotmatic on?

[Blue]

I agree, a car/van/truck is the 2nd largest investment most people make and they should last 10 year minimum. 20 years really.

I agree that they should last 20 years. That's one of the reasons I drive a Jeep.

[Ratmagiclady]

Shouldn't that be Spotmatic on?

Shhh! Tovarich! It's not even a spotmeter.

All of my life I have been dedicated to undercutting the righteous assertions of Glenn Beck and Chris Matthews!



Don't spoil it now!

(Psst. It's a conspiracy. It's really about him. Has been all along. Shhh.)

This man must be stopped!

Shhh! Tovarich! It's not even a spotmeter.

All of my life I have been dedicated to undercutting the righteous assertions of Glenn Beck and Chris Matthews!



Don't spoil it now!

(Psst. It's a conspiracy. It's really about him. Has been all along. Shhh.)

This man must be stopped!

Are you off your meds again?

Yeah, I'm just full of it. See. There's this nefarious Commie plan here, where I buy a bunch of Pentax stuff, learn all about photography, complain about computers a great deal, just to totally fabricate some notion Fox News ain't as 'unbiased' as it claims.

I'm really an agent of some disaffected faction of the Ukranian government, out to thwart you, Jack Bauer, truth, justice, God, and not-ignoring-what-waterboarding is.

You sussed it out, Mr. Calvin-from-Calvin-and-Hobbes not-overtly-urinating on the Unfavored Brand Of Pickup.

Spot on.

So when do you start learning about photography?