How quickly we forget how things were 2 years ago. Back then the 300 was the hottest American car on the market and they could not produce enough to keep up with demand. The Impala was also extremely popular.
And both cars were successful because they developed for the American market, based on what the market said it wanted. The same was true for the other vehicles they designed and produced. But then the price of gas artificially shot through the roof and everyone went scrambling for more efficient cars. Don't blame the 'big three' for their current crises - they were building what the American public wanted. And the numbers show this to be true. Before the run-up in gas prices, the 'big three' sold more cars in this country every year than all of the imports sold together. Thanks, Tom Hargrave www.kegkits.com 256-656-1924 -----Original Message----- From: mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com [mailto:mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com] On Behalf Of Donald Snook Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 5:12 PM To: 'Mercedes Discussion List' Subject: Re: [MBZ] Fiat gets 35% stake in Chrysler Curt wrote: "I think we can all agree you're not the average car buyer... Neither am I for that matter. The 300 starts at about $28k. Chevy Impala $25k. Buick LaCrosse $25k Buick Lucerne $28k Ford Taurus $25k Toyota Camry $20K Toyota Solara $21K Toyota Avalon $28K Honda Accord $21K Those are all starting prices and really have no real impact on what you'd pay but they're kind of fair for comparison I think. I'd like to point out the three Toyotas and the Honda. In 10 years which do you think is going to be worth more, a Toyota Avalon or the Chrysler 300? If you talk about fuel economy it only gets worse for the 300: Chrysler 300 - 17/23 Chevy Impala - 18/29 Buick LaCrosse - 17/28 Buick Lucerne - 17/26 Ford Taurus - 18/28 FWD, 17/24 AWD Toyota Camry - 19/28 Toyota Solara - 21/31 Toyota Avalon - 19/28 Honda Accord - 22/31 Again I pulled for base models only to keep it kind of fair. It'd be interesting to pull for the Hybrid versions of the Chrysler, Toyota and Honda, oh wait..." I is important to point out that my email said IF I was in the market for a new (or newer car), I would seriously consider the Chrysler 300. So, your argument has a few flaws. I am not in the market for a new car. I would never buy a new car. As to the fuel mileage you did not include the base model because that would be the 2.7L engine which is rated at 18/27 (of course, I wouldn't buy the 2.7L anyway). Of all the cars you mentioned the only ones I like are the Avalon and the Impala. I wouldn't buy any of these cars until they were at least 5 years old. By the way, I don't know where you got your numbers from. IF I was going to buy a new car from this list, I would consider the true Cost to own which includes: depreciation, financing, insurance, taxes, fuel, maintenance and repairs. Here is a comparison of the cars you provided. The cost to own is provided in terms of cost per mile (assuming 5 year ownership with 15,000 miles per year): Chrysler 300 .57 per mile Chevy Impala .56 Buick LaCrosse .63 Buick Lucerne .65 Ford Taurus .58 Toyota Camry .51 Toyota Solara .54 (2008 only they quit making it for 2009) Toyota Avalon .62 Honda Accord .47 Based on these numbers, I should buy a Honda Accord. I like the Accord. But, even after seeing these numbers I would lean towards the 300. But, the Accord is certainly cheaper to drive. I think I would be a lot more comfortable in the 300. The real numbers for me look like this: What can I buy for $2500 and drive for a year and turn around and sell for $2500. My taxes are low, my insurance is liability only, hopefully repairs and maintenance are low and most of the cars I buy have depreciated about as much as they can (and some appreciate when I sell them). By the way, the same website says that the new E320 Bluetec diesel is .85 per mile. Donald H. Snook -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://okiebenz.com/pipermail/mercedes_okiebenz.com/attachments/20090121/59 3805e2/attachment.html> _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.552 / Virus Database: 270.10.10/1905 - Release Date: 1/20/2009 2:34 PM No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.552 / Virus Database: 270.10.10/1905 - Release Date: 1/20/2009 2:34 PM _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
