On Mon, 01 Jun 2009 09:56:58 -0400, HK wrote:

It is with sad irony that the company which invented "planned
obsolescence" -- the decision to build cars that would fall apart after
a few years so that the customer would then have to buy a new one -- has
now made itself obsolete. It refused to build automobiles that the
public wanted, cars that got great gas mileage, were as safe as they
could be, and were exceedingly comfortable to drive. Oh -- and that
wouldn't start falling apart after two years. GM stubbornly fought
environmental and safety regulations.

I have thought all GM products are **** for thirty years or more.
Don't buy from them unless you want a Corvette, something without any
affordable competition.

Ford is somewhat healthy because that have some good products, like
the most popular ride for decades, the F-150 pickup truck.

I don't know why a gussied up F-150 truck, the Lincoln Navigator,
needs a four cam engine, but it went 170 000 miles before the first
hint of old age. A leaking valve guide. It doesn't need four valves
per hole, either. Most cars will last at least 250 000 miles if you
treat them right. Daughter has a Lumina. Seven grand with under 10 000
on it. We call it the ****box.

The spark plugs on all modern cars have platinum plugs that you are
supposed to change at 100 000 miles. It takes two hours to change
them. The family boat with the flathead six has a lift off doghouse
that ninty percent exposes the motor. You could change the plugs in
two minutes with a Crescent wrench. We put in a Buick V-6 which raised
top speed from 3200 RPM to 3700.

Casady