New Car Buyers

[MobilOne]

Redpoint5, Sorry about your grandfather. Sounds to me that he just wants to enjoy the time he has left. At 75, I can appreciate that. Spend all the time with him that you can; you'll be happy you did in the years to come.

[MobilOne]

The two times that I worked in auto plants (1960's), I do not remember the amount of options to be a problem. There would occasionally be an option that would be hard to fit, but usually there was a trick to installing it. If you knew the trick, then easy peasy, otherwise it was a b####. Remember though, those cars were designed on paper, using pencils, pens, slide rules, T-squares and drafting tables. So those cars were pretty simple in comparison to todays cars. All you need to work on those cars are normal tools and/or a gas wrench.

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by mcrews

Do you realize the cost of the parts and the size for computers compared to the size of parts and cost for a car!!????

Actually, yes. I've installed engines (after having removed them first :-)) and computer parts, and getting the right part is a heck of a lot easier with cars. For instance, there's an obvious difference between a V6 and a V8, while all Intel CPUs, hard drives, RAM sticks, and so on look exactly the same except for some printing. Then there's DIP chips with labels that you often can't read without a magnifying glass and tilting the chip so the light hits just right. And let's not even talk about surface mount devices :-(

Then too, with a properly-organized factory, the correct parts should be scheduled to arrive at assembly points automatically, so people don't have to look at some printed order sheet and select e.g. one engine from a pile. Not that I'm claiming that the US auto industry always had properly-organized factories, you understand :-)

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

It's looking like Grandpa is pulling the trigger on that Colorado. He wants me to buy his 2003 Chevy S10 ZR2 for $5k, which seems a little high to me. It is in perfect condition with only 100k on the odometer, but I already have a 1998.5 Dodge / Cummins 2500 longbed for heavy hauling.

Red is not my cup of tea (both for political and soccer-related motivations), but that S10 looks good. I actually like the extended cab because of the looks and also the room for some weather-sensitive luggage (or the dog), and for that model-year this option was not available in my country due to the prevalence of the double-cab.

[mcrews]

Originally Posted by jamesqf

Actually, yes. I've installed engines (after having removed them first :-)) and computer parts, and getting the right part is a heck of a lot easier with cars. For instance, there's an obvious difference between a V6 and a V8, while all Intel CPUs, hard drives, RAM sticks, and so on look exactly the same except for some printing. Then there's DIP chips with labels that you often can't read without a magnifying glass and tilting the chip so the light hits just right. And let's not even talk about surface mount devices :-(

Then too, with a properly-organized factory, the correct parts should be scheduled to arrive at assembly points automatically, so people don't have to look at some printed order sheet and select e.g. one engine from a pile. Not that I'm claiming that the US auto industry always had properly-organized factories, you understand :-)

Ok, you keep referring to your personal experiences that have absolutely nothing to do with assembly lines.
1. you talk about looking for labels on small computer parts .... The parts are all in labeled bins.....(duh) ALLLLL mass assembly processes are based on NOT reading, but doing. Systems are designed to eliminate thought. In your computer example, the correct parts would be feed thru the rear of the correct bin and the assembler would see a LARGE sign on the front of the bin designating the specific part.
2. talk about replacing engines...congrats. again, that experience has nothing to do with supply/part management.
3. Yes, the entire concept of all manufacturing is not to have a lot of parts sitting around. AND that also applies to the manufacture of those parts. They have to have lead times and projected runs of specific models. AND this is where cars are VERY different from computers. You can print out 10k chips and keep inventory on had because they don't take any floor space. You cant do that with parts because 1. of the cost of material, 2. cost of machinery to make the part, 3. cost of warehouse floor, time/labor to produce

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by mcrews

Ok, you keep referring to your personal experiences that have absolutely nothing to do with assembly lines.

So I should instead believe a book by some idiot who lost billions trying to build cars?

[mcrews]

Originally Posted by jamesqf

So I should instead believe a book by some idiot who lost billions trying to build cars?

Hummmm......

Well it is also a classic case study in manufacturing mismanagement on the upper class level in colleges....

... But the book is more of a readers digest version.

So you've been a successful high level executive in production management....

[Fat Charlie]

Saying that custom mass production is as simple as firing the right custom mix of parts at the assembly line ignores the obvious: the customization still has to happen. Making it happen in a pipeline is worse than doing it on the floor, because the pipeline system only works if there are no glitches anywhere and one glitch somewhere will throw everything off.

Pipeline sorting works on a mass level, though. Today we're installing manual transmissions. The container of sunroof modules came in, so this week all the top trim levels with sunroofs are getting done. The paint shop is doing blue today. Over a few months the supply system ends up producing the desired mix of cars. Dealer orders are taken into account here, but nobody's sitting around wondering if the factory has enough power heated folding auto dim mirrors to meet the current week's requirements. They know, because they built that trim level a couple weeks ago and aren't doing it again for another three.

And it all works great unless you want the luxury features with a small, economical engine. Or a Versa with power anything and a manual, or a Yaris with more than three doors and a manual...

[redpoint5]

Grandpa was told the delivery was delayed for some reason, and he's the type to call it off if anything unexpected happens. Looks like I've got some more time to steer his purchasing direction.

He needs something easy to get into, so nothing low to the ground. It needs to have an "oh-shoot" handle on both the driver and passenger sides to ease entry into the vehicle.

If I had it my way, I'd only consider cars that have automatic braking as an option.

[Mustang Dave]

I purchased my Mustang new from the local Ford dealer because it was the color I wanted with the engine / transmission combination I wanted. I wanted to save wear and tear on my truck (since my truck was "old enough to buy tobacco products" (and had over 270K miles on it) and save it for when I need a truck and when I "need" 4WD.

I could have lived without the 17" wheel upgrade; the "Interior Upgrade Package" ; and the (dealership-installed) decals. That's OK. My employer has the "X plan with Ford. It saved me about $1100 - enough to pay for the extended warranty.

Would I do it again?

Only when the next generation Mustang is exponentially better than what I'm driving.