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My Sunday Meltdown–A viewer’s email & response
To explain where my mind was on the “Admin girl needs new car” thread: I have been the number one defender of American cars for a long time. I am in the auto repair business and I let it be known to all that will listen- Japanese cars are no better than American cars. Period. Cars are designed 10 years in advance… the cars that are in GM dealerships right now are cars that were designed in the 90’s. Everyone agrees that the products on GM sales floors are good quality vehicles.
Saturn and Pontiac both outsold Buick. Both were killed off for what reason? In my opinion it was done to smash GM into a pulpy goo that the Government could scoop up and pour into the unions pockets. Giving Chrysler to FIAT?? Chrysler announces that the production of several domestic Chrysler and Jeep brands are being killed so that Fiat can start IMPORTING ITS SHITTY CARS HERE?
Ford is the winner here to be sure. Its common to hear “I will buy a Ford, they took no bailout money.” That’s nice. Want the money back? Better hope someone buys a Chevy or its gone forever. My hope is that GM gets strong enough fast so that someone will bid to buy it. A PRIVATE company.
On a side note the Chevrolet Vega was bashed in that thread. Here is where it gets weird.
I have 8 of them. Seriously. I have a side business buying/selling Vegas. Here is a picture of one I restored. I have alot of cars (57 Chevys/1970 Chevelle SS, but the little Vegas are my favorite so when someone bashes them I get defensive.
Want to go for a ride in my Vega, Admin Girl?
What happens in Vega’s stays in Vega’s.
The contents of this post was emailed to me by one of our fav and frequent commenters. I have not posted his avatar name, if he wants he can comment on who he is. But please, if you buy one of his Vegas, we get a finders fee!! 
My2Cents
November 9th, 2009
Sweet ride. And nice rant.
Admin Girl
November 9th, 2009
I agree, I don’t like the ragging on Ford. I’m damn proud of Ford! The video was just funny, yes it should have been a different manufacturer!
Admin Girl
November 9th, 2009
And yes, I’ll go for a ride in your Vegas provided it has a cup holder, it does doesn’t it??? When did they stop making Vegas? My oldest bro’s first car was a Vega, it was loud-but I think he did something to it to make it so. I also think it was yellow!
matt
November 9th, 2009
CUP HOLDER? Thats ME! All my cars come with an extremely enthusiastic cup holder.
Admin Girl
November 9th, 2009
Oh Matt, you squirrely one you, I knew you’d show up!! But do the seats recline??
matt
November 9th, 2009
Yes.are you tired?
There is nothing to fear in the Vega..just sit back and relax…You might want to bring some pepper spray in case one of the cup holders turns into a lap belt.
bocephus
November 9th, 2009
Well, I’ll concede that a Vega is better than a Yugo.
BigFurHat
November 9th, 2009
Matt, don’t be so vague(a)
Admin Girl
November 9th, 2009
@BigFurHat a pun master your are not!
matt
November 9th, 2009
I own more Vegas than there are Yugos left in the world so they MUST be better. Cooler looking too!
Red Star
November 9th, 2009
Vega, morphed in to the infamous Monza, a sweet ride errrrrr …not
Yes I had a Vega, we will not mention it had a 400 small block, a cut down Nine bolt. The 70’s long hair, polyester clothes, and lest we forget “Disco”. Perhaps 8 track tapes will come back,I think people are missing shoving match books under the tape, or in the middle of Stair way to Heaven it would Click to the next track….
Admin Girl
November 9th, 2009
Matt, if you’re picking me up in the Vega, where will we go for dinner?
BigFurHat
November 9th, 2009
Shoving match books under the tape! _ ahhhhhhh that brings me back!
How about sticking coins between different parts of the dashboard to keep them front rattling?
Mr. Pinko
November 9th, 2009
the Government takeover of GM is permanent. Don’t let anyone tell you different.
If GM fails – Government did what it could to save it. IF GM succeeds, the Government will say “see what we did, we made it work – why should we give it back?”
matt
November 9th, 2009
Admin Girl? You have enough Pepper Spray to last through a drive in movie? If so I have an idea…well several DIFFERENT ideas…none of them you want details on. I will be outside the IOTW Corporate headquarters at 7:00
The Pioneer Super Tuner will be belting out “Smoke on the Water” on the 6X9’s
By the way,guys..Do not be jealous but I have New old stock 8 track players and I put them in the 1970s cars I restore. Picture the awesomeness of an underdash Supertuner that does not yet require the book of matches to play.
LadyGun12
November 9th, 2009
I’m the one who took the brunt of your hostility, but it’s okay. Everyone is allowed a meltdown now and again. Still love ya, matt! If it makes you feel better, my first car was a Chevy Nova. Drove it to death.
matt
November 9th, 2009
Mr.Pinko: The Government holds 61% of GM (illegally,I might add) and GM can buy its way out of this in a few years even if the Government does not like it.
GM is buying Delphi (they make car parts,specifically steering parts) They will slowly grow and the Government will lose its grasp quietly.
I do not work for GM but seriously,if you are in the market for a new car DRIVE ONE.
The Impala and Malibu are world class cars.The Silverado is a kick as truck. The unions and Government might own it now but-
Greedy capitalists (I love them all) are waiting in the wings.
Red Star
November 9th, 2009
Yes coins, how about the squeaking suspension, or here’s one, the Old Cancer Lung 3 (3 on the column) “for the youngsters when you missed a gear it sounded like a whine”
Big ol’e box speaker in the back seat.
Oh and Matt the last 66 mustang I restored I put the factory AM-8 Track in it (Ford Philharmonic sound system)Unfortunately I was scared to use it because for fear the 40 year old rubber belt would snap.
matt
November 9th, 2009
Ladygun- The Packers had just lost to the Bucaneers.
That alone was enough stress. The pelosi bill,a Packers loss to a winless team,VEGA BASHING..this all added up to the perfect storm.
I said sorry,so let it go before you mess up my night with Admin Girl.
matt
November 9th, 2009
@Red Star- I have a freind (Conservative,so I can mention him here)who is liquidating a sterio shop that has 35 years worth of cool old stuff..Even (breaker 1-9)old CB radios.
Red Star
November 9th, 2009
Oh my wife and I love the 09 Impala other than a poorly operating electric door lock the car has been flawless.
But that’s not all. My Ford F-350 the Official Vehicle of Texas has never let me down as well as the Chrysler Sebring Convertible, other than it’s “Ball-less” has been a great cat..
P.S. I was an Audi owner….
Red Star
November 9th, 2009
Dark of the Moon and the 6th of June and Kenworth hauling logs..
matt
November 9th, 2009
Yeah..I get overly pissed about this subject. You should have seen me during Obamas “GM’s 30 years of bad cars” speach he gave during the 3rd debate (Might have been the second)
I was thinking about my new Chevy 2500HD and my wifes 2007 HHR and thought “What the PHUQ do YOU know about cars??
matt
November 9th, 2009
Cab-over Pete with a reefer on
And a Jimmy haulin’ hogs
We is headin’ for bear on I-one-oh
‘Bout a mile outta Shaky Town
I says, “Pig Pen, this here’s the Rubber Duck.
And I’m about to put the hammer down.”
MissInMI
November 9th, 2009
@Matt
What does he know about cars?
About as much as he does about economics, liberty, truth, ethics, decorum in the office of the presidency…in short he knows NOTHING!
Red Star
November 9th, 2009
Refrain:
Pigpin this here’s the duck, back off with them hogs Ten Rodger….5 mile or soooo them Hogs getten in-tense up here..
BuckwheatsayHI
November 9th, 2009
I thought the Vega wagons were wild-looking. My GTO has a factory Am-FM that I found in a school bus in D&D Auto Wreckers. There was a panel van full of 63-67 ‘Vette parts that I am quite certain the guy didn’t even know was there. That was about 5-7 years ago. I ended up getting the radio free.
How about Buick Opels? That was a wild short-run car. I liked the HT corvairs too. Guy up the road has one. Was the Monza the sporty one?
proletarian robot
November 9th, 2009
I use to love Ford trucks. I am sure everyone remembers “Mr. Majestic” I bought my first Ford truck right after that movie. I also had a Taurus for years and it was pretty much maintenance free. My brother use to say what does FORD stand for? “F*cked Over Rebuilt Dodge.” I have strayed into imports now with my Infinity FX which gave my dad a coronary and he refers to it as my “Rice Rocket.”
Eric
November 9th, 2009
Vega, are you serious? Helped a buddy put a v8 in one years ago. I much prefer the Nova, bench seats do have great advantages.
Irony Curtain
November 9th, 2009
True story:
My pal had a beat up old Vega in the early ’80s. It was some ride when it was his turn to pick me up for band rehearsal.
The shifting required two hands and sounded like locomotives sideswiping. The entire body was separating from the chassis. It burned more oil than Saddam after the first Gulf War. When he realized it might fall apart one day on the highway he decided to sell it. He only asked a couple of hundred and watched with anxiety as a prospective buyer climbed in to take it for a spin around the block.
My friend cringed as he heard the car a block away grinding through the gears and feared he’d never be able to unload it.
When the driver returned he got out of the car and said, “The thing about the shifting….” My pal thought it was over, but the guy finished by saying, “…it’s GREAT! The last car I test drove had one of those smooth shifting PU$$Y clutches! I’ll take it.”
Sicktoy
November 9th, 2009
What a flashback!!! My best friend in college had an orange vega just like the picture – it shook like crazy when it was idling. Another really cool car I remember belonged to an old boyfriend – a 74 Chevy S-3 Laguna – fast and loud!
shootersgrandma
November 10th, 2009
Lil,…I mean, Admin Girl…once again I left a really good post here and it does not show up! What is the deal? Is it my server or yours? Should I wait until tomorrow?
Boobie The Rocket Dog
November 10th, 2009
“We jes’ ain’t a-gonna pay no toll . . .”
Haven’t seen any GM brands yet (never have, actually) but suddenly I see DemocRAT muni administrations’ police sportin’ new DODGEs where the Crown Vic used to rule. S’pose Obama made ‘em an offer they couldn’t refuse?
Boobie The Rocket Dog
November 10th, 2009
@ toy-
Laguna was a Chevelle. Find (iTunes?) a copy of Trace Adkins’ song, “CHROME.” Methinks you might enjoy, even identify.
Sicktoy
November 10th, 2009
@Boobie -
I’ll check it out – thanks!
Reiuxcat
November 10th, 2009
Ugh, Vega flashback. Rebuilt a four banger in high school to earn some extra money. Had to get a used head at the junk yard and was that sucker heavy with the OVC. At least I didn’t have to rent an engine hoist. Just picked the short block up and set it carefully on the fender. Too bad the guy wouldn’t spring to get steel cylinder sleeves installed. It was burning oil again in no time.