hmmm, no political expect, but the guy in the vid said sales were pretty good and pretty much in line with expectation, but the journo writing the story just detailed every negative possible about the sales. Shame really. Think we all need to start talking up our economies and stop moaning. Not sure what the complete answer is, but surely we need to be talking ourselves up, on both sides of the Atlantic and ensure it goes global. Make people feel confident again

phedex: dustman81: phedex: Nmissi: Mom got newer car fever this winter and replaced her 2000 Solara with a 2010 Camry; the Solara (at 147000 miles) passed to me. I then sold my 92 Corolla to a friend's teenager, for 900.00 cash. It has about 140000 miles on it and runs like a champ. That was in January. This week, he showed up at my house with his brand new car, something fancy and imported. He said he felt bad driving "that old car" and that the Corolla had a crap stereo and this new one had a great stereo and his loan only cost him "250 a month." I did the math for him, worked the interest, and demonstrated that he'll pay 20k for this puppy before he's done...That's one very expensive stereo.

He's probably missing the Corolla now.

Why the heck wouldnt you want a brand new car for 250 dollars a month? im sure the stereo wasn't the only thing he didnt like about driving a 20+ year old economy car. Especially since todays econoboxes are so much better. if thats a true payment/month and it is a new car, although I don't know what you could get for that (maybe one of those really small scions), good for him. 100% says that guy doesnt miss the corolla one bit.

Why drive a new car for $250 a month when you can drive a car for $0 a month? Take that $250 a month, bank it and when the 20+ year old car dies, you can pay cash for a newer car.

You would still have a newer car that didnt have a warranty. And thats provided this 900$ car isn't going to have a single thing go wrong with it that he would have to put money into. And if this guy isn't going to find something else to spend that 250$ on every month. remember what its like to be in your early 20's? have a BRAND NEW car that will be worry free for 250$ a month is a BARGAIN. do it if you can afford it.

You know who thinks low monthly payments are bargain? People who suck with their finances. People who good with their money ask, "How much? What is the total price?"

You sound like a car dealer. "Buy a new car now! Only $250 a month!" How many months is he paying? What's the interest rate? Or did he get a lease? *shudder* Not to mention, he has to have full coverage insurance, as opposed to the 20+ year old car, where all he needed was liability.

If he saved $250 a month for 72 months, that'll be $18,000 (assuming he got 0%, which I doubt). With that he could buy a much better car for cash.

Maybe the first few months, he'll think he got a good deal. After paying for 6 years (assuming he doesn't buy another car and roll the negative equity into the new loan), he'll be wishing he had paid cash.