The cars are coming.

[katoranger]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19600285/

I just heard it on the radio today that Chrysler signed an agreement to bring Chinese cars to the US.

Allen

[AZ200cc]

This gives me flashbacks of Daewoo 8O , The bikes are easy to go over and check for problems...Not the same for cars..I'll stick With my Subaru and Chevy. :D

[pumpkin]

if i could buy a brand new lifan 4x4 pick-up with an extended cab for more than half the price of any other truck out there just like my bike i would.

[John22j]

I would consider one -- but not sure if I'd end up buying one of the first ones. Would depend on my current vehicle needs situation I guess.... and obviously price - not gonna spend Honda money on a Hoching.

[knothead]

The Chery/Chrysler deal has been in the works for some time.
They had originally talked about building a car based on the Dodge Neon drivetrain (actually the Mini Cooper 1600 drivetrain, which is a destroked Neon 2000cc). Dodge was to build the drive train, ship it to Chery who put it in a US designed chassis (the Rampage) and ship it back over here. Guess not! Too bad, it was supposed to have over 150hp in a car the size of a Honda Fit.

But to answer the question... I'd look over a Chinese built car same as any other car. My preference would be a Lotus Exige though!

[czowner]

This gives me flashbacks of Daewoo 8O , The bikes are easy to go over and check for problems...Not the same for cars..I'll stick With my Subaru and Chevy. :D

And what's wrong with Daewoo?? I was in the motor trade for 30 years, I worked at several dealerships, Daewoo included, they're no worse than any other new car. They were the first (in the UK) to give 3 years warranty, if I was in the market for a newer car it's the only one I'd have.

Jonathan.

[John22j]

Unfortunately that 3 year warranty isn't too good if the company folds. :roll: The way bikes have so many brand names put on the same thing I wonder if they could start doing that with cars and just say warranty is no good because Hichong is no more... but they just changed the name to Hoching....

it wouldn't be hard for me to see something like that happening if they start running into quality issues, because they don't care about rep - the same people are going to continue to buy their low price / low quality anyway. Still, like I said, I would at least take a look at one if I were in the market.

[goldshadow]

I had a Daewoo. The only problem that I had with the car is it is not made for someone my size. Otherwise did not do any work other than normal maintainance.
Just my 2 cents.

[AZ200cc]

Unfortunately that 3 year warranty isn't too good if the company folds.

Exactly.

Bikes are one thing...But cars are new ground. Kia made it and these might as well. I would just wait a long while before I even considered dropping money on one.

[gyjoe]

I bought my Chinese bike so I could play around with a toy that I don't need to be completely reliable. My cage is a different story. I will not settle for less than absolute reliability (or as close as you can get.) Too many things in everyday life require reliable transportation and I do not want to have something messed up by my vehicle.

[katoranger]

This is why I didn't ask if you you would be one, but instead if you would consider one.

I would ask least take a look at a vehicle from china. If they build a small diesel? :lol:

[tzrider]

Id' want low price, simplicity, and at least a little reliabiliity with high gas mileage. But, yeah, I'd consider one. I'll wait a while to find out if they're more like a Toyota or a Yugo. :lol: Sure like our little Toyota Echo, though, and my old Chevy Van only has 80K on it. At 15 to the gallon, it don't get driven much. :roll:

[NewEnglandTrails]

Daewoo USA only folded, when General Motors bought a majority share in the Daewoo company and decided to eliminate Daewoo USA.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2002/04/29/gm-daewoo.htm

Were they trying to eliminate the competition? Who knows, but Daewoo is alive and well around the rest of the world.

When the Chinese manufactures get DOT approval for the mainland, expect scare tactics from the big 3, unless they badge them as their own..

Surfing some other forums.. with regards to Chinese auto's, Ive already witnessed pictures of horrific car crashes featuring Lifan automobiles.

http://www.chinacarforums.com/forum/index.php

DOT will certainly be vigilant with China Auto's after all the pet food, seafood and toothpaste problems.

I wish they would get here quick but.... don't hold your breath..

NET

[tzrider]

Dihatsu came and went in the US market. They weren't bad little cars, just America wasn't ready for a little 3 cylinder sardine can at the time, and it didn't even get that great on gas.

There is a market for 3 cylinder sardine cans now. :lol: We had a 3 cylinder 1.0 liter Chevy Sprint once, later became Geo Metro, Suzuki built. That little car got 60 mpg, honest, and ran the speed limit all day long. Awesome mileage and this is the right market for something like that again. I've always appreciated outstanding mileage, though. The car's chassis was tinny and it wasn't terribly comfy. Our Echo is fantastic on comfort and 40 to the gallon still ain't bad with a 1.6 liter. Got a lot more gittyup than that Sprint did, too, and it's an auto tranny.

[knothead]

We had a 3 cylinder 1.0 liter Chevy Sprint once, later became Geo Metro, Suzuki built. That little car got 60 mpg, honest, and ran the speed limit all day long. Awesome mileage and this is the right market for something like that again. I've always appreciated outstanding mileage, though. The car's chassis was tinny and it wasn't terribly comfy. Our Echo is fantastic on comfort and 40 to the gallon still ain't bad with a 1.6 liter. Got a lot more gittyup than that Sprint did, too, and it's an auto tranny.

I accidently ran ove my nephew's Sprint a long time ago. I was in my Jeep (lifted) and he parked under my bumper. I started backing up, felt a little bump which I though was my sticky rear brakes.. pushed his car about 8 feet before I realized what was going on. The poor little car was demolished, hood folded in half, radiator pushed into the engine, fenders rolled in and headlights hanging by the wires.... Looked like I hit it doing 50mph. I'm all about gas mileage, but I'll never have something like that!

I started to buy an Echo but wound up with a Civic instead. I have never liked Honda cars until I bought this one.. 36mpg with an automatic!

[katoranger]

If they have decent build quality and are simple to maintain with 40+mpg than I will consider one.

My escort fits two of those three and it comes close on the third. I only get 38mpg on the highway.

My first car was a 82 Chevette with an Isuzu 1.8 diesel. I saw 60mpg once.

Allen

[ridgerunner]

Yes I would consider one IF they can pass the minimum safety standards. Of course my 1958 Volkswagon Beetle would have folded up in a frontal impact as well. For that matter so would my 1963 GMC van. Although for a 2007 vehicle it should have to pass the standards. It would have to get great milage for me to consider it though.

[katoranger]

If it passes the minimum standards and they will offer me a small diesel powered minivan type vehicle, then they will have my interest.

I'm a diesel freak.

Allen

[windtrader]

There are several huge issues facing Chinese auto coming here. Americans depend on their cars and they must start up and get one to work, school, shop, wherever. There is very little tolerance for undependable vehicles and I honestly think you would have a hard time getting most folks to make an unproven Chinese car their primary auto, no matter how cheap.

A buyer has many options on spending x dollars for transportation. No matter how cheap a new Chinese car will be, one can buy a number of used car for the same money. They will not be as reliable as a new car but I'd argue that a smart buyer could certainly find one that can be depended on for daily transportation and know that if it breaks, parts and knowledgeable service are readily available.

Given the recent trend of high gas prices, the Big car manufacturers are bringing to market some amazingly cheap and high gas mileage cars. These will certainly cost more than a Chinese brand but come with are backed by a know entity. They are not going to give in easily to the Chinese and I am certain they are building sources with Chines suppliers who will build to their standards, processes, and QC, further driving prices down and closer to Chinese brands.

Getting a loan on a Chinese car is going to be difficult and many folks need auto financing, especially at the lower end of the market. Wealthy folks have many ways to get funds to purchase a vehicle and can avoid traditional auto financing.

Chinese autos entering the US market is completely different than the recreational market. The risks are far too high for the smart money, even those with higher tolerance for risk. On the other hand, I'm sure there are plenty of gamblers willing to place a bet.

There are many obvious reasons why the US is flooded with nearly every possible consumable product from China except cars. What is going to happen in the US is the major players will start adding more and more Chinese parts to vehicles sold here, then later invest/partner with Chinese manufacturing once there is confidence that American process and QC can be achieved within the operating Chinese business environment.

[John22j]

They gotta start somewhere -- people bought Kia's and Hyundai's when they were new and unproven here and the same will happen for Chinese cars. There will be a market for them - just like the bikes, atv's, and general consumer goods.

I'm curious to see if their new car smell will be like their bikes/atv's :wink: (if so, then they may have issues)

[mrhyak]

If the price is right, there will be buyers. If I can get a new, gas saver commuter car for under $10k I would take a look. The biggest problem for the Chinese cars is they don't design them in China for 70mph. I would think the China cars would be similar to the Smart Car, or Chevy Aveo, etc.

[Jim]

I voted no, because I don't think they will be cheap enough... but I did make a chinese bike my primary transportation (until summer when my other bike came out of the garage)

[katoranger]

I think a new car would have to be under 8K for me to seriously consider it until they have proven themselves. I would be a little more willing to go for it if they had the backing of Chrysler or another of the big three.

I have never owned a new car and probably won't ever. The china bike was my first new vehicle.

Allen

[AZ200cc]

SAme for me, I do not buy new cars..They depreciate to quickly. Same with a bike...I'll wait until someone posts a like new bike that they MUST sell...And buy it at a bargain price. Why buy new? But what concerns me about these cars is this..

They have been building these bikes for years now..And the a lot of the quality issues still exist. While some improvements have been made..It is taking a long while to get the improvments to market..The parts have been hard to find and some companies have folded like bad poker players.
It seems like it would also take a while for these cars to be up to standard and anyone who buys one of the first ones could face serious issues.

[katoranger]

I think it is a wait and see thing. I will look, but I probably won't be first in line. Unless they have something I am really interested in. (diesel minivan or suv)

Allen

[pumpkin]

my wife's car is a 2006 chevy cobalt we bought new ,but it was a demo. at this point in the game of life all i would be interested in is a suv or a truck must be 4x4. i don't think china will be able to help me out for a while. when they can i will consider.

[ridgerunner]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150143982289&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:middle:us
The cars are here! I don't know if I would buy from this seller based on his feedback from the scooters and motorcycles. I will have to admit this looks interesting. The only thing that throws me is the disclaimer: "Warning! Driving activities involve the risk and danger of serious bodily injury including, but not limited to, disability, paralysis, dismemberment and death. These inherent risks and dangers may be caused by the drivers own actions or inactions, the actions or inactions of others, participating or not participating in the activity, the condition in which the activity takes place, or the negligence of others." Guess that means if you get in an accident you'll probably die!

[Jim]

ok that thing is weird, lifan actually makes normal looking cars

[NewEnglandTrails]

On Jul-25-07 at 13:22:06 PDT, seller added the following information:
This vehicle is street legal and will be titled as a three wheeled motorcycle It has a 4 stroke engine.

I wonder what their reserve is... so far its up to $4050 and reserve is not met.

They will not ship it you have to go to Steubenville Ohio to pick it up....

Has Bruce from EJ Cycles, who is also from Ohio has seen one of these up close?

NET

[NewEnglandTrails]

Deleted message

[AZ200cc]

Umm, Ok......An Urkel car...No thanks :?

[katoranger]

It looks interesting, but the preferred three wheeled design has 2 wheels in front for stability.

I don't know if a 250cc is enough to move 2 people at 50mph in that.

Allen

[knothead]

It looks interesting, but the preferred three wheeled design has 2 wheels in front for stability.

I don't know if a 250cc is enough to move 2 people at 50mph in that.

Allen

I suspect that thing isn't DOT certified, but then again it could be classified as a three wheeled motorcycle. They have similar vehichles on campus, but they are built by Mitsubishi and some are four wheeled.

[katoranger]

I could see using one in town at speeds under 30 or so.

Allen

[Jim]

Like I said, they make real cars... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qC76iHpON44

(not just those erkel mobiles).

[thejunkman]

FYI the Urkle car was a BMW Isetta, we have one in our collection along with a Nash Metropolitan. Neither were hot sellers since they were designed as commuter cars for a road going public

[Jim]

You mean the real urkel car, not that thing on ebay right?

I've seen tonnes of metropolitans, my parents are in a "metropolitan car club" :roll:

[thejunkman]

Yes the real Urkle car

[knothead]

FYI the Urkle car was a BMW Isetta, we have one in our collection along with a Nash Metropolitan. Neither were hot sellers since they were designed as commuter cars for a road going public

You should see the '39 Nash limo a guy I know has. The radiator cap is even with my chin (I'm 5'11")... I think it has either a v-12 or 16... HUGE car and way too cool.

[AZ200cc]

Like I said, they make real cars... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qC76iHpON44

(not just those erkel mobiles).


Now that is a car, Not like that other odd looking pile of scrap. - The s
It actually looked nice.

[goldshadow]

Does it come in a crate? :)

[goldshadow]

The one on ebay has a funny pickup notice

Shipping Information
This item must be picked up at our location in Steubenville, Ohio. Pick-up can be arranged Monday thru Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm EST. This vehicle will fit into the 8 ft. bed of a full size pick-up.

Fits in a pickup !!!

8O 8O 8O 8O

I can just imagine getting hit in that thing.