Reader comments: Economic downturn hits Utah auto dealers
25 comments | Read story
"lower our car payment" | 6:59 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008
Wouldn't it be better to just be rid of your car payment? Too many people in this country survive on credit. Here's a novel idea: buy a car only when you absolutely have to, pay it off as fast as you can, keep it for at least 10 or 15 years and put that extra money you'd be paying the loan officer into your house mortgage to get it paid off sooner.
The idea of having no car payment or house payment is so foreign to people, but that should be the goal you're reaching for, rather than buying or leasing a new car every couple years.
The idea of having no car payment or house payment is so foreign to people, but that should be the goal you're reaching for, rather than buying or leasing a new car every couple years.
Mom of 5 | 7:23 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008
I agree with the above. The car I drive is 17 years old. It's been paid off for 13 years, and I haven't had to put to much into it outside of normal maintenance. The way I figure it, I probably pay about $20.00 a month more for gas than I would with a new car, while enjoying very cheap insurance and no car payment. If I wasn't in the taxi mom stage of life, I would try to go for NO car at all and just ride the bus.
Comments continue below
Thank you | 9:40 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008
Thank you to all of you who buy new cars and take the depreciation hit so I can buy something just a few years old for a small fraction of the price. My yearly maintenance costs are less than one month's car payment.
Anonymous | 9:40 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008
President Bush told us the economy is robust.
John McCain echoed that a few weeks ago.
I believe them both.
Nothing needs to be fixed in our economy.
John McCain echoed that a few weeks ago.
I believe them both.
Nothing needs to be fixed in our economy.
Anonymous | 10:21 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008
Vehicle sales are down in Utah only where the gas guzzling Mormonhecles (SUV's - Suburbans, Explorers, etc.) are concerned. The public has turned to gas efficient vehicles and Detroit is about 18 months behind in filling that demand, which has in turn left dealerships with little to no inventory to meet this demand, even here in Utah! This accounts for about 1/2 of car sales in Utah being down.
The other half is the tightening credit markets. That alone has squeezed new car purchasers out of the picture, regardless of the type of vehicle being bought, and it is no secret that Utahns carry one of the highest credit-to-income ratios in the nation, which is not a good formula in a tight credit economy.
The other half is the tightening credit markets. That alone has squeezed new car purchasers out of the picture, regardless of the type of vehicle being bought, and it is no secret that Utahns carry one of the highest credit-to-income ratios in the nation, which is not a good formula in a tight credit economy.
Yes | 10:22 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008
To "Thank You"... You're welcome.
boo hoo | 11:32 a.m. Sept. 8, 2008
I'm crying my eyes out that Mark Miller's sales are down 15 percent from last year...poor guy, maybe we should set up a charitable fund for him. WHAT??? They're still making money hand over fist, give me a break.
Re: All is fine in Pleasantville | 12:35 p.m. Sept. 8, 2008
Things are much worse than this article presents.
There is nothing good about the economy.
Anything positive are merely lies made up by conservatives.
Pleasantville is doomed.
You need to pay for my car. (or is it I need to pay for your car?)
Vote Democrat.
There is nothing good about the economy.
Anything positive are merely lies made up by conservatives.
Pleasantville is doomed.
You need to pay for my car. (or is it I need to pay for your car?)
Vote Democrat.
Rob Messer ,the BEST | 1:19 p.m. Sept. 8, 2008
I Just bought a car from GARFF NISSAN. And was treeted like a king by Rob Messer and his staff, Marshal Lear. these people truly care about people. I live Ken Garff Nissan and Rob Messer, and will never buy a car anywhere else. NICE JOB Garffs for hiring the best in the car business!!
I WII BE BACK !!!!
I WII BE BACK !!!!
Personal Injury Attorney | 1:58 p.m. Sept. 8, 2008
Fortunately, in times of economic downturn, my profession does very well financially. This last weekend I was able to purchase a Porsche 911 and was able to get a fantastice deal and I was treated like royalty. I would encourage anyone who is thinking of buying a car to do it now. You will get incredible personal attention and you will also get an incredible deal.
Corporate Greed | 3:23 p.m. Sept. 8, 2008
When is corporate America going to wake up and see that they are eroding their USA customer base by not paying decent wages?
If they don't stop being so greedy they will not have anyone in the USA that can afford their products.
Do we want another 4 years of stupid?
If they don't stop being so greedy they will not have anyone in the USA that can afford their products.
Do we want another 4 years of stupid?
corporate greed?? | 3:34 p.m. Sept. 8, 2008
4 years of stupid? At least I know the at least one of the candidates is a loyal American.
fake attorney | 3:40 p.m. Sept. 8, 2008
don't buy the comments for the "personal injury attorney", designed to make all of us honest hard working attorneys look bad
The market | 4:04 p.m. Sept. 8, 2008
will make its own adjustments based upon economic data if the govt. will keep its freedom-stranglin' mits off of the market. Companies that don't read the economic factors correctly sink. Companies that read them correctly and make the proper adjustments will thrive and profit. If the employees of such companies become company people and don't sink the company by demanding wages that are above what the market and their company can bear, they will also eventually prosper as well.
Consumer Greed | 5:49 p.m. Sept. 8, 2008
When is consumer America going to wake up and see that they are eroding American wages by not paying more for good and services than they have to?
If they don't stop being greedy and pay more than retail rather than shop around or use coupons, then American companies won't make as much and therefore can't hire more workers.
Do we want another 200 years of stupid?
If they don't stop being greedy and pay more than retail rather than shop around or use coupons, then American companies won't make as much and therefore can't hire more workers.
Do we want another 200 years of stupid?
Donovan | 6:06 p.m. Sept. 8, 2008
Let the lazy poor people suffer. Everybody knows they are not willing to change their lot in life.
I just want to bail out the greedy banks and housing industry, while the CEO's make millions and billions and get to keep it all, even though they failed big time. All on the tax paying stiff, and then the repubs don't want to pay tax's.
Ah yes, the republican party. I wish I could vote for Bush again.
I just want to bail out the greedy banks and housing industry, while the CEO's make millions and billions and get to keep it all, even though they failed big time. All on the tax paying stiff, and then the repubs don't want to pay tax's.
Ah yes, the republican party. I wish I could vote for Bush again.
Anonymous | 6:23 p.m. Sept. 8, 2008
To {bleep} with the poor people!
They deserve their poverty.
God is not blessing them like He is blessing Conservatives.
We are the blessed.
We are the chosen.
We are Republicans.
They deserve their poverty.
God is not blessing them like He is blessing Conservatives.
We are the blessed.
We are the chosen.
We are Republicans.
C Hatch | 7:15 p.m. Sept. 8, 2008
To those of you opposed to having a car loan.... I choose to keep myself in a newer model car for safety reasons. Rather than drive a 20 year old car which is paid for and has outdated safety features, I prefer to buy newer and drive my wife and children in a vehicle equipped to save their lives in an accident. Paying $300 a month is worth it to me!
Jim | 8:26 p.m. Sept. 8, 2008
I just bought a car last week but the process was a real pain. Once they realized I had good credit and make decent money they kept trying to push me into a larger car than I wanted. Hello what part of I'm looking for a good commuter car is so hard to understand. Don't want or need an SUV.
re: C Hatch | 9:28 p.m. Sept. 8, 2008
You obviously have no idea what it is like to try and feed a small family on $300 a month without trying to lean on the government. There are alot of families that are darn glad to have a car at all much less a late model one.
JR | 10:48 p.m. Sept. 8, 2008
Does this mean that there will be less soccer moms driving huge suburbans, running into things? Sounds like a good problem to me.
phoebe | 10:52 p.m. Sept. 8, 2008
Did anyone hear Barrack Obama say that if we vote for him, we will be able to afford to buy a new car?
Am I the only one who heard that comment?
The answer to all of our problems is Obama. He is here to save our country. All we need to do is go to the polls and vote Obama. Our troubles will soon be over. We will be independent of foreign oil in 10 years and all will have a new car.
Am I the only one who heard that comment?
The answer to all of our problems is Obama. He is here to save our country. All we need to do is go to the polls and vote Obama. Our troubles will soon be over. We will be independent of foreign oil in 10 years and all will have a new car.
Do something for USA too | 11:55 p.m. Sept. 8, 2008
I did something for myself and my country - I bought a new Ford! I bought the Ford Fusion, which is a great car and Consumer Reports rated it higher in quality than the Toyota Camry V6. But the bonus is I bought a product from an American company, where the profits and company taxes stay in our country. Try it, we will all like it!
FORD FUSION? | 1:33 a.m. Sept. 12, 2008
Are you kidding? Keep blowing smoke up your backside that Ford is making a competitive and solid product. Rating higher than a Camry. Those Camry's will still be functioning and on the road in 5 years. I will take the Toyota, Honda, Nissan, even Scion over American junk any day.
Our own fat, lazy, greedy, and over compensated American workers can be thanked for putting out subpar products. We are reaping what we have sown...... the correction will be brutal.
Our own fat, lazy, greedy, and over compensated American workers can be thanked for putting out subpar products. We are reaping what we have sown...... the correction will be brutal.
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Words Remaining
There are no problems with the economy.
These are merely lies made up by liberals.
All is fine in Pleasantville.
Vote Republican.