In My Merry Oldsmobile

[AndyM]

We've thinking about trading in MrsAndyM's car. I saw an Oldsmobile dealership that still has a few leftovers from 2004. I haven't stopped at the dealer yet, but I may stop in one day soon to see if they're willing to move one of them at a decent price.

It's not really comparable to buying a 1966 Studebaker because the dealer also sells Pontiacs-- GM won't be going anywhere soon, and I'll still be able to get it serviced.

Other than the fact that they don't make them anymore, what are the pros and cons to making such a purchase?

 

[Bob_Skurka]

PRO: "It's not your father's Oldsmobile"
PRO: GM will be supporting them with parts for at least a decade
PRO: Depreciation has already started so you don't take the whole hit
PRO: You still get the warrenty

Generally I think cars are a rip off, drive them off the lot and they depreciate dramatically so that makes them a bad financial investment. From the financial standpoint it is often best to buy (but hard to find) a slighly used current model year car that was titled already. Next best bet in my mind is a heavily used dealer demo (8000 to 10,000 miles). Next would be last years model that someone bought and traded in with low miles (under 10K). In each of those cases someone else took the beating on the depreciation and you get a basically brand new car. But that is just my philosophy. I've done it numerous times. My Volvo C70 HST was bought "used" with about 5,000 miles on it, it was the current model year, dealer took $14,000 off the price tag of a new one to get me to take the "used" one! The fact that I bought a convertible in October in the "snow belt" probably helped too. I've had it 2.5 years and am looking at getting rid of it this year. I may order a new car because I found a new model I like, but then again I may search around for a great deal.

I don't see much downside to buying an Oldsmobile, despite its orphan status. In fact that status as an orphan brand is probably going to help with price.

 

[GeneD14]

I have friends and neighbors that worked at Oldsmobile in Lansing and after the announcement was made to close down Olds was made attitudes deteriorated. Many people there adopted an "I don't care attitude". When any manufacturing operation ends production or closes down quality and workmanship can be an issue. I am in the auto industry and see this quite often.

 

[KENSFM]

If you plan on keeping the car for a long time, and it is what you want, I would go for it. Just don't pay too much. Auction prices in this area (MA) have been really low on late model Olds. Even the government appears to be dumping them at auction.
Ken /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[beenthere]

How many models do you have to choose from?

 

[Bird]

I was wondering whether the dealers would sell the left over Oldsmobiles cheaper to clear out the last of the inventory, or whether they'd want a premium price, expecting some Olds fans or collectors to want the last ones.

 

[buckle97]

Wow Andy. You really have abandoned Ford, haven't you? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif I can't see any reason not to at least look at the Oldsmobile's, especially if the price is right.

Lawrence

 

[Bob_Skurka]

<font color="red"> Olds fans or collectors </font>


BIRD!!!! If there are any "Olds fans" young enough to still drive then I suspect Olds would still be a viable brand. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Bird]

Good point, Bob. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Oldsmobile and Buick were my Dad's preference, but obviously they haven't sold as well in recent years. You're showing my age. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[beenthere]

I looked at Olds Sierra and Buick Century when I bought the Buick Century in '96, and thought the Olds was really cheap, especially when comparing it to the Buick which turned out to be a great car (almost as good as the Chevy Eurosport I wore out prior to the Buick).

As a kid, the Olds was a pretty great car, right up there and close to the Cadilac, and just a bit better than Buick and then Pontiac, and then came the lowly Chevy that I had ('57 4dr hardtop /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif ). Guess the corporation tried to survive on past success, which is the demise of many good products.