The cars are coming.

[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/eB...link: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]

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