Used cars and the UAW

[Codeine]

Every car - both new and used - that I have ever purchased has been a UAW-made model. My ex once insisted on a non-UAW car, and since she was making the payment on that one it was her choice, but when I've chosen I've gone union every time.

But the other day I was thinking; since my purchases are normally used, does it really make a difference? The UAW gains no benefit by my purchase, and would have been unharmed had I bought a used import or non-union-made car. I don't think I would change my stance on only buying UAW, but am I just being irrational if it's a used car?

Please note, I'd sooner walk than buy a non-union car new. This question strictly arises in reference to used cars.

[Gman]

1. At the least, you're driving a union made car

perception is a lot. It means you support the UAW regardless. You believe in the quality of union made products.

[Uben]

2. All of mine have been UAW cars, too

But, like you, I have never purchased a new car. I buy em a year or so old with less than 20K and let someone else take the "parking lot" hit, which usually amounts to about a $4-8K savings. It's not that I can't afford a new car, I just can't bring myself to paying that additional money just to say I own a new car for a year. Too frugal I guess. But, I am enjoying retirement at age 55, which is just a dream for most Americans. And, it's not so much that I'm pro-union, I just like to buy American when I can. I was a member of the USW for many years and then on the other side, management, for even longer.

[Salviati]

3. Resale value helps sell new cars.

So buying a used union made car helps sell new union made cars.

[mrcheerful]

4. Not to mention that replacement parts were also made by the UAW before the cheap

Japanese and Chinese knock offs became main stream. That Said I still can find replacement parts for my 78 Ford van that were UAW made, the secret is stay away from box store auto parts stores when possible.

[madokie]

5. We bought a used foreign car once

about 10 or 12 years ago and let me tell you that was the biggest, err, littlest, biggest, piece of shit I've ever been party to. Literally fell apart in the fucking drive way. One day it would be fine, run ok then the next it would be a cantankerous as hell, run like shit. We finally had all we could take of the piece of shit so we sold it for a loss, took a pretty good hit on it too but both of us was so happy to see that sucker pull away from our place that if I remember correctly we partied down that evening.

Buying a union made used auto is good even though its not new it still support our unions.

[ingac70]

6. UAW represented workers still manufacture parts.

So buying used helps them.

[Codeine]

8. A good point, and one that hadn't occurred to me at all. nt

[Jack_DeLeon]

7. In theory you are driving up the value of the used union vehicles...

Honestly if a used car is all you can afford that is all you can afford. Also financially its pretty dumb to pay top dollar for a brand new vehicle that is just going to depreciate right off the bat.