Those Moving Out With Nissan May Soon Long for California

Regarding “Exit Plan: Follow Nissan,” July 31:

Been there, done that. Sixteen years ago I moved our family to Atlanta, following a job with Honda Motor Co.

Green, yes, and filled with bugs and humidity and very narrow minds.

It’s great to be back (we’re still unpacking) even with the recent temperatures here. Check back with those folk in a few years.

Vance Lausmann

Rancho Mirage

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Regarding “Ford’s New-Car Pipeline Is Lagging, Analysts Say,” Aug. 3:

My family has purchased Ford vehicles for well over 40 years. With two uncles owning new-car dealerships and working for the company, why wouldn’t we?

When I went to replace my 1990 Taurus wagon (205,000 miles and still humming), I wanted the same vehicle: solid, dependable, good mileage.

Sadly, Ford didn’t see it the same way and discontinued the Taurus wagon last year. Too bad. Used wagons about the same size? No chance -- they are the most-sought-after used vehicles after street-racer models. The Freestyle? Hardly an improvement. Plagued by production problems and grossly overweight, it fits in nowhere.

Ford’s strategy is to get you to move up to Volvo or the Freestyle -- too small and pricey or too big and pricey.

Like Goldilocks, I was looking for something just right. Ford doesn’t make it anymore -- and the sales figures show it.

I chose to buy a four-door Toyota Tacoma: better built, better warranty, better vehicle. As a wagon man, this was a huge change for me. But I won’t be back to Ford.

Alex D. Keuper

Carpinteria