While it's hard to argue that a Plymouth Neon may have more sentimental value as the last of the Plymouth sedans, it does show that orphan status may not have a damaging impact. Worries about parts availability are also probably misplaced, because federal law requires manufacturers to make available a 10-year supply of parts. So should you shop for an Isuzu? The Ascender is a clone of General Motors' Chevrolet TrailBlazer, so it's not really an Isuzu. It can be serviced at any GM dealership, and parts are likely to be available for many years to come, likely well past the federal mandate. The same holds true for the I Series pickup, which is a clone of the Chevrolet Colorado. Buyers should shop carefully, make sure that the vehicles meets their needs and are within their budgets. But as the January 2009 deadline approaches, buyers can expect to save thousands of dollars when compared to comparable vehicles from General Motors. Just because a vehicle is an orphan, doesn't mean it's not worthy of consideration.  | | Here are this week's reader questions: | | | | • | Save big money by adopting 'orphan' car | | • | Can I trade a truck if I'm behind on payments? | | • | What voids a car contract? | | • | Should I take out a loan to boost my credit score? |
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