Agent009
Agent009
"I sincerely thank you for the warning. Now I'm off to sharpen my pitchfork."
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SOUND OFF: Would You Buy An American Car?

With all of the studies and surveys out there one may get the impression those that dare to buy a  American car are left, pretty well impressed.  

Don’t believe it?  Look at Consumer Reports, JD Power, and True Delta studies, and you see that American cars have come a long way, and many are approaching, and even surpassing what was once considered the best out there.  Regardless of origin.

We hear a lot of the past horror stories, the squandering of profits in the heyday, and shoddy workmanship, so it is safe to assume most American manufactures have deservedly  received a black eye.  But have those days now in the past? Look at the new models coming out of Detroit and you can see glimpses of brilliance on the horizon and maybe the first signs of a genuine turn around.

So I challenge you to put aside your prejudices and stereotypes about American iron, take the time to read the facts and tell us if you can be seduced over to the dark side.

Would you ever buy an American car? And give us the reasons why you might.

 

 

 

 


SOUND OFF: Would You Buy An American Car?



Comments:

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Agent00JAgent00J - 5/1/2008 12:58:57 PMView My AgentSpace
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I don't think the issue is so much buying an American car, but rather getting the public to take that initial step and give the American car a chance. As recently as last year I was "stuck" with an American car for a rental for several days, and that experience alone is enough to create a major setback for US car makers.

I like the approach Ford has taken in having people drive their cars for a week - it allows a person to experience the product without writing the check. Sadly for a long time incentives and discounts drove a large portion of the US makes that were sold, but with the downturn in the economy, most car makers are discounting.

Getting people to drive the domestic makes is the hurdle, but I think if you can get people behind the wheel, you can create some converts. Personally, I would drive the Malibu over a Camry any day of the week. I would drive a Charger of Chrysler 300 over an Avalon or other Toyota product as well.

I think the UAW did a lot of damage to the US auto makers in that the demands and expenses that they refused to negotiate on hurt GM, Ford and Chrysler, and as a result it was cheaper to keep turning out crap, than it was to engineer world class cars.

Bob Lutz has performed miracles with GM, the Solstice was a start although only a niche player, but the Cadillac CTS is a great car. I think the Pontiac G8 is a great car as well, and a heck of a lot more fun than ANY Camry or Accord to drive.

But people still need to give US makes a chance again to really make the tides change.


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EnnNorakEnnNorak - 5/1/2008 5:02:50 PM
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I would prefer to buy American in the form of a CTS or Buick Lucerne but my fussy wife wants a small SUV and the Saturn VUE does not cut it. It now looks like the turbo model 2009 Subaru Forester Limited is at the top of our shopping list. My wife thinks it's a small SUV and I think it's a tall station wagon but I like station wagons anyway.


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 5/1/2008 6:27:33 PMView My AgentSpace
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"Personally, I would drive the Malibu over a Camry any day of the week. I would drive a Charger of Chrysler 300 over an Avalon or other Toyota product as well."

I agree, I would also take a CTS over a TL, RL or GS350.

Your post is spot on.



kablaamkablaam - 5/1/2008 11:31:01 PM
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CTS is def. a step in the right direction. A great vehicle all around.


lexusrox123lexusrox123 - 5/2/2008 1:40:51 PM
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oh come on...a charger or 300? please. unless you like the bland, mucho plastico interior, horrendous visibility, and crappy mpg's, i dont see how an avalon isnt as good. except that the avalon is a different car segment than the charge/300. avalon is luxo comfort cruiser, and charge/300 is more of a sports car type.


bestofallcadbestofallcad - 5/2/2008 2:22:49 PM
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I drive a American car and I have forever driven Cadillac's never once have I had any problems, All of them have. My Mom has driven Buicks forever same all have been perfect, infact she had a 1991 Buick Lesabre that is still running a friend of the family bought it and it has 263,000 miles on it now. I know the American's need to atleast be open minded for the American auto makers we need to support our countrys economy and when they are building great cars why not!




vman1013vman1013 - 5/2/2008 11:32:39 PM
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Just bought a Jeep GC SRT-8 instead of a X5. Had an X5 in 2001 and was impressed with the handles. Gave the V8 X5 a chance but its not worth $70k. The $45k Jeep is all over it performance wise. X5 has a slightly better interior. Looks are subjective.

The SRT8 Jeep GC gets to 60 in 5 - in the words on Jay-Z, "what more can I say!"



kablaamkablaam - 5/3/2008 1:51:06 AM
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While I agree, the SRT8 does pack a punch(performance wise).... fit and finish in comparison to an X5 of all vehicles is no contest.

Performance(straight line) aside, they are in different leagues.



Batman219Batman219 - 5/1/2008 1:01:35 PM
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Absolutely not.

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Agent009Agent009 - 5/1/2008 1:11:56 PMView My AgentSpace
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Why? Afraid to take a plunge and invest in American?


sold2earlysold2early - 5/1/2008 1:22:57 PM
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And what exactly would the return on that "Investment" be?


Batman219Batman219 - 5/1/2008 1:44:04 PM
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Not afraid, just being smart. American car companies are in dire straits. Rising health care costs, outsourcing, laws which are counterproductive such as paid family leave and proposals for paid maternity leaves, the weak dollar, etc. are crushing American companies.

The result is that they are falling back competitively. For years, American car companies have cruised by on the wave of patriotism. But as the nuclear family gets further broken down a mercenary mentality gets rooted among the population and a natural result is that patriotism diminishes. Now the inadequacies of American cars become glaring and they can't rely on patriotism to save the day.

In theory this should force American car companies to produce a more competitive product but so far the result has been mediocre. I can't blame them given the poor hand they are dealt from the factors mentioned above and I don't see them ever surpassing foreign car companies unless they drastic measures are taken such as relocating operations entirely overseas.

American cars I'll pass on with the exception of the Corvette.



ShredmoShredmo - 5/1/2008 1:50:21 PM
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Batman, have you been living in a cave for the last ~5-10 years?


sold2earlysold2early - 5/1/2008 2:08:30 PM
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Batman is right. The problem is that the labor costs of the American companies are $1500-$2000 more per car, on average, compared to their non-union import competition (Higher wages and more man-hours per car)

Therefore, American companies have no choice but to use cheaper components, cheaper interior materials, and less accurate manufacturing tolerances.

I believe our engineers are the best in the world, but unfortunately they have their hands tied because they don't have the same cost constraints as the import guys.



ShredmoShredmo - 5/1/2008 2:29:30 PM
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Understanding this question is partially why I am here. I read up on all sorts of news to keep my eye on the industry as a whole.

5 years ago he would have been correct on all of this.

He is currently right regarding labor costs, but it is a matter of opinion regarding the rest. American cars ARE coming along now. Batman mentions he'd consider a Corvette. Would he buy a Tundra, Altima or Outback? That'll answer the question.

BTW, I own both American and Japanese cars.




Agent009Agent009 - 5/1/2008 3:08:56 PMView My AgentSpace
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sold2early - hopefully you don't think of a car a an investment? If so you need a financial planner..


ShredmoShredmo - 5/1/2008 3:17:49 PM
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Agent009,
Cars are investments. Some are much worse than others. I'd prefer to purchase a car with better resale value if possible. I realize this is more important to some than others, often depends on financial situation.



EnnNorakEnnNorak - 5/1/2008 5:07:49 PM
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Batman, you are living in the past. American cars, specially GM cars, are of excellent quality these days and current technology like direct injection is everywhere. GM is coming out with wonderful new diesel engines over the next year or two. I just hope we can kill off those el cheapo transversely mounted V6 engines and cheap AWD systems that leave you stranded when 2 wheels on the same side are on glare ice.


CommonSense01CommonSense01 - 5/1/2008 8:36:57 PM
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Agent09

"hopefully you don't think of a car a an investment? If so you need a financial planner.."

Please reavaluate that statement. My Janus Mutual Fun plunged 88 percent 4 years ago, Where as my friend who bought a rare 60 something mustang, seen his investment more than quadrupple in the last 6 years. So who really needs a financial planner??



sold2earlysold2early - 5/1/2008 9:29:31 PM
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009, you're the one suggested we "invest in American". You obviously didn't understand my sarcasm.


Kraut_godKraut_god - 5/2/2008 9:22:44 AM
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^LOL Amazing how he didnt catch that.


vladyxavladyxa - 5/2/2008 10:39:55 AM
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009 is far away from understanding anything financially related. So, don't waste your time.


lexusrox123lexusrox123 - 5/2/2008 1:43:15 PM
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unless youre bill gates, a car IS an investment!


_43LE_43LE - 5/1/2008 1:01:35 PM
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Of course I would, if it met my needs. There have been quite a few good products lately from US based manufacturers.

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hatepussshatepusss - 5/1/2008 1:07:48 PM
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Amend!


rysktryskt - 5/1/2008 2:05:44 PM
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I'm usually not the one who corrects another person's word usage on a message board but c'mon... "Amend?"

Really?

That extra little letter makes a big difference.



Agent00JAgent00J - 5/1/2008 1:02:53 PMView My AgentSpace
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In reading my comment, I left out 1 quick thought...

I don't think the issue is so much buying an American car, but rather getting the public to take that initial step and give the American car a chance. The problem is that American cars are used as rentals, and they aren't making good impressions with last generation Mailbus (Classic) and older Impalas, and even worse the Taurus. As recently as last year I was "stuck" with an American car for a rental for several days, and that experience alone is enough to create a major setback for US car makers. Driving one of these doesn't inspire a person to want to pursue a US car maker.


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EnnNorakEnnNorak - 5/1/2008 5:09:28 PM
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Re your comment about Taurus -- I never did figure out why Ford decided to revive that reviled name.


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 5/1/2008 6:29:39 PMView My AgentSpace
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Obviously you weren't alive in the late 1980s.


Matthew1Matthew1 - 5/1/2008 8:22:28 PM
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Enn was alive then...trust me.


ChicaneShooterChicaneShooter - 5/2/2008 7:32:10 AM
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i recall driving a chevy econocrapbox a few years ago. with less than 20k miles on the clock, there was a tranny/drivtrain whine. constantly. at all speeds.

since i was in a hurry to take a friend to an airport 360 miles away, rather than take it back and swap the car, i thot i'd 'help' it to an early end and put it out of its misery! by driving it HARD! it was "only a rental" anyway. ( i wonder how many other rentals get similarly abused, further deteriorating the image of domestics with the public.)



ChicaneShooterChicaneShooter - 5/2/2008 7:38:15 AM
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of course, TUFF cars can take abuse and come back smiling.

my accountant brother has a friend in the car rental business. he loads up on corollas, and does a booming business with minimal downtime.



bestofallcadbestofallcad - 5/2/2008 2:40:13 PM
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do you think a camry would inspire the Japanese Auto industry, I just do not get how the camry would, what about the accord it is plain and boring, what inspiration is there, I have to say I would buy a Malibu or a G6 over those boring cars.

Support America!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



85bmw745i85bmw745i - 5/4/2008 2:43:35 PMView My AgentSpace
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I wouldn't go as far as getting a G6 but the MAlibu is certainly worth a look. So is the CTS. Some domestics can be pretty trouble free but interior quality and such were utter garbage until GM's recent rennaissance. You couldn't give me a caddilac until the new CTS and STS came out. they changed my mind. Cadillacs of before were nowhere near their competition. FWD, horribly cheap interior, poor fit and finish, cheap things falling apart, terrible exectronics. ETC. I am still amazed at how quickly cadillac has turned itself around. Cadillac was the worst luxury car you could get and now look at how well they are doing. This is proof that America can do it and can do better than the Japanese of they wanted to. It's sad that it took all of this for America to come around. If they really cared they wqouldn't have made all of that cheap trash from the 70'-early 2000's. but the figured our patriotism would save them, and yes quite a few of us were ignorant buying trash and being in denial that the Toyotas and hondas were better when in fact all you had to do was ope your eyes and see then inferior quality of our cars. Our problem is we don't build or design our cars with the pride and mentality that the Japs did. Why do you think Toyotas rep is going down now? because we are building then here in America now, so the same standards and tolerances are no longer there. they are suffering from careless assembly ETC. Would I buy American, no, they don't build anything in the same market that I like. There are too many better products out there in that category, however If I were shopping for a midsize family sedan, Malibu and Aura would be one of the tops on my list.


bmwdrvrbmwdrvr - 5/1/2008 1:16:50 PM
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i would buy one

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Need4SpeedNeed4Speed - 5/1/2008 1:18:27 PM
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Maybe because I have a genuine concern for the economy that affects my lifestyle the most...which happens to be American. Maybe it's because I sick and tired of seeing jobs being appropriated overseas. Maybe because I'm not like the other lemmings that play follow the leader and buy the same car that Jack and Jill wants to buy because they are import snobs. Maybe its because I really believe the quality has improved to a level that makes buying an American car attractive again...or...last but not least...its my frigin money and I'll do what I want with it...when I want!

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Agent00JAgent00J - 5/1/2008 1:24:02 PMView My AgentSpace
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I don't think the desire to drive American is as much an economic issue as it was 20 years ago. Most car makers have factories here in the USA that employ US workers and support US business.

Build a world class car, build it consistently across the full model range, and you end up being a major player against the Germans and Japanese.



goochgooch - 5/1/2008 1:21:41 PM
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The list of American cars I've had (and their problems):
1982 Dodge Charger 2.2 (good car, good economy, horrid steering wheel, electrics went out several times);
1982 Camaro Z-28 w/Cross Fire Injection (blew black smoke from tailpipes, engine misfire could not be traced, car would shut off without warning and could not be traced)
1996 Chrysler Cirrus LXI (beautiful, but air conditioning went out, brakes gone at 15K miles, electrics went bad at 30k miles, hole developed in flex pipe, window regulators went bad, transmission leak)
1998 Cadillac Catera (OMG -- too much stuff to name. Transmission went bad, cooling system went bad, dashboard lights went out, air conditioning went out... more more more).
My imports:
1973 Datsun 240Z (used oil at rate of 1 qt per 1K miles)
1986 VW GTI (no problems in 132K miles; one tough son-of-a-witch)
1988 Honda Civic (ignition relay recall)
1999 Nissan Maxima (replace parking brake cable, other than that, no problems in 147K miles; ex-wife still drives it)
2001 VW GTI turbo (Window regulators replaced under warranty, spark plugs replaced under warranty)
2005 BMW 325i (no problems knock on wood).

But I'd love to get a Corvette or a new Camaro. With the gestation time of the Camaro, that car BETTER NOT have any problems!


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bestofallcadbestofallcad - 5/2/2008 3:47:59 PM
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Cars I have owned.

1981 Buick Regal changed oil, Battery, 3sets brake pads sold at 103,000 miles.

1985 Buick Regal changed oil, brake pads 2 times, altenator under warrenty traded at 68,000 miles

1989 Buick skylark oil changes, brake pads twice traded at 85,000 miles

pontiac 1994 Grand Am oil changes, brake pads, power window relays 2 times under warrenty sold at 106,000 miles.

Cadillac STS 1992, oil changes, brake pads, i had a accident with it, after the accident it had a transmission leak they fixed the leak, no problems after that. Oh by the way, I bought it for $17,000 with 22,000 miles on it and traded it at 95,000 miles and got 18,000 on the trade not a bad investment!

2003 Cadillac CTS. I only changed the oil. Not one issue at all. Traded it at 67,000

2004 Cadillac Esclade I only changed the oil about 4 times. and filled the gas tank alot since I drive many miles for business the only reason for trading it was the gas and prices of gas I traded it at 78,000 miles

2005 Cadillac STS, I still own it Great car changed the oil twice it has 38,000 miles on it.

2008 Cadillac CTS has 9,000 miles on it Great Great Great car nothing done to it not even a oil change.

My ex wife had a BMW 325i in the shop with visor for sunroof off track less than 1000 miles, under 2,000 miles it died on the freeway a computer problem which needed replaced had to be towed. 5,000 miles in the shop again for the radio display went bad, 2 months after that went in again for the sunroof visor came off the track agian and the radio display went bad again service advisor said must move the visor very gentle since they come off the track easily. 15,000 miles oil change plus computer ship went bad that controled the suspension had to be towed part back ordered for 2 weeks since Bmw won't recall their cars like the Americans do Qoute from the service adivsor, my quote to him was so since you do not recall a problem that is a issue, you are going to make me waite for 2 weeks and not have our car? he said yes.
my wife at the time wanted to trade it after 20,000 miles could not to upside down bad investment. So we had a friend take over the payments which our friend had to put cv boots, the cams went bad, replaced the tires 3 times and radio display went bad another 2 times and finally the car went away at 65,000 miles and 3 years went by lucky it was a lease.

During my ex wife bought a Lexus suv. at 2200 miles a computer chip went bad, had to be towed again was told Lexus wont recall there cars like the americans do, so had to waite this time for part and it took 3 weeks, 6,000 miles the power driver window went bad had to be replaced, about 11,000 miles the seat came loose and power seat did'nt work, needed replaced. She traded it at that point and went back to what she had before these 2 forien cars and bought a Ford Expedition which she had before the BMW and never once had any issues with the Ford.

My experience has been Great with Amer



ShredmoShredmo - 5/1/2008 1:23:23 PM
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I'd buy one. If the car fit my needs and offered the best bang for the buck, sure.

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richard112360richard112360 - 5/1/2008 1:23:27 PM
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I was at the Atlanta autoshow recently and saw the 2008 Chevy Malibu and I was really impressed. I would have no problem trading in my current Honda Accord for the malibu.

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speedmasterspeedmaster - 5/1/2008 1:28:11 PMView My AgentSpace
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I'd buy an america that fits my needs. Believe or not, a Dodge Journey or Ford Flex might be in my future due to my family needs. I rather be unique and not have a highlander, honda pilot that everyone else drives.



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S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 5/1/2008 6:30:54 PMView My AgentSpace
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Go for the Flex. Chrysler still makes low-grade POS products, but GM and Ford are definitely improving; the Ford Flex might be their most interesting, stylish mainstream vehicle in years.


tattedtwicetattedtwice - 5/1/2008 1:29:45 PM
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Absolutely I would; it's those damn overrated jap cars I'd never drive. If I needed a family car, I'd have a tough time deciding between the Fusion and Malibu, while the camcord wouldn't even get a consideration. If I wanted a sports sedan, the CTS would be my second choice, behind the 335i, but again, the g and is wouldn't cross my mind. And I wanted an all-out sports car, I'd head for a 'Vette showroom and know that even if I lose a 0-60 to a gtr, at least I'm not driving something god-awful hideous.

Bottom line, I see nothing wrong with american cars these days. They're making a concentrated effort to improve every aspect, while the japs are just throwing theirs together and selling on name.


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Htay7500Htay7500 - 5/1/2008 3:22:01 PM
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the fusion is based on the 6, are you gonna call that overrated crap?


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 5/1/2008 6:31:59 PMView My AgentSpace
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"And I wanted an all-out sports car, I'd head for a 'Vette showroom and know that even if I lose a 0-60 to a gtr, at least I'm not driving something god-awful hideous."

You're right... you'd be driving a mid-life crisis with wheels.



vman1013vman1013 - 5/2/2008 11:37:37 PM
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get the vette before you hit 40!! Its worth it! After 40 it a bad idea.


Kraut_godKraut_god - 5/1/2008 1:40:58 PM
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Im not going to buy an inferior product just because it was made in america.

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Kraut_godKraut_god - 5/1/2008 2:02:36 PM
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...make that made in Mexico.


EL34EL34 - 5/1/2008 2:19:27 PM
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Like the Toyota Tundra!


ChicaneShooterChicaneShooter - 5/2/2008 7:56:42 AM
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the tundra IS made in america. but it is a SUPERIOR vehicle. with the BEST 5.7 truck engine ever made.



bestofallcadbestofallcad - 5/2/2008 4:31:49 PM
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How can you say that the American car is inferior? Have you driven any of the new ones? and when was the last time you owned one?

to gooch, do not be fooled the American Auto industry is a big portion of our econimics, if the big 3 went under it would be devastating to our country. Also when you say that other forein cars are made here then what makes them better? when we are making them?

This is to lexusrox123 I am not Bill Gates either and that is why I buy American cars I do not have problems with them and trade in value has always been great example my 2003 Cadillac CTS I had about 70,000 miles on it when I traded it in and I got 17,000 for it I bought it brand new for 32,000. which is great trade in value. In every car maker out there they have their certain models that may not hold their value has well as the other models because that model maybe their loss leader to bring people in and or their model for the rental market. However you only look at the American autos for not holding their value, well I am hear to tell you they do as well as the forein autos do. Each auto maker has their models that do not hold there value has well as one of their other models, since you are not open minded all you see a American Car that does not hold the value you see all American cars loose their value, and on the other hand you see one model of say Toyota and all hold their value. NOT TRUE. take a closer look.

My Dad's wife just sold her Saturn VUE since they do not need two cars any more they are retired they bought it brand new for about 23,000. and sold it 2 years later for 18,0000. NOT BAD! Take a closer look do not just listen to what you want to hear!

I just want to add the AMERICAN PEOPLE need to stand behind our countrys products and industry or we will hit big econimic problems. We allready rely to much on forein products and that is going to bite us if we do not start now!

Just look at Gas prices!!! we are to reliant on forein oil and look at what we are facing now 4 to 5.00 a gallon.

Buy American or at least give our American companys a shot, or in years to come we wont even have a choice.



91z4me91z4me - 5/5/2008 2:05:01 PM
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ChicaneShooter,

The Toyota 5.7 is down on power compared to the GM 6.2 (which is physically smaller and lighter). It gets worse gas mileage than the GM 5.3.

So what makes it better than those engines?



johannasjohannas - 5/1/2008 1:45:09 PM
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rysktryskt - 5/1/2008 2:11:28 PM
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Veo lo que hiciste ahí.

Subtle.



Agent004Agent004 - 5/1/2008 3:24:01 PMView My AgentSpace
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claro que no.


lexusis350lexusis350 - 5/1/2008 11:35:52 PM
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El speako Englisho!


lexusrox123lexusrox123 - 5/2/2008 1:46:19 PM
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lol! (laffo outo loudissimo!)


Agent001Agent001 - 5/1/2008 1:55:30 PMView My AgentSpace
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The US car companies have done SOOOOO much damage to consumers over the last 30 years.

Building pure CRAP and trying to FOOL people.

You don't do that for that long and have customers want to run back and get jammed again.

And the scary thing, is when I go to auto shows and talk to their employees, is the fact that A LOT STILL don't think there is or was ever a problem!!!!!!

The new stuff they're building is pretty darn good and in SOME cases better than the imports but they won't get the love back for a looooong time, if ever.

And they only have themselves to blame.

Not a big Michael Moore fan but Roger and Me was DEAD on.

001


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EL34EL34 - 5/1/2008 2:20:56 PM
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Very well put 001.


_43LE_43LE - 5/1/2008 4:06:23 PM
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Look who's kissing whose butt.


EnnNorakEnnNorak - 5/1/2008 5:17:06 PM
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The damage was done in the past due to a totally shortsighted corporate culture that rewarded executives for short term gain instead of avoidance of long-term pain. The unions did not help either and priced themselves and their employers out of the market.


07G35J07G35J - 5/1/2008 7:08:03 PM
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Very well put, EnnNorak.


bestofallcadbestofallcad - 5/2/2008 5:07:14 PM
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Agent001 you are fooling yourself to think the American have been building crap for 30years! the decade that yes the american auto was not has good was in the 80's and GM started to make all their cars alike, boy are you fooled look at what toyota is doing with the lexus you can barely tell the two cars apart they look so much alike infact Lexus has only 4 drive trains which fits Lexus.

Lexus suv rx 300 or what ever the name is all it is, is a Toyota RAV-4 same platform. The Lexus larger suv you can not even tell it apart from the Toyota land cruizer. SO WHO IS GETTING FOOLED!!!!

WHOS FOOLED? AGENT001 YOU ARE FOOLED if The American Autos are so bad why is the Cadillac CTS motor trend, and car and drivers car of the year? Why is the Buick Lesabre been ranked for years now, has one of the highest RANKED for quality by jd power and assicaites, AND now the Lacrosse has been ranked the best car for quality (some crap) if for the last 30 years, why do you still see those american pieces of crap DRIVING still on the road? if they where such crap they should be in the bone yard (BUT yet they are on the road still and many of them are now more vaulable then they where when they where new)

I own a Classic Cadillac Eldorado Conv. that sold for maybe 13,000 new and I could now sell it for 35,000 to 50,000. WOW SOME PIECE OF CRAP! who's the fool!!!

Dont be fooled by that forein autos are made here, only some and the reason is so they do not have to pay anything to our Goverment, and do not be fooled the money goes back to there country, not ours. And do not be fooled that if the big 3 went under we the people of our country would experience financial problems.




85bmw745i85bmw745i - 5/4/2008 2:57:28 PMView My AgentSpace
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The RX is based on the highlander which is based on the camry. Secondly We did build crap for a long time. i work as a mechanic so I can tell you GM is the worst. Cadillacs drive like a wet sponge and like other GM cars they a re the biggest pain in hte ass to work on. they don't think about to poor bastard who has to repair it. Try doing an ontake manifold gasket on a 3100 v6. 8.5 hr job. know how long it takes to do one on a camry of the same generation? less than halfo of that. on the malibu/cutlass etc. you have to remove the uper intake plenum, power steering pump, alternator, idler/tensioner pulleys, valve covers, rocker arms, valve springs, push rods and alot of other crap since the pushrods go throught the gasket and the bolts are all covered by crap. I agree america is building much better cars and are worth a look now. I have had 2 e46 3 series and have had no trouble. Matter of fact none of my BMW's have been troublesome and neither has the Toyota celica I had.


KillBotKillBot - 5/1/2008 1:57:04 PM
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Yes I would, GM had a lot of new and exciting cars coming out, and I'm not even a GM guy.

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M53RM53R - 5/1/2008 2:03:24 PMView My AgentSpace
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About 3 years ago, I would have said no. But now they have really nice products, such as the Tahoe, CTS, Malibu (which doesnt come here), Corvette, and other new cars that are improving. So I dont see a reason why I wouldnt, if the car fits my needs.

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jt716jt716 - 5/1/2008 2:07:28 PMView My AgentSpace
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I have one, a Ford Fusion the onlyy problem i have is tht the airbag light keeps coming on but the dealer tested it and everything is working so its jst a spoiled sensor. Its been running for 2 years straight first one on the island and you should have seen the looks everyone gave this car. The Edge is outselling it though.

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07G35J07G35J - 5/1/2008 2:26:32 PM
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I am home, but I still would not buy American.

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Htay7500Htay7500 - 5/1/2008 3:37:35 PM
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and jeez, stop making up stuff, youre making yourself look dumb as hell.

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ChicaneShooterChicaneShooter - 5/2/2008 7:47:36 AM
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he doesn't have to "make" himself look dumb.

he simply IS dumb.


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SHOWTIMESHOWTIME - 5/1/2008 2:11:22 PM
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The only American cars I like are Corvette, Viper, CTS and G8... Can't really think of anything else. Corvette could possibly be on my list as my next car since I do want a fast 2 seater open top :) Only problem is if I end up liking the new Z4 more...

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lexusis350lexusis350 - 5/1/2008 2:21:19 PM
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The only American made vehicle I would buy is a GMC Yukon Denali. That's the only one and gas is so expensive i won't even consider it next time I get a car.

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07G35J07G35J - 5/1/2008 2:23:01 PM
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No, I would not. As far as I can remember, the big 3's products have always been low quality. The only products they make well are pickup trucks. The Japanese (Toyota and Nissan) are not quite there yet. But when it comes to cars, there's nothing that catches my interest. I know some people may say that I should buy American. I will as soon as they start making better products. As long as I have control over where and how I spend my money, I will not buy American.

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91z4me91z4me - 5/1/2008 3:09:14 PM
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So then the question becomes would you even consider giving a chance to an American car? If not, why?

As for me sure I would. If the products fit my needs, as my wife's 08 Escape did, it was as good or better than the competition, and the price was reasonable.



07G35J07G35J - 5/1/2008 7:34:25 PM
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91z4me: "So then the question becomes would you even consider giving a chance to an American car? If not, why?"

As I mentioned before, right now there's nothing coming out of the big 3 that catches my eye. And, in my opinion, I don't think the reliability issue with the American cars has improved much. I won't say that it hans't improved. It has. If you compare a 1985 Buick Century with, say a 2007 Chevy Impala, you can tell the Impala looks a lot more solid, and of better quality. However, the imports are still leaps ahead of the American cars. It just seems they are always trying to catch on to the imports but never do so.



07G35J07G35J - 5/1/2008 7:37:15 PM
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"I won't say that it hans't improved."

I meant to say: "I won't say that it hasn't improved AT ALL."



Htay7500Htay7500 - 5/1/2008 3:27:17 PM
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you say you don't believe in the holocaust.

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07G35J