25 Votes

The Best Reasons to Buy American

Agent00J submitted on 6/21/2008 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 11:30:08 AM

46 user comments | Category: New Cars | Source: | SOURCE: www.caranddriver.com

The American car business used to be the envy of the world.

But thanks to too many years of pumping out uninspired, shoddily built, and overly thirsty vehicles, American automakers dug themselves into a hole too deep even for a hedonistic, gas-guzzling full-size truck to climb out of.

But there are more and more bright lights appearing in this bleak landscape, lights that do not belong to trucks or SUVs. The Big Three seem to have gotten the memo that cars won’t sell on power alone, but also must be good looking, offer quality interior fit and finish, deliver driving satisfaction, and, yes, be relevant.

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Life is too short to drive boring cars...
— Agent00J (View Profile)

User Comments

1) Design

2) Value

That's about all I can think off, and number one doesn't apply to all cars...
— Bill (View Profile)

Posted on 6/21/2008 11:47:13 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 7

incentives such as very low to 0% financing etc...
— 0to60 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/21/2008 2:34:09 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5

Are you being funny?
— delan (View Profile)

Posted on 6/23/2008 10:18:32 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

We have seen the japanese setting up their R&D in the US and Europe in order to understand and adjust to the market better. The Germans too, setting up their factories to take advantage of the big market. The same can't be said to the american brand.

The american, typically GM simply buy out, like the korean car companies and glue their badge. This does no favour to the US core industry. Core american cars simply can't compete in the international market and respond slowly to international market trend.

They will have to work twice as hard now just to keep up with the japanese or german.

The current state of US economy and oil price is making it worse...

— mwrmmg (View Profile)

Posted on 6/21/2008 3:04:26 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

No one needs to buy an American car.
— MercedesBenz00Z (View Profile)

Posted on 6/21/2008 10:09:55 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -4

Buy an American car? You have got to be kidding. American cars are the most awful and disposable cars in the world. I swear a disposable diaper is more reliable and lasts longer than things Americans call cars. I totally agree with mwrmmg saying that "The american, typically GM simply buy out, like the korean car companies and glue their badge. This does no favour to the US core industry. Core american cars simply can't compete in the international market and respond slowly to international market trend". But this doesn't just apply to cars. It applies to everything else. The only thing I would be interested in from America might be Windows XP or an iPod.
— motor1 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/21/2008 10:11:26 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -4

LOL! it's practically a TRADITION that a company with a rep for trouble-prone cars will offer a SUPER WARRANTY in an attempt to re-assure potential buyers.

— ChicaneShooter (View Profile)

Posted on 6/22/2008 7:10:55 AM | | Votes: 1

i'm not saying gm is STILL making the shoddy products they once did. but many people DO have long memories, and extra long warranties are often A FIRST STEP in dispelling those old memories.

why did Hyundai offer 10-yr warranties? because they had a terrible rep too, with their initial offerings. and they too, have since improved.

likewise, chrysler many decades ago, started detroit's first 'warranty wars' because their products were less reliable than the competition.

all i'm saying is, is that there are astute people who recognize extra long warranties are not in themselves GUARANTEES the cars are good. they are just ATTEMPTS by the car company to give that impression.

which may or may not be true initially.

(they also FORCE themselves to improve; otherwise the CLAIMS on those extended warranties will EAT UP all their profits.)
— ChicaneShooter (View Profile)

Posted on 6/24/2008 7:25:03 AM | | Votes: -1

things are changing...they have gotten better though, and with products like these, one can surely hope the americans are making better products
— RedCalipers (View Profile)

Posted on 6/22/2008 2:45:06 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

Are you kidding me? I just paid $50 from a GM dealer for a plastic lightbulb socket that melted on my Buick. It's not covered by warranty and the parts guy at the dealership is a friend of mine. He tells me it's happening to Cobalt taillights too. Sounds like the cost cutting is still happening to me.
— beken (View Profile)

Posted on 6/23/2008 4:46:52 PM | | Votes: 2

"The American car business used to be the envy of the world." - first line, top of the page.

Are you stupid or something? People - envy - American? Why? Because of the Boeing 747 coming out of the USA or something? The day people envy American cars will be, coincidentally, the day pigs fly.
— motor1 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/22/2008 7:34:41 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -7

Are you stupid? USED TO BE. USED TO. IT MEANS IN THE PAST.
— Rupert (View Profile)

Posted on 6/22/2008 6:03:03 PM | | Votes: 5

Yes. motor1 is obviously stupid. Either that or young. If your memory and/or knowledge extends beyond the 1980's, then you would know.
— pushrod27 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/22/2008 7:29:37 PM | | Votes: 2

Mr Are you STupid used to be used to it means in the past guy ATTENTION

As if it was ever at all the envy of even one person who doesn't live in America. But, I don't blame you, because typically you should only see the way you want to see not other possibilities.
— motor1 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/23/2008 5:36:44 AM | | Votes: 0

All Americans want with their cars is a giant V8 and Silverado pick-up design. I've seen in a Silverado advertisement on this website saying that it has the best aerodynamics in its class. Okay, but what is its aerodynamics competing at? A cardboard box? Or maybe a letterbox? Whatever it is Americans cars will be lousy, unreliable, disposable, and have the aerodynamics of a concrete slab.
— motor1 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/22/2008 7:37:15 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3

Dork
— BostonBiosafety (View Profile)

Posted on 6/22/2008 6:08:52 PM | | Votes: 1

In its class meaning other fullsize pickups. Seriously quit bashing America. If you have a negative opinion, fine. But don't just be an idiot for the sake of being an idiot.
— 91z4me (View Profile)

Posted on 6/22/2008 6:16:57 PM | | Votes: 4

How aerodynamic can a pickup truck be??? It's a work vehicle designed for a specific purpose.
— pushrod27 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/22/2008 7:30:59 PM | | Votes: 3

Wow, listen to motor1 hating on America. It reminds me of how people hate on the Yankees or the Patriots. Generally their opinions are fueled by childish jealousy, and the irrational baseless statments start flying.

Hey mortor1, I dare you to buy any '00-'04 Mercedes or VW and pay for all the maintenance costs. And before you accuse me of being an American homer, you should know I have never owned an American made car. My last two were 3-series BMWs and, while I loved the driving experiece, I would NEVER keep one past the warranty expiration date. As soon as Cadillac can match that driving experience (and that's going to be real soon) my days of sending money to the Europeans will be over.... can't f'ing wait.
— ZBL1414 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/22/2008 8:15:55 PM | | Votes: 2

motor1,
You must be BMW's target market, too stupid to know anything other than what the marketing guys tell you.

N.America is the envy of the world, why do you think everyone wants to live here even with big bad dubya and Stevo Harper in office?
Boeing is doing just fine, I hear Airbus is stepping closer and closer to bankruptcy (or atleast a major overhaul).

btw, the newest Buicks beat all the Germans (maybe not Porsche, I can't recall) in reliability. Those cars are built in N.America by Americans and Canadians. Even the Japanese cars are built here. European cars are mostly built in Europe and Mexico, and look at their crap reliability.
— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/22/2008 7:40:39 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

I'm shocked! European cars built in Europe! What a Surprise (sarcasm is through the roof)
— motor1 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/24/2008 7:56:33 AM | | Votes: 1

The number one reason to but American is if you are American is to support your economy! They are way cheaper to maintain than European cars! And probably more reliable.
— truckmen (View Profile)

Posted on 6/23/2008 5:28:36 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

Okay. I understand the growth for the company shite. But what the hell is going on about reliability? Are you, are you like, have you lived under a rock for the past 20 years or so. The whole problem with American cars is that they are useless and UNreliable. My god. The only thing (when it comes to reliablity standards) that would compete with American cars may be a ballpoint pen or an manual pencil sharpner.
— motor1 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/23/2008 5:38:30 AM | | Votes: 1

dumbiko--

are you the LAST PERSON on earth to understand the REAL REASON companies offer extra long warranties? see my response above, for the REAL REASON.

the ONLY times toyotas have had drivetrain problems, is when they bring out new engines with dramatically MORE POWER. even then, the reported number of problems are low (if over publicized), because NOT EVERYONE drives like a maniac. and they upgrade and strengthen the trannys ANYWAY.

drivetrains temporarily overstressed by NEW EXTRA STRONG engines make the news, ONLY BECAUSE toyotas otherwise ARE KNOWN for robust and durable engines and trannys.

— ChicaneShooter (View Profile)

Posted on 6/24/2008 7:54:38 AM | | Votes: 0

I don't blame you for defending America as you are an American. But how the hell is North America the envy of the world? Pollution. Global warming. Obesity crisis. And crappy cars.

"Hey mortor1, I dare you to buy any '00-'04 Mercedes or VW and pay for all the maintenance costs. And before you accuse me of being an American homer, you should know I have never owned an American made car. My last two were 3-series BMWs and, while I loved the driving experiece, I would NEVER keep one past the warranty expiration date. As soon as Cadillac can match that driving experience (and that's going to be real soon) my days of sending money to the Europeans will be over.... can't f'ing wait."

I have kept a German car (A 2000 Mercedes ML430 and 2000 BMW M5) past their warranty and they do just fine. You don't have to worry about exceeding the warranty for an American car or what to do when its been 1 week because by that time, your giant clump of plastic - oh sorry, i mean 'car' (... yeah, right, car) has already snapped in half and broken down half a dozen times. Americans are the most disposable society in the world, and that is the same with their cars. Americans build disposable cars that don't last longer than 3 years because they are a disposable community. The only American car I would ever consider buying would be a Cadillac CTS. And thats it. No more. Maybe some Ford Shelby GT500 or Rouche whatever. Wouldn't consider anything else.

At the moment I have a 2007 Mercedes S500 with the AMG pack, a 2007 BMW X5 4.8i that I'm trading in for an X6, a 2006 BMW M6, a Mazda CX-9 and when I'm in the US I have a Lexus LS460 and a Land Rover. Why? Because I love them. I only got rid of a 2000 BMW M5 like last year and it was perfect until them. If you can afford to buy a luxury European car you should be able to afford the maintenance costs (and parking fines for Merc owners). End of story. Buy an American car if you want to blow up (wink wink Ford Explorer engine problems) or if you feel like having a car that won't go past its warranty date (because it has already died).
— motor1 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/23/2008 5:34:06 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

Motor one,(I am a Canadian) Yes I would love to have all of your cars! And I would never say that American cars are awesome or reliable, but I would rather fix an American vehicle over something European. My friend had a Land Rover Defender and his tranny job was $10,000.! A jeep would cost maybe $2500? And yes they will defiantly all break down, it's just for us poor people that can't afford $10,000. for a tranny job.If you can afford that then it doesn't matter what you drive. I drive a 2007 civic for reliability,safety and economy.
— truckmen (View Profile)

Posted on 6/23/2008 3:24:28 PM | | Votes: 1

motor1- your generalizations are simply ridiculous. Your jealousy of America's wealth and power is all I can gather from your posts. Sure, American isn't perfect;no country is. But you and Clarkson (who is one of my favorite TV personalities) need to accept Europe's status as a continent of former world powers. By the way, is it difficult sleeping at night knowing your country and all of its neighbors (combined) had their place on the world stage reduced to a whisper by a bunch of their own pissed off citizens? I love that part of world history ;)
— ZBL1414 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/23/2008 7:54:00 PM | | Votes: 3

and of course, you hate both asians AND geeks because BOTH are "in" with women these days! LOL!

with all the women ignoring you, evilMonkey, maybe you can tell them the burnt grease they smell on you 'cuz of your job flipping burgers, is actually the exhaust of your vw running on BIO-diesel! yeah. maybe THAT will work.
— ChicaneShooter (View Profile)

Posted on 6/24/2008 7:39:43 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

and of course, you hate both asians AND geeks because BOTH are "in" with women these days! LOL!

with all the women ignoring you, evilMonkey, maybe you can tell them the burnt grease they smell on you 'cuz of your job flipping burgers, is actually the exhaust of your vw running on BIO-diesel! yeah. maybe THAT will work.
— ChicaneShooter (View Profile)

Posted on 6/24/2008 7:39:45 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

motor1,
Why are the U.S. and Canada the top 2 choices for immigration instead of the welfare countries of Europe.
Everybody hates us but offer them a work visa and they`ll jump at it. They`ll do that even if you don`t.
Wow, you got the AMG decals on your SL. Do you even know what AMG is. I`d like to know how you plan on getting an X6 when supposedly they`re all sold out.

Atleast American cars have brakes that work unlike some German cars I can think of (wink wink).

truckmen,
I don`t believe your Jeep story. Jeep engines (4.0L I6), transmissinos and chassis don`t break. However, the little knick-knacks could do with some work though :) The above used Jeep parts are cheap because they most likely outlasted the original vehicle.

evilm,
You look at any BMW drivers lately.
— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/23/2008 10:29:19 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Attention idiot. First of all, I don't have an SL. I have an S. Get it right before you plan on doing minor uprooting next time.

The X6 is so popular that it is sold out, yes. And to answer your question on how I am going to get my X6 when they are all sold out is because I am going to order it (which I already have) and then wait patiently.

People like America because you have so much freedom to a point where you can walk down the street and piss in your next door neighbour's garden. I like some of America - Southern California is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. But American cars are unreliable and cheap to mend because they are made out of the same plastic LEGO use for children's toys.

Did I ever say I came from Europe? People don't want to go to Europe because America has an excess amount of freedom. But too much freedom. So that's why immigrants like it, so they can take break from Uganda and Nike sweat shops (American owned) and relax in America.

American's complain when they see a V8 that is under 4 litres because it is 'too small'. American cars are very very disposable. They are made to last 3 years. Then they break if they already haven't previously.

My favourite cars and their continents/origins are below:
1 - Europe (BMW, Mercedes, Land Rover)
2 - Australia (Holden etc. aka Pontiac G8)
3 - Asia (Lexus)
4 - America (Cadillac, Ford [Shelby GT500 rouche whatever])
— motor1 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/24/2008 5:43:40 AM | | Votes: 1

motor1

This is where you are mistaken big time - freedom.

I'm sorry to break it to you, but there in NO freedom in America. NONE. You do something "free" and you can get sued. You piss on the garden, and believe me, you can be sued by probably dozen people: neighbor, neighbor's neighbors, bystanders, the neighbor's gardner, neighbor's friends, and other creatures. Someone who will read about it in a newspaper will probably try to sue you for "emotional distressed inflicted" after reading about it in the newspaper.

No freedom in USA. Before you do something, you gotta think first and make sure no one can sue you.
— vladyxa (View Profile)

Posted on 6/24/2008 11:43:32 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

I have never bought American and never will.

I buy Japanese when I want cheap, reliable transportation and I buy European when I want performance and style.

US automakers cannot compete with either the Japanese or the Europeans in those market segments.

— thstone (View Profile)

Posted on 6/24/2008 6:57:34 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

I'd like to see some factual numbers to back up all the claims about a lack of quality in American cars. I've only owned Hondas/Acuras and BMWs. The Hondas and Acuras were ok (both had their share of recalls) and the BMWs were horrible in terms maintenance. Family members with GM cars had significantly fewer problems and kept their cars much longer than I did. Sure my sample size is limited, but from what I've seen it's Europe that makes the 3-years and done vareity of automobiles.

By the way, anyone who thinks there is too much freedom (in any country) must be a product of a society with 3-month vacations and a 5-hour work day.

And thstone- you'll never buy American? Ever? You're like those people who go to same restaurant and stay at the same hotel no matter where they go, aren't you? If it's different it's scary. Ass.
— ZBL1414 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/24/2008 7:53:11 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

I have seen both the Malibu and the Accord, and really the design of the Malibu is nothing exceptional. The Accord looks much more upscale and modern. I'll take the Accord over the Malibu and the Camry anyday.
— farabira1 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/24/2008 11:08:21 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

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The Best Reasons to Buy American

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