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When Was The Last Time You Bought An American Car?

Agent009 submitted on 10/26/2007 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 1:22 PM
from: www.businessweek.com

[84] user comments | category: Misc News

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When Was The Last Time You Bought An American Car?

When was the last time you saw a 25-year-old driving a Buick that didn't belong to his grandparents? Or, for that matter, a senior citizen tooling around voluntarily in a Scion tC? Import brands dominate a list of models with the youngest buyers—averaging 40 years old or younger—while models from Detroit are most popular with drivers over 60. That's a big problem for the Detroit Three, which need to conquer more import buyers as foreign brands attract, and keep, younger customers.

By now, anyone who can see lightning and hear thunder is aware that Chevrolet is advertising the redesigned 2008 Malibu on TV, in print, in outdoor advertising, online, and generally everywhere as "The Car You Can't Ignore." But young people have roundly ignored the Malibu for years and, pickups and SUVs aside, it isn't the only U.S.-made car that should be feeling snubbed.

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Obliv - 10/26/2007 1:34:23 PM

+4 Boost

Im 20, and I love my mustang. Gets decent mpg, looks great, and its the best built mustang ever. Loud, fast and affordable. American cars are comming around, but they have alot to make up for.

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Bmw8ter - 10/26/2007 2:09:16 PM

+2 Boost

I love my mustang, but I wouldn't mind driving one of the newer ones. There are so many different choices out there for the new mustang, it's hard to decide. I'm sure there are other limited editions out there.

Shelby GT500
Shelby GT-H
AJ Foyt Coyote Mustang
Saleen S281
Roush Stage 1-3
Roush 427R & 428R
Mustang GT/CS
Saleen Mustang Parnelli Jones
Mustang Stinger Edition

Htay7500 - 10/26/2007 7:30:02 PM

+2 Boost

I would love to make an old proj of a fox body stang with a roush 427 engine in it.

EnnNorak - 10/27/2007 2:32:51 PM

+1 Boost

I'll be 70 next year and I love the Mustang also, especially the special supercharged version -- only trouble is that it's not a practical vehicle for me and my wife wants a small SUV. I agree with the "SUV" part as I want AWD for winter traction but i dont agree with the "small' part. Anyway, it looks like we may end up with the Tribeca.

Bmw8ter - 10/27/2007 8:00:38 PM

+1 Boost

Htay7500.....check this link out; I guess Saleen makes a limited edition "Sleeper" GT that comes with the SC engine. As cool as the fox body is, this might be a whole lot cheaper.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2007-SALEEN-SLEEPER-465H-P-LESS-THAN-100-MADE-SUPCHARG_W0QQitemZ180173312500QQihZ008QQcategoryZ6236QQcmdZViewItem

1970toyotamarc - 10/26/2007 3:20:17 PM

0 Boost

the only domestic I've purchased was a three year old Saturn. It was okay, but traded it after a year and a half for my Matrix XRS. I lost thousands at trade in time. The car was worth about 25% what I paid, after 18 months, no damage and about 10,000 miles. That is reason enough for me to never buy American again.

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EnnNorak - 10/27/2007 2:37:52 PM

0 Boost

Never say "never" houstoncutie2000, you really don't know what you may be missing. Wait until the Buick Lucerne goes RWD with LSD, then you'll have a truly great American car. The Buick Lucerne offers a spacious comfortable interior and can be ordered with the Cadillac DOHC NorthStar V8 at much lower cost than the Cadillac DTS -- what an oustanding value!

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FULEXUS - 10/29/2007 1:27:55 PM

+1 Boost

I'm sure that's because you're still only 14.

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EnnNorak - 11/2/2007 2:29:14 AM

+1 Boost

houstoncutie2000, pls do not heitate to buy a Saturn -- I bought one for my oldest daughter back in 2001 and she is still driving it relatively trouble-free. She drives a stick shift and the Saturn gear box is as smooth as a knife thru butter.

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macbjg - 10/26/2007 1:54:09 PM

0 Boost

Good point about the domestics. I learned my lesson with a 1992 Sable Wagon. Ford refused to honor a recall notice because I never received it in the mail and only found out about it when the car failed for the very reason that prompted the recall. On the other point, oddly enough, or maybe not due to their price and reliability, Scions are quite popular in the "older demographic."

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EnnNorak - 10/27/2007 2:44:20 PM

0 Boost

I too have been wronged by Ford so I try not to buy their product. That sort of thing usually happens when a company gets desperate financially. When a company stops backing up its product and starts relying on legal loopholes and weasel-worded warranties to escape moral responsibility, it usually does not take long for it to lose most of its customer base and eventually go out of business.

pushrod27 - 10/26/2007 1:56:07 PM

+3 Boost

Interesting. I love American cars. I've had Cadillacs, Chevys, Buicks, and an Oldsmobile. Right now i'm driving a Dodge Magnum. I don't really care for Chrysler, and I would never buy a Ford.

You won't get me to say anything bad about GM (except for steering. I'll admit, GM makes the industry's worst steering. You can't beat a Buick for easy steering effort, but it would be useful to be able to tell if the steering is actually connected to the wheels!)

I'm an old-school consumer. I don't make a fuss over panel gap fits and the softness of the material under the dash. For me, a car needs to be 4 things:

1. Big
2. Fast
3. Loud
4. Easy to repair

That's why i'm not into most Japanese cars. You can take your refinement and quality and shove them. Their cars just aren't big, fast, and loud enough to satisfy me.

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pushrod27 - 10/26/2007 2:00:03 PM

+1 Boost

My dream car = Cadillac Escalade ESV with it's engine swapped for an LS7 and a nice loud Z06 exhaust.

Threepoint1415926 - 10/26/2007 5:51:39 PM

+4 Boost

Good to see someone with their priorities set instead of told to them.

Myself, I've always owned an American pickup. One of each from the big 3. Though, I've always liked my fords the best. No foreign diesel pickups = no foreign pickup for me!

Motorhead - 10/27/2007 6:14:29 PM

+1 Boost

I would'nt go as far as to say I would never be caught dead in a American car but its pretty close.
Atleast what they have to offer currently....
But i do love the classics, seem like those cars were made out of passion.
I pretty sure over the last 5 years, effort has been made to improve the quality of the cars, but nothing drastic. Still the american car companies seems old and boring. Featured in Rap video is a huge push from caddy's as part of their ad campaign but it was accepted because the rap artist respect for the classics.

theoptimisticpessimist - 10/26/2007 2:11:33 PM

+1 Boost

Last year, I bought a previous generation Jeep Grand Cherokee (can't stand the independent front suspension on the new one). Still very few thing better off-road than a Jeep.

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Cynical - 10/26/2007 4:45:34 PM

+2 Boost

I have a 2000 jeep grand cherokee (purchased in 1999 or so) - great vehicle, but after 85k miles, it's really showing its age - i should have called it quits after 50k, but I was still convinced that it was the best of all time. To this day, I wouldn't mind trading it in for a 2003.

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 10/26/2007 5:12:35 PM

-1 Boost

Land Rover Discovery // Range Rover // Range Rover Sport // Land Cruiser // Touareg.........

Those will all run rings around the Jeep Grand Cherokee, let me know if you need more vehicles : )

theoptimisticpessimist - 10/27/2007 3:54:16 PM

+1 Boost

New Land rover to big as it the land cruiser, I've been in many area off-road that the would not fit, and if you think the Land Cruiser is better off-road, it's not, Toyota four-wheel drive system is not as sophisticated. The Touareg, your Joking right, Suspension is built for on-road handling making it fragile and limited off-road.

I'm ready for the list, but if your going to include any current Toyota's, don't bother, driven them all off-road and they do very well, but when it gets technical is where they struggle and Jeep just makes it easy.

zorbeeze - 10/28/2007 4:49:26 PM

+2 Boost

The touareg will NEVER run circles around a grand cherokee when it come to off roading, if there's one thing Jeep knows how to do is offroading and very few do it better.
I95SPEEDINGTICKETS stop with you ignorance.

zorbeeze - 10/28/2007 4:52:06 PM

+1 Boost

"and the vehicles of choice in our harsh environment is also toyota. trucks, cars, suvs... ALL of 'em!"

The land cruiser is the only vehicle toyota sells to the public that can go offroading, as far as their trucks their still behind the americans

theoptimisticpessimist - 10/31/2007 6:17:26 PM

+1 Boost

My comments were about off-road abilities not, maintenance. when it comes to off-road the Land Cruiser is tough, but it is HUGE. I live near the Colorado Plateau and spend a lot of time off-roading in it's red rock desert. I have been in slot canyon and on road that fall off in to oblivion, I know a Land Crusier is just to big for. Also Jeep four wheel drive is well, just more sophisticated, Jeep spend a lot of time engineering their SUV off-road. as far as Toyota truck they get the job done, just not as well as the Jeep, for a variety off reason.

As far as maintaince goes; I had a friend spend $4500 in two years. I have had five Grand Cherokees, for over a total of 200,000 miles and have spent less than $500.00 on them.

lexusis350 - 10/26/2007 2:28:38 PM

+1 Boost

I never have. Although, if I ever did, it would be a GMC. Or the new Camaro.

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atomicbri - 10/26/2007 2:38:19 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

I have once and probably won't again. Had a horrible time with a Ford Focus ( or Fucus as I liked to call it) It had 5 recalls and numerous other issues like faulty emissions, door handles that broke on all doors (had the 3 door so I had to climb thru the hatch or leave the windows cracked so I can reach in and open the door, quality sounded as if it was job last (a play on Ford's old Job One Commercials). That carf made me so mad I swore to never, ever buy American again.... for the fact the dealerships were incompetent as well as stupid ( One of my issues was the rough idle of the engine, which was caused by the car's computer.... there was a service/software update they did not perform and had seen my car 5 times and had to get another higher up Ford guy to come in andc first thing he asked them was "Did you update the computer with the newest firmware?" Hell no they didn't and that was all it was...!!!!) No, never again!! I have my Bimmer now and can say it has not had 1 issue in over a year and all my service is free....

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lexusis350 - 10/26/2007 3:26:33 PM

+2 Boost

You would think Ford would have more dignity considering its heritage.

pushrod27 - 10/26/2007 4:25:27 PM

-4 Boost

I think Fords are terrible cars but...

A Focus is a compact economy car. How much quality did you expect? I'm of the opinion that any sucker driving a subcompact econo box deserves whatever they get. You should buy a real car before judging the domestics. Something with 8 cylinders.

lexusis350 - 10/26/2007 4:30:34 PM

+5 Boost

The Focus and Civic are the same type of car and the Civic will go years without major problems.

Rupert - 10/27/2007 12:36:26 PMView My AgentSpace

+6 Boost

pushrod - then how come in Europe where I live we get the Focus with a brilliant interior, great quality, great driving dynamics and nice interior materials?

And as Lexus IS350 says, what about the Civic, Corolla, Yaris, Rabbit, Jetta...or any European small car which you don't get in the states? Ford has no excuse for the American Focus to be so bad when not only can other car makers make better cars but so can they!
I have a tiny car (you would probably laugh) and its interior quality is fantastic.It's 7 years old and the only odd noise is a small squeak from the ash tray. No creaks, no cracks, nothing breaking. I expect good quality no matter how small the car is. It's a VW Lupo, and it has the same VW quality as the rest of the range (VWs are reliable in Europe).

Buy a real car before judging the domestics? The thing is pushrod, most people neither want nor need what you call a "real car". People have budgets, people having needs of space...a large V8 domestic is the opposite of what most people have! And why should only the big cars be the good ones? Why can't a small Ford be as good as a large Ford?

"anyone who buys a subcompact deserves what they get".
So in your opinion, "you can't afford a bigger car" = "you're a failure in life and deserve bad things".
How sensitive and socially responsible of you.

zorbeeze - 10/28/2007 4:56:43 PM

+1 Boost

"You should buy a real car before judging the domestics. Something with 8 cylinders."

What the heck are you talking about. A real car does not need to have minimum 8 cylinders. You see that is what's wrong with american mentality and why they have a hard time producing good quality cars.

ExGC - 10/26/2007 2:45:47 PM

0 Boost

In 1987 I bought an '85 Pontiac 6000 to replace my '82 Camaro, which simply fell apart. The 6000 lasted about 6 months before a series of mechanical issues led me to get rid of it. I borrowed enough money to buy an '85 Audi GT Coupe. I've since (with my wife) owned a Honda Accord, an Acura Integra, 2 Lexus RX300s, a BMW 528i, a Mercedes CLK 430 and a Lexus IS350. I can't imagine what would lead me to buy American again despite the fact that several members of my family (in my parents' generation and earlier) were senior execs at GM and Ford.

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beken - 10/26/2007 3:40:06 PM

+1 Boost

I'm in my mid 40's. American cars I've bought new are 74 Pontiac Astre, 85 Pontiac Fiero 2M6, 91 Plymouth Sundance, 99 Buick Century. Somewhere inbetween those, I've owned a Toyota Corolla. I still have the Fiero and the Buick. The Buick has been in the shop for major problems at least once every year. This year, it's been in 3 times for three different problems. The Buick is the last American car I'm buying. I think I've lived through the deterioration of the American auto industry and have given up. I've also recently purchased another car and it isn't American branded.

My children most likely won't be buying American cars when they get to driving age either.

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jt716 - 10/26/2007 3:48:54 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

Last year a February I bought the 2006 Ford Fusion but before that I had my parents old Chevy Lumina and boy that thing was horrible. The fusion is great with the handling and looks plus it is one of the most reliable cars beating the camry. Downsides are that the interior really needs to be made with better materials and designed sleek and bold like the exterior.

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Htay7500 - 10/26/2007 4:06:11 PM

+1 Boost

not against all american cars. for example, I really appreciate the new trucks from GM and they've been doing full-size trucks for a pretty long time. I really like lots of muscle cars, but the big 3 need some catch-up to get to the japanese. GM has been the only one to suceed and they have been much better than what I've seen in the past. we've been in rental cars (majority of them domestic) and they don't feel that solid as opposed to our kia in the past or our hondas. but I hope that changes once GM releases new and decent cars like its foreign cars.

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Shredmo - 10/26/2007 4:27:46 PM

+3 Boost

Last American car I purchased was a 1999 Ranger 4x4 4.0 etx cab. Great truck. In 60,000 miles, only problem, the thermostat went out. A year prior, I purchased a 1998 GTP coupe. I still have it. Spent a total of $1,000 in repairs since it went out of warranty (over 7 years ago). Currently, I also have a 2005 Subaru. Hasn't been back to the dealer since I bought it 35 months ago. IMO, all of these cars were/are great. I have had above average luck, but I treat/service my cars well. I buy my car based on what it does, not where it was made.

IMO, a car has to have a personality. If it does, the owner will be inspired to take better care of it. Look at the current issue surrounding Toyota. It is their cars that have little personality that have their reputations at stake. On the other hand, the 4runner, Tacoma, etc. have personality and are still rated great. Toyotas are of the same quality they always have been. It is their average customer that has decreased in quality.

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pushrod27 - 10/26/2007 4:31:17 PM

-1 Boost

I think I know why you people have bad experiences with American cars: you're buying the wrong cars! Anybody knows that GM's 4-cylinder engines are crap. But the 3800 and the Cadillac northstar are very reliable motors. Don't buy small cars. Small cars aren't real cars. Who's going to waste time over-engineering some crappy little 4 banger? (besides Europeans and Asians)
Buy a big car or a truck with a V8, and America is just as reliable as anyone else.
I've had much better reliability experiences with my Cadillacs (Deville, Seville, and SLS) than my friend has had with his Lexus (LS400)

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Htay7500 - 10/26/2007 7:02:26 PM

+5 Boost

"Don't buy small cars."

then what are you gonna tell the avg citygoer who needs basic transportation who lives in a condo/apt with a budget to fulfill their basic needs of living? And how will they park? especially in NYC, etc? traffic is also a miss in these kind of cities too. I'm not into these cars myself but there are people living in cities like NYC or LA that need these cars. not everyone needs a V8. the domestics are great w/ V8s but due to rising gas $$$, this is the reason why many people are downsizing to I4s.

bobus - 10/26/2007 7:36:08 PM

+4 Boost

Yeah....someone needs to wake up and smell the coffee.

moto - 10/26/2007 8:16:00 PM

+1 Boost

Htay7500, I would tell the average citygoer who needs basic transportation to get a good economy car that matches their needs. In NYC, that might be a hybrid Civic or a Toyota Prius or a diesel, since we spend an awful lot of time sitting at red lights -- or a hybrid Saturn since GM has finally woken up to the needs of urban drivers. If they didn't live in the city, then hybrid makes less sense and several American cars would be among the good choices depending on that person's specific needs and means. You can't judge a vehicle by badge or by country breakdown, even if Agent 009's clear goal here is to incite more petty arguments.

Pundits often assume that when American Automakers stopped serious development of small cars in about 1985 that they could no longer build good vehicles. Wrong! There have been stunningly good American cars every year, and American components have been installed on class-leading cars of every make around the world for decades. The 2008 CTS is not the only one. My biggest gripe with American automakers, actually, has been their continued focus on the fwd/auto transmission demographic.

GM in the past generally did all the big things right, but then they allowed accountants undercut all the little things. Insiders know that GM struggled internally on how to compete with lower-cost countries. Today we all deride them for basically giving up on small cars and trying to entice potential buyers in the showroom to vastly bigger and more powerful (and more expensive) vehicles, which worked nicely until fuel prices started to climb faster than disposable income. Now that GM suddenly discovered it didn't have its own fuel economical subcompact and its large vehicles won't sell for a premium price, things are changing. But, like VW, GM finds that it has to have all problems solved for 15 years before bloggers stop whining about it. And how do you win over the minds of the young buyers who had a good experience with their first hand-me-down subcompact Honda or Toyota? Many of them are so brand-blind that they won't even bother to seriously evaluate all options before buying. You can name some of these blockheads from this site.

Our family drives vehicles from Germany, North America (all 3 major countries, in fact), and Japan. There's not a significant quality differentiation between them that i can identify, although design quirks on each can be found. The biggest difference, IMHO, is that prices on Asian goods can now undercut US and European goods easily thanks to their continued currency undervaluation. This is the REAL reason that many people think Asian cars offer a superior value. They may be right, but it's not because of dramatically superior design, engineering, or manufacturing. You still have to evaluate each vehicle on its own merits, wherever it came from.

85bmw745i - 10/26/2007 10:43:40 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

3800 are notorious for rod knock and throwing rods. not to mention the plastic intakes on the newer ones, and the tempereture sensors and electronic glitches, not to mention they are harsh thrashy and noisy when pushed.

EnnNorak - 10/27/2007 2:49:59 PM

+2 Boost

A little-known thing about the early GM Ecotech (or whatever they called it) 4-cyl engines is that they had really weak bearings for the balance shaft which required a premature engine overhaul. I believe that problem was eventually fixed but GM should have got it right the first time around.

zorbeeze - 10/28/2007 5:07:17 PM

+1 Boost

"Asian goods can now undercut US and European goods easily thanks to their continued currency undervaluation."
Then can you explain me why in many more fields, such as electronics, certain japaneese brands are the most expensive and sometimes overpriced. Please stop with your political babbles. The American gov't subsidises so many industries, all governments do that. That is why you have to learn how to COMPETE which the american 3 obviously don't, though GM has just figured out how.

enthusiastx11 - 10/26/2007 5:30:21 PM

+2 Boost

1989. though the new cadillac CTS may change that. it's the first american car i'd consider driving since then.

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EnnNorak - 10/27/2007 2:53:11 PM

+3 Boost

I had 3 bad grand Marquis from 1992 to 2001 so I gave up on Ford and went back to AUDI. I drove the CTS recently and would recommend it to anyone. The CTS is much cheaper than the A6 in Canada and offers great value for the money. I would order the CTS with direct injection, RWD and LSD.

no1listensanyway - 10/26/2007 6:14:42 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

I have always been sgainst American cars. But I gave GM a shot with the CTS, and I am very happy with it. 2006 with 33,000 miles and I have yet to have any issues with the car. I will most def consider another American car, especially the 08 CTS

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Chip - 10/26/2007 7:00:14 PM

+2 Boost

The Malibu isnt the "great new" american car.

Anyone who must "buy american" should go straight to their local cadillac dealership and test drive the new 2008 CTS. I did.

I was shocked at how nice it was. I dont know who in their right mind would get a STS or DTS instead.

Im a hardcore Bimmer fan, but the 08 CTS had me smiling the whole time I was behind the wheel. Its a fantastic car. However, the example I drove was over $48,000.

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S4cabriofoxone - 10/26/2007 11:01:12 PMView My AgentSpace

+4 Boost

I never did. I've just owned Japanese (Datsun, Acura), German (VW, Audi) and Swedish (Saab). But if I had to, it would be the Cadillac CTS.

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keyzi747 - 10/27/2007 12:36:08 AM

+1 Boost

My first new car was a 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT Convertible, and I'll never buy another one. The second was a 2003 Caddy CTS that I drove to 115,000miles with no problems at all. After that I traded it for a new 2004 CTS that I drove to 125,000 miles and no problems. ust purchased a 2008 CTS and so far no problems. My 2001 BMW convertible on the other hand has been nothing but trouble. I don't think I can do another BMW.

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I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 10/27/2007 7:33:55 AM

+2 Boost

You do over 110k miles a year ??

What the hell kind of job do you have ??

ContX - 10/27/2007 11:11:34 AM

+2 Boost

I'm in my 30's, I used to drive a Civic '97, it was the worst ride I have ever had, it spent more time sitting at the dealer for tranny and starter issues that the time I drove it, after a year I did trade it for a '99 Ford Contour, which is my current drive along with a '06 Volvo XC-90.
I'd admit the Honda was more fuel efficient (probably because I drove it so little). I have put 110K miles on my Ford, there haven't been major problems whatsoever, just oil changes that by the way I do not pay for for as long as I own the vehicle (dealer thing), oh once the AC broke down it was covered by extended guarantee.
Ride is smooth, good on gas, great handling. It's not BMW handling/power but for 16 G I did spend on the car I'm quite happy.
Will I buy American again? Hell yes!!

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klipprand - 10/27/2007 12:30:01 PM

+2 Boost

I've been driving Honda's for 17 years now, primarily because of reliability, which has been great. However, I'm getting ready to move upscale, and Acura should be where it's at. However, I want to get away from FWD to AWD. Our Pilot is just unflappable in inclement weather. The RL doesn't have enough power to interest me. Audi has the car(s) I want to buy, but their reliabilty is very poor. The Audi owners I know describe it as a love/hate relationship. Strongest contender right now is the new Cadillac CTS. BMW should fit in there as well, but my inlaws have been owners for about 15 years, and their always in the shop. Again, not where I want to be. If Cadillac can keep it up, that's where I'll be putting my money, unless Acura can deliver something quickly with AWD and competitive power.

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S4cabriofoxone - 10/28/2007 11:54:25 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

I've had superb experiences with all three of my Audis... if you treat it right, it will do the same. They're definitely improving. Try the new A4.

MunichRob - 10/27/2007 5:55:46 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

I love American cars, especially GM (Even though I've only owned 1 compared to 3 Chryslers). I've pretty much always at least had 1 American car in my fleet 2 cars, at all times. Except for a period of 4 years when I had an Audi Allroad & a 530i.

The last American car I bought was my Grand Cherokee in 04’ that I still have, & I'm planning on trading it in the new year for the new Escalade. I've only owned 1 American car in my life that was an 89' 5.0 Mustang when I was 20 in 92'. Then I went foreign when I could afford them.

BTW while some American cars have that old image to them, I think a few such as Cadillac & Chevy have managed to somewhat break that image. I mean when was the last time you didn't see a Cadillac in the latest rap video?

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S4cabriofoxone - 10/28/2007 11:56:26 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Wait, first you said you had always owned at least one American car... and then you said the last one you had was a 1989 Mustang?

MunichRob - 10/28/2007 6:25:52 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Right & then I got the 530i & the Allroad, now I'm driving a Cherokee & a 650i. Next I plan on moving into the escalade & possibly the next-gen 6-series if I like it.

toolatetorace - 10/27/2007 7:09:32 PM

+1 Boost

2003 Olds Alero on it 's third birtday . Solid, free of rattles @111K ,qiuck, reliable and good on gas when you drive decent . What more do you want .

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MunichRob - 10/28/2007 6:42:37 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

To really break it down for you I owned a wrangler before the mustang, & a Dodge Ramcharger, which my dad had passed down to me when I owned the mustang; because my insurance had skyrocketed on the car.

The 2 jeeps & the dodge are the 3 Chryslers I’ve owned, 1 GM that was a Sunfire (another family vehicle) I had for a year as a temporary car between owning the mustang & the 530i.

S4cabriofoxone - 10/28/2007 11:56:08 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Eww, you had a Sunfire? What were you thinking?! I wouldn't have taken it if it was offered to me for free... which, I think, it was for you.

montecarloss305 - 10/27/2007 11:22:30 PM

+1 Boost

about a year ago. My wife and I bought a 2006 Chevy HHR and we have been very very happy with it. It consistently gets better than 25 miles per gallon, no matter if its all miles in the city. No rattles, no problems, and fun to drive to boot!

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MunichRob - 10/29/2007 4:46:57 AMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Exactly, it was. I only drove it because my Mustang was at the end of it's road and at the time I was contemplating living, but at the same time basically living in Florida, which is where the car was so it was the easiest thing at the time. Needless to say never again.

JulioP - 10/29/2007 6:31:33 AM

+1 Boost

I've only owned American cars, until now. I did enjoy driving my 06 Mustang, but there were some little things that bothered the heck out of me, especially the rattles, it was embarassing at times. I could deal with some of the other things, like not having a trunk release button, 'cause I put one in myself, but the rattles really got to me. That was one thing I just didn't know how to fix and if you tell the dealers about it, their response is that it's a Mustang, it's supposed to rattle. The seat was squeaking too and that didn't get fixed. I moved to a Nissan Altima SE-R, needed more room than the Mustang. I don't know if I'll ever own another American car again.

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BMW995 - 10/29/2007 11:41:18 AM

+1 Boost

The last American car I bought was a '91 Eagle Premier (although French/Swedish engine, not many U.S. parts). Great value and fun to drive, UNTIL the computer went out. Even after two replacements it was never the same.
My son had a '02 PT Cruiser - great reliability and refinement (at a very low cost). He sold it at 80,000 miles without any problems. He bought an '07 HHR - very impressive car, great quality, 5 sp manual and I expect him to get great service until he sells it at again, 80,000 miles. The Asians can't match the price he paid for the total package of what he got.
I have an Lexus IS250 - hard to beat this car if you want this type of sports sedan that gets good mileage, fun to drive, quality, etc. Only the upcoming small Cadillac would get my attention.
I would seriously consider the CTS for my wife when she sells her Acura RL. Cadillac has done a great job with this design - maybe their resale will improve.

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S4cabriofoxone - 10/29/2007 10:56:15 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

I wouldn't let my wife buy a CTS if I had an IS250... I'd end up jealous and wanting to trade cars with her.

Georgemia - 11/1/2007 11:39:17 PM

+1 Boost

It's really striking that those who have been unhappy with American cars are talkig about experiences from 10 years ago. My 2005 Thunderbird is the best car I have ever owned, not one issue. Far less trouble, and much cheaper to maintain that the BMWs, Mercedes, Porsches I've had along the way.

Plus, I'm happy knowing that my dollars paid US engineers, finance people, product planners, and factory workers, all of whom paid taxes here.

I do hope Detroit manages to put even more style and desireability in to its' already reliable fleet.

damikco - 10/29/2007 7:42:05 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

american cars are all i buy becuase the fact is they are just as good as forign cars and usaly cheaper becuase of rebates and buying one helps our economy not japans.

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Tripleonefive - 10/29/2007 8:00:24 PM

+1 Boost

American cars are NOT as good as Japanese cars This is fact bc of the resale and reliability records of Japanese cars is proven to be better. I refuse to buy a car out of false patriotism. I buy the better product and when it comes American vs Japanese the Japanese are superior.
I have never owned an american car but when I was growing up my parents did and the american cars were all crap . Ive owned two Integra's (an 88 & 94GSR that got stolen) a CL Type-S and currently an 04 TL. I loved them all

S4cabriofoxone - 10/29/2007 10:57:43 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Yes, when I have nondescript American sedans as rentals, it is such a relief to come home to the S4.

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Topdown - 10/30/2007 2:47:03 PM

+1 Boost

Last American was a 1978 Ford delivery van on which I did a camper conversion for travel with four kids. Current are a ten year old Infiniti and seven year old E46 Bimmer--last car payment was eight years ago! (Bimmer was a company car which I was permitted to keep)

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cRacKhEaDaLLeY - 10/30/2007 9:05:20 PM

+1 Boost

1995 (Ford) and I will NEVER EVER EVER buy an American car again.

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2007Tahoe - 11/2/2007 2:33:36 AM

+1 Boost

I have an '89 S10 Blazer. Runs like shit, but still goes. (hopefully fixing it soon, need more money though). 218k

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993Turbo - 11/2/2007 6:36:59 AM

+1 Boost

I'm 40 and would never think about buying a U.S. car. My wife has a Caddy SUV but we know all the sub assemblies were made in Canada.

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