9th Jun 2009, 01:42
I'm sorry the US auto industry is in the shape it is in, but it is their own fault. Their fault along with inconsistencies in gas prices. I do not feel confident buying from automakers who may be nonexistent in five years. Currently, I am driving a domestic, but am having my doubts. With my imports I have had NO major issues at all, none. This included owning one import more than two decades. Once the US auto industry decides what is wants to do, gets back on track and builds a good, dependable car, I will buy American.
10th Jun 2009, 12:18
If everyone had your attitude, American industry would be dead and we'd revert to a 3rd world country.
11th Jun 2009, 13:05
Apparently lots of people have that attitude. That's why two major US automakers have gone under.
11th Jun 2009, 23:10
Well you should have bought a Ford Fusion back in 2006 then. The Fusion has consistently rated higher in projected reliability than Honda or Toyota. Ad hype and urban myths keep people in the dark about just how good domestics are.
The Cadillac CTS-V is the fastest sedan in the world,
The Chevy Malibu (which INCREASED in sales by 51% last year) was chosen American Car of the Year in 2008.
Sales of the world-class Corvette have increased 300% in Europe since Corvette entered international racing and proved itself better than much more expensive European sports cars.
Buick (NOT Lexus) is J.D. Powers most reliable car in long-term testing.
Ford has just as high a percentage of "Recommended buys" as Toyota.
The Fusion ranks TWO FULL LEVELS above Camry in projected reliability and ONE FULL LEVEL above Accord.
Fusion sales have increased 22% while everyone (except Malibu) has been dropping.
Even if domestics weren't more reliable (and they clearly are) I'd still feel enough patriotism not to stab our own industry in the back and send my money to Japan based on ad hype.
And my family HAS had a Honda. It was one of those magical 1990 models that was built by the "gods" in Japan. It was the most poorly built car we ever drove. CV joints out at 40,000 miles, massive oil consumption at 50,000 miles, parts breaking left and right and brakes smaller than those on my MOTORCYCLE!! It committed suicide by blowing a rod out the side of the engine at 99,000 miles and was sold to a junk dealer as scrap. Sure. Nice reliable Hondas...
Unfortunately that was a joke and the joke was on us. We'll never buy based on unfounded ad hype ever again. It's domestics from here on for us.
12th Jun 2009, 12:28
I for one, enjoyed this site immensely until the time people started spewing anger-filled comments directed at those who differ from them.
Comments such as this should not be allowed -
"Even if domestics weren't more reliable (and they clearly are) I'd still feel enough patriotism not to stab our own industry in the back and send my money to Japan based on ad hype."
And my family HAS had a Honda. It was one of those magical 1990 models that was built by the "gods" in Japan."
Couldn't you just have stated that you prefer to buy an American car instead of accusing your fellow Americans of "stabbing" their industry/country in the back? That is very, very scary!
I can only imagine how a Japanese American would feel reading some of the statements on this site knowing that those writing them could be their neighbor and is their fellow American.
I would hope that the people who write such things don't live every day of their lives filled with such contempt for their fellow man.
13th Jun 2009, 11:40
"I for one, enjoyed this site immensely until the time people started spewing anger-filled comments directed at those who differ from them."
I agree, though I seem to recall that the most vitriolic comments began with and emanated from pro-Japanese owners who continually ranted that domestics were crap, and anybody who bought a Ford, Chevy, or Dodge was stupid. I would also prefer that people just review the car and leave it at that.
13th Jun 2009, 12:21
"Even if domestics weren't more reliable (and they clearly are) I'd still feel enough patriotism not to stab our own industry in the back and send my money to Japan based on ad hype."
You should really hear how this sounds. I'm sorry, but I buy based on performance, durability and long-term quality and dependability, and traditionally, my family has had more success in these areas with imports than we have had with domestics.
I feel stabbed in the back when an industry for so many years has produced inferior products and now suddenly wants to put out those with quality. Sorry, but it's too little too late.
My Nissan lasted over 20 years with virtually no problems and was only sent to the junker because it was totaled. Otherwise, I'd still drive it today, despite it not being as safe as most cars on the road today.
My mother has a Honda that is five years old and has had NO problem at all with it, NONE.
My dad's GMC pickup, 2001 has been in the shop a greater number of times due to mechanical issues than any of our imports. I cannot waste my money trying to support a dead or dying industry. Preferably, I keep my cars ten years or more and don't like the hassle and cost of upkeep many domestics constantly demand.
14th Jun 2009, 10:25
Honda quality dropped for us buying every few years for a long time. The economy is not why we switched entirely. I liked imports better 10 years plus ago as well not anymore.
14th Jun 2009, 12:59
"13th Jun 2009, 12:21.
I'm sorry, but I buy based on performance, durability and long-term quality and dependability, and traditionally, my family has had more success in these areas with imports than we have had with domestics."
Then clearly you should stay within your comfort level and continue to buy imports if that's what makes you feel better. However, it so happens that my experience is the exact opposite of yours. My Ford, Mercury, Chevrolet, Pontiac, Dodge, Plymouth, and Cadillac cars have never let us down. Clearly, my experience dictates that it is most logical to continue with what has been successful for me. You may not want to accept that, but you might at least respect the fact that somebody else has a different opinion, based on different experiences than yours.
In other words, why invite pointless arguing by going on about how imports are better than domestics because your dad's 2001 GMC is in the shop all the time while your Nissan that you junked years ago would "probably still be on the road."
That's great that your mom's 5-year-old Honda has never had a problem; my parents' 1997 Mercury with 175,000 miles has also never had a single problem. By your standard, apparently the Mercury is a superior car. My 7-year-old Ford with 105,000 miles has also never had a single problem. By your metric, it sounds like your mom's Honda is playing catch-up to Ford/Mercury.
5th Jun 2009, 23:42
This week our boss informed us that "until further notice" we would be out of work. Our company has NOTHING (seemingly) to do with the auto industry, but as I have tried (usually in VAIN) to get across, a HUGE percentage of ALL businesses are effected by the U.S. auto industry. In our area we have had dealerships closing, parts suppliers closing and delivery services closing, all because of the problems with the U.S. auto makers. As a result, ALL businesses are hurting because fewer people have the income to buy ANY goods or services. 91% of all U.S. auto-related jobs are provided by the Big Three.
Today my boss invited me to lunch and made my day. Like most Americans he had been misled by ad hype, false reliability claims and the "THEY BUILD THEM HERE" arguments of the Japanese auto industry. Today he said "Maybe if people like me had listened to people like you, we wouldn't be out of work". He went on to inform me that he had traded his wife's Japanese import for a Cadillac and was trading his for a Ford Fusion. Fortunately my boss and I are wealthy enough to survive a time without work. Many Americans are not so blessed. That's why I will continue to urge people to "Buy American". If more people did, we'd halve the unemployment figures in a month.