1st Jul 2009, 13:24

It's too bad people are duped into buying Japanese cars by ad hype and highly biased magazine articles. If Consumer Reports (one of the most biased magazines in the U.S.) can bring themselves to rate the Ford Fusion fully TWO LEVELS above the Camry in reliability, and one full level above Accord you KNOW Ford has to be much, much better. The data is out there if people can sort through the media bias.

Much ado was made recently about J.D. Powers list of top-rated cars. What the media VERY CONVENIENTLY failed to point out was that that survey was for NEW CAR satisfaction. Naturally people who are duped into paying outrageous prices for imports are too embarrassed to admit to any problems. That very SAME J.D. Powers and Associates tells a VERY different story when you get to reliability on THREE YEAR OLD cars. Then you see a GM car and a Ford car beating out even Lexus. If you look behind the ad hype and media bias you'll find that both Ford and GM are building better cars than anyone in the world.

1st Jul 2009, 14:00

Will you please cease with the disparaging comments regarding other countries and allow this site to be what it is supposed to be - about automobiles - not about countries and politics.

I assure those reading this thread who do not live in the USA that most Americans are not isolationists, who proclaim themselves to be patriots.

In fact, that is not what America is about at all - so how could isolationism be patriotic?

2nd Jul 2009, 12:38

If GM's cars were among the best, they would not be in bankruptcy, enough said. The Accord scores higher than both Camry and Fusion in road test and consumer reports. The Accord is ages above Fusion is reliability and technology. The Fusion is not worth my money.

2nd Jul 2009, 19:59

"In fact, that is not what America is about at all - so how could isolationism be patriotic?"

Wanting to preserve American jobs and keep the standard of living high is not about "isolationism". True patriotism is a desire to preserve our country's values and economic integrity. Sadly, even Americans no longer understand this. Buying a Japanese car hurts 91% of America's auto-related jobs. It can't be stated any clearer than that.

3rd Jul 2009, 17:43

To the person who keeps beating the patriotism drum. As the owner of an American car, and an American citizen I am offended by your definition of patriotism.

I don't know if some of these comments are being written by a person or people with a financial interest in the US Auto Industry, but I do know that YOU HAVE NO RIGHT to call U.S. Citizens who happen to drive imported cars unpatriotic.

You have NO RIGHT to consider yourself more patriotic than your neighbor who drives a Civic or Corolla.

In fact - you have NO RIGHT to pass judgement on anybody.

We all know your opinion.

We either agree or disagree with it.

I happen to strongly disagree with it.

4th Jul 2009, 13:08

I find it very interesting, as well as appalling, that on a day honoring our independence we find attacks on persons who support our industries, jobs, and way of life by attacking those Americans loyal enough to stand up for our friends and neighbors by buying from American companies. I never thought I would live to see the day that patriotism would be attacked and ridiculed as it is on this site.

As for the 91/9 comparison figures they are taken from USA Today and are (or WERE) totally accurate. Since we have succeeded in destroying thousands of U.S. auto industry jobs the figure may, indeed, be lower today than it was 3 months ago when the original figure was published. People seem totally apathetic to the needs of their neighbors when it comes to supporting U.S. jobs. Putting our friends and neighbors in a financial bind seems not to bother us any more.

And NO, I do not work for the U.S. auto industry. I am an architectural designer. I just happen to still have a tiny bit of the patriotic feeling my ancestors instilled in me. I do not look down on my neighbors who, out of ignorance of the facts, buy Japanese vehicles. I DO make every effort to inform them of the truth. I let people know the facts: That Ford and GM build the best cars in the world (according to J.D. Powers 3-year reliability studies and Consumer Reports predicted reliability) and that buying a Japanese (or German) car HURTS a HUGE number of our fellow citizens (91% as of last May). A lot of my friends have been surprised to learn the truth, and a number have traded their Camrys and Accords for the much better Ford Fusion.

Yes, I "beat the patriotism drum". I'm an American citizen and I have the freedom to defend both my fellow Americans quality of life and my own love for what once was a great country. I will continue to try to educate people to the harm they do to themselves and their loved ones by turning their backs on their own industries. It's the least I can do. I hold no malice toward those who do things out of ignorance of the facts, but I feel a duty to keep making the facts known.

4th Jul 2009, 13:13

The following is from the Toyota Tundra thread and supports the "buy U.S." argument very well.

"Buying imports is not helping our local community... large and small businesses going away means higher costs for the rest of us. And it is not just automotive related. Buy an import or even buy on the Internet to save a quick immediate buck. In the end someone pays, and I have found there is no free ride. Those of us still working can benefit the businesses that keep our taxes down, buy the same local utilities we do and keep our neighbors and friends working. I could buy an import and pay cash as I fortunately have a good job. But I am not doing so. I have been looking and buying new domestics made here, patronizing local stores, especially small family owned, more than ever. I am willing to pay a little more and feel in the long run it may net out to the same.

I have found zero issues with our new domestics, and that was not the case with our last new Hondas. Our warranty ran out rapidly and we sold our last. Between the quality concerns, limited warranty and certainly the current state of the economy it was sound decision."

I totally agree and staunchly support your desire to help our own local economies. Too many people fall for the argument that "Japanese companies build cars HERE" without bothering to do any research. The truth is, 91% of American jobs related to the auto industry are tied to DOMESTIC manufacturers. Only 9% of such jobs are through Japanese auto companies. When you buy a Japanese car you are hurting 91% of the people in the U.S. who work for the auto industry. We are trying to get the word out on this issue locally and it seems to be working. domestic sales (Ford primarily) are going great here, and outpacing Toyota and Honda 2 to 1. There ARE still patriotic Americans who do care about helping their neighbors.

We make it a point to buy NOTHING that is not made by American industries. Our appliances, electronics, cars and home furnishings are made by U.S. based companies. It goes without saying our vehicles are as well. We have found that we are out far less money all around with domestic vehicles. They never require repairs, cost thousands less to purchase, and last as long as we choose to drive them. The idea of my buying a poor imitation of a full sized truck, such as the Tundra, and paying thousands more for it while getting 1/3 the warranty of a domestic is laughable.