7th Jul 2009, 16:07

12:15 imports worth more? If you have major mechanical issues and it's reported to Carfax multiple times, see the result. I would never buy a car today even with a few miles showing on the clock without one. I have all of our CarFaxes at home in a file. My worse resale ever was a low mileage Honda-Acura. Carfax is great for the buyer and even the dealer at trade in. Think the engine and trans issues in vehicles today go unreported... ask for a Carfax. Domestics too. We have multiple cars all nicely kept... the Carfax thing is an issue more than ever. It's honest disclosure, which is fine, but it gets scrutinized, every issue is there in black and white when you sell. Keep your car 10 years and drive to a junkyard, may not ever be an issue if that's your thing.

8th Jul 2009, 12:03

This issue has been addressed so many times it would seem that it would eventually sink in, but apparently not. U.S. auto makers employed 91% of the people working in auto-related jobs (as of May 2009). Foreign auto-related jobs totaled only 9% of all auto-related jobs. Any way you look at it, buying a Japanese or German vehicle helps only a scant 9% of those working in auto-related jobs, while hurting 91%. Why is it so hard to see that helping 91% is better for our economy than helping only 9% (and getting less reliable vehicles at far higher prices)?

It's estimated (as of May 2009) that 10% of ALL jobs in the U.S. are auto-related. Given that figure, and assuming that 100,000,000 of our citizens are (or WERE) employed, that means that buying a domestic vehicle helps preserve the jobs and quality of life for 9,100,000 U.S. citizens, and that buying from a foreign manufacturer helps only 900,000. Perhaps looking at it from that perspective is more helpful. 9 million unemployed versus 900,000 unemployed. Yes, BOTH numbers are tragic, but helping 9 million seems far more humane and patriotic than helping only 900,000.

And no, I'm NOT an isolationist. I'm a U.S. citizen who cares about other U.S. citizens. Many of the components of our vehicles were made in other countries. So were many of the components of our TV's, stereos, appliances and household items. Nonetheless, the items THEMSELVES were built by U.S. citizens on U.S. soil and contribute to the U.S. economy. The money from purchasing these items goes to U.S. companies and pays U.S. taxes. To call someone who cares about supporting our economy derogatory names is ridiculous (unless you live in Japan, of course).

8th Jul 2009, 12:07

"Are you really equating buying an import with walking by a starving child on the street?"

This isn't so far-fetched. I recently watched a TV documentary about the unemployed in the U.S. It featured "tent cities" in a couple of areas where the unemployed were forced to live after losing their homes. Many of these people had previously been employed in auto-related jobs. Many of them had children. I imagine many of them were hungry.

9th Jul 2009, 07:53

Why not simply buy domestic products instead in 2009? My new GM models are better than our Acura's drivetrain woes.

9th Jul 2009, 12:15

Making an "informed decision" is precisely what auto buyers NEED to do. They need to be informed of the fact that current Ford and GM models outrank Japanese or German vehicles in reliability and build quality. They need to be informed that domestic vehicles have a far better warranty than Japanese or German vehicles. They also need to be informed that buying from a U.S. manufacturer helps 91% of our citizens who work in auto-related jobs. These facts don't require an advanced degree to understand. Even high-school graduates can comprehend this.

9th Jul 2009, 13:18

"Many of us have advanced college degrees and are professionals."

I would certainly expect a person with a Masters or Doctorate to be able to read. In that case an "informed decision" should include the following facts:

1) In J.D. Powers LONG TERM (NOT initial quality) reliability surveys Buick and Ford topped the list, beating out even the lofty Lexus.

2) Consumer Reports ranks the Ford Fusion 2 full levels HIGHER in predicted reliability than Camry and one full level HIGHER than Accord. It is also priced THOUSANDS LESS.

3) The Ford Escape hybrid is ranked TIED in quality with the Honda CRV and Toyota RAV4 in several studies.

4) The Cadillac CTS is the fastest production sedan in the World.

5) The Chevy Malibu (2008 American Car of the Year) had a 51% INCREASE in sales in 2008 while all other vehicles' sales were in a nosedive.

6) The Chevrolet Corvette has been ranked higher in overall performance and drivability than Ferrari. Its sales in Europe have increased 300% since 2004.

7) Toyota has had numerous engine problems in the past three years. Consumer Reports pulled it from their "Recommended buy" list in 2008 because of this.

8) Honda has had numerous issues with premature transmission failures in recent years. These are CLEARLY pointed out by numerous Honda and Acura owners on this site and in internet sites dealing with automotive issues.

9) Domestic manufacturers provide better warranties than any Japanese or German car company.

10) Buying a Japanese or German vehicle hurts 91% of those U.S. citizens who work in auto-related jobs.

Now it would seem that an intelligent person making an "informed decision" would logically buy a domestic based on the above facts. Obviously the "informing" has been done strictly through Japanese ad hype. Not surprising.

10th Jul 2009, 00:49

Sorry. Too little too late. Those in the auto-industry likely saw this coming well before now. I do not feel sorry for people. Life is not fair and there is no time for a pity party. Look at how those in hurricane Katrina were done and are doing. The same concessions were not made for these people.

10th Jul 2009, 11:00

13:18 -

Excuse me, but I do drive a domestic.

However you need not try to "educate" us, as we have the RIGHT to drive what we want, regardless of your propaganda.

We are not "Dupes". Please stop being so condescending.

10th Jul 2009, 12:17

Mercedes-Benz is one of the safest vehicles in the world. My uncle was driving down the freeway when a drunk driver entered the highway from the wrong side, causing a head-on collision with my uncle. The engine immediately dropped to the ground standing on four legs. Fortunately, the engine was saved and can be used again. Also, had it not been for the advanced safety features on the MB or had he been in a GM or Ford, he would've been dead on impact. Nor would the engine be able to be recycled. Sorry, the U.S. just does not make a good car in my opinion.

10th Jul 2009, 12:59

00:49 it is never too late. Brand loyalty for us was due to repetitive quality. We bought Honda Accords every few years for a long time commencing in the 80's, owned Hondas-Acura Legends (our best) in the 90's after 2000 we bought the TL. But we stopped buying over quality, not the current state of the economy as our reasoning to quit. We like quality and will pay more as long as the issues do not outweigh reasons to own.

We have 1 Honda left, which is a used 2003 Civic EX we bought for a high school son when he got his license. We even went with the EX not a DX. It costs more to repair, especially the 15" tires, but again we do not buy bare bone vehicles.

Now that Hondas TL is over $40K and we had drivetrain issues we looked around. We now own 4 domestics and 1 import. We liked the cachet honestly or whatever you wish to call it with imports. When the quality level went below satisfactory, we looked around and found some very nice domestics about. Again not low end or bare bones models. And our wallet and or my wife's purse has been gentler to own on repair outlays.

Buying imports are not always light to own. My mom once went out solo and bought a new Renault Le Car and just came home with her cute buy with the roll back sunroof. It was dreadful.

I had a Mercedes 450SL "toy" that ate me to death for the little I ever drove it.

I like Chevrolet V8's now and the mileage is quite respectful. Any new models we buy will have 100,000 miles, not ones that run out in less than 3 years for us.

We drive quite a bit. Cars have to be fun to drive, handle, perform otherwise it's very disappointing.

I am not one for leases... too locked in, nitpick every element when turned in, and paying for excess over the allotted mileage allowed. If you hate what you are driving, it's a headache.