14th Nov 2010, 15:13
I agree with the above commenter. I've owned both imports and domestics. I had my issues with both of them. Overall I had better luck with my imports, but I did have some very good domestics as well.
I currently own two older vehicles: A 1999 Chrysler Cirrus and a 1996 Toyota Corolla. Both of them are excellent cars.
My Cirrus has 83,000 miles, and the only problem I've had with it is a brake master cylinder and the oil pan started to rust out after years of New England winters.
My Corolla has 185,000 miles on it, and the only issue I've had with it was a radiator that began to leak at 177,000 miles, and an exhaust manifold that developed a crack at 180,000 miles.
I love both my cars. My Cirrus is still quiet, smooth and powerful. My Corolla is still fun to drive and still gets 41 MPG.
As for today's new vehicles, both imports and domestics hold some of the top spots, so you really can't go wrong with either one of them.
15th Nov 2010, 11:42
This is true, but Japanese brands still continue with tons of recalls. Now it's Nissan. They just recalled over half a million more cars. I think Toyota's recall tally now exceeds 10 million and climbing every day.
Last quarter GM profits exceeded those of Toyota by a handy margin and they are now repaying taxpayers (with interest) for the loans to keep them going. Ford turned its highest ever profit last quarter as well. For me, it is good to see U.S. companies that benefit U.S. workers doing well. I prefer helping our own economy.
15th Nov 2010, 17:16
The top 5 biggest recalls of all time are all from Ford and GM - one of the most recent being from Ford with 14.1 Million in 2009. That's a lot more than Toyota's 8 million this year. So does the 14 million vehicles recalled from Ford "not count"? Besides - if people were so concerned about Toyota and their recalls, then their stock wouldn't be going through the roof and they would be selling poorly - which they are not. And I agree with you. It's good to see companies that help US workers, which is exactly why my Toyota, which was made in California, uses more American workers than some of those so-called US cars made in Canada.
Lastly... is this argument ever going to end? Cars are machines. They are engineered, designed, developed, and sold throughout the world. It doesn't matter if the brand is from a US source. All car makers have factories, design studios, engineering facilities, and parts suppliers and resellers all over the world. We no longer live in a closed-loop economy, and buying a car that has a Japanese badge is not that different than buying one with an American badge. People will drive what they want to drive - which is why we operate in a free market economy.
16th Nov 2010, 07:30
How does building cars in Canada and Mexico help the U.S.? How does it help U.S. workers? How does it help the U.S. economy?
Canadian and Mexican made cars:
Chrysler, (50% Italian owned) : Town and Country, Caravan, 300, Charger, Challenger.
Ford: Crown Victoria, Grand Marquis, Edge, MKX, Flex, Fusion.
GM: Camaro, Regal, Impala, Allure, Lacrosse, Equinox, Torrent.
Building these cars, and there's more to come, in Canada and Mexico DOES NOT help the U.S. It's time to get real. Domestic auto workers who are unemployed can thank GM, Ford and Chrysler.
16th Nov 2010, 08:56
Huh, I haven't received any payments from GM and I am a taxpayer! I love when people talk about taxpayer money like it is theirs or ever was theirs. What country have you been living in?
Also, once again GM is 61% owned by the government, so unless you consider paying themselves back as some sort of debt release, then I am not sure what you mean by this. Toyota will be on top again soon enough. Like the previous poster mentioned... 14+ million recalls of Ford products is suddenly forgotten. Same will be true with Toyota. They will be back on top where they belong.
16th Nov 2010, 11:04
I wonder if we should give tax exempt status for periods of time in states attracting foreign setups on land and buildings zoning as well. Should have taxation just like any other existing domestic business. And this goes beyond just vehicles.
16th Nov 2010, 11:51
17:16 That's right, we live in a free market non prosperous economy. Maybe you are immune from layoffs. Ironically in my family, I have the least education, yet am still working. My skills cannot be eliminated or sent overseas. My daughter is taking dental in college vs business. The economy is here for us that continue to live here however. Maybe your standard of living, raises are just coming every year.
17th Nov 2010, 10:14
So are we all convinced that this import domestic argument is really not a valid one yet? How about just saying all cars are global, and then we all go out and buy the cars we like without wasting valuable posting space bashing one another about the cars we don't like, when we have no experience or facts to base our posts on.
18th Nov 2010, 10:40
How about buying a model American brand made in America? That's what I did, outsourcing because of cheap labor overseas. I agree, buy it here with an American nameplate. I drove to Bowling Green and picked my car up from the factory. Still went to a dealer, but did a plant pickup and drove mine home.
18th Nov 2010, 14:30
"You can also thank Germany, where the Buick Regal is IMPORTED from."
How funny. Next year (2011) they are starting making this car in CANADA. Why not in the US? Is GM allergic to the US worker, or was it the other way around?
18th Nov 2010, 14:50
How about buying the model of car from the car maker of your choice? It's called free market capitalism, and it's been around for a while.
18th Nov 2010, 18:09
Well Mr. Corvette on yet another Toyota thread. American nameplates mean little these days. How American is the Chevy Aveo? How about the Buick Regal? Yeah, thought so. Your coveted GM is a major outsourcer for cheap labor, so to act like they are above Toyota? Yeah right!
Oh, and I still think it is funny that you picked your Corvette up, saving GM the shipping fees that they surely left on the sticker, put unnecessary miles on it just to get home with it... not to mention the gas it took... and you paid them for this. Huh. I would have picked mine up at the dealer myself for free. You can always go see the plant if you want to.
And finally... again... comparing a Corvette to a Camry just doesn't make any sense. Paying three times the price and then going on about how superior your car is... does this make sense to you in some way? I guess maybe it does since you keep on doing it.
13th Nov 2010, 08:39
@12th Nov 2010, 15:03
Now that's a balanced answer. Don't understand wrong: I won't claim ever that Toyota makes crappy cars. Today`s Toyota recalls (and official bashing) is mostly politics and I truly despise this. Actually, these days it's pretty hard to find a real lemon model (of course any manufacturer might create some lemons of their own). My point is, if you are shopping, don't go for history of the manufacturer or hype: if you feel attracted of one of today's cars, go for it, and ultimately you will be more satisfied with your purchase than blaming someone else for your car's eventual problems. And of course the price would pull pretty hard the balance. And lastly, in my same humble opinion, your car will describe you (your character) the best.