3rd Dec 2009, 20:05
"Actually imports were always known for premium prices and higher quality".
Well maybe one or the other, but hardly BOTH. Some imports have offered quality on a par with domestics. The ones going at "premium prices" aren't always higher quality. My family has owned BMW's and Mercedes, so we've been down that road. Unfortunately we often had to WALK down that road because the cars weren't always reliable. Nothing we've owned has offered the balance of quality and affordability that modern GM and Fords now offer.
4th Dec 2009, 10:41
Yeah, I can find you an owner of EVERY car make and model that has been stranded at one time or another. My Ford with 8,000 miles on it had to be flatbedded to the dealer too and left me stranded. I wished I had my Honda back that day for sure. The top five brands are Asian brands right now in overall quality. This is based on their entire line of cars and not a standout model like the Fusion.
Not saying American cars are bad. I didn't conduct the quality survey that lead to this conclusion.
BMW and Mercedes are finally being viewed as the overpriced cars they are, and they really are no better than any other line of cars that cost thousands less. Wealthy people don't seem to mind getting taken on every aspect of the ownership experience. I know people with BMW's that have been told their brakes are shot at 17K miles or they need new tires at 20K miles (so much for that "free" maintenance program). The luxury brand dealers are notorious for taking people to the cleaners because they have the money to pay for it and just want their precious luxury cars to run for them. To be fair though, most luxury brands treat their customers the same. I have heard similar experiences at Cadillac dealers as well.
4th Dec 2009, 11:07
I didn't come up with that name, but it is pretty funny, even if it means nothing legitimate. Republicans are associated with Bush, you know the lamest president we've seen in decades? The guy who drove the U.S. into the ground. Therefore it makes sense in relation to a "Fordpublican" with the weakest argument that in supporting Ford is driving the country deeper into the ground. I know... you think you're doing the right thing supporting them. Bush thought all he did was the right thing too!!
4th Dec 2009, 12:10
Well I think "Fordpublicans" is an apt description of people who blather about "Patriotism" by blindly supporting poorly-run American Corporations (who outsource their jobs), while at the same time scapegoating hard-working Americans who happen to drive an "import". While this behavior might please Rush Limbaugh or people of his ilk, I personally find it distasteful.
If you don't like the term "Fordpublican", please feel free to substitute the term "Fordanista" or "Fordocrat" if you so desire.
4th Dec 2009, 17:43
What REALLY blew me away recently was looking at prices of used cars. Due to the poor economy I had to sell one of my cars. Since I still need a "beater" to drive for my job, I started looking for a very cheap older car. I was surprised to discover that I could buy a 10-year old BMW or Mercedes for the SAME PRICE as a 10-year-old Ford Taurus, Chevy Impala or Dodge Stratus. And the domestics all had HIGHER miles than the Beemers and Mercs!! Of course I'd never buy a used BMW or Mercedes because of the fact that parts for them cost 10 to 15 times as much as domestics parts. I'll most likely end up with a used compact truck such as a Ranger or S-10. I have looked at a Ranger with 318,000 miles and an S-10 with 268,000 miles. Both of those are actually priced HIGHER than a nice '97 BMW 3-series convertible I found with only 115,000 miles.
5th Dec 2009, 09:36
Well, unlike you, I would rather discuss actual issues instead of attempting to artificially define and thereby marginalize groups based on stereotypes. So I won't be inventing discriminatory words to belittle people with opposing views.
6th Dec 2009, 09:56
09:36
Oh okay, but it is okay to call a hard working American who happens to drive a Honda or a Toyota "unpatriotic" or suggest that they are "rooting of the destruction" of the country?
Actually I would like to describe those people (who judge their neighbors based on the make of car that they drive) using other well-established terminology, but the words I can think of wouldn't be allowed on this site.
Suffice to say, I think those people should look in the mirror and stop scapegoating their neighbors.
I drive a domestic by the way, but that does not make me "patriotic" or "unpatriotic".
6th Dec 2009, 11:09
They are not necessarily unpatriotic. Just misguided in falling for the hype that Japanese cars are somehow better than new Fords or Chevies, and holding onto the old, hackneyed idea that "domestics are junk" and "Honda is better." Also, they are close-minded for not realizing that Ford makes the most reliable cars in the world, fully as good as Toyota or Honda. I don't care what people buy -- just don't buy it because you heard that Honda Civics were great 20 years ago.
6th Dec 2009, 19:46
If you actually READ the comments, you'll find MANY import fans making statements that we should let the 14,000,000 Americans employed by U.S. auto-related companies lose their jobs. It is very sad to think we live in a country that WANTS to destroy others jobs in order to drive cars that are sold as a result of 3 DECADES of brainwashing using billions of ad dollars by Japanese companies. ALL modern cars are practically equal in quality and reliability (although the two top-rated cars are BOTH domestics) so why on Earth NOT help U.S. industry by buying American? I'm a therapist and I am currently working with a number of import owners to "de-program" them from the years of brainwashing. One of them is currently trying to sell his 2004 Honda so he can buy an American car. So far he has has no takers. He is only asking $8,000. That also blows the "better resale" myth out of the water. I just sold a used Ford Fusion that I bought a year ago at a PROFIT of $1100.
7th Dec 2009, 11:46
How about NOT misguided or NOT falling for "hype", but perhaps they simply PREFER" a Honda or a Toyota. For example, a Jeep Wrangler (with its noise and rough ride) is not for everyone, but it's the the vehicle I PREFER to own & drive. My preference does not make me misguided.
Can't we all just live and let live? It is pointless to expect everybody to think and act just like you do, as it is just not going to happen. It would be a pretty boring world if we were all exactly alike, don't you think?
3rd Dec 2009, 17:58
I know you've been trying really hard to get the "Fordpublicans" thing going, but it's just not working out. The word itself is just not that funny, and the play on words makes no sense because it is the Republicans who support non-union Japanese auto plants in the US. Maybe you need to find a new schtick. Sorry, and better luck with your next effort.