21st Jun 2011, 01:22

Aha, yes. SAABs are fantastic. I have numerous friends and family who own them and have had no issues, but Subarus and Asian brands are all terrible. The only person I know who hasn't had a big issue with an Asian car is a friend of mine who drives a 2007 Honda Civic.

21st Jun 2011, 10:53

These back and forth arguments aren't ever going to end are they? So far I've read the exact same talking points at least 50 times on this site. Some of the most common are:

1: Putting generic labels on cars - like using the terms " Domestic" and "Imports". I'm not sure what that's supposed to mean...

2: That ALL domestic brand or ALL import brands are either totally awful or totally perfect.

3: That someone has either owned fleets of domestic brand or imported brand vehicles, and they were either totally awful or totally perfect - depending on what "side" they're rooting for. The owner now only owns either all domestic or imported brand vehicles as a result.

4: That buying an imported vehicle somehow affects 99.999% of all working Americans - even those actually made here.

5: That one publication says that one brand is good while another says it isn't. Whatever positive information can be gleaned to support either pro domestic or import arguments is repeatedly mentioned along with a copious amount of sparkly words like: " Award-Winning" and so on. Whatever publication doesn't support whoever's side is immediately disregarded.

6: Anecdotal evidence - like an Uncle who owned a domestic or imported car that either ran for a million miles with no oil changes, or the same uncle who owned an imported or domestic vehicle that blew the transmission after 5 miles from the dealership.

7: Claims that either import or domestic brand cars were either better or worse back in the day, and now they are either better or worse now.

8: Absolutely fictitious accounts of vehicles with extremely unlikely structural or mechanical defects. That or taking tiny problems - like faulty floor mats - and exaggerating recalls out of proportion.

I could go on and on. But at the end of the day- what is the point? What exactly does claiming what you believe to be true accomplish? These are machines. Machines eventually wear out. Some machines have more problems than others. Some are better. All companies make duds and good products as well. A machine carries no national allegiance. It doesn't care whether you bought it in the USA or Japan. The people that make these machines have homes and families. They do the same things as everyone else regardless of country.

Either way - time to put these arguments to a rest.

21st Jun 2011, 12:33

YES, PARTS of some domestics are made outside the country. YES, some Japanese brands are produced by factories in the U.S. ALL-IN-ALL, only 10% (probably less now) of all the people employed by auto makers and related industries IN THE U.S. are employed by foreign auto makers (German and British included).

So, as has been stated, but obviously not understood, when you buy a car manufactured by a foreign auto maker (whether it is built in the U.S. or on the Moon) you are contributing to the economic well-being of only a TENTH of the U.S. citizens who work in auto-related industries.

The economic well-being of U.S. citizens should be a priority for all of us. That is why this argument keeps coming up, in the hope that someone will actually bother to READ it.

21st Jun 2011, 16:59

The car I drive was made in the US by American workers. Doesn't matter if it happens to have a foreign or domestic label, since in the end there are US citizens getting paid as a result of my purchase.

22nd Jun 2011, 18:06

"The economic well-being of U.S. citizens should be a priority for all of us."

Why? Really why?

Who says everyone on this site is from the US? (I'm not)

Who says if they are from the US they "should" have the priorities you dictate?

At the end, I own a Volvo (an almost perfect car). I also have owned Hyundai, Lincoln, Peugeot, Chevrolet Blazer and none of them has been garbage! I will not decide the brand of my next car based on the nationality of the workers or where the company is initially registered!

1st Dec 2012, 02:40

I had a Toyota Camry for the last 10 years, and it's very reliable, it has never broken down. Just do the normal services and it will thank you for it. Toyota's are one of the most reliable cars without the price tag.

1st Dec 2012, 11:28

So when the dealer orders all the new vehicles, where is the large check deposited? Some of the small percentage pays for a factory and workers. But all the rest grows that nation's economy and fuels its growth.

1st Dec 2012, 15:11

We bought into the import myth and actually had

Three imports in the 90's. Not a one of them was as reliable as even the very worst of our domestic cars.

2nd Dec 2012, 10:09

There is a HUGE difference between Japanese imports such as Honda and Toyota (Nissan and Mazda don't count - they suck in the long run) and European/Korean imports. In terms of raw reliability, nothing beats a Honda or Toyota (all other "imports" are not in this category if you ask me).

3rd Dec 2012, 08:50

Have owned a Honda with trans issues and a Toyota with a sludged engine. I heard there are cold spots in the engine. I am buying new Fords now. I will give a lot of credit to Hyundai for their styling, but worry if they will hold up as well.

3rd Dec 2012, 11:15

We actually traded a junk RAV-4 for a Nissan Murano over 2 years ago, and so far the Nissan is better in every single aspect, including quality, reliability, looks, comfort and performance.

The only thing better on the RAV-4 was the fuel mileage. If you ask me, Toyota quality is a thing of the past, I don't care what these surveys claim.

3rd Dec 2012, 14:59

Well, I use the cheapest synthetic oil I can find at Wal-Mart (usually $15 a jug) and I've never had any issues. I have a 2001 Acura 3.5RL (Honda Legend) with over 305K miles, and have not done anything but routine maintenance and the lower ball joints once. I guess you seem happy with your Fords, but I'm very happy with my Acura (fancy Honda). I will never buy anything but gently used Acuras and Lexus; they're just that rewarding to drive/luxurious/efficient and reliable, with excellent resale value.

I sold my old TSX after owning it for 2 years and made a profit on it. Now THAT is resale value.

I respect your opinion and like Fords, but GM on the other hand has kicked me where it hurts twice in the past 15 years. No thanks. Domestic V6 and V8 cars/trucks are good, but if I'm looking for a 4 cylinder or a luxury car (or both; see Acura TSX), then I'm shopping Japanese.

Of course every manufacturer has a few duds, that's why I didn't buy a TL (transmission problems). Doing your homework before purchasing any vehicle and getting your hands on service records are of PRIME importance.