17th Apr 2008, 23:52

Auto sales variations have far more to do with economic factors than with "quality" issues. No one who has driven any new domestic can question the quality.

The biggest factor hurting sales of domestics at the moment is high gas prices. The sales of Ford's highly economical Focus shot up 23% in the first quarter of this year, and Ford plans to increase Focus production by 30% to cover the demand. Also Europe has experienced a 9.5% decline in new car sales in the month of March from a year ago. Heavy, less fuel efficient vehicles are losing their appeal to a public looking at skyrocketing gas prices. Since the majority of domestics are rather fuel hungry, people are left with the option of buying whatever gets the best mileage. At the moment that is basic transportation appliances such as the Ford Focus and almost all Toyota, Nissan and Honda models.

18th Apr 2008, 15:02

When people advocate destroying American businesses, as import supporters do, they are hurting their neighbors, their children's futures and our entire standard of living.

As we watch the value of the dollar plummet and gas prices soaring, and hear news that the U.S. no longer has the highest standard of living in the world (we reached that dubious distinction in 2007), we can thank the buyers of Hondas, Toyotas and Nissans. If we want to destroy American businesses, we hurt no one but ourselves.

18th Apr 2008, 17:33

14:14 I bought Hondas/Acuras every 2-3 years for many years and stopped buying them. Driving 20-30,000 miles minimum a year is a good indication of quality, not duration of ownership. If your new Honda/Toyota starts coming in 25,000 miles plus for major repairs, you take notice during its first year of ownership. 36,000 miles comes up quick with heavy driving.

I would have never looked at a total domestic ownership household, but it has happened. Usually there was a new import and domestic, my wife mainly being the import driver. At any rate she loves her new GM SUV, and I love not picking her up at the import lounge after work with yet another issue anymore. It got old really quick.

If you drive a lot a miles per year, even if you only own it 2-3 years, it has significance... import or domestic.

19th Apr 2008, 14:29

14:14 Thank you. I get tired of hearing people's favorable 'opinions' about domestic quality. Just like you said, anyone who's ever owned a Jimmy, S-10, or, God forbid, a Blazer knows about domestic and 'GM' quality. Each of the three of those vehicles, as well as most everything else they make or made, is pure junk. I know enough people too that have owned that scrap.

A few friends for instance that had S-10's, with the 4-point-whatever liter V-6, guaranteed to blow up in under 90,000 miles. Every one I ever saw had serious, usually terminal problems somewhere around that mileage. Try using it off-road like a Toyota truck. It'll last about a week at best before something falls apart.

Anyone who claims the Jimmy was a good vehicle needs to join a circus somewhere and put on a big red nose and floppy shoes. The Blazer was and is even worse. At 30,000 miles, my sister's sounded and ran like a Toyota might after 300,000. Worse probably. I could go on and on about that one. The paint literally WASHED OFF of the bumpers the FIRST time she washed it. Engine sounded like someone threw a pocket of sheet metal screws into the intake. Horrible. That's not opinion. It was horrid. Thank goodness she finally had the sense to switch to imports. She hasn't had an issue yet, and feels safer driving her kids around in something well built instead of that death trap Blazer that went through 3 sets of rotors in 30,000 miles. And yes, she lost her butt on the trade in. Apparently a Blazer is worth next to nothing after 30,000 miles, which I already knew just by listening to it run and driving it.

19th Apr 2008, 17:40

23:52.

I am not sure what you are talking about with American manufacturers not making fuel efficient vehicles.

The 2007 Chevy Malibu with the V6 gets 30MPG, while the Toyota Camry with the V6 only gets 28MPG.

The Malibu is a heavier car and has a more powerful engine than the Camry, yet still achieves better mileage. Anybody can make a small car with a small engine that gets good gas mileage. My '03 Cavalier gets 36.5MPG even though it is only rated for 34MPG. But, achieving good fuel economy on a car with the power and room to actually haul a family around is a lot more impressive. My family cannot fit in a Focus or my Cavalier, nor would I ever compromise their safety trying to do so.

The Malibu is an example of very good engineering to achieve fuel economy on GM's part, but of course nobody will ever give them credit for it.

20th Apr 2008, 06:35

I would like to see more long term mileage durability reviews on full size trucks with V8's instead of 4 cylinder mini pickups. And reviews with loads and towing not just empty. This is about Tundras and full size domestics. If you are going to buy a truck, especially full size, why skimp whatsoever, get a V8.

On domestic ownership I have historically owned full size sedans and pickups with V8's. Many GM, but I have also had 2 Crown Vics work vehicles with small block V8's that ran forever and were extremely reliable. They also ride better on long trips. Hard working overreving small engines, especially towing and carrying heavy loads, seems senseless to buy. If all you do is cruise the interstate empty or go on a back road once in a while, maybe it works for you. I have a family (4), usually carry a heavy load of some sort in the bed to our weekend home, and also tow a boat that no little wimpy truck is ever going to hold up. We could take 2 vehicles, but it seems more practical to have one to go from point A to B in one trip.

I see small trucks straining at the marina on the steep ramp and shake my head wondering why. If you want small, buy an economy vehicle, go to the home centers etc and tie the trunk down. I would rather own a decent full size truck with a V8 that lopes effortlessly on trips and will last. I realize gas is high, but why compromise the purpose of having a truck? Buy a car instead.

You wonder why they don't hold up? Is it that every component of your drivetrain is working overtime; even the A/C brings it down with these small overworked engines. If you drive around empty, maybe my comments are baseless..... I use my truck as it was designed. My 50,000 miles of usage per vehicle would most likely be 2-3 times harder. Perhaps more of the average empty or near empty ones are just commuting around. My new full size GM V8's cruise and run effortlessly. In 2 years I average 50,000 miles and buy new......

I may go with the new green GM V8 hybrids next, which get the same fuel mileage as a Camry. And you are getting a V8. The hybrid SUV is out now, and I am looking forward to the new GM hybrid pickup, hopefully out next year.