6th Jul 2008, 11:17

"This country as a whole loves to tell the rest of the world how we are the only superpower and how much better we are than everyone else."

We are talking about cars here, not politics. If you have problems with our/your country's policies, voice your concerns to your elected officials. Do not go bashing your country on an international forum.

You should also know that the government's positions (which I am not implying you accurately characterized) do not necessarily correspond with the views of the American people. You disagree with them...or at least your own interpretation of them. This country gives you the freedom to do so, if you happen to still appreciate that. Do not paint with such a broad brush.

6th Jul 2008, 11:50

07:35 'Tacoma' guy here. Once again, you misunderstand. First and foremost, I don't rue the day I bought my Tacoma, nor any of my Toyota's. I DO regret ever buying a Ford, Chevy, or Dodge, and have owned at least one of each.

Here's the deal: despite what you think, or what I can convince you of or can't, Toyota does make a better product. I don't care if you agree, I don't care if you believe it. I know it, proven through repeated ownership of each, just as millions of other people have discovered this fact in switching from domestics to imports. Believe what you like, it makes no difference to me.

What I will NOT do, is subject myself and my wallet to the ownership of another Ford or Chevy, just because YOU think if I don't buy one, the economy will collapse. I notice you fail to mention that your precious Big 3 are making more and more vehicles overseas, and selling out American jobs.

Toyota is what it is. A high quality, clearly foreign company. They are BRINGING jobs here, while the Big 3 are moving them overseas.

Yes, I know the percentages of how many Americans they employ vs. how many Toyota employs TODAY. The thing to pay attention to is the trend. It's moving in the direction I described. GM is closing plants here and moving what's left to overseas labor, a little at a time. Dodge wasn't even owned by an American company for a while, and who knows when they'll sell out next.

I've said this before: Look at all of your appliances, radios, toasters, tv's, the computer you're reading this on, etc. More than likely EVERY piece of it, or nearly every piece is made overseas somewhere. You bought it. It's a foreign product and YOUR money went to a company owned by people who are NOT Americans. Do you feel bad about this? I'd be interested to hear your answer.

The point is, I will not allow you to condemn me or anyone else for having the brains to buy a better product even though it isn't made in the states. And the fact is, many Toyota's have more American parts content than many GM's and Ford's. I buy them because they're a better product, and the better product will ALWAYS get my money whether it's made in American, Japan, Sweden, Germany; I don't care where.

As I said earlier, I won't be scared into buying a substandard car (GM, Ford) by the threat of the automobile industry weakening.

By the way, the automobile industry does not constitute the entire U.S. economy; only a minute percentage of it. So... anyone at GM/Ford reading here??... I'm an American looking to buy the best product I can... show me something. Show me you can do better than Toyota. You haven't yet, so I will continue to buy accordingly.

6th Jul 2008, 12:06

Thank you 07:35. I made comment 11:29, and it is good to see that there are others who are concerned about the future of our country.

Like you, I have owned numerous domestic cars, trucks and SUV's from all 3 of the domestic manufacturers. My first was a 1949 Ford with 100,000 miles on it, up to my current 2007 Ford. I have never had an engine or transmission failure in ANY of my many cars (I'm an older guy), not even the '49 Ford. All of my domestic cars have been sold or traded in good running condition.

My family has put over 200,000 miles on several cars over the years, and over 300,000 on one Ford. We did venture into import territory in the 80's and 90's, but all three of the imports were not very reliable, and two never even made it to 100,000 miles.

6th Jul 2008, 16:35

11:18 Yes it is a great time to pick up used vehicles with higher fuel consumption in 2008. My theory worked before, and many regretted switching to such plain, boring cars in the past just over fuel.

A lot of people in my opinion with families, activities etc bought larger vehicles because in fact they needed the practicality. I read in some cases factoring in trading in now panicking and taking a loss, the higher insurance, new more payments,debt, higher new car insurance in many cases, even with a high mpg vehicle they may gain a grand perhaps of savings a year in many cases. Why sacrifice room, nice ride and handling and be crammed?

There is some great car buys now used. It's amazing people get the fuel scare, but then won't even remotely consider or ever give up their daily large lattes, multiple same household text phones and MP3's, waxing, nail salons, tanning booths, beauty makeovers, designer jeans and t shirts that have designer writing on them, high caffeine drinks, upon bottles of bottled water that cost more than fuel, and expensive cigarettes to name a few senseless extravagances. But they will throw in the towel over gas...

My cars are far more fun to drive than a bland uninspired potato vehicle.

A few of the items I mentioned are free, but people will pay dearly for them without batting an eyelash. I'll take a nicely equipped larger V8 before even if I slightly reduce my driving. I cannot see a family of 4 doing much with sports and other activities, cramming in the little compacts, and giving up a non problematic nice existing SUV.