29th Mar 2011, 18:00

I agree that car production is mostly global, today. My Toyota is NOT inferior to anything Chrysler, Ford, or GM has produced in the year that I bought. I can't help but get irritated at those who can't understand that from a small car buyer's perspective, the 'big three,' stunk when compared to Toyota and Honda. GM kept the same platform for the Cavalier/Sunfire for 25 years. Ford's Focus set a record for recalls long before Toyota. The Neon ate head gaskets for breakfast.

I drive an 05 Echo, and the only subcompact offered from ANY domestic producer in that year was the Chevrolet Aveo, which was actually made in South Korea. If I had bought that, which I wisely didn't, would I be helping or hurting the U.S? After all, it is South Korean, and built there, despite its Chevrolet badge. Car production is now global, so don't guilt people who buy Toyota and Honda. They've been building cars in North America for years.

My little car has been flawlessly reliable, and very fuel efficient, the opposite of the Aveo. Compare that to Chrysler and Ford, who didn't offer anything in the subcompact field. I researched this car inside and outside of this site, and I knew it was a good bet for a good small car. Consumer reports clearly stated this in their used car guide, and didn't recommend any small car from GM, Ford, or Chrysler, who by the way is mostly Fiat now. Should a person feel guilty about buying from them? They are foreign, and Chrysler has no future without them. The Fusion is built in Mexico, and so is the Fiesta. I guess you have to cross them off your list too.