We need a second car.....lease? (windshield, sedan, hybrid, cabrio)

[rocafeller05]

I guess I get lucky...last 2 cars were a Dodge Durango and Jeep Laredo. I didnt have a single problem.

[Mjeacoma]

Originally Posted by hotkarl

You are buying into the stigma-that American=Crap. This is false.
My Aunt and Uncle bought a brand new Toyota recently. It's been back to the dealer more times than it's been on the road. As a former mechanic, I can say with confidence that most, not all, but most models of American cars are just as good as foreign cars.
And as far as fuel economy, same thing, they are within a few mpg of their Asian competitors. Some actually beat the competition. We're talking cars here not suv's and V8 hot rods etc...A Magnum is considered a performance vehicle, even though it looks like a station wagon
Just do a little more research before you condemn American cars.

Actually I have done my research, it's called my experience with foreign cars! lol I don't buy what you are saying since I had a Toyota and had nothing but wonderful customer support, close to MPG? How about exceeding? American cars are over-priced, flimsy and not as good on gas. If and when that changes (even a little) I would then consider my first American car, until then....no, I will not spend even more money to support my country...

[hotkarl]

I've owned both foreign and domestic cars. The reliabilty on both has been equal.
Basically routine maintenance stuff like brakes, suspension, etc...The only catastrophic breakdown I had was the tranny went on a VW product I owned, and it only had 18,000 miles on it at the time. Had numerous electrical issues with a few of the Asian cars I've owned, computer and sensor stuff.
I've my share of problems with my hot rods over the years but that was self-induced, ha ha! I never had any major problems with bone-stock American cars though.

Funny thing though, I picked up an '88 Isuzu Trooper many years ago with 90K miles.
I paid like 500 bucks for it. I was still a mechanic at the time, everybody mocked me and told me it was the biggest hunk of crap on the road and that I would regret it etc...Turned out to be one of, if not the best vehicle I ever owned, and one of the longest vehicles I ever owned too, I think I had it like 4 or 5 years. I changed the oil ocassionally and did brakes 2x. That was it. Traded it in for a new Ford P/U.

[AlexisT]

My Honda Accord was made in Marysville, OH.

Your Ford might be made in Ontario or assembled in Mexico.

"Buy American" isn't such a simple choice.

[hotkarl]

The whole issue will be irrelevent soon anyway as I don't think American cars are going to be around much longer. Even with gov bailouts and such, I still think they are on their last leg.

[S.I.B.]

We can talk about our individual experiences with various makes and models until we're blue in the face, but the Japanese cars typically test better in terms of reliability AND hold more of their value.

With regard to the orignial post, there are some really attractive financing options out there right now (I think even Toyota was offering 0%) that might make buying a car a better idea than leasing.

[Mjeacoma]

Originally Posted by hotkarl

I've owned both foreign and domestic cars. The reliabilty on both has been equal.
Basically routine maintenance stuff like brakes, suspension, etc...The only catastrophic breakdown I had was the tranny went on a VW product I owned, and it only had 18,000 miles on it at the time. Had numerous electrical issues with a few of the Asian cars I've owned, computer and sensor stuff.
I've my share of problems with my hot rods over the years but that was self-induced, ha ha! I never had any major problems with bone-stock American cars though.

Funny thing though, I picked up an '88 Isuzu Trooper many years ago with 90K miles.
I paid like 500 bucks for it. I was still a mechanic at the time, everybody mocked me and told me it was the biggest hunk of crap on the road and that I would regret it etc...Turned out to be one of, if not the best vehicle I ever owned, and one of the longest vehicles I ever owned too, I think I had it like 4 or 5 years. I changed the oil ocassionally and did brakes 2x. That was it. Traded it in for a new Ford P/U.

Hilarious! I had a 1994 Isuzu Trooper that I paid like $600 for - had every option and was a pig on gas - drove it into the ground and never died, just oil, gas, brakes and it was happy! - I ended up donating it and taking a tax deduction.....

[Mjeacoma]

Originally Posted by S.I.B.

We can talk about our individual experiences with various makes and models until we're blue in the face, but the Japanese cars typically test better in terms of reliability AND hold more of their value.

With regard to the orignial post, there are some really attractive financing options out there right now (I think even Toyota was offering 0%) that might make buying a car a better idea than leasing.

I think I am going to go to my Hyundai dealer and get a used car from them with a warrantee.....

thanks everyone and don't think for a second I don't love this country or it's products - I just need cheaper right now!

[budsvtec]

Mark I just thought of something...If you are looking into buying a house right now, it probably isnt a good time to buy a car too. You dont want to make any big purchases now.

Can you buy a cheap car for now with cash....used?? I could of sold you a nice 66 Beetle....It got 35mpg. No heat though...never seemed to work

[dman72]

Originally Posted by hotkarl

You are buying into the stigma-that American=Crap. This is false.
My Aunt and Uncle bought a brand new Toyota recently. It's been back to the dealer more times than it's been on the road. As a former mechanic, I can say with confidence that most, not all, but most models of American cars are just as good as foreign cars.
And as far as fuel economy, same thing, they are within a few mpg of their Asian competitors. Some actually beat the competition. We're talking cars here not suv's and V8 hot rods etc...A Magnum is considered a performance vehicle, even though it looks like a station wagon
Just do a little more research before you condemn American cars.

My first 2 cars were American, and they burned me to the tune of thousands. Any mechanic I've ever talked to, and the guys at the body shop where I took my car after an accident..every one has said that American cars cannot match the reliability of the top Japanese cars. It's just a fact. I wish it weren't that way, but it is.

American car companies are became more about flash and quick bucks than quality, and they've never been able to fix that reputation. Typical of American Corporate Management philosophy..make yourself rich over the short term, *********r customer, and ultimately, the company, in the long run.

I'd recommend Honda, Toyota, or Subaru over any American..or German..car.