[Charles22]

What is a bum wrap? Is that when you come back to your car and there are bums wrapped all around it?

[eiram21]

Originally Posted by Charles22

What is a bum wrap? Is that when you come back to your car and there are bums wrapped all around it?

A bum wrap [sic] is when you are trying to type "bum rap" at almost midnight, dear Charles....

[michigan83]

why do American-made cars get such a bum wrap?

Your bought an American car with wrap on it? Like wrapping paper or something? Why not just unwrap it?

Nothing worse than an American car that's wrapped up AND gets a bad rap. Double whammy.

[eiram21]

Originally Posted by michigan83

Your bought an American car with wrap on it? Like wrapping paper or something? Why not just unwrap it?

Nothing worse than an American car that's wrapped up AND gets a bad rap. Double whammy.

Thanks, Michigan83 - very enlightening...

[daddythreepointoh]

Let's put it like this... I just moved to MI a few years ago, and have lived on the west coast and in the south, and southwest.

The common wisdom EVERYWHERE I have lived, based on everyone's own personal experiences, is that American cars simply aren't as well made and don't run as long as Japanese cars. That's been my experience and the experience of just about everyone I have known.

People from MI get mad at this but it's just true. I think that, now, FINALLY, American cars are catching up. Especially Ford...they run pretty good and look WAY more stylish than they used to.

[Bydand]

I still say it depends on maintenance, I have a old Chevy Suburban (1989) that has 280,000 miles on it and still runs like a top. I would drive it across Country again tomorrow if I had to. Not saying that because I live in Michigan, but because it is the truth, I have always had better luck with domestic vehicles than foreign. So have most of the people I know in other places I have lived (most recently, Northern Maine for 20 years).

[allistercrowly]

I have owned a lot of GM cars and trucks, My current one is an 03 Silverado, There have been a lot of problems that I keep the maintenance up on, such as the window regulators go out on them. I have replaced them 3 times so far and am babying another because if is running slow and makes a creaky noise when using. The electric vent diffuser that is way up under the dash makes a noise when putting it on floor, and I baby it by not using it because it is a 4 hour job to replace a 40$ part. There is a clunk that is inherent in the front end of the truck chassis, I checked the ball joints, torsion rod rubber grommets, and we could not find it. I finally had a GM mechanic tell me it was a design problem in the pitman arm gear box. They could replace it but it would cost big $. I will live with the clunk when I hit a bump and go slow. The front wheel bearings have a sensor that is flawed and when it gets a bit of break dust in them they push away from the bearing and when you hit the break you get the anti lock breaks that kick in. Since they are sealed you can not clean them, I got an estimate of 1100$ to replace them and decided to do it myself and it cost 210 for the two new bearings and a day of my time. I can get 280,000 miles out of my truck also but I will be putting a lot of money into it to keep the damn thing running. I also have a thump when turning on the Air-conditioning and it is most likely the compressor. I baby it and use it very sparingly. The heated mirrors went out, the door handle just broke being cheap plastic and normal usage. I am very easy on this truck and never use it hard or for work and it has not been a stellar example of reliability. I has been better than some of the older GM cars and trucks I have owned, but they were bottom of the pond so not saying much. I am looking for a Toyota Tacoma for hauling what little I have to haul. I know several people who owned Tacoma's and they have done in one case, a universal joint, and ignition switch in 164,000. and others have even had less problems.

[Bydand]

Of the 280,000 miles on my Suburban, few, if any, have been of the "baby" type. It was bought to haul a camper all over the US, the 2nd owner used it as a work truck hauling trailers all over the Northeast, and I (3rd owner) have also used it for a work truck hauling heavy trailers as far as Northern Maine to Michigan. Babied? Not a day in it's life.

I also have tried the import trucks and haven't had good luck at all. Look nice, and may work well for week-end warriors; but really work them and they puke their cookies. There is a reason job sites are filled with domestic trucks and not import trucks, and it isn't the "Buy American" or "Buy Union" mentality. It is the mentality of having to depend on the vehicle to make a living with, not only for yourself but anybody who draws a paycheck from you. Buy what works and gives you the best return for your dollar. Haven't seen a Tacoma yet with a work box on it.

[allistercrowly]

Originally Posted by Bydand

Of the 280,000 miles on my Suburban, few, if any, have been of the "baby" type. It was bought to haul a camper all over the US, the 2nd owner used it as a work truck hauling trailers all over the Northeast, and I (3rd owner) have also used it for a work truck hauling heavy trailers as far as Northern Maine to Michigan. Babied? Not a day in it's life.

I also have tried the import trucks and haven't had good luck at all. Look nice, and may work well for week-end warriors; but really work them and they puke their cookies. There is a reason job sites are filled with domestic trucks and not import trucks, and it isn't the "Buy American" or "Buy Union" mentality. It is the mentality of having to depend on the vehicle to make a living with, not only for yourself but anybody who draws a paycheck from you. Buy what works and gives you the best return for your dollar. Haven't seen a Tacoma yet with a work box on it.

Anecdotal at best. The reason people buy US trucks is because for the longest time the foreign companies did not build a big version, They were just getting into building them when the down turn hit a few years ago. And they are not buying them now are thay? The reputation for Japanese cars is self evident, and all your preaching does not change the fact. Just go on line and Google problems with GM cars and trucks and it is amazing, Google problems with Toyota or Honda, not saying there are none, but not whole sites devoted to the problems as with GM and Chrysler cars and trucks. GM cars and trucks have so many more problems it is not even close to compare. I goggled problems with the Toyota Camry vs the problems with the Cobalt, and the Cobalt had reams of problems. There is a reason that GM is bankrupt this morning and Toyota and Honda are not.

[Bydand]

Also a reason Ford isn't.

I personally don't like GM or Chrysler, but can't deny how long every one I have owned have lasted.