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I bought a Suburban new and ran it HARD for 90,000 miles before trading it for a Japanese car. Worst decision ever!!! The Japanese car lost 50% of it's value in *one* year... lost tens of thousands on trade in
I once had a Ford Taurus with 210,000 miles. Nno smoke, ran like a champ, and I beat the heck out of it, too. Should have never traded that workhorse in...
Some of you are blowing hot air now ....The American cars did not get the reputation of being crappy because people like me don't like them. They were crap for a long time. Once the imports came to compete, the game was over.
These cars were and are still laughed at, everywhere else in the world (I doubt many of you have stepped foot outside this country to know, or are not real car guys). Who buys an Escort and brags about it?
It was only a matter of time before we "proud" Americans realized it was true, that domestics are crap. Don't get me wrong, I'll say Ford and GM have improved (Chrysler is still junk). Would I buy any of the three? No. I've rented too many to know they have improved, but still not for me. They do not suit my taste, the level of reliability I am used to. I don't like the ergonomics, the engineering, the style etc. I am free to buy what I want with my money, the same goes for you.
I have no issues with you guys liking, loving, cherishing your cars. That's all good, but let's be real. People have shifted to imports because they are better, not because they are anti-American, bash domestic cars etc. I buy what suits me, I advise friends, family and colleagues to look into them because I see fit to let them know that there are better cars out there, and there is no need to have guilt trips for buying an import. Almost all do end up with my suggestions. I'm not making this up. I don't work for any car company either.
To some of you, it seems that someone has to be anti-American, or work for the Japanese, Koreans or Europeans to like or buy a car that is not made in Detroit. If Detroit automakers knew how to manage their business, built better cars, and were competitive without excuses, they would not be where they are. Emotional excuses out the window guys? They are not doing well. You and I all know that. Let's not mask their failures with emotional rants. Fair enough?
I will admit that 80s to 90s Toyotas are better than they are today. They were built in Japan, and with greater standards. I ask myself sometimes, if it's the American worker . Since the Japanese set operations in the USA, they have not been the same (they've been better than domestics, but still lacking in my opinion). Good thing, the same models built here are also built in Japan and imported (Gotta love the Japanese, smart people ). It's not hard to find one made in Japan in any US dealer showroom. There is honestly a world of difference between the same car built in Japan and the one made here. Some people learn something everyday. My Avalon is not made here. I have yet to have any of the issues you guys mentioned. None at all!! I give you my word. No issues, whatsoever.
I hope we can put out the fire, and go our ways. We're speaking different languages so we won't understand each other. Stick with your Domestics, and the rest of us will keep buying what we want, Better products, .
I have owned alot of 70s-90s cars, American, German and Japanese... there are good and bad in all, but the 80s-90s Japanese cars were better than the ones today... the newer ones have alot of hard plastic interiors, whereas the 80s-90s models have more padded interiors and better fit/finish and squeak/rattle free, even with 200K+ miles.
I have had 3 80s Mercedes, high quality cars, build quality/fit-finish superb. My '88 Mercedes S-Class has 160K and is 100% rattle and squeak free, as is my 1991 Lexus LS400 with 220K miles.
However, I even had a 1969 Chevrolet Caprice 4dr that was still 100% rattle and squeak free. It wasnt until the later 70s-80s-90s when Americans cars started lowering build quality and materials, but it was sporadic... some models were OK. My '92 Buick Park Avenue was a tight and rattle free car, even with 166K.... on the other hand, my moms '97 Oldsmobile Achieva has alot of interior noises, but it has 178K, so I guess thats acceptable.
Now I hear tell of the 2002-08 Camrys with interior rattles, even with low miles, but 2007 Buicks rattle free. I test drove a brand new 2007 Toyota Tundra 2wd (11 miles) and it had a terrible seat squeak & dash rattle.... I bought a 2000 Tundra 4wd with 94K and it was 100% rattle/squeak free.
Some of you are blowing hot air now ....The American cars did not get the reputation of being crappy because people like me don't like them. They were crap for a long time. Once the imports came to compete, the game was over.
These cars were and are still laughed at, everywhere else in the world (I doubt many of you have stepped foot outside this country to know, or are not real car guys). Who buys an Escort and brags about it?
It was only a matter of time before we "proud" Americans realized it was true, that domestics are crap. Don't get me wrong, I'll say Ford and GM have improved (Chrysler is still junk). Would I buy any of the three? No. I've rented too many to know they have improved, but still not for me. They do not suit my taste, the level of reliability I am used to. I don't like the ergonomics, the engineering, the style etc. I am free to buy what I want with my money, the same goes for you.
I have no issues with you guys liking, loving, cherishing your cars. That's all good, but let's be real. People have shifted to imports because they are better, not because they are anti-American, bash domestic cars etc. I buy what suits me, I advise friends, family and colleagues to look into them because I see fit to let them know that there are better cars out there, and there is no need to have guilt trips for buying an import. Almost all do end up with my suggestions. I'm not making this up. I don't work for any car company either.
To some of you, it seems that someone has to be anti-American, or work for the Japanese, Koreans or Europeans to like or buy a car that is not made in Detroit. If Detroit automakers knew how to manage their business, built better cars, and were competitive without excuses, they would not be where they are. Emotional excuses out the window guys? They are not doing well. You and I all know that. Let's not mask their failures with emotional rants. Fair enough?
I will admit that 80s to 90s Toyotas are better than they are today. They were built in Japan, and with greater standards. I ask myself sometimes, if it's the American worker . Since the Japanese set operations in the USA, they have not been the same (they've been better than domestics, but still lacking in my opinion). Good thing, the same models built here are also built in Japan and imported (Gotta love the Japanese, smart people ). It's not hard to find one made in Japan in any US dealer showroom. There is honestly a world of difference between the same car built in Japan and the one made here. Some people learn something everyday. My Avalon is not made here. I have yet to have any of the issues you guys mentioned. None at all!! I give you my word. No issues, whatsoever.
I hope we can put out the fire, and go our ways. We're speaking different languages so we won't understand each other. Stick with your Domestics, and the rest of us will keep buying what we want, Better products, .
You said "who buys an escort and brags about it". Well, I will brag about it because when your car is 18 years old it will not even run. It will not even be in the junkyard, it will have been crushed years before.A 2005 Avalon is junk, it is in no way comparable to a 1989 Toyota Camry. For that matter, it is not any where comparable to my 1991 Ford Escort in terms of reliability or longevity. Now, that my friend is truly sad which makes it an overpriced piece of crap.
A long time? Are you sure? Please define "long time". I remember my mom's minivan which was a golden gem of a product. I remember my friend's used 70's Maverick was pretty badass, as was my cousin's Trans Am from the 70's...
Quote:
Originally Posted by MisterNY
People have shifted to imports because they are better
Now *there* is the ultimate proof that you need to get with the times. We can argue opinion about 1979 Trans Ams all we want... but saying that imports are better than domestics in 2009 is just crazy. Gm offers a better warranty than Toyota, Honda or Nissan. The Chevy Cobalt gets better mileage than Honda's best. A base model HHR, for example, comes with more options than Toyota, Honda or Nissan... and for less money. What part of this do you not get? Wake up... the 80's are over.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MisterNY
Who buys an Escort and brags about it?
Who buys a Camry & brags about it? Seriously. In "Mall Cop" the douchebag character brags about buying a new Camry... the car is the subject of many jokes. Get over yourself MisterFL
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tennesseestorm
the 80s-90s Japanese cars were better than the ones today...
I agree. I bought a brand new '05 Nissan product... interior trim actually fell off while I was driving!!!
Last edited by Wing Feathers; 06-19-2009 at 08:23 AM..
Maverick and "bad ass" cannot be used together in the same sentence.
And a late 70's Trans Am was a car for the Smokey and Bandit crowd. It has always been a dream car for young Southern white boys.
I think some of the comments about Honda and Toyota today vs. the Honda and Toyota of 10-20 years ago is valid. I don't think the fit and finish is quite as good. My guess is that so many of these "imports" are now manufactured in the US and there is a slight drop off in overall quality. Yet core reliability - drivetrain, brakes, electronics, etc. is better than ever. Chrysler is so far below Honda and Toyota it isn't funny.
Consumer Reports, which last year had 460,000 surveys including 1.4M vehicles shows Ford as good as Nissan overall in quality. GM can be very good but they inconsistent. Chrysler is a laggard all around and below Hyundai. Not only is Chrysler quality poor, they don't actually drive very well either. So unlike VWs, which drive well but have spotty reliability, Chrysler doesn't score high on the fun factor. Hence declining loyalty.
Maverick and "bad ass" cannot be used together in the same sentence.
And a late 70's Trans Am was a car for the Smokey and Bandit crowd. It has always been a dream car for young Southern white boys.
I think some of the comments about Honda and Toyota today vs. the Honda and Toyota of 10-20 years ago is valid. I don't think the fit and finish is quite as good. My guess is that so many of these "imports" are now manufactured in the US and there is a slight drop off in overall quality. Yet core reliability - drivetrain, brakes, electronics, etc. is better than ever. Chrysler is so far below Honda and Toyota it isn't funny.
Consumer Reports, which last year had 460,000 surveys including 1.4M vehicles shows Ford as good as Nissan overall in quality. GM can be very good but they inconsistent. Chrysler is a laggard all around and below Hyundai. Not only is Chrysler quality poor, they don't actually drive very well either. So unlike VWs, which drive well but have spotty reliability, Chrysler doesn't score high on the fun factor. Hence declining loyalty.
YOU SAID IT BEST!! Talking about the Trans Am, and Maverick!
People already know the types that would brag about such cars;
uneducated characters that never had the opportunity to see what good cars are like, or people that don't know any better, so they hide behind their computers rambling about Mavericks?! . Are they serious?
Quote:
Originally Posted by drinkme
A long time? Are you sure? Please define "long time". I remember my mom's minivan which was a golden gem of a product. I remember my friend's used 70's Maverick was pretty badass, as was my cousin's Trans Am from the 70's...
Maverick? These things are ugly POS's....Are you for real? If a Maverick is what you call bad ass, the conversation is over. You just proved your taste and standards are trash.
Now *there* is the ultimate proof that you need to get with the times. We can argue opinion about 1979 Trans Ams all we want... but saying that imports are better than domestics in 2009 is just crazy. Gm offers a better warranty than Toyota, Honda or Nissan. The Chevy Cobalt gets better mileage than Honda's best. A base model HHR, for example, comes with more options than Toyota, Honda or Nissan... and for less money. What part of this do you not get? Wake up... the 80's are over.
You can defend domestics all you want. GM and the others are under water, not Toyota and Honda. People have been seeing the light.
They have to offer these long warranties, because that's the only thing that gives them some sort of leverage to compete.
Their cars are not cheaper than the Japanese, they are not good looking, and honestly are not up to the level of the imports. You need to wake up! The HHR is not a good looking car. That car would not be parked in my driveway. Please, get over yourself.
The Cobalt is an ulgy POS, it can't hold a candle to the Civic, Corolla, Mazda 3, Sentra etc...You may like it, but be real, it's ugly.
Good thing, the same models built here are also built in Japan and imported (Gotta love the Japanese, smart people ). It's not hard to find one made in Japan in any US dealer showroom. There is honestly a world of difference between the same car built in Japan and the one made here. Some people learn something everyday. My Avalon is not made here. I have yet to have any of the issues you guys mentioned. None at all!! I give you my word. No issues, whatsoever.
:
The VIN # will begin with the letter "J" if the vehicle is built in Japan.
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....The American cars did not get the reputation of being crappy because people like me don't like them. They were crap for a long time. Once the imports came to compete, the game was over. 
. Since the Japanese set operations in the USA, they have not been the same (they've been better than domestics, but still lacking in my opinion). Good thing, the same models built here are also built in Japan and imported (Gotta love the Japanese, smart people 
). It's not hard to find one made in Japan in any US dealer showroom. There is honestly a world of difference between the same car built in Japan and the one made here. Some people learn something everyday. My Avalon is not made here. I have yet to have any of the issues you guys mentioned. None at all!! I give you my word. No issues, whatsoever. 
.
