Domestic or Foreign vehicles your thoughts?

[Superbuick96]

Im about 3 years out probably less. That being said, im not burning the midnight oil reaserching and comparing new vehicles. Im a casual fan of cars new and old, subcribing to several magz including Motortrend. The thread is ment to focus more on the issue of domestic vs. foreign.
Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
I couldn't care less where a vehical is assembled.

When I shop for a vehicle I determine what I need, and what type of vehicle will fill those needs. Then I make a list of vehicals that fill the need and narrow it down to 3 or 4. I test drive the 3 or 4 and purchase the one that is most cost effective.

On a side note, unlike the original poster I don't think I've ever researched a vehicle purchase that is 3 years in the future. I would think that things can change enough in the new car market that in 3 years that the research done now would be rendered mostly moot.

 

[Ursae_Majoris]

Originally Posted By: Autobahn88
Originally Posted By: Ursae_Majoris
]
My apologies to Canucks, I know we go a long way back in auto-sharing, but a Canadian made Chrysler minivan is no better than a Mexican made HHR. Both source US parts. Both put US ASSEMBLY workers out of work, but provided jobs to the US SUPPLIERS.

Six one, half a dozen the other.


WOW.. 2 strikes against me. I am a union worker and a Canadian. It does not matter where a car is made. If it fits my needs and is reliable I will not hesitate to buy it. Be it German, Japanese, Korean etc...

Re-read my quote. I said that a Canadian assembled car was no better than a Mexican assembled car, both put some US workers out of job, but provide jobs for other US workers.

 

[Vikas]

We really need more topics discussing merits of domestic vs foreign vehicles

Seriously, in three years time, lot of things, including pool of available vehicles, your need for type of vehicle and financial situation could change making the current discussion moot.

Most contributors use these type of topics as a free for all bashing.

- Vikas

 

[Autobahn88]

Originally Posted By: Vikas
We really need more topics discussing merits of domestic vs foreign vehicles

Seriously, in three years time, lot of things, including pool of available vehicles, your need for type of vehicle and financial situation could change making the current discussion moot.

Most contributors use these type of topics as a free for all bashing.

- Vikas


Agreed, this question has been bashed to death on this forum. Who cares.. Some people like domestics, others imports. It is a question of choice and needs.

 

[opus1]

Originally Posted By: Vikas
What a topic! OP wants to buy a new car in THREE years and started to stir the pot now

- Vikas
I bought my first new vehicle in 1989 and I think I spent close to 3 years looking....my first car was stolen in 1986 and I bought another used car to get by, but I did continue looking off and on until '89.

So it does happen.....

 

[Spazdog]

Is there really a difference?

The Chevrolet Cruze is as much Korean and German as it is from Warren Michigan.

Much of Ford's current lineup is derived from Mazda and Volvo. Even the Mustang has a sliver of Jaguar DNA in it's platform. The Fiesta is a Ford but Mazda engineers had input.

Chrysler? The LX platform is derived from Mercedes Benz. The Avenger/200/Sebring was co-developed with Mitsubishi.

Motor Trendwrote of the 2011 Dodge Charger, "...if Dodge gives the new Charger R/T a proper transmission, it will be spoken of with the same reverence as the BMW E39 M5." let the Bimmerphile flameage commence

The Tundra was inspired by the F-150 and Silverado/Sierra. Maybe the Ram too. It grew from it's Dakota sized T-100 origin to a 7/8ths size Tundra to the current fullsize. It's definitely North American inspired.

 

[Superbuick96]

I used the search before starting the thread nothing turned up

Originally Posted By: Autobahn88
Originally Posted By: Vikas
We really need more topics discussing merits of domestic vs foreign vehicles

Seriously, in three years time, lot of things, including pool of available vehicles, your need for type of vehicle and financial situation could change making the current discussion moot.

Most contributors use these type of topics as a free for all bashing.

- Vikas


Agreed, this question has been bashed to death on this forum. Who cares.. Some people like domestics, others imports. It is a question of choice and needs.

 

[Falcon_LS]

As a foreign member of the board, my views are not exactly 'patriotic', so there's really not much I can say about the percentage of American content or the UAW. But I've been rather fond of American cars from a young age...probably because I grew up around them.

I own two different vehicles, both of which I like for sporting rather characteristic identities. The styling of my Montero is very Japanese, whilst the styling of my Grand Marquis is as American as it gets. I feel this is something a lot of new cars lack, because they all look pretty much the same to me.

The traits I loved about American cars were everything that identified them as American - things like the styling, comfort, engine/exhaust tone, etc. But the market trends have changed, and people have increasingly become obsessed with what I consider meaningless traits - does it have an iPod jack? Does it have a GPS system? Can I plug in my memory stick? Are bigger wheels available? Does it have a rear view camera? Does it come with parking sensors?

The way I look at it, regardless of manufacturer or country of origin, many new cars are the same and there is little incentive to buy American with that in mind. I mean how different really is a Chevrolet Malibu or Ford Taurus to a Hyundai Sonata or Toyota Camry? But talk about something like a Ford Crown Victoria and it instantly gets labeled as a dinosaur, because it has none of these 'trendy' features and the design is so 'boring' and so on. The only American products I consider to possess American traits are trucks like the Ford Expedition and the Chevrolet Tahoe really. They do come with some of those 'silly' options, but I love how they are designed differently. Then again, my taste seems to be rather conservative and I'm a big fan of body on frame and rear wheel drive.

I suppose it would be asking too much, if I say it would be nice to see the Big Three being a little patriotic and actually producing cars that look and feel American. The Chrysler LX platform has some of that in it, for instance, despite being based off W210. But it would be nice to see some other vehicles making a come back, such as the Chrysler Cordoba, Ford LTD or something like the Chevrolet Bel Air. Heck, bring back the Ranchero and El Camino!

 

[CROWNVIC4LIFE]

I agree 100% with Falcon_LS on everything he said.

 

[spasm3]

Wow! interesting view from a distance, when you really think about it , falcon said a lot!! i have to agree1!

 

[greg_J35]

During the last three months I've driven different makes and models and am not impressed with GM or Chrysler products.
Honda, Ford, and Toyota products seem to be well built. I agree with your approach of researching before you buy. It basically comes down to what you feel is the best buy.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: Superbuick96
I question wether its un-Patriotic to buy a foreign car, anymore when the Ford Fusion is built in Mexico, while the Honda Civic is built in Ohio for example.


I don't think so. Most of the vehicles I've owned have had a "domestic" badge on the front, but money is paperless these days, and gets invested globally. So even a "domestic" brand purchase doesn't necessarily mean your money "stays here". As the article notes, the Toyota Camry is about as "American" a purchase as it gets. The entire vehicle is built here, including the engine and transmission, and the domestic parts content is close to 90%.

Further, I think it's un-patriotic to support a "domestic" brand simply because it's a "domestic" brand. That's called a subsidy, and isn't healthy for the industry. If you're looking for a mid-size sedan, and you think the Ford Fusion is the best one, then buy one. But if you don't think it is, don't, and don't feel bad about it, or let anyone else make you feel bad about it. As long as we all keep buying the vehicles that fit our needs the best, competition will guarantee continually improving products.

 

[mcshooter]

its been awile but when i toured the honda plant in ohio with our tire designers i saw boxes showing japanese writing , when i inquired i was told they were parts all made in japan. so when buying a foreign auto remember the money goes back to the suppliers and the auto co . wonder why manufacturing is leaving. i personelly think it is to late to save manufacturing jobs. i once saw a post on where and how the toyato prius is made. the workers are tempory paid about $10 per hour and most are on a 3 month contract and live in company housing, they are mostly just slaves to the company. some are from vietamn and thialand.

 

[Autobahn88]

The average hourly rate of a Toyota assembly worker in Canada is $25.46/hr plus benefits. Yeah! Toyota pays slave wages?

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: Autobahn88
The average hourly rate of a Toyota assembly worker in Canada is $25.46/hr plus benefits. Yeah! Toyota pays slave wages?

Isn't that close to half of what the GM workers are paid though?

 

[mechanicx]

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Originally Posted By: Autobahn88
The average hourly rate of a Toyota assembly worker in Canada is $25.46/hr plus benefits. Yeah! Toyota pays slave wages?

Isn't that close to half of what the GM workers are paid though?


That's about the same or maybe a few dollars less than the UAW tier 1 employees which is $28/hr straight pay. Although I think Toyota has less benefits. I can't speak for Toyota in Canda but I know Japanese manufactures use a lot of low pay, no benefit temporary workers. They even have stamping plants that are doing business under a different name with temporary workers. Very few workers seem to be full fledge hirees making ~$25/hr. I think it is just smoke and mirrors. It worth mentioning that assembly is only a few hundered dollars per car and doesn't mean much in the big picture.

 

[SLCraig]

Originally Posted By: Autobahn88
The average hourly rate of a Toyota assembly worker in Canada is $25.46/hr plus benefits. Yeah! Toyota pays slave wages?

Very solid income for an assembly worker.
The people at the plant I work at are paid around $20/hr. (CDN)

 

[MonumentOiler]

Originally Posted By: Falcon_LS
But the market trends have changed, and people have increasingly become obsessed with what I consider meaningless traits - does it have an iPod jack? Does it have a GPS system? Can I plug in my memory stick? Are bigger wheels available? Does it have a rear view camera? Does it come with parking sensors?


and these trends are heavily influenced by the fast growing Chinese market where interior features are valued more highly for their status value than performance features.

Falcon LS - Great post!

 

[SteveSRT8]

If you know the domestic CONTENT it can help. But the dollars go everywhere and I can't see it being a huge issue.

Buy a car based on reality, not smoke and mirrors.

 

[bmwjohn]

I work for a large co. in Indiana. We beat our 3/4 ton Suburbans and they are at the dealers often.They are expensive and made in Mexico by a company partialy Chinese owned. We have trouble fitting people in back seat.Electrical connectors fail often - esp. seatbelt / airbag systems.Large on the outside, not so much on inside.We can't buy a Subaru outback made 50 miles away with mostly American parts. We often rent vehicles incl 2011 Suburban, KIA Sportage and wagon, F150, ETC. All things considered, the KIA is my choice by far. Better quality than the GM, and way cheaper in cost, service, and gas mileage. Made in Georgia (assembled).Looking on CR, etc. it appears that KIA has been improving every year, whereas GM relies on traditional buyers year after year.Remember, too. the improvements in US parts production quality since Japanese came and insisted on better quality parts.This helps US manufacturers of parts, who can now produce world class parts if they choose, even non-automotive parts.