How many foreign car owners will consider buying American next time?
- Thread starter cousincletus
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Not meant to be inflammatory, just a reality check. BTW I suppose I'm in the "import crowd" too owning 2 Diamer-Chrysler vehicles (and one GM).
Well, of course, it depends upon what you mean by "foreign". I live in the USA. I have a Honda mostly made in the USA. I have a Saabaroo (Subaru rebadged as a Saab, which is a GM label now) made 100% in Japan. In 10-15 years, when these vehicles have reached the end of their useful life, if GM, FORD, or Chrysler has continued improving their products to the point they CAN achieve, sure, I'd consider buying from any of them.
However, if I currently had one of some of the many possible vehicles that these Big Three currently make, I'd most likely be making this decision prior to 10-15 years from now.
I am certainly not anti-Big 3. I just haven't owned one since a Chrysler I had that I put 26 fuel pumps on, under warranty, before I gave up and sold it to a preacher that told me, quote, "G.O.D. tells me that you should sell this car to me." Couldn't argue with him about that, I just hope the Supreme Being knew about the fuel pump problem...
However, if I currently had one of some of the many possible vehicles that these Big Three currently make, I'd most likely be making this decision prior to 10-15 years from now.
I am certainly not anti-Big 3. I just haven't owned one since a Chrysler I had that I put 26 fuel pumps on, under warranty, before I gave up and sold it to a preacher that told me, quote, "G.O.D. tells me that you should sell this car to me." Couldn't argue with him about that, I just hope the Supreme Being knew about the fuel pump problem...
Those J.D. Power & Associates surveys do not impress me. I know too many people, including myself, who have racked up 200k - 300K RELATIVELY trouble-free miles on Japanese cars such as civics, corollas accords, camrys, etc.
In my experience, doing that with an escort, focus, neon, stratus, etc. would be extraordinary.
In my experience, doing that with an escort, focus, neon, stratus, etc. would be extraordinary.
After owning German vehicles, I'll never go back. I have a 2002 passat W8 and love it. Tons of power and so far trouble free. I can see itg pushing 200k easy. Only trouble is now I'm spoiled, and will be stucking buying high priced German rides.
My company car is a 2006 Ford Freestyle V6 w/ ~ 2000 miles. It already sounds like the motor is going to blow up, and lots of rattles and squeaks already. Glad it was free, cause I'd never buy a $25k piece of junk like the freestyle. Just MO.
My company car is a 2006 Ford Freestyle V6 w/ ~ 2000 miles. It already sounds like the motor is going to blow up, and lots of rattles and squeaks already. Glad it was free, cause I'd never buy a $25k piece of junk like the freestyle. Just MO.
I saw that guy on Hannity & Colmes a few weeks ago, and he has an apparent agenda of pointing out the virtues of American vehicles, which I don't have a problem with as long as he makes that clear. Compare his article with this one from Consumer Reports:
They've gathered responses "...on more than 1 million vehicles...."
"Of the 31 cars that earned top rating, 29 were Japanese."
Of the 48 cars that earned the lowest rating, 22 carry American nameplates, 20 are European, 4 are from Japan...."
Consumer Reports Survey
They've gathered responses "...on more than 1 million vehicles...."
"Of the 31 cars that earned top rating, 29 were Japanese."
Of the 48 cars that earned the lowest rating, 22 carry American nameplates, 20 are European, 4 are from Japan...."
Consumer Reports Survey
I agree with FowVay. I'm tired of my VW's constant problems. It's ridiculous. I'm always fixing something on that stupid GTI. I'm sick of it, to be honest. I don't even enjoy driving it that much anymore. It's a frickin "precision engineered" moneypit.
My wife's Expedition has been heads & tails ahead of my VW in terms of reliability, & I actually like the local Ford dealer.
When that GTI is paid for, goodbye VW; I'll start searching for the most reliable domestic vehicle that I like & go with it.
My wife's Expedition has been heads & tails ahead of my VW in terms of reliability, & I actually like the local Ford dealer.
When that GTI is paid for, goodbye VW; I'll start searching for the most reliable domestic vehicle that I like & go with it.
I currently own an F-150 and a Sentra. For a truck I think I will end up staying with the F-150, as far as a car goes, I probably will stay with a japenese vehicle.
I own one of each. It really just depends on what I am in the market for, small cars japanese, mid sized to large I'd consider american.
JHZR2
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I could care less where the company is sourced from, when it comes to autos (though for most everything else, I try to buy made in the USA if I can, and avoiding wal-mart).
For autos, a purchase that is one of the highest dollar value expenses that I can make in my life, I want a car that is what I want - nice to drive, a bit of power when I desire, but not overwhelming, top-notch fuel economy, and a manual trans, all in a sedan or station wagon that isnt tiny.
The offerings in suchdepartments are limited... subaru legacy, some euro makers...
When needs change, so will the companies that I look at... When I need a pickup (my fiancee is a bigtime equestrian, and we hope to raise some horses for both her riding and her physical therapy practice), then ill be looking at dodge ram cummins trucks...
it all depends on who offers what I want.
JMH
For autos, a purchase that is one of the highest dollar value expenses that I can make in my life, I want a car that is what I want - nice to drive, a bit of power when I desire, but not overwhelming, top-notch fuel economy, and a manual trans, all in a sedan or station wagon that isnt tiny.
The offerings in suchdepartments are limited... subaru legacy, some euro makers...
When needs change, so will the companies that I look at... When I need a pickup (my fiancee is a bigtime equestrian, and we hope to raise some horses for both her riding and her physical therapy practice), then ill be looking at dodge ram cummins trucks...
it all depends on who offers what I want.
JMH
I have yet to see any car that the US market make that is "fun" to drive and delivers how a BMW/Porsche and a few Audi's deliver. Sure the Ford GT, Viper, Vette Z06 would be fun but those aren't your typical daily drivers. Basically that means I would want a car this is well balanced, RWD, stick or paddle shift, a fun revving engine that is responsive to the smallest touch of the pedal (basically a higher compression ratio engine like euro cars), can handle high speeds and high revving smoothly, have strong fade free brakes, good steering feel...well the list could go on. If Ford thinks something like a Fusion is going to cut it, they are far off. Granted I demand far more than the basic A to B driver which a FWD Honda would do well for them.
Ill consider a big 3 product only if they are significatly cheaper.
Pretty good article. I'll continue to buy American cars because they are easier to work on and require less maintenance and repairs. I don't think I could find a Honda or Toyota for $450 that would last for a year without any repair bills over $100.
That said, they don't make the kind of cars I like anymore, and I find the idea of buying a new car preposterous considering the used car market today.
-T
That said, they don't make the kind of cars I like anymore, and I find the idea of buying a new car preposterous considering the used car market today.
-T
Sure, foreign makes may have higher maintenance/repair costs, but just seems like the american parts go bad quicker and more often. IMO, a used Audi or BMW with say 30-40k miles is a much better deal than a new american car. Most likely, the used 'foreign car' will still outlive the new 'made in USA' vehicle.
Japanese for me, or specifically, Toyota or Honda. A car is a huge purchase and I want reliability and low depreciation. Getting upside down on a car loan is something that can be avoided or at least minimilized by buying a Toyota or Honda. Buying a domestic is too much of a crapshoot and I'm not much of a gambler.
I'll buy a foreign brand made in the U.S. if possible.
JHZR2
Staff member
Ridiculous, IMO. If you have to worry about being upside down in a car loan, this means that you plan to sell the car while you still have the loan... if you were keeping the car, it wouldnt matter if you were upside down or not.
Whether you buy a chevy or a honda; if you are buying a car and replacing it while you still have a loan on it, and it is relatively new is a stupid move no matter what... and youre guaranteed to loose money. Further, anyone who would buy one of these two year old honda or toyota products that has 25k miles on it and is only $1-2000 cheaper than brand new is dumb as well.
Any car is a poor purchase (and definitely not an investment) if you buy it and get rid of it prior to extracting full economic utility from it... if you do this, youre making a dumb move regardless of if you buy a toyota or a cheapo car... and arent doing anything good for the current state of used car markets either.
JMH
My wife moved from VWs to a Ford. She will never go across the other pond for a car, that I know.
I have always owned American (4 cars & SUVs). I must be the lucky one, but I have never been to the mechanic for a repair. The worst car I owned was a Plymouth w/ a Mitsubishi motor.
My Buick Regal 3800 has been basically trouble free for 35,000 miles (now at 125k). Only replaced plug wires & rear brake calipers. The previous owner had replaced the water pump @ 95k. Was only a $1500 car.
I have always owned American (4 cars & SUVs). I must be the lucky one, but I have never been to the mechanic for a repair. The worst car I owned was a Plymouth w/ a Mitsubishi motor.
My Buick Regal 3800 has been basically trouble free for 35,000 miles (now at 125k). Only replaced plug wires & rear brake calipers. The previous owner had replaced the water pump @ 95k. Was only a $1500 car.
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