Why I buy American

[pottymouth]

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Some of us really DO try sir!


This is the key. I see many people throwing out specific examples to try to justify not even making an effort. I try my hardest and most times find a way to buy domestic. I'm not always successful, but if more people made the effort I do this would not even be an issue.

 

[mechanicx]

Originally Posted By: tonycarguy

I wonder how many of the "BUY AMERICAN!" crowd has a $50 Chinese-made floor jack. You could have bought a Milwaukee 2-ton model (made in USA)... but they're $600.

People are "BUY AMERICAN!" typically only until they have to open their wallets, then economic reality hits.

How many practice what they preach even if there's a 3-fold or 8-fold price differential?


I still think the $50 Chinese floor jack or $600 USA made jack is a false dichotomy. the cost savings of manufacturing in China is not 3-8 fold it is actually a fairly small percentage. Before there were Chinese made jacks (or whatever else) there were affordable American made jacks (or whatever else). Probably due to economies of scale and volume it is now harder to find affordable US made stuff than it use to be. Of course few are going to pay more for something made in USA, even if it is a few cents or a few dollars more. The average person doesn't think about quality or the hidden costs of outsourcing. I'll give you that. But when most things were made in the US instead of in China the US goods were affordable due to volume and prices met the market. Consumers aren't really being given a viable choice now. A lot of chinese made stuff costs a pretty penny now too.

 

[dailydriver]

Originally Posted By: tonycarguy

I wonder how many of the "BUY AMERICAN!" crowd has a $50 Chinese-made floor jack. You could have bought a Milwaukee 2-ton model (made in USA)... but they're $600.

People are "BUY AMERICAN!" typically only until they have to open their wallets, then economic reality hits.

How many practice what they preach even if there's a 3-fold or 8-fold price differential?


I at least try to "practice what I preach/believe" even IF the cost differential is TEN FOLD or more!!

I have one of those U.S. made all steel low profile 'garage jacks', and I am saving up for a domestic built, all alloy, racing jack (Brunnhoelzl) which costs up to $1400.00+!!!

But the naysayers/'globalists'/import nameplate & product ONLY defenders ALWAYS like to bring up the point of products other than cars, or not being able to buy certain items U.S. made at all anymore, so what's the use/difference.
To me that is like going to the doctor with an infected finger, or toenail which has to be removed, and saying, "no Doc, just take the WHOLE arm or foot off".

 

[mpvue]

Originally Posted By: Barkleymut
I swear I'm not being hateful or political with this but I will never own a Mitsu for one reason. They tried to kill my Grandpa when he was on a Navy boat in WWII. Mitsubishi manufactured the engines for Japanese aircraft and I refuse to send a dollar to them. I have owned either a Dodge, Ford, or Chevy since 1998.

wow, that's an incredibly ignorant statement. and it IS hateful AND political.
perhaps you are also ignorant of the FACT that the US rebuilt Japan after the war, so any success they have had in manufacturing is directly a result of US policy. the Japanese govt that existed at the time was dismantled, rebuilt by the US, funded by the US, defended by the US, so your point of view is baseless and juvenile and foolish.

 

[Audioquest]

I proudly drive my Canadian built Honda Civic. It's built about three hours from my home in Alliston, Ontario. Quality is excellent, as is the qualiity of the vehicles from the Toyota plants in Cambridge, Ontario and Woodstock, Ontario. Yesterday, Ford closed down the St.Thomas, Ontario assembly line (which manufactured the Crown Vic) after 44 years of operation.

 

[saberz]

I buy whatever fits my budget and needs. Typically you got(pre-2004) a lot more refinement and better material feel if you bought a foreign make(leather was softer, neater designs, better cabin material).

These days its a toss up as Domestic cars pulled a 180 in recent years and have really made competition fierce. I've owned more Domestic than Foreign but that came down to cost for the most part.

94 Wrangler
01 Impala
08 Scion tC
04 Nissan Xterra
07 Pontiac G6
11 Chevrolet Malibu
11 Subaru Impreza

 

[hattaresguy]

I prefer German cars made in Germany. Now that Mercedes and BMW are making some in this country I look at that as a detriment.


We make the best trucks though, although Tatra makes some very good commercial rigs.

We make a lot of good stuff in this country though. Our tools are the best, as our our firearms. Also US ammunition is the best in the world, other than maybe Swiss but they are OCD. Our computers are also the best. I don't know why people degrade our manufacture base so much, its still world class.

 

[kelpie]

Wife just ordered an new 2012 Chevy Equinox 2LT with the 4 cyl auto. It is assembled in Ontario with a 70% domestic parts content. Engine and transmission parts from US. I'm excited because the parts content went up 5% in one model year, instead of going down. Maybe there is still hope for American manufacturing.

 

[hypervish]

I'll stick to Japanese cars. Thank you very much...

I've had a few american vehicles in the past, and I'll never again venture into that area again.

But, for other things I rather buy american. Such as for tools, hvac, etc.

 

[HyundaiGuy]

I've had American, Japanese, German, Italian and English and Korean cars.

Most reliable so far? Our current Hyundai Accents. Also the most boring. Most fun? Either the '93 VW Corrado SLC, '89 BMW 325is, or the '79 MGB.

Most missed? The BMW 325is. I loved that car.

Worst junk I ever owned? American- sorry. Have you ever been banned from AAA for "abusing" the towing benefit? I have- thanks Chrysler.Have you ever called the fire department to put out your car? I have, thanks to Chevy. And Ford taught me lots about Lemon Law as it applies in the state of Florida.

As much as people slam Italian cars, any of the American cars would have had to be much better quality to be at the same level of the two Fiats I once owned.

Never again. I've learned my lesson.

 

[Spazdog]

Originally Posted By: Barkleymut
I swear I'm not being hateful or political with this but I will never own a Mitsu for one reason. They tried to kill my Grandpa when he was on a Navy boat in WWII. Mitsubishi manufactured the engines for Japanese aircraft and I refuse to send a dollar to them. I have owned either a Dodge, Ford, or Chevy since 1998.


Just a quick question, how many of those Dodges, Fords, and Chevrolets were built in Canada?

Canadian militia fought against the US in the War of 1812.

How many were built in Mexico?

I won't count The Alamo and Goliad as Texas was it's own independant republic...although I should. My family has been here since 1832. But the US did go to war with Mexico in 1845.

If your family had been US citizens in the 19th century, and served in the military, they may have encountered the Canadian or Mexican Army.

and the aircraft you mentioned might have been Nakajima (Subaru) or if a twin engine bomber, Kawasaki.

 

[LS2JSTS]

How many Ford or GM built/sourced weapons of war were the Canadians using to fight America in 1812?

Same question with regard to Mexico.

I get your point, but the fact remains that these companies, not the countries involved profited from killing American men and women.

But, like I said, I get your point. At some point in time we have to let some of that angst go...it does no one any good. We rebuilt Japan in our image for better or worse and they took the ball and ran with it, and have done a great job.
I will say that Japan has actually become a strong partner and a fairly good ally of the USA. My reasoning for avoiding their products in certain cases has nothing to do with WWII, and it shouldn't for the vast majority among us.

On a side note, Honda also carved and supplied props for some of the Imperial aircraft as well. I would still buy a Honda before any other Japanese brand, despite any past involvement in sordid wars. When you dig deep enough, no one has clean hands in this regard.

 

[dailydriver]

Originally Posted By: LS2JSTS
When you dig deep enough, no one has clean hands in this regard.


^^^Quite true, even U.S. (and OUR companies).

But, even though one should not "hold the sins/crimes/horrors of the fathers against the sons", some things just CANNOT BE FORGIVEN, NO MATTER HOW LONG a period of time has passed.

Hence why I just CANNOT bring myself (besides the economic /trade factors) to buy a German nameplate, and also (even though their butchery/cruelty was not perpetrated against my ethnicity/race/religion) the Nippon nameplates (read; "The Rape Of Nanking" and you'll thouroughly understand.

).

It's a shame too, as I REALLY like the looks, balance, and performance of a lightened, last gen (before the HEAVY V-8 current gen) M3.

 

[antonmnster]

Looking at the original post, I can't help but agree with the sentiment.

Actually, I really agree with it.

For that reason, I support Labor. There has been such a smear campaign over the last 35+ years that has done nothing but get people to vote against their own economic interests. Is it a coincidence that, when adjusted for inflation, American males are making LESS than they did in 1973?

Now, I happen to have purchased a German car. I get a lot of guff for this from my Union brothers. At least they have strong labor in Germany. I'd much rather support that (indirectly) than support what the foreign "American" manufacturers are doing in all the "right to work" states.

 

[LTVibe]

Originally Posted By: dailydriver
But, even though one should not "hold the sins/crimes/horrors of the fathers against the sons", some things just CANNOT BE FORGIVEN, NO MATTER HOW LONG a period of time has passed.

Good point! After what those barbaric Viking invaders did to my English ancestors during the 8th and 9th centuries, I'll never ever buy a Volvo or Saab!!!

 

[stephen9666]

If any of you are in the market for a USA-made tape measure, the tool store Harry Epstein just came out with one that is quite affordable. There are almost no USA-made tapes anymore, so this one is kind of unique.

I posted a quick review in the tool section.

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/harry-epstein-usa-made-tape-measure-review-pics.161607/

 

[Mr Nice]

I saw on TV last night a woman working in a garment factory in Mexico making bras for Victoria's Secret and she was paid 18 cents per bra she made. Whats the mark up on that bra sold here in the USA ?

California Turns To China For New Bay Bridge
http://www.npr.org/2011/09/16/140515737/california-turns-to-china-for-new-bay-bridge

There will very few items made in America in 20 years. We simply can't compete with China or Mexico.

 

[Spazdog]

Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette


California Turns To China For New Bay Bridge
http://www.npr.org/2011/09/16/140515737/california-turns-to-china-for-new-bay-bridge


Substandard steel covered in lead paint! Yay!

Originally Posted By: LTVibe
Originally Posted By: dailydriver
But, even though one should not "hold the sins/crimes/horrors of the fathers against the sons", some things just CANNOT BE FORGIVEN, NO MATTER HOW LONG a period of time has passed.

Good point! After what those barbaric Viking invaders did to my English ancestors during the 8th and 9th centuries, I'll never ever buy a Volvo or Saab!!!

Oh wait! the Chinese own them now. You can buy Swedish....made out of substandard steel and covered in lead based paint.

 

[artificialist]

Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
I prefer German cars made in Germany. Now that Mercedes and BMW are making some in this country I look at that as a detriment.


We make the best trucks though, although Tatra makes some very good commercial rigs.

We make a lot of good stuff in this country though. Our tools are the best, as our our firearms. Also US ammunition is the best in the world, other than maybe Swiss but they are OCD. Our computers are also the best. I don't know why people degrade our manufacture base so much, its still world class.

I haven't been pleased with the quality of the early Benz M-class, which was made in the USA.

However, they are great when compared to cars that VW built in Mexico

 

[snapcrackle12]

There is no such thing as an American made car. The parts are made overseas and are merely assembled here. The funny thing is whenever I order parts for a ford or gm the always say made in china, taiwan, or korea. I ordered a part for a suzuki and it said made in the U.S.A. I drive a nissan that was made in mexico, good car and economic. I also have a ford pickup, and I love it. What bothers me the most is the UAW, I have a problem when someone who put a headlight on, puts a headlight on, puts a headlight on, puts a headlight on gets paid $30 an hour with full benefits. The average auto tech makes $23 and hour, has to invest 70k plus in tools and has to recertify every five years out of pocket.