With All The GOOD Vehicles Being Made Now In The USA, WHY Do You Still Drive An Import?

I've never owned an import :) Never owned a sedan either for that matter.

— Joe_Limon (View Profile)

Posted on 10/4/2009 1:37:11 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

I'm not relying on an import. I'm relying on certain brands I've driven for a long time. Every brand has a certain interior layout that is parallel across every model in the lineup. I like getting into a car and let the everything adjust itself if the vehicle is available with memory seating and then be able to reach the correct buttons without looking. I also like doing everything manually: kinda cool when you follow steps to get yourself adjusted - the radio on, the traction control off, etc.

And I'm brand conscious. :P

— WorldofLuxury (View Profile)

Posted on 10/4/2009 1:44:02 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

I will never buy an American car, just like I will never buy an Asian Car. That's just how it goes.

— AudiNewEngland (View Profile)

Posted on 10/4/2009 2:37:03 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -12   

I'll answer that with a question.

With All The GOOD imports Being Made Now In The USA, WHY Do You Still consider An american vehicle made from outside the US?

Or

With All The GOOD imports sold in the USA, WHY would you even consider an american?

— Badgewhore (View Profile)

Posted on 10/4/2009 3:37:26 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

They look and maybe even feel nice, but how are they long term? We shall see in another few years how these products will compare.

— 0to60 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/4/2009 8:31:43 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

Its a little thing called free will!

— STJ88 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/4/2009 8:34:45 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

why? because i've owned american before so i can say never again.

— 1dott8 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/4/2009 11:04:55 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Agent001:
Maybe you want to clarify what you mean when you say "American car"..
Is the Chev Camaro built in Oshawa an "merican car" Or the Caddy SRX built in Mexico?
OTOH, German and Asian car companies assemble a number of their vehicles in the U.S.
So are you talking about cars built and/or assembled in the U.S. or cars being sold by domestic automobile manufacturers???

— AgentOrange (View Profile)

Posted on 10/4/2009 12:04:37 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

I laugh at this post.

— LuxuryFan (View Profile)

Posted on 10/4/2009 4:33:57 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Chrysler has been a mixed breed for a long time. How many of them were re-badged mitsubishis or based on mitsubishis. The sebrings and avengers wer built on stretched versions of the Mitsubishi platform Even the interiors were almost identical. Both first generation (built on the Gen 2 eclipse) and second generation (built on the gen 3 eclipse when it got fat and heavy) remember the colt and compact pickup? remember the raider SUV? the Eagle Talon/Plymouth Laser/Eclipes (gen 1 and gen 2)

— 85bmw745i (View Profile)

Posted on 10/4/2009 5:12:14 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

I've never owned or driven an american car, so its not fair for me to judge them, but I must say that I wouldn't give up what I am currently driving for any American car...

— ThierryHenry14 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/4/2009 5:46:04 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

There are many great American cars and many that I would own. But and this is purely subjective, I find the designs of the foreign manufacturers to be more appealing, especially in the premium segment. To me, the foreign car makes spend just a little more time thinking about ergonomics and invest more on quality materials especially in the interior. American manufacturers have made great strides in these areas, but I still find their interiors lacking compared to the foreign competition. Cadillac is on the right track and provides a top notch interior in the CTS, but when you are comparing mainstream cars, you generally still find better fit and finish and better plastics on many of the imports. A good example would be the Malibu while it's a great car that I personally like, the interior plastics and IMO 80's looking guages and fonts for the HVAC and radio leave a lot to be desired. The foreign cars just look a little more modern to me. Just my opinion......


Stone

— stone (View Profile)

Posted on 10/4/2009 6:12:03 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I don't support the UAW so I don't buy American cars.

It's just that simple :-)

— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/4/2009 7:23:41 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Yup!!!!.. Reason, Imports do so much better.. And why I still drive one is because of three little letters: UAW.

— clsboy (View Profile)

Posted on 10/4/2009 7:34:39 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Let's see....owned a 1996 Ford Probe GT. Bought it brand new. Great car...loved it. But it was a POS. Built by Ford with UAW help!! Manual trans. had a mind of it's own. Both doors sounded totally different when closing, the front end had this weird loud snapping noise on occassion(dealer never could figure it out), Only about 3 years in, the plastic exterior trim was discolored, and about 4 years in, the plastic window switches started splitting in half for no apparent reason!

At that point, I vowed not to buy a Big 3 product again! Have owned a Honda Accord and Acura TL since and both have been pretty much trouble free.

Next time around, I would consider a car from GM and Ford again pending long term quality/reliability studies. If they show competitive products in terms of quality and reliability over the long-term, there is no reason not to consider a car from GM or Ford.

That being said, I am not a big fan of the UAW. I believe they along with the help of poorly managed General Motors, Chrysler, and Ford(even though they have not gotten a Gov't bailout) have brought on the last 30 years on themselves. That being said, if I had a choice of buying similar products built by UAW labor or built by non-unionized labor, I'll pick the non-unionized built car.

— skinny (View Profile)

Posted on 10/4/2009 7:46:56 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I DRIVE IMPORTS BECUASE THEY:

1. They Look better.

2. The Companies are not liars.

3. They are building factories here and employing millions of Americans unlike the Domestics which are in the process of unemploying millions of Americans.

4. The little 4 Cylinder Motors sound better in the small imports.

5. They last Longer. Yeah Chrome painted plastic interiors and exterior garnish and high initial quality studies arent enough to get me into a Domestic car. (ONLY A FOOL WOULD BE FOOLED BY THAT) You have to actually make a good true long term reliablity history, and get people like me to trust you.

6. American cars are heavy.

7. American cars feel overpriced as well. The Aveo is a $6900 car priced at $12,000. The Colbalt is a $9000 car priced at $13,000. I can go on and on.

— HyundaiSmoke (View Profile)

Posted on 10/4/2009 7:54:27 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

I just feel like Im not getting my money's worth when I drive one of those things.

The Hyundai or KIA feels like it could cost $1000-$4000 more and people would still accept the price.

— HyundaiSmoke (View Profile)

Posted on 10/4/2009 7:59:33 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -5   

And if we didnt make good Cars then GM or Ford wouldnt be trying to copy off our Designs, our Marketing, our push to quality, etc....

My Argument:

1. New Chevy Grille= Looks a little like our Hyundai Hexagon we created 5 years ago, the new Equinox is really bad about that.

2. New Ford Fiesta= Upper Rear profile and Rear passenger Windows look like a 2007-2011 Hyundai Accent Hatch.

3. They Copyied off our waranty and improved on it.

4. New Ford Headlights= a derivative design of our new KIA headlights.

5. They Copy our production methods.

6. They copy our Executive hiring policy=results in 6-12 months, or "see ya."

I DONT CARE DAMMIT, BOO ME ALL YOU WANT SAY WHAT YOU WANT, BUT SOME OF YOU KNOW IM RIGHT!!!

— HyundaiSmoke (View Profile)

Posted on 10/4/2009 8:10:57 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

Imports are still better. Period. And it has nothing to do with defect rates.

— 993Turbo (View Profile)

Posted on 10/4/2009 8:23:37 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I would buy American when the following happens:
1. Chevy's Interior fit and finish exceeds the quality of Honda & Toyota.
2. Buick's Interior fit and finish exceeds the quality of Lexus and Jaguar.
3. Cadillac's Interior exceeds the fit and finish quality of Audi, BMW and Mercedes while matching their technology advancement. Cadillac must also ditch the "bargain luxury" branding.

Ford and Chrysler simply don't stand a chance.

— antwona2d (View Profile)

Posted on 10/4/2009 9:16:09 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

the biggest challenge facing the US brands is that those brands were so diluted for so long, that the mojo is in "deficit" mode - with the exception of trucks for Ford and Chevy. When was the last time someone was impressed you bought domestic - as compared with comparable imports. Cadillac got it going with the art and science pitch, but as a whole GM remains in the wilderness, Ford is better off, and Chrysler is hopeless.

— freeagent (View Profile)

Posted on 10/4/2009 10:33:57 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

There's almost no such thing as a truly American car anymore. Many American car companies have stock owned by non-Americans. Many American cars are not built in the USA. Many foreign cars are built in the USA and have company stock owned by Americans. In a global marketplace, we are trying to make distinctions that largely no longer exist. It comes down to long term quality and reliability and cost of ownership. And the traditional American car companies have done very poorly. It will take years of concerted efforts and right decisions to win back customers. But frankly it really doesn't matter anymore.

— klipprand (View Profile)

Posted on 10/4/2009 10:43:50 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Chevy "Cars for the American Working Man"

Buick "The Art and Value of Luxury"

Cadillac "The Art and Science of Luxury"

— HyundaiSmoke (View Profile)

Posted on 10/4/2009 10:47:55 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

GMC should move towards special order Profesional Grade Work trucks with only 2 SUVs a Big one and a Small one; utilize more diesel like the 80s, and Cadillac Owners should have a choice of croc skin interiors etc....

Buick needs to have 2-3 large small cars (Large for a small car to fit in with the Buick Image)

Chevy needs to get rid of some of the chrome, and keep up the work.

— HyundaiSmoke (View Profile)

Posted on 10/4/2009 10:52:41 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

Buick Needs a good 1.6-1.8 Direct Injection Turbo as well. Make the small car it will be put in look like a Buick, but one a 25-35 year olf young professional would drive.

— HyundaiSmoke (View Profile)

Posted on 10/4/2009 10:56:09 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

Most of the cars SOLD in the US are MADE in the US. Now if you are talking about import brands, fine. With the crazy unions in Germany, more and more German cars are being "MADE" in other countries such as China and Mexico, Eastern Europe, ie. jetta, X5, 3 Series, Audi TT,A3,Q7, C-Class etc.

— kablaam (View Profile)

Posted on 10/4/2009 11:13:47 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Silly question. How about you define what "an import" is. You do realize BMW, Honda, Hyundai, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Subaru all manufacture autos in the USA and that GM, Chrysler and Ford all manufacture automobiles abroad. Thus, you tell me, what constitutes an import for purposes of this discussion. Seems to me that other than to inflame jingoistic flag wavers who really do not put a lot of thought into what it means to "buy American," there is no point to this thread.

— macbjg (View Profile)

Posted on 10/5/2009 1:38:30 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

I just like the excitement factor on imports. How often do you hear about an American car accelerating to over 100 mph because "the floormat is defective" I figure every time you get in a Toyota or Lexus you are risking your life and limb.

— rigid (View Profile)

Posted on 10/5/2009 8:04:19 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Frankly, the domestics have only caught up from a product standpoint. Longterm reliability still remains in question. To truly make an impact, the domestics should look for opportunities beyond the product itself. Start with the ownership experience lifecycle.

— 100tnega (View Profile)

Posted on 10/5/2009 10:58:46 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Hard to answer this question in the spirit in which it was asked. Until recently I had two Jeeps, a Ford F350, a VW Eos, a Honda Ridgeline, and Lexus IS350 in my corral o' cars. The two jeeps went away (one to CFC and one to a friend), so now it is down to one American, one German, and one Japanese auto in my garage.

I don't buy based on 'Import vs. export'. I buy based on "what is needed to get the job done that way I want it done". To tow my toy box, I needed diesel truck, which means American. My wife wanted a RHT coupe, which left a nadir of choices and ended up being VW due to features at a given price point. Admitted, I picked the IS350 for purely selfish reasons. The Ridgeline was purchased as a softroader to do light duty towing, hauling motorcycles to the desert, etc. With the discounts last fall it was priced WELL below the Avalanch (which I was also looking at), so the Honda got the nod. And it is also nice for family trips. I would have preferred the V8 power of the Chevy, but for the difference in price it was worth it.

When I replace the Lexus I may very well pick up an 'American' vehicle, if something stikes my fancy (I liked the G8, and the Camaro SS looks nice), but I'm also looking at the S4/S5. All depends on what I feel like at the time. I have no anti-american or anti-import issues.

— Janizary (View Profile)

Posted on 10/5/2009 11:56:58 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

"don't fix what isn't broken"

the imports, mainly japanese vehicles, have not caused me issues other than your normal maintenance/high-mileage concerns

owned a Chrysler town and country once, and was nothing but headaches...it's why I ended up buying the Odyssey

only reliable american vehicle i've owned was a 1988 Caprice Classic. beat the living hell out of it and kept ticking day in/out.

i wouldnt mind a suburban z71 tho, very nice truck with a descent interor now!

— r15mohd (View Profile)

Posted on 10/5/2009 12:38:15 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

When America builds an AWD, 4-door, Turbo-Charged, Rally inspired Sedan then I'll think about it. Until then? I'll stick with the STI's and EVO's of the world.

They also need to ax the UAW. The UAW is the main reason why American Car companies are Tanking.

— LexSucks (View Profile)

Posted on 10/5/2009 12:54:09 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

I had a wrangler for 150,000 miles and no issues. An F150 for 80,000 miles and no issues. I had a chevy blazer for 90,000 miles and no issues. I would buy american again, but I wanted to try a sports sedan and the past 3 BMW's have been nothing but perfect as well.
If you say you will never buy a certain brand again, the you are just ignorant. do you know that technology advances? oh, you dont! then you should move out of the country or shoot yourself. go cross shop brands. not online, in person! imagine that, test driving multiple vehicles that suit your needs to make the best informative decision for your life.

— 2ndbimmer (View Profile)

Posted on 10/5/2009 1:38:04 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

I read through about half of the comments then couldn't take it anymore.

I own a Porsche's for several reasons, and one of them you could say is because there is not an American counterpart. If i have to choose between driving my 911 Turbo or a Z06 or a Viper its a simple decision.

As for our Cayenne i dont think there is anything comparable. Now i know the SRT8 Jeep is fast, but it just feels cheap. When will all of the American car fanbois just realize that most if not all American cars feel cheap. Fake wood, fake leather, and horrible plastic do not make for a car i want to spend time in. The closest luxury contender for our GTS would be a Cadillac, but i dont want a giant escalade and i dont want the SRX.

Why cant we all agree that certain companies build certain things well.

Americans are good at building trucks, lets just have them stick to that.

— Timzilla (View Profile)

Posted on 10/5/2009 3:02:03 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Joe it depends. Sure some Porsche's are littered with plastic, just like some American sedans have some leather in them.

That being said i have the full leather option in both of our cars, and it becomes difficult to find any plastic in the car. Everywhere you touch is leather.

And am i am sure most will agree the cheap plastics are in the american sedans and toyota's. The composite plastics in many of the luxury brands are much better.

No matter what you think Joe you have to agree that for the most part there is not a comperable vehcile out there for many models. What is the american counterpart for an S Class Mercedes? Or for a 335XI? Or what about the Cayenne/X5/ML?

— Timzilla (View Profile)

Posted on 10/5/2009 3:49:22 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Because the Chinese and Koreans manipulate their currencies in my favour and I couldn't care less if my neighbour loses their job so long as I get a shiney new car I can pretend is something that came from Germany. In North America, its about me, me, me and everyday low prices.

Rant off.

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/5/2009 6:33:26 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I live in Jamaica so every car I've owned is an import! But to answer the question, I have never owned an American car (though the closest I came to it was my 1995 Daewoo Cielo which had GM logos plastered all over the internal bits and pieces) because American cars are rarely available in right-hand drive and with engine sizes that make them affordable here. A 2.4L Malibu, for example, would cost the same as an Accord 3.0 V6 because both engines are between 2000cc and 3000cc and attract the same taxes. As such, the Accord is still available with a 2.0L I4 here, which sneaks in under the 2000cc threshold. Same with Camry, Mazda 6, Legacy, Sonata, and so on. The 3.6L Malibu would go into E-Class or 5-Series territory. This is where those smaller, turbocharged engines come in very handy and why I am all for them.

— tango (View Profile)

Posted on 10/5/2009 8:51:56 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Isn't this a somewhat irrelevant question? Most "common" foreign makes are produced in N America anyways...Kind of like the question: Which of this is NOT assembled by US workers? Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata or Ford Fusion? (HINT: The Fusion is made in Mexico - at least at the time the question was asked)...GM uses a ton of Chinese produced parts and a Honda Pilot is 90% N American...Their are only US and Foreign companies and half the US shared are owned overseas anyways.

— klossfam (View Profile)

Posted on 10/6/2009 2:41:14 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

KOREAN=SUPERIOR CARS

HYUNDAI=SUPERIOR ENTRY LEVEL LUXURY!!!!!!

KIA=SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE!!!!!!

GERMAN=SUPERIOR CARS

VW=SUPERIOR ENTRY LEVEL LUXURY

AUDI=SUPERIOR MASS MARKET LUXURY

PORSCHE=SUPERIOR SUPERCARS

EVERYTHING ELSE IS OVERPRICED RUBBISH AND RIP OFFS!!!!

— HyundaiSmoke (View Profile)

Posted on 10/6/2009 10:22:04 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

AND OVER THE HILL!!!

Some of you know Im right.

— HyundaiSmoke (View Profile)

Posted on 10/6/2009 10:24:18 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1