New car suggestions

[I D Shukhov]

I had decided to buy an Accord and test drove it and got some quotes.  However the reviews on autos.yahoo.com are decidedly unenthusiastic.  Edmunds also just gives it a "good"  rating.

I mentioned that today to the hoary owner of a repair shop that I've used for many years.  He said he's been hearing the same thing about Accords.  I asked him what car he would buy  if he were going to buy a new car and he said, "I'd buy an American car.  I fought the Japanese.  The Germans too."

So my question:  If you were going to buy a new American car which one would you buy?

[Dan]

Sad thing when you choose based upon which brand has self-destructed the least.

[John Masterson]

ID,

Why do you think his advice is worth anything, since it's based on a war that happened more than 60 years ago with people who are mostly all dead now?

And it's about cars.

I'd buy a Toyota if you want documented reliability, ala Consumer Reports.

[TRexx]

What's your definition of "American car"?  

Are you concerned about Toyota or Volkswagen making a profit instead of GM or Ford?

Are you concerned about jobs for auto workers?  Accords are assembled in Ohio. Chevrolet Optras are assembled in South Korea.  Who knows where the various parts are sourced.  

Personally I am more concerned with the reliability of the car and the quality of service I will get from the dealer than the logo on the back.

     

[I D Shukhov]

Even though the manufacturing is done here, the design is done in Japan or Korea or Germany.  I.e. American engineers are not involved.

We complain about offshoring of IT jobs and that one of the worst things about it is that American software engineers are not given a chance to learn the craft.

Wouldn't it be hypocritical then to buy a car engineered offshore?

[I D Shukhov]

Quote:Why do you think his advice is worth anything, since it's based on a war that happened more than 60 years ago with people who are mostly all dead now?

Right. That's his emotions talking.

Buying American isn't an invalid idea though just because of emotions.  It's a valid idea to support the economy of where you live because it will help you in the long run.

My son doesn't like engineering, but I know that American mechanical and electrical engineers exist.  Where will they work?

[Dennis Nedry]

It is cheaper for companies like Toyota to make cars in the USA (usually southern states).  This way they don't have to ship them here by boat, which is very expensive.  That old chestnut about "buying American" is ridiculous.  I bet those same people shop at Walmart and think they are buying "American".

Also, I never buy brand new cars anymore.  The reason is that the minute you drive the car off the lot, you have just lost 25% of your money.  If you buy 2-4 year old cars, the fast depreciation is gone, and you are seldom "upside down" on the loan.

Myself, I buy 4 year old BMW's and they last forever because they are good solid cars.  And you get them for less than half the cost of a new one.

[Rastus P Shagnasty]

I buy American.  I buy cars/trucks (Ford at this time) that are assembled here.  I do the best I can.  My Exployer has an engine assembled in Canada, but most of the rest is USA.  I was a Jap car guy until 1999.  The quality has evened out.

I bitch and moan about offshoring everything, so I put my money where my mouth is.  And no, I don't shop at Wal-mart.  I shop with my head and pay attention to where the product is made.

My next car/truck will be made here.

[codger]

I too buy American whenever possible, and I'm willing to pay a premium at times. My only experience with Japanes cars was a 1996 Toyota Camry. I bought it used with about 40K miles on it. What an unreliable piece of crap it turned out to be. Fuel pump, injectors, fuel filters, constant throttle body carbon build up. I also had the misfortune of dealing with a very anal dealer, who never wanted to take ownership of a problem. Long, sad story. I was glad to get rid of it.

Quote: I shop with my head and pay attention to where the product is made.

I wish that more people would take the trouble to read labels and get used to determining country of origin on their purchases.

I've purchased some small tools that were made in China. In almost every case, they were junk. It looks like China is headed for the poor reputation that was held by Japan right after WWII. It was difficult and costly for the Japanese manufacturers to improve their image. It took decades.

[The Gorn]

I may get flamed for saying this, but my immediate family has had too many American cars fall apart or suffer "early junking" due to build problems and bad quality control. I read what you guys are saying, and perhaps quality of American brands has had a quantum jump in the last 5 years or so, but I can't get my own personal observations and experience out of my thinking.

This is a trust thing. Every American made car I have owned or used since my college days has been disposable. The idea was that, with rare exceptions, you just didn't  keep the car - you bought it new or off lease and drove it only for 3 or 4 years and then sold it.

The "Ford flagship" 1986 Taurus I bought at full list had lots of weird problems and very poor quality, and the dealer was a total lying shithead who made me walk on EVERY problem. My dad's 1994 Lumina self destructed within 2 years after he sold it to my brother in 1998. My wife's 1996 Stratus had a blown head gasket at 30K miles.

I have a 90 Camry with 240K miles on it, doesn't use oil, a/c still works good, rusted out in places but a real workhorse. To Codger, yes, the throttle body carbon buildup is a PITA, big deal, it's a $40 cleaning every 20K miles. But the car itself has been a reliable performer and dirt cheap when you factor maintenance and repair costs against the miles on it. I REALLY doubt that I would still be keeping a 1990 American brand vehicle...

Today if I needed to buy a new or near new vehicle, I would try to not follow my biases and use consumer reports and reviews to help evaluate the choices.

[Fortune Green]

Most Dependable Vehicles - MSN Autos

[codger]

Quote:To Codger, yes, the throttle body carbon buildup is a PITA, big deal, it's a $40 cleaning every 20K miles.

If was only every 20K miles, I could have lived with it. The entire fuel system was crap, and the Toyota dealer always tried to nickle and dime me on service. Their techs never seemed to know their a$$ from third base.  I will do anything possible to avoid Toyota in the future.

[codger]

Glad to see Buick receive well-deserved accolades. My family has had three Buicks in the last ten years. In every case, the car was reliable and maintenance ws not overly expensive. The 3.8, 3800, etc. engine is superb.

[The Gorn]

It does sound like you got a lemon. Sorry to hear that. Very unusual for a Toyota.

[katyt]

I won't by a 4-cylinda America car, and I won't by an 8-cylinda Jap car. 6-c is a toss up.
The right dealer is as important as the car. Hard to imagine, but there are still good bussiness men around in the old USA. It takes a while to find one. But they are still arround.