The Current Generations Take On Us Vehicles

Daryl LBZ · July 10, 2011

This is always nice to here.

Zembonez · July 10, 2011

Young people buy pretty much based on price. Foreign makers do a better job of filling the inexpensive but fun class than the US makers do. These results aren't surprising. Once these people are gainfully employed and making more $$$ they tend to look elsewhere.

Wingnut · July 10, 2011

Young people buy pretty much based on price. Foreign makers do a better job of filling the inexpensive but fun class than the US makers do. These results aren't surprising. Once these people are gainfully employed and making more $$$ they tend to look elsewhere.

Yup.

US automakers fill the inexpensive-and-tailor-built-for-rental-fleets niche like a mofo.

Daryl LBZ · July 10, 2011

Then why don't they realize this, and work to make the prices lower. I was going to buy a new Camaro in 09 until I realized that I could get a new Silverado for less, and it will do alot more. So thats what I bought.

Daryl LBZ · July 11, 2011

There is no brand loyalty with the younger buyers. Look at the choices they are faced with: Hmmm... Should I buy the Silverado with lint collecting interior or leather "seating surfaces" for 40k or buy the Kia with cooled leather seats for 25k?

The US manufactures can't compete until they start making quality products at a fair price. They have a long way to go.

I don't like Leather seats so I would choose the Silverado. Leather is over rated IMO.

MikeNH · July 11, 2011

Well I just learned I am part of this generation Y and I must say none of those cars appeal to me. I will say I'm not terribly brand loyal though at 26 I've had a F-150('88), a Jimmy('98), a Silverado ('03), a Tacoma ('08), a Subaru Legacy ('10) and now my '11 Silverado. I don't have any regrets over buying any of them, they all served their purpose to me and the used ones were reasonably reliable.

I would disagree that the domestics are behind overall compared to the foreign brands though (this is all based on driving impressions I've gotten from rentals I drive almost every week for work)-

For a compact car my top two choices would be a Cruze or Focus though the new Elantra is damn good too. The top sellers here (Carolla and Civic) are behind the times horribly and only sell because of their nameplate. Chrysler sadly has nothing to offer in this field, which is a huge problem IMO.

Midsizes aren't so good- Only the Fusion is really up to par and even that is absolutely slammed by the new Sonata. For someone looking at midsize sedans, there is no reason not to buy the Sonata over the rest, it's just better than everything else. The Malibu isn't a bad car but it does need some refreshing which it is due to get. The new Avanger is loads better than the 2010 (which in the dozens and dozens of cars I drive each year, the 2010 Avenger won my "worst new car" award) but it just isn't there. Camry is appliance-boring but it's well-made, safe and reliable which is all most look for in the market. At least the Accord has aggressive looks going for it.

There aren't many "mainstream" (non-lux) large sedans so this is pretty much a domestic market for the Charger, Taurus and Impala. All have their perks and downsides.

With SUVs there are just too many classes to type all it out but the GM crossovers are all quite nice, as is the stuff coming from Korea. Another draw IMO. Truck-based, the GM stuff is all quite good but I do like the 4Runner quite a bit, though it is very expensive for it's class.

Fullsize pickups- Draw between GM and Ford, the rest is just noise. GMs enignes might not have the most power but they're proven and reliable and decent on gas. Fords V8s seem to be thirsty but they do have the nicer interiors and more tech stuff if that's your kinda thing.

Zembonez · July 11, 2011

There is no brand loyalty with the younger buyers. Look at the choices they are faced with: Hmmm... Should I buy the Silverado with lint collecting interior or leather "seating surfaces" for 40k or buy the Kia with cooled leather seats for 25k?

The US manufactures can't compete until they start making quality products at a fair price. They have a long way to go.

I figured this thread would bring Won out of hiding.

Daryl LBZ · July 11, 2011

There is no brand loyalty with the younger buyers. Look at the choices they are faced with: Hmmm... Should I buy the Silverado with lint collecting interior or leather "seating surfaces" for 40k or buy the Kia with cooled leather seats for 25k?

The US manufactures can't compete until they start making quality products at a fair price. They have a long way to go.

I don't like Leather seats so I would choose the Silverado. Leather is over rated IMO.

Silverados do not offer leather seats as an option. GM offers vinyl seats with "leather seating surfaces" instead of real leather seats. Cooling is not even an option on the Silverado either.

Doesn't matter to me. I don't want either one I want cloth, which I have...

Wingnut · July 11, 2011

If I were going to buy a compact today, I'd buy a Nissan Versa. Brutally simple and dead reliable...And DAMN cheap for a manny tranny version with no options.

Daryl LBZ · July 11, 2011

Id either buy a Cruze or a Fiesta.

greentourismo · July 12, 2011

There are only a handful of cars out there with full leather seats.....hyundais sure arent one of them. The gm leather seats have more real leather on them than most fords, dodge, audi, bmw, mercedes, and kia's....Gm just seems to be the only manufacurer that tells you they are not 100% leather.

There is no brand loyalty with the younger buyers. Look at the choices they are faced with: Hmmm... Should I buy the Silverado with lint collecting interior or leather "seating surfaces" for 40k or buy the Kia with cooled leather seats for 25k?

The US manufactures can't compete until they start making quality products at a fair price. They have a long way to go.

greentourismo · July 12, 2011

Im sure they realize the problem, but they have gotten deep into the unions and way overpay employees to put these things together resulting in either high selling costs or cheaping out on materials.If they could get all the plants filled with employees making wages like the foreign manufacturers they would be leaps and bounds ahead in pricing and profits

Then why don't they realize this, and work to make the prices lower. I was going to buy a new Camaro in 09 until I realized that I could get a new Silverado for less, and it will do alot more. So thats what I bought.

Daryl LBZ · July 12, 2011

Im sure they realize the problem, but they have gotten deep into the unions and way overpay employees to put these things together resulting in either high selling costs or cheaping out on materials.If they could get all the plants filled with employees making wages like the foreign manufacturers they would be leaps and bounds ahead in pricing and profits
Then why don't they realize this, and work to make the prices lower. I was going to buy a new Camaro in 09 until I realized that I could get a new Silverado for less, and it will do alot more. So thats what I bought.

This is a very good point. So really there helping the American worker more than the Foreign Automakers are just for the fact that they pay them more...

brantmacga · August 20, 2011

This is a very good point. So really there helping the American worker more than the Foreign Automakers are just for the fact that they pay them more...

not by choice.

the american union worker will eventually put america out of business.