Domestic Vs Foreign, The Facts!

VMax2007 · July 1, 2008

http://www.levelfieldinstitute.org/index.html

Zembonez · July 1, 2008

Gee... written by former auto workers. I'm sure there is no SLANT there!

I think US automaker jobs have suffered most from Greedy unions and the "more than spotty" reliability records that come with their cars. I'll buy an American made truck in a heartbeat but you can't make me buy a new American made car. Even if you get lucky and buy one that will last 100,000 miles, you take it in the shorts resale wise because US automakers are whores and sell thousands and thousands of their cars to rental and fleet accounts... ruining any chance of retaining any resale value.

I'll keep buying Hondas and Nissans for the family car. They are worth a very high percentage of their up front cost at the end of 2 or 3 years. Try that with a Malibu, Taurus, or Impala.

Yeah... good luck!

VMax2007 · July 1, 2008

Facts are facts, regardless who collects and publishes them.

Oh, and that thinking was acurate 10-20 years ago. But not today, come join us in 2008 Jim.

The new Malibu is 10X the car the Camry or any other ricer is.

Zembonez · July 1, 2008

Nice try Jeff. Go sell that BS to the Girlscouts down the street. Statistics can be slanted anyway you want. It's a game. Hell, it's an occupation for many.

The new Malibu is a much, much improved car. (The old one was such a POS that it would not have to be all that good to be a LOT better) We still have along way to go to catch the Japanese in the quality and resale department. I didn't make it that way... I'm just smart enough to see it.

The new Malibu is a giant step up for GM in the car department. I hope the rest of GM follows suit. I'd like to want to buy a mainstream American car again. It will have to be because of quality... not because of spin trying to make me feel bad if I choose not to buy some POS because it saves a greedy union job.

EDIT:

VMax2007 · July 1, 2008

Well, believe what you want. I love my wife's 2004 Impala. Rides beautifully, is powerful and has been VERY reliable. As were all of our previous GM cars. Our 1997 Lumina never once saw a shop floor (other than brakes, oil, tires, etc).

Guess I am just lucky huh?

Jackson · July 1, 2008

I think american cars have come a LONG way in the past few years, however that bridge has not been gapped yet between foreign and domestic. Honda and Toyota still make superior quality cars IMO. ........notice I left out Nissan. I don't think Nissan is good quality at all.

Zembonez · July 1, 2008

Guess I am just lucky huh?

NAH... American new car quality (not counting Chrysler) has actually been getting better slowly over the last couple of decades. I'd say you were lucky with the Lumina. The Impala is a large scale improvement. If they would just get the darn resale back up I'd consider one. We trade too often to lose a ton of money every two years. Hopefully that will improve.

Zembonez · July 2, 2008

I think american cars have come a LONG way in the past few years, however that bridge has not been gapped yet between foreign and domestic. Honda and Toyota still make superior quality cars IMO. ........notice I left out Nissan. I don't think Nissan is good quality at all.

Nissan has some issues due to their French partnership company's engine designs. I believe the 2.5 Altima engine is one of them. Overall I'd say their quality is on par with Toyota who has had more than a few engine sludge and quality issues in the last 5 years.

Honda is the mark all carmakers should aim at when it comes to quality. I'm not saying they are as plush or as user friendly as some other cars but if I had to choose one that car would still be running smooth at 200K it would be an Accord. It is the single benchmark carmakers shoot at when building a midsize sedan. Camry is a close second. You can't argue with pure sales numbers - year after year after year.

carneyman · July 2, 2008

I dunno. We tested out Hondas, Toyotas, and Nissans before we sat in a new Impala. It's interior was 10x better than the rest, the ride was a huge step above the rest, and the power (even in the "little" v6) was more noticeable. My wife was in a wreck about 3 years ago and riding in just about anything for a long period of time hurts her back. We got rid of her Volvo s80 and into the Impala and it is much more bearable for her. So I would say GM at least has surpassed foreign cars in quality.

Zembonez · July 2, 2008

So I would say GM at least has surpassed foreign cars in quality.

A cushy ride and barcalounger seats don't make any statement for quality. Try rolling down the windows in a 10 year old Impala and seeing if all of the accessories work. It'll be tired and many trim items and accessories will be in disrepair. The same age Accord will have everything in order and be ready to go.

I buy 200 cars a month and have for years. I see how these cars actually hold up when they are being traded in. It's sad to see how well the Japanese are kicking out butts. I'm as Red White & Blue blooded as the next American but facts are just that... facts.

carneyman · July 2, 2008

So I would say GM at least has surpassed foreign cars in quality.

A cushy ride and barcalounger seats don't make any statement for quality. Try rolling down the windows in a 10 year old Impala and seeing if all of the accessories work. It'll be tired and many trim items and accessories will be in disrepair. The same age Accord will have everything in order and be ready to go.

I buy 200 cars a month and have for years. I see how these cars actually hold up when they are being traded in. It's sad to see how well the Japanese are kicking out butts. I'm as Red White & Blue blooded as the next American but facts are just that... facts.

I dunno. I consider those to be pretty important for quality. I don't plan on keeping it 10 years, so that doesn't bother me. As long as it runs (and runs the same) till we are ready to get a new car, I'm happy.

Like I said, we bought it because it rode better and was more comfortable for the wifey. Since its a new model, we will see how it holds up. So far so good.

Zembonez · July 2, 2008

C'mon guys... I'm trying to get Jeff worked up into a lather here. I don't actually hate American cars.

carneyman · July 2, 2008

Well, work harder...start hatin on his truck!

VMax2007 · July 2, 2008

C'mon guys... I'm trying to get Jeff worked up into a lather here. I don't actually hate American cars.

Good luck with that Jim. I have nearly 1000 posts at TN, so I have lots of experience with the rice crowd.

Let me say this....You can show me all of the media comparisons, tests, etc, blah blah, blah... you want, but I will let my personal experience override any and all of that. With that said, read on and then tell me why I should even consider buying anything other than GM.

I have been driving GM cars and trucks for 26 years (cars from 1982-1990, trucks ever since). My wife and her parents have always driven GM. My mom has always driven GM (less a ford or 2 mixed in) and my brother has also been a lifelong GM guy. I have known my wife for 19 years and in that time, her parents have been driving older, high mileage GM's (mostly Buick and Olds) and have NEVER owned a new car. OK, with all that said, guess how many times any of the aforementioned people, including myself have been stranded on the side of the road? If you guessed "zero", you are correct. Guess how many times I have ever needed to call a tow truck? Yep, zero is the correct answer again. Guess how many major repairs I have needed? You got it...zero! Same can be said for my mom and in-laws (for the past 19 years I've known them anyway). Pretty sure my brother also fits in there, but I cannot say that for sure as I have not asked him, but none that I know of, and we do talk alot, especially about cars/trucks.

Even my mom's 1987 Olds Calais, which she bought brand new in 87 was a reliable car and we both hated that POS. It was cheap and built cheap, but it NEVER once had even the slightest issue. The only lemon she had was a 1993 Ford Taurus. The one time my wife and I "strayed" from GM was when I bought her a 1993 Plymouth Voyager, which we only owned for 1 year because it was a complete POS. But in it's defense, it was a rental return from LAX airport. back to GM I went.

So Jim, you can take your "Japanese Superiority" BS to your local Girlscouts and sell it to them. I will keep buying GM until my "luck" runs out.

Cheers!