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I don't understand why anybody would specifically not buy American... but to each his own.
Not saying you should only buy American, but it's not like our product is that bad. Or any worse than other things I've driven.
Why should you buy anything for a given amount of money that is mediocre? Do you routinely choose to buy things because they are "not bad?" Is this any different for a blender or toaster or TV?
If I am spending $20K or $30K for a car I am going to buy the best I can. For about 10-20 years - not many American vehicles would qualify.
I am always going to reward the manufacturer that meets my needs best. Not the company located in a particular city, state, or country.
Compared to other modern cars, a 4 cylinder Honda may be "easy" to work on, but not compared to older cars (pre-'80s). With one of my ('60s) cars, I can almost stand in the engine compartment... that's how much room there is in there!
But many of those old cars just weren't very good. They didn't ride well, they were slow, they were thirsty, they didn't stop well, and they weren't safe.
But they were easy to work on. And that's a good thing because they needed service so often.
But many of those old cars just weren't very good. They didn't ride well, they were slow, they were thirsty, they didn't stop well, and they weren't safe.
But they were easy to work on. And that's a good thing because they needed service so often.
Let's see... my former '66 Dodge Dart GT (V-8)... original engine until 1990... had it rebuilt only because it was burning oil. Original transmission until 1988 (too many powerbraking burnouts). A brake job lasted 8 years (1980-'88), fuel pump 15+ years, alternator, too. Where is the "needing service so often?"
There were/are quite a few old cars which ride well, are fast, could get 15+ mpg, and stopped well. For instance, Motor Trend tests showed a '69 Lincoln, '69 Imperial and '71 Hemi Charger all stopping from 60-0 mph in under 120 feet. That is better than some modern cars!
Using actual figures, it is possible to see that there were old cars out there that could brake well. In fact, even as well as the old sports cars:
(Figures from Car & Driver)
80-0 mph panic stop
'68 Ferrari 275/GTB-4----------- 270 feet/0.79 G
'69 Dodge Super Bee 383-------- 250 feet/0.85 G
'69 Ford Fairlane Cobra 428------ 248 feet/0.86 G
'69 Plymouth Road Runner Hemi-- 245 feet/0.87 G
'70 Chevy Chevelle SS 454------ 272 feet/0.79 G
With one exception(a Mercury), i've always been a GM loyalist. Until i became a Pontiac owner that is. You could now most likely put me amongst the 20% in that poll, because i don't foresee any GM vehicles in my future for many, many years. Ford hasn't offered anything(in our U.S. market) of interest to me personally in at least a decade, so the prospect of giving them another shot looks nil as well.
But many of those old cars just weren't very good. They didn't ride well, they were slow, they were thirsty, they didn't stop well, and they weren't safe.
But they were easy to work on. And that's a good thing because they needed service so often.
I disagree the old carburated v-8 cars were very durable the only thing that was bad about them is they rusted quite badly.
I might buy an American car again someday....if their rep for reliability ever approaches that of my Hondas/Toyotas. They are going to have to build a great car for at least as long as they built crap....so maybe in 20-30 years I might give them another look?
No J D Power BS, or testimonials from UAW sympathizers either....I mean when lots and LOTS of average people start saying, "Man, those Fords (or Chevies) run forever!"....maybe then.
No J D Power BS, or testimonials from UAW sympathizers either....I mean when lots and LOTS of average people start saying, "Man, those Fords (or Chevies) run forever!"....maybe then.
I never had a problem with GM cars not lasting "forever". The problem is that they rapidly disintegrate in to utter crap once they hit about 50K. Reliable? Yeah, i'll give them that endorsement. Well constructed? Uh, no. Not at all. Dash pads and consoles shouldn't rattle and squeak at 40K. Accessory switches, trim pieces, and knobs shouldn't fall off at 50K. Body hardware shouldn't groan and heave at 60K......................
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