What american car to buy? (vehicles, 2009, sedans, Japanese)

[yo vanilla]

Originally Posted by ferretkona

Ford is top rated for quality. And they did not get a govt buyout.

Beat me to it. For both reasons, Ford is the way I would go. They have made huge strides in the last decade in products and in keeping themselves financially viable (all of the "Big 3" automakers have been in financial trouble this decade, only Ford has properly remained afloat). For the record I haven't owned an American make since 1998, because they hadn't made any good cars. Prior to that my first 6 cars were GM and 1 Lincoln. But I would by a Ford today.

They don't have a 4 door V8. If you can skip the 4 door, there's nothing more American than the Mustang. If you can skip the V8, try a V6 Fusion.

If you have to have both, you might need to find a used GM car, like the Pontiac G8.

[hoffdano]

Is the V8 important or is it the performance of a V8?

If the latter, the new Taurus SHO might be a very good choice.

GM's direct injected V6 engines produce ~ 300 HP now and produce very respectable power now.

[Bummer]

Interesting question, Sne4.

Don't forget the additional space and added utility of a "smaller" SUV such as a Chevy Equinox or Traverse or the GMC Acadia or Terrain.

Good Luck.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by yo vanilla

But I would by a Ford today.

They don't have a 4 door V8.

Doesnt the Town Car come with a V8 anymore? I just sat in one the other night and didnt even bother to look at the engine.

[motormaker]

Looks like they have a V8.

2010 Lincoln Town Car Performance Information | The Official Site of the Lincoln Town Car | Lincoln.com

[yo vanilla]

Town Car/Crown Vic and it's measly 240hp doesn't count. C'mon now. May as well suggest an F250 crew cab

[iTsLiKeAnEgG]

The Town Car is so dated (more than ten years now) that I'm not sure who would waste their money buying one new. If I was stuck picking a domestic sedan I'd definitely go with the Pontiac G8 GT/GXP or with a Cadillac CTS-V if funds permitted. Every other domestic sedan is so far out of their league they are not worth mentioning.

[Checkered24]

IMO, Pontiac G8 is the best all around 4 door V8 from an American manufacturer.

If you can pass on the V8, the Taurus SHO is a nice option.

Really, the Chrysler 300C/Dodge Charger are decent V8 sedans too, but I would rather have the G8.

[GTOlover]

I you want a real fun RWD american car pick up a 96-02 dodge viper with a 450HP 8.0liter V-10

[Drover]

Originally Posted by GTOlover

I you want a real fun RWD american car pick up a 96-02 dodge viper with a 450HP 8.0liter V-10

The guy asks for recommendations on a 4-door V8 and you suggest a 2-seat, 2-door V10 sports coupe. Good call.