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Domestic (mostly - built in Lansing, MI and 70% of the parts come from USA/Canada). 2008 GMC Acadia - it was supposed to get 24 mpg highway... (lies!!!! best so far is 16 mpg - ugh). I've always tried to get "domestic" (relative term) vehicles but... I'm thinking next time going w/ a foreign car company who manufacturers here????... if I can find one I like.
When I got rid of my Contour, it was 10 years old and had 160k miles on it. It also was getting 32mpg on average. I'm dumbfounded by the newest offerings getting just a few more mpg than that (EPA estimates, not even reality) and being promoted by the manufacturers as being so fuel efficient.
It's pathetic, actually...
newer vehicles weight quite a bit more than their previous models. Today's Civic and Corolla are about as big as the Camry and Accords of the past.
2003 Chevrolet Malibu. Wife has a 1996 Mazda Protege'. Parents have a 2007 Saturn Aura and a 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan. All of my cars have either been Chevrolet or Buick
I drive a GMC 2001 high end leathered up full size PU that gets 15mpg. One time from Chicago through snow going 40 mph I got 17.
I keep it up and I do love it. That mileage is a killer though.
My wife drives a VW Jetta Diesel. AT 75+ mph it gets 43 mph. Honest mileage. It runs and handles like a bat outta hell. Top end is governed at 130. Big Bend country, when it had about 15k on it. At 125 is is as solid as my 90 Corvette was. You really have to watch the Jetta, if you do not look at the speedo on good roads you will be at 82mph every time. That is the cars "comfort" speed. This our 2nd Jetta Diesel and this new one is vastly improved. Large enough to have a usable back seat behind a 6 footer, an automatic transmission w/o a torque converter but a computer shifted system with a clutch. Interactive handling so if you go in a slide the car will automatically apply brake to the apprporiate rear wheel to straighten you up. ESTM engine life 500,000+.
The point of all of that espisile is not to promote VW but to ask, "Why cannot I buy an equivilent American car like that?".
Next question that begs to be ask and answered, "Why can I not buy a 1/2 ton PU with diesel power that would get from 24 to 30 mpg?". The market has been screaming for just such a vehicle for almost 15 years. Instead they give us GWV 14,000 lb trucks with HUGE engines, inefficient heavy duty transmissions and they get 14 to 21 mpg and have a $40,000+ price tag on them.
My Church has a Sprinter (Mercedes) van that is huge with a 5 cylinder diesel in it, I can load it up with Blue Haired women push all that air with its non aerodemic shape and still get over 20mph.
Detroit's problem is, was, has been, not producing vehicles the public wants, living down the shi+ quality reputation (not true now) left over from the early 90's and b4 and the corporate staff, CEO, Board of Directors not looking past next quaters profits, this year end bonus, and just how many stock options can be cashed in after manipulating the company stock for a bubble high.
Notice not one place did I lay blame on a bumper fitter, windsheild sealer, muffler placer. This is not the UAW's fault nor any hourly or low level white collar's employees fault, no matter how much Rush, and all the other Union Hating noise making Republican scream and sing. I ask you not to buy the BS.
Mule, it is you. I thought so and this post proves it. How ya doing, your old union lover, you?
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