Just like to reference my post on the cheap gas thread, it seems more appropriate here. I’d love to buy american and they can build trucks, but as most savvy consumers know and as GM has admitted, they build crappy cars.
GM, in admitting that they have been making subpar cars in an open letter, has pretty much summed up the american automobile industry. For those of us who were born before 1980, you may have fond memories of when american cars were fresh and exciting. However for those of us born in 1980 and beyond we generally have a very pessimistic view of american autos. From my childhood and on I remember every car my parents bought, and I could make a running list of the problems between american cars and japanese cars (my parents didn’t buy any BMW’s or Volvos).
1.)We had a 1991 ford explorer, it came from the factory with a cracked cylinder head, it wasn’t discovered until 50,000 miles so the car always shuddered and ran like crap, plus once it got over 40,000 miles the seats began to show signifigant wear and it was squeak and rattle city in the interior.
2.) Next up we bought a 1994 cadillac deville. The car ran like a dream until the trasmission dropped at 51,000 miles (ironically right after the warranty was up, in a freakin’ caddie!) GM only paid for $1000 of a $3000 repair.
3.) Next up we gave american cars another swing with a 1998 lincoln continental. Once again it ran great except the engine computer would screw up every 5000 miles and the interior light fuse blew over and over. Then at that Magic number again, 50,000 miles, my dad was turning the car around in the driveway when he heard a loud pop, the power sterring pump had burst, getting fluid all over the engine and engine compartment. To top it off the stereo belonged in an escort.
4.) Used car snippets, we bought a 1989 mustang convertible 4 cylinder convertible for my sister. Granted it was used but by 70,000 the fuel pump went out twice, the top motor had burned out and the interior was the cheapest, rattlinist pile o’ crap I had seen yet. also we bought a used ford ranger with 60,000 miles, the heater blew out flaming pine straw and the carbuerator demanded you not take your foot off the gas for at least 10 minutes on a cold morning.
On a lighter note the 1995 Jeep cherokee I had for 80,000 miles was great, no major problems, americans could always build a truck, I believe thats another reason we are in trouble. My parents have also owned a honda pilot, ridgeline, and accord also an acura TL and RL and an acura legend. We have had absolutely no problem out of these cars, the engines run forever if you just do basic maintainence. Best of all the interiors are nice, durable and do not rattle or feel cheap. (I will admit nissan makes kind of cheap interiors).
I’d really like to buy american but how many times can you put your hand in the fire? My parents have been screwed by american cars again and again. I don’t know if they are just cheaping out for max profit, or maybe its the enormous legacy costs. However american auto makers have certainly earned a reputation for lackluster design and half-a** engineering and quality. I don’t know how or how long it will take to turn this around.
