Tell me if you own an Big Three american model car or a Foreign Import and why you choose that one?

Question

Big Threes ( GM, Ford, Daimlser Chrysler) are losing market share fast , as foreign cars, japanese, korean, german brand are taking over the north american consumer choice of preference. Could you explain in your personal experience why US automakers are losing grounds over foreign auto companies. let face it, all americans love Made in America, why not their most private possession- the beloved personal automobile?

Answer 1

Name a 'foreign' car sold in America that does not have an assembly plant right here in the USA? Kia? Porsche? I purchased a Mustang GT because, (like everyone on the planet) I got a great deal on it. I do love the gobs of torque but I am in no way in denial that the build quality is near Lexus or even Honda standards. I think the leading factor in the new American cars sales slump is simply they are just plain ugly. Not Scion XB or Honda Element ugly, but bland, boring and forgetable. Can you imagine ANYONE looking at a Chevy Malibu in a showroom and thinking.."man, I would love to have that beauty in my driveway" ? No way! With exception of Chrysler, the big three suffer from the lack of bold styling for the masses. Take the the Chrysler 300 -- love it or hate, you gotta admit you can pick it out in a parking lot. But then there's the Neon and Sebring, ten year old re-hashes of the same old boring car year after year.
This is what happens when boring accountants decide what to build vs regular car guys and gals.

Answer 2

You got me. I was raised not to buy imported puddle jumpers. But, in this day and age, most 'imports' are made in the USA. I still only buy Fords or Chevrolets though. Until the Big Three can get a handle on union costs, they absolutely CANNOT compete with the other companies. GM is starting by closing factories, thus cancelling union contracts, then re-opening them. Ford, is further behind, but realizes it has to do the same soon.

Today I own;
99 Ford F-150
92 Chevy Camaro
84 Chevy Corvette
My next purchase will either be the 2008 Camaro, if I like it, or a 2008 Mustang.

Answer 3

I own an old Plymouth Voyager with manual transmission, because I need the space to go on an occasional overnight trip, but like a car that doesn't stick out like a big RV. But last week my transmission went and the only manufacturer to offer a minivan with manual transmission is Mazda.
This will likely be the end of my American car days - because I have no choice.

Answer 4

I have two F-150's and a F-450 for my bizz,I haul logs all the time, and a 1963 Falcon for a toy,All American.I'm 6'3" tall and I like a vehicle that I don't have to be uncomfortable in.My 1993 F-150 4x4 has 274,000 miles and the other has 170,000, my F-450 is a deisel and has over 300,000 miles on it.

Answer 5

I've owned both. In the 70's American cars were very poorly built and had a lot of technical issues. By 1985 they were about equal to the Japenese in terms of quality and durabilty. I currently own a domestic vehicle and have had no problems with it in 3 years.

Answer 6

We as american have supplied the world with our tax dollar and rebuilt countries that ravage our heroes and tell ourselves that we exercising the freedom of choice in the election to prefer imports than domestics,now let,s turn the tables a bit,let,s say that japan had won the war ,do you think that they would have given us the technology to rebuild our war torn country by giving us free knowledge that was paid for by the tax dollars of their citizens.I think not, the treatment of prisoners and war history has told us that the japan was about to rule as hitler wanted and they were in cohoots,but we as americans are not as pathriotic as we think we are,we are the most impulsive buyers in the world and do so without thinking about the conciquences or the long term effect of our actions.Japan trades with the USA and do not allow a propaganda machine in advertising in japan as they have the freedom to do in the USA second the chinese were to follow suit lopsiding the trade markets to create a deficit in their favor ,driving down the quality of living for our own citizens through the purchase of any and all import goods,without failing to realize that to produce in America will take term (cost of production ) to another level, since imports do not abide by the same employee standards they can manufacture cheaply and improve an already proven technology by doing what is but small innovations like gas economy and smaller practical cars. Since the invention of the automobile ,the single most practicality that eludes the consumer is still the gas economy,for every gallon of gas you burn for the miles you run you only use 1/3 of that total gallon.When imports and domestic alike improves on this factor ,I will keep buying local ,since the botton line is clear,I cannot drive a Lexus and my quality of life treatens the imminent demise of my future generation,my children, what,s your take?

Answer 7

I prefer the Big Three vehicles. I find that the imports are not made for a person of my size. The seats are just not comfortable for a larger person.

Answer 8

I have never owned an American car. I have tried various cars on test drives and while renting, but apart from comfort, they were lackluster. For example, I recently drove a Pacifica - a very big car that was somewhat luxurious inside, but had poor power, poor visibility when backing up (dangerous with a large vehicle) and the rear seat belts did not lock for a child seat. My current cars (Toyota Highlander and Honda Civic) are comfortable, have great quality and safety ratings, are very quiet and have terrific gas mileage. I just don't see American cars matching their quality despite years of making quality "job 1."

Answer 9

Big three times 5!
Foreign cars were very reliable years ago. Now they are equal or below equal to the big three. Just ask an Acura mechanic!
Now big three has made adjustments, but the myth persists!

Answer 10

GM is the way to go! My 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera has over 150,000 miles and is still kickin strog with decent gas milage, power, reliability and comfort.