Are Domestic Cars Really Better Than Foreign Makes?

Question

I've had this debate with my family about domestic and foreign cars. I love foreign cars, I think they are more worth your money than a domestic. What do you think?

Answer 1

This is dependent on what makes a car "better" than another. Is quality a measure of reliability for you? Or is it the styling, safety, fuel economy of other trait. How a car rates to the competition in your eyes depends entirely on how you value the product. That being said, certain FACTS seem to indicate that imports are better overall than domestic offerings. Here they are.

1. For the largest part, foreign automobiles top the Consumer Reports Recommended buys. Although some domestics show up there too, the list favors foreign autos. This has been true for several years. Consumer Reports is the most reliable benchmark out there as they accept no funding from corporations. Their data is based on actual maintenance figures, and they buy every vehicle they test.

2. The American Government imposes import tariffs on the autos coming into the country. If you were allowing a competitor into your playing field to compete. If your product was better, would you still need to handicap the competition with a tariff? Although this isn't proof of quality, it's well known that Domestic auto manufacturers lobbied the government for these tariffs many moons ago, because they could not compete.

3. For several years, despite the tariffs and huge sales, domestic manufacturers are all in financial trouble whereas the financials of most Imports is quite impressive.

4. This can be interpreted in two ways; I've read someplace (and I wish I could quote the source, but I can't) Average import car owner keeps their car for 6 years, whereas the average domestic owner keeps their car for 3 years. The way I interpret this is that customers are fed up with domestics quicker.

The mighty dollar tells the tale. Consumers vote with their pocket books. Every manufacturer makes a lemon. There's several Mercedes Benzes that are considered crappy cars, whereas the cavalier was considered a recommended buy a few years in a row. Overall, I believe the Lexus rates the highest.

Unfortunately, I think no matter what, this debate will go on forever.

Answer 2

I love to debate the same thing. Local/Domestic cars are easier to fix, and I have confirmed this one time and time again. Burnt out headlight? either a 2 dollar or an 8 dollar lightbulb. Foreign car- dont even ask. It seems like they make it a huge point to make everything as a unit. Burnt out lightbulb? Change the entire driving light, low beam and high beam assembly that is part of the front unit of the entire car.
Excuse me? A burnt out out light will cost me HOW MUCH ???? (faints)

Gas mileage wise, the foreign cars win hands down. Looks? Both are comparable. Arrangement of doodads on the dashboard, both have their sins. The only knobs easy to get at is the entertainment assembly such as the radio and the CD player.

Why do I love Ford and Chevrolet? They are both super reliable.
So they are gas guzzlers, but they can climb hills and mountains under tortuous conditions while heavy as heck.

In your lifetime, make it a point to own several cars of different makes. It will be a great experience.

Answer 3

I have never put much stock in the media, and this is just one of the classic examples why. The media spouts the better reliability, quality, and longevity of imports. My personal experience has been the opposite. I've owned one toyota and one mitsubishi, and they were both constantly breaking down and in the shop at well under 100,000 miles. My last two cars have been a pontiac and a ford. The Pontiac ran well to 262,000 miles and the only thing i ever did to it other than routine maintenance was an alternator at about 200,000 miles. My ford is currently at 99,000 miles and I have had it for 4 years. I have yet to have to do anything other than routine maintenance to it.

Answer 4

there is no absolute yes or no. Jaguars and land rovers are very unreliable(altho they are foreign brands owned by domestic companies). Ford GT was able to beat ferrari in the Lemans back in the 60s, and corvette is dominating in enduro races that they have to put extra weight on them to make thing even so the Aston Martin can catch up. I would buy a ford focus over a Yugo anytime.

Answer 5

Buy Japanese or German, I have had better experience with foreign than domestic.

I wish US cars were better.