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Buying American Cars What Does It Mean?

18082 messages,  Last post on May 28, 2013 at 4:50 AM

You are in the Automotive News & Views Forum.

What is this discussion about? Car Buying

With parts coming from everywhere, does "Buying American" have much meaning anymore? Is quality and price the bottom line?

Messages Page 1437 of 1809

#14355 of 18082 Re: politics as usual [andre1969] by fintail

Sep 19, 2012 (2:15 pm)

Replying to: andre1969 (Sep 19, 2012 10:27 am)
Would you like Chinese quality metallurgy for the wheels on your car? No thanks.
 
I see a lot of cars with blingy aftermarket wheels - the used luxo dealers seem to like to stick them on - nothing cooler than a 2003 E-class or similar year Range Rover with big ugly aftermarket wheels. All made in China no doubt. First step on a car headed to its death.

#14356 of 18082 Re: politics as usual [fintail] by lemko

Sep 19, 2012 (2:50 pm)

Replying to: fintail (Sep 19, 2012 2:15 pm)
There are a lot of shady BHPH lots in marginal Lower NE Philly neighborhoods that sell cars like that to unsuspecting fools who think they can look rich for cheap. It's not long before their rides are broken and there's no funds for a costly out-of-warranty repair as the cars are sitting in front of run-down rowhouses or in the potholed lots of fleabag apartment complexes until the local "yutes" strip them clean like vultures and hyenas strip a carcass or they're repo'd and the owners' already shaky credit is further in the toilet.

#14357 of 18082 Re: Buying GM means AC failure expense [berri] by roadburner

Sep 19, 2012 (4:10 pm)

Replying to: berri (Sep 17, 2012 11:28 am)
I recall GM having a bi level setting some years ago which was great for winter. You could cool the top vents and heat the bottom.
 
My first -and last- GM car(a 1974 Monte Carlo) had that feature, and it worked well. Funny thing, my X3 and 328i have a thumbwheel that allows you to vary the temperature coming from the dash vents; I believe BMW first incorporated that feature in the '90s. Some people don't like that system but I find it useful.

#14358 of 18082 Re: lemko [dieselone] by fezo

Sep 19, 2012 (4:16 pm)

Replying to: dieselone (Sep 19, 2012 12:58 pm)
I can't think of one vehicle from late 80's detroit I'd remotely want to own or drive today.
 
Come on! You're talking to lemko! AT least you could say "there's only one late 80s Detroit."........

#14359 of 18082 Re: lemko [fezo] by dieselone

Sep 19, 2012 (4:19 pm)

Replying to: fezo (Sep 19, 2012 4:16 pm)
Come on! You're talking to lemko! AT least you could say "there's only one late 80s Detroit."...
 
I guess I could say that..LOL. There were several domestic cars I liked in the 80's but that was then, I don't want them now.

#14360 of 18082 Re: lemko [dieselone] by fezo

Sep 19, 2012 (4:52 pm)

Replying to: dieselone (Sep 19, 2012 4:19 pm)
Just as well. He isn't selling his.

#14361 of 18082 Re: lemko [dieselone] by berri

Sep 19, 2012 (5:36 pm)

Replying to: dieselone (Sep 19, 2012 4:19 pm)
Some of the full sized sedans like LeSabre or 88 with a 350 V8 were decent, and actually had very good fuel mileage even for their size today.

#14362 of 18082 Re: lemko [berri] by dieselone

Sep 19, 2012 (6:05 pm)

Replying to: berri (Sep 19, 2012 5:36 pm)
Some of the full sized sedans like LeSabre or 88 with a 350 V8 were decent, and actually had very good fuel mileage even for their size today.
 
Some of those cars could get decent mileage, I remember my grandpa getting 25-28mpg out of his '83 Delta 88. But that's not so impressive considering it only had around 140hp and back then he rarely drove faster than 60mph on the highway. It would be downright slow compared to any comparable car today. I can drive my wife's '11 Taurus 75-80 and still get over 25, it would be over 30 at 60mph.
 
Those were good cars back in then, but I definitely don't long for how they drove. They were just too soft, sluggish, numb, and sloppy for my tastes.
 
I do have some experience with those cars as that's what my grandpa always drove and my first car was a '75 Buick Regal that if nothing else could take some abuse from a 16 year old.

#14363 of 18082 Re: lemko [dieselone] by berri

Sep 19, 2012 (6:36 pm)

Replying to: dieselone (Sep 19, 2012 6:05 pm)
Now I think you said you drive an Expedition, and you don't appreciate driving a land yacht or boat? Just kidding! Actually, I'd like the size and style of say around 56 though 67, but with the quality and performance of today. But hey, I'd like to win a big lotto too! Just got to dream the impossible dream.

#14364 of 18082 Re: lemko [berri] by dieselone

Sep 19, 2012 (6:59 pm)

Replying to: berri (Sep 19, 2012 6:36 pm)
Now I think you said you drive an Expedition, and you don't appreciate driving a land yacht or boat?
 
LOL, I deserve that comment. No not really, but it's the only type of vehicle that can haul the more than 6 people while towing our toys. That said I don't mind driving it that much, I kind of learned to like it. The steering is accurate with decent feed back and the suspension is firm enough that it doesn't wallow and float down the road, but it's certainly not "fun" to drive.
 
That said, you'll never hear me claim that a Toyota Landcruiser/Lexus LX is just an Expedition with a fancy interior. I know those are far superior vehicles in just about every way. But you have to pay for that level of luxury, comfort, performance, quality. The Expedition is good enough for what I need to do and i don't have to cringe when the 85lb lab scratches the seat or while two rows of kids eat and drink;) while hauling the boat to the lake.

Messages Page 1437 of 1809

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