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Buying American Cars What Does It Mean?

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

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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 1502 of 1809

#15010 of 18082 Re: Hey... [ateixeira] by fezo

Nov 09, 2012 (1:47 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Nov 09, 2012 8:44 am)
I'm stunned that the hardtop convertibles are working out with that kind of cargo space. I remember that the old VW Cabrio couldn't hold a guitar in cargo unless you folded down the back seat, reducing the passenger space to two. That didn't work for me at that point.
 
Heck the reason I have the Solara is the roominess for a convertible. I certainly didn't buy it for its driving dynamics (though it's better than my wife's Camry).

#15011 of 18082 Re: Hey... [fezo] by ateixeira

Nov 09, 2012 (1:56 pm)

Replying to: fezo (Nov 09, 2012 1:47 pm)
Buddy's sister took us to the airport once, she had a cabrio. It was ridiculous! You could squeeze a briefcase in there, maybe!
 
Had to use the back seat and take the top down since things were sticking up!

#15012 of 18082 Re: Hey... [ateixeira] by fezo

Nov 09, 2012 (3:00 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Nov 09, 2012 1:56 pm)
Like the first generation Miatas. Wonderful cars but you couldn't pack more than a box of tissues in there....

#15013 of 18082 Re: Back on track [gagrice] by cannon3

Nov 09, 2012 (4:48 pm)

Replying to: gagrice (Nov 08, 2012 5:24 pm)
Thank-you for posting the content of how much of these Kia's are not American made. So basically these vehicles are assembled here not "made". This ad is very misleading and I feel more Americans need to be educated on this. I am in the process of gathering data on the plant itself. As far as where the robotics/tooling/machinery are sourced from. My bet Korea. Also trying to find out who supports the tooling/spare parts in this plant. My bet Korea. Americans need to understand there is more to these transplants and them claiming "Made in America". Educate, spread the word....

#15014 of 18082 Re: Back on track [cannon3] by gagrice

Nov 09, 2012 (6:11 pm)

Replying to: cannon3 (Nov 09, 2012 4:48 pm)
You can thank our President for the KORUS agreement he signed for more Korean Imports. Including $3 billion in parts to GM. That agreement was signed before the ink was dry on Obama's Korean Trade agreement. An agreement the the UAW boss endorsed.
 
Speaking of content. Do not forget the number ONE selling Cadillac SRX is only 26% USA content. So it is less American than the two top selling Kias.
 
I think you will find the made in America labeling will be more and more deceptive. There is a LCD TV manufacturer (parts assembler) in Michigan that puts big Made in USA labels on TVs, to fool the unsuspecting buyers.
 
The new assembly line is tucked inside a cavernous factory in this Detroit suburb that once made old-style tube televisions. Their first product: a 46-inch flat-screen model going on sale soon at Target stores for $499.
 
The project is the unusual result of a partnership between a U.S. branding company and a Chinese producer and is as much about marketing a U.S.-made television as it is about a global shift in manufacturing costs.
 
http://video.msnbc.msn.com/nightly-news/47181431#47181431
 
So what percentage do you attach to assembling a bunch of Chinese parts. Then putting them in a Chinese made box with Made in America all over it?

#15015 of 18082 Re: Back on track [cannon3] by roadburner

Nov 09, 2012 (7:54 pm)

Replying to: cannon3 (Nov 09, 2012 4:48 pm)
Educate, spread the word....
 
You'll be happy to know that I did! Here's what I wrote about the Optima in my monthly automotive column:
 
Kia Optima SX Turbo: The stylish Optima is aimed at the mid-sized sedan market, and pretty much hits its mark. It is handsome, relatively quick, and packed with features that were only found on the most expensive luxury cars a few years ago. Voice activated navigation, heated/cooled/seats, the SX has them all. I was especially impressed by the interior(Kia hired away one of Audi's chief designers and the result is evident here). EPA mileage is 22/34. Best of all, the Optima Turbo costs less than $31,000, and comes with Kia's 10 year/100,000 mile warranty. Be aware, that the Optima is not a sports sedan, but having said that I'd note that it is no less fun to drive than the new BMW 528i- which is certainly no sports sedan either.

#15016 of 18082 Re: Back on track [roadburner] by uplanderguy

Nov 11, 2012 (10:14 am)

Replying to: roadburner (Nov 09, 2012 7:54 pm)
Thumbed through the Dec. C&D at the store, where they wrapped up reporting on their 40K-mile Sonata. Some surprises to my eyes, based on all I hear about how great that company is. Fuel smell in the car until a hose was replaced; oil pan leak; shift lever recall; chrome trim peeling inside, etc. All warranty stuff, but come on.

#15017 of 18082 Re: Back on track [uplanderguy] by tlong

Nov 11, 2012 (11:30 am)

Replying to: uplanderguy (Nov 11, 2012 10:14 am)
Thumbed through the Dec. C&D at the store, where they wrapped up reporting on their 40K-mile Sonata. Some surprises to my eyes, based on all I hear about how great that company is. Fuel smell in the car until a hose was replaced; oil pan leak; shift lever recall; chrome trim peeling inside, etc. All warranty stuff, but come on.
 
Yet a steering rack replacement on a GM car under warranty is fine? Sheesh!

#15018 of 18082 Re: Back on track [tlong] by uplanderguy

Nov 11, 2012 (12:19 pm)

Replying to: tlong (Nov 11, 2012 11:30 am)
Who had that at 40K miles?
 
A very distinct difference between pro-GM (and pro-American manufacturers, in general) posters on this particular board and the GM board, versus the pro-foreign guys, is that generally the pro-domestic guys weren't the first here to post about bad foreign quality. It's done as a response. I've said the Cruze recall for fires was bad, that I don't like the styling of the Equinox, that I wouldn't buy even a GM made in Mexico, that I don't shop Cadillac as it's too expensive, etc. When I push here to ask the pro-foreign guys what they have ever commented on negatively about their favorite brands, it's always really stretching..."I commented on that one recall (that somebody else brought up)!".
 
Incidentally, Happy Veterans' Day to all who served.

#15019 of 18082 Re: Back on track [uplanderguy] by roadburner

Nov 11, 2012 (1:05 pm)

Replying to: uplanderguy (Nov 11, 2012 12:19 pm)
When I push here to ask the pro-foreign guys what they have ever commented on negatively about their favorite brands, it's always really stretching..."I commented on that one recall (that somebody else brought up)!".
 
Really? Here are several comments I have posted...
 
On the F10 528i:
 
I absolutely despise the steering- so devoid of feel that it belongs in a Buick or Lexus. The sled is also quite porky, of course.
My 1975 2002 and 1995 Club Sport 3 Series are exponentially more fun to drive than the bloated 5er.
The iDrive interface is now almost truly intuitive- as it should be, since the original iteration was introduced over 10 years ago.
I still don't like the "beer tap" automatic shift lever; it's a classic example of fixing something that wasn't even remotely broken.
Nice interior, decent power and economy.
Haven't played with the Sport or Eco Pro settings yet.
  
Most telling was my wife's comment after she drove it home: "It's a boat; I can't wait to get my X3 back."
 
Discussing a short drive in an F30 335i:
 
So, my son and I spent the entire day at Mid-Ohio. Goodyear had a short autocross course set up to demo their new UHP Eagle F1 Asymmetric All Season tire. You could take 2 or three laps in new 335i sedans. They didn't ask my son's age(he's 2 months shy of 18) so he took out a 335i as well. My impression? Great tires, decent car. The electric steering is almost totally devoid of feel(not as bad as the 5 Series, but that's damning with VERY faint praise), and the engine's power delivery was rather inconsistent- the power seemed to be either on or off. I have to think the engine was not at 100%, as I have driven other Bimmers with that engine and they were fine.
 
Back in 2005 I was quoted by the Detroit News; I made no friends at BMW NA when I was asked what I thought of Chris Bangle's redesign of the 7 Series and 5 Series:
  
"The new cars are still a blast to drive, but their hideous styling and Buick-like cockpits virtually ensure that my next new car won't be a BMW," he said, adding that "BMW execs have insinuated that BMW customers don't like the new styling and iDrive because they aren't bright enough to appreciate them. Talk about arrogant."

Messages Page 1502 of 1809

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