Buying American Cars What Does It Mean?

7263 messages, Last post on May 27, 2009 at 4:31 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?

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#6517 of 7263 ONE American Vehicle by andres3 Nov 07, 2008 (1:20 pm)
was more than enough in my one lifetime. I feel like the one domestic vehicle I purchased (and for sure the last) was MORE than enough contribution to the US economy in the form of repairs and tow truck services.
#6518 of 7263 Re: Investment? [andre1969] by lemko Nov 07, 2008 (1:28 pm)
Replying to: andre1969 (Nov 07, 2008 11:19 am) Odd, because my 1988 Buick Park Avenue is essentially the same car as that 1987 Olds Ninety-Eight. Was there that big a difference between the assembly quality of an Oldsmobile and a Buick? I would probably have to run my car into a concrete wall, killing myself in the process, to destroy it. Replies to this message: captain2 (Nov 07, 2008 2:10 pm) andre1969 (Nov 07, 2008 4:03 pm) lemko (Nov 07, 2008 4:12 pm)
#6519 of 7263 Quite possibly... by lemko Nov 07, 2008 (1:31 pm)
...ONE American vehicle could've been sufficient for me in my lifetime. With the luck of avoiding accidents and religious care and maintenance, I could probably STILL be driving my 1968 Buick Special Deluxe to this day and well into the future. Replies to this message: circlew (Nov 07, 2008 5:09 pm)
#6520 of 7263 Re: Investment? [lemko] by captain2 Nov 07, 2008 (2:10 pm)
Replying to: lemko (Nov 07, 2008 1:28 pm) Odd, because my 1988 Buick Park Avenue is essentially the same car as that 1987 Olds Ninety-Eight. Was there that big a difference between the assembly quality of an Oldsmobile and a Buick Detroit, particularily GM, has shown a great talent for rebadging ostensibly identical cars. I wouldn't think there was any real differences between you Buick and the other gentlemen's Olds. Assembly quality better at Buick, possibly, but more likely just luck of the draw - or a tribute to your conscientious routine maintainence. Consistency of quality of manufacture has been a Detroit problem for years, witness what has happened to Toyota recently (at least according to CR) some early problems with a few isolated models (the Camry V6 being one) have been corrected all within about 1 model year and that car along with some others are now all rated superior in that regard. With Detroit this kind of thing is the exception, not the rule, and this remains as true today as it was back in the 80s..
#6521 of 7263 Re: Investment? [lemko] by andre1969 Nov 07, 2008 (4:03 pm)
Replying to: lemko (Nov 07, 2008 1:28 pm) I've heard that the 4-speed automatic transmission that GM used for its FWD cars was improved for 1988, compared to 1987. That was the biggest thing, but at that time, GM was making running improvements to the cars from year to year, and possibly even within a given model year, so the later models were probably more reliable than the earlier ones. The first ones, 1985, were particularly bad. On the subject of quality though, back in the late 80's and 90's, the Buick LeSabre consistently won awards from JD Powers for initial quality and such. But you never heard anything about the FWD Olds 88 or Pontiac Bonneville, which were the same car. When it comes to things like the engine, transmission, a/c, etc, though, they should all be the same for a given model year. Sometimes minor things can make a difference with those JD Powers surveys, though. Pontiacs back then tended to have junky interiors with lots of little pieces that would easily break and fall off. Buicks were much better in regard, and I'm guessing Oldsmobiles were, too. So it's possible that it was just little piddly defects that worked against the Bonneville, and possibly the 88 as well. If a Bonneville has three pieces of trim fall off, that probably counts as three defects, but if a Taurus dumps its transmission, but is fine otherwise, that's only one defect. It's also kind of curious that the Electra/Park Ave never got all that highly praised for its quality, in the same light that the LeSabre did. Oh, on that subject, something just popped into my mind. In my old 1985 Consumer Guide, they have a test of a LeSabre and a Delta 88, the last of the RWD models. They rated the LeSabre fairly high for its fit and finish, paint quality, interior, etc. But they trashed the Delta 88! I wonder if the LeSabre and Delta 88 were built on separate assembly lines? If so, that could have something to do with it. Another possibility is that quality was inconsistent enough in those days that maybe they just got ahold of a good Buick, but a sloppy Olds? Replies to this message: lemko (Nov 07, 2008 4:12 pm)
#6522 of 7263 Re: Investment? [andre1969] by lemko Nov 07, 2008 (4:12 pm)
Replying to: andre1969 (Nov 07, 2008 4:03 pm) That last RWD LeSabre was a really nice car with a really plush interior. I remember that sharp example we saw at Carlisle about two years back. Funny that the Park Ave/Electra didn't do as well as the LeSabre in the quality reviews. It's basically the same car with nicer trim and a more upright back window. I was surprised how much rear seat room the '88 Park Ave had when I first got it.
#6523 of 7263 Re: Quite possibly... [lemko] by circlew Nov 07, 2008 (5:09 pm)
Replying to: lemko (Nov 07, 2008 1:31 pm) That's the defining moment of time that was the true US auto industry. The 1960's is what I will remeber best. Since then,
#6524 of 7263 Re: Invest the difference... [circlew] by nvbanker Nov 09, 2008 (9:29 am)
Replying to: circlew (Nov 05, 2008 3:45 pm) I've been wondering how frustrated those Hybrid customers are now that gas is reapproaching $2 a gallon.... Must feel great to be green and have spent a $5 premium to feel that way, cause they're not saving any money now after you factor in the initial cost. Replies to this message: andre1969 (Nov 09, 2008 11:12 am) circlew (Nov 09, 2008 5:09 pm) 62vetteefp (Nov 09, 2008 5:26 pm) circlew (Nov 09, 2008 6:05 pm) and 3 more...
#6525 of 7263 Re: Invest the difference... [nvbanker] by andre1969 Nov 09, 2008 (11:12 am)
Replying to: nvbanker (Nov 09, 2008 9:29 am) Well hopefully they're thinking long-term, and that fuel prices will ultimately go back up. Plus, while it's hard to put a dollar figure on it, there is the satisfaction of knowing you're conserving fuel, plus the convenience of not having to stop off and refuel as often. I'm sort of going through the same thing with the heat pump I had installed back in September. I made the decision back over the summer, when home heating oil hit $5.60+ per gallon. Now, I wouldn't be surprised if it was down under $3.00 per gallon. By the time you factor in all the ductwork, and the electrical upgrades my old house required, that sucker set me back $12,650. It's going to take a long time to recoup that initial cost. I averaged about 450 gallons of oil per year, although last winter was a bit mild. Plus I did some insulating and sealing, which helped a bit. My initial estimate was that my electric bill might go up around $500-600 total for the year because of the heat pump. It'll raise my bills in the winter, but in the summer, it'll probably lower them because the heat pump should be more efficient than the three window units I had been using. Also, the service contract for the furnace was running about $200 per year, and was going to go up to $300. So initially, I was figuring the thing might save me about $2200-2500 per year. More if oil prices rose. Or breakeven in 5-6 years, max. It might take longer now. But at least I'll have the comfort of central air throughout the whole house. Plus, now I have heat upstairs. The old oil furnace only had ducts downstairs, so heat rising up the stairwell was all that warmed up the upstairs, plus occasional space heater use. And I'll never again have to worry about turning off the window a/c in the kitchen if I want to use the microwave, for fear of tripping the circuit breaker. And while fuel prices are suddenly low again (we would've bitched about these prices back in the summer of 2004), I'm sure it's only a matter of time before they go up. I just hope people don't get too short-sighted and start dumping their hybrids for guzzlers again!
#6526 of 7263 Re: Invest the difference... [nvbanker] by circlew Nov 09, 2008 (5:09 pm)
Replying to: nvbanker (Nov 09, 2008 9:29 am) Well, honestly, it's still costing them relatively less at lower prices although it will take way longer to recoup the difference. The best is the $70K Caddy Hybrid Escalade...why bother? Regards, OW Replies to this message: 62vetteefp (Nov 09, 2008 5:26 pm) circlew (Nov 09, 2008 6:05 pm) 62vetteefp (Nov 10, 2008 9:00 am) and 2 more...