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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#6861 of 7263 TV posts moved by steve_ HOST Dec 18, 2008 (1:33 pm)
Nothing personal about your cables, Andre - just trying to make the discussion hit "critical" mass. andres3, "Home Theater" #6, 18 Dec 2008 12:52 pm
#6863 of 7263 What is Pontiac's Image? by andres3 Dec 18, 2008 (3:59 pm)
I don't even know what Pontiac's Image would be, other than maybe cheap? Is it "driving excitement", or is the image for soccer moms with the Aztec? Replies to this message: gagrice (Dec 18, 2008 5:27 pm) andre1969 (Dec 18, 2008 6:05 pm) nvbanker (Dec 18, 2008 6:02 pm)
#6864 of 7263 Re: What is Pontiac's Image? [andres3] by gagrice Dec 18, 2008 (5:27 pm)
Replying to: andres3 (Dec 18, 2008 3:59 pm) Pontiac and Oldsmobile were the brands you really wanted when you bought that Chevy, back when I was a kid. As you worked up the wage ladder you could afford that Pontiac Bonneville. Then as you got older those making the big bucks bought a Cadillac. When you got real old and decrepit it was BUICK with a Dynaflop transmission. Now they are all the same with different sheet metal. Nothing special about any of them. That includes the Japanese cars. Replies to this message: andre1969 (Dec 18, 2008 6:05 pm)
#6865 of 7263 Re: What is Pontiac's Image? [andres3] by nvbanker Dec 18, 2008 (6:02 pm)
Replying to: andres3 (Dec 18, 2008 3:59 pm) Pontiac's image these days - is Rental car.
#6866 of 7263 Re: What is Pontiac's Image? [gagrice] by andre1969 Dec 18, 2008 (6:05 pm)
Replying to: gagrice (Dec 18, 2008 5:27 pm) I've had three Pontiacs now, a '69 Bonneville 4-door hardtop, a '67 Catalina convertible, and a '76 Grand LeMans coupe. I still have the last two. For their time, I think the cars represent a clear step up from a Chevy. Especially the Catalina and Bonneville. Back in those days, when you got a Pontiac, you got the big V-8 standard! The Catalina came with a 290 hp 400-2bbl (mine was converted to a 4-bbl, probably more like 325-330 hp). In contrast, a Chevy would've just come with a straight six standard! To get up to the Catalina's level, you'd have to bypass the 283 (or was it 307 by this time) and the 327, and go on up to a 396. The Bonneville had a 428-4bbl with 360 hp standard! Alas, there was a credit option for a 400-4bbl, and that's what mine was stuck with. Still, that sucker would move out...scary, considering how massive it was. In those days, Pontiacs seemed to have nicer interiors too, and something about the styling just told you that you were getting a more upscale car than a Chevy...even if it really didn't cost that much more. With my '76 LeMans, the differences aren't quite as vast. That year, if you bought a Chevelle Malibu, the base engine was a 250-6. Ditto the LeMans. Now the Grand LeMans, which I have, had a 400 V-8 standard. But a 350 was a credit option, and damn if I didn't pick one with the credit option! I must have a knack for that! Still, I like the fact that by that time, they still tried to make the LeMans look sporty, whereas the Malibu, with its stacked headlights and pretentious grille, was going for sort of a faux luxury look. Which was in vogue back then. That may explain why the LeMans was actually the loser of GM's A-body bunch by that time. Still, something about the interior just seems a step up from a Chevelle Malibu. Part of it may be that the Grand LeMans used the same dash as the Grand Prix, which was a pretty nice display. The regular LeMans wasn't quite as nice...but still a bit upscale from a base Chevelle Malibu, I guess. That's one thing I kinda miss, how back then, if you got a Pontiac, Olds, or Buick, you really felt like you were getting a nicer car. Heck, even in the '80's I saw a difference. I had an '86 Monte Carlo and a '82 Cutlass Supreme coupe. Both of them were base models, but the Cutlass still seemed like a step up. Today though, there's really not much left of Pontiac. And everything's so interchangeable that it doesn't really matter. The only Pontiac that excites me anymore is the G8. But it has sort of a generic look to it, kinda like Mr. Potatohead, where you could change a few details and pass it off as something else. Get rid of the twin nostrills and give it a bit more of an oval grille or waterfall, and you have a Buick Gran Sport. Or give it a horizontal grille with a body color or chrome piece that bisects it about half way up, and voila...Impala Super Sport. Wait, we already have one of those...but it still wouldn't be hard to change a few minor things and pass it off as a Chevy. I have to admit though...a few years ago, a friend of mine wanted a new small-ish SUV. He liked the Xterra and the Equinox. I tried to steer him towards the Pontiac Torrent, so I guess there's still a bit of Pontiac in my blood. I thought the Torrent, while just a quick badge-job, looked nicer than the 'Nox. But my friend didn't like it. Moot point in the end though, because he went with the Xterra. And so far, it's been a great little truck. It's a bit thirsty for its size, but it's quick. The only real problem he had with it so far was dealer-inflicted. It was leaking oil. But it turned out the dealership, who changed it last, just didn't tighten the drain plug all the way. A minor fix, but pretty damn scary when you think of the consequences!
#6867 of 7263 Yeah, but now...... by nvbanker Dec 18, 2008 (6:27 pm)
The step up model is all murky to me. I don't feel any better in a G6 than I do in a Malibu, although both are pretty decent cars. I just feel old in a Buick, and cheated in a Cadillac, and I'm very conflicted about myself in a Saturn, not sure what I am, but knowing I'm in a chick's car. I think time has passed the GM model by, and that's why they need to come down to 2 or 3 model lines at the most and jettison the rest.
#6868 of 7263 Pontiac by vanman1 Dec 18, 2008 (6:31 pm)
The only 3 Pontiacs worth a look are the G8, Solstice and maybe the G6. Pontiac and Buick could merge with Saturn. Pontiac would have 2-3 sporty cars like the G8, Buick could have 3 nice cars (new LaCrosse, new Regal and Enclave) and Saturn has the economy cars (Astra, Vue and Aura). That would save all three brands and expand the distribution of the 3 weaker brands. Replies to this message: nvbanker (Dec 18, 2008 6:32 pm)