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?

Outline

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#6878 of 7263 Re: Really like the G8 [lemko] by andre1969 Dec 19, 2008 (5:10 am)
Replying to: lemko (Dec 18, 2008 8:11 pm) I think the grille on that '68 Grand Prix is pretty attractive. Probably the nicest thing on the car! Something about the roofline just looks awkward, too, like it was grafted from an intermediate. The taillights look sort of like a '70 or so Tempest, and it has that pinched look like a late 60's Buick Special. It's hard to believe that thing's practically the same car as my '67 Catalina. Now I'll confess, my Catalina's a porker itself. Heck, I even remember back when I was married, we had walked into the repair shop to pick up one of the cars. They had a calendar hanging on the wall, and it had a pic of a '63 Catalina convertible. The wifey looked at it and said something along the lines of "why is ours so much fatter than that?". Ahem. Did I mention we're no longer together? Still, even with all that bulk, I think Pontiac managed to make the car look clean and sleek, and downright sporty for such a big beast. The '67 Grand Prix was especially cool, with its hidden headlights down in the grille, and turn signals mounted where the upper headlights are on the regular cars. '67 was also the only year they offered a convertible. Sort of a shame, because I think losing that awkward roof would do a world of good for that '68 Grand Prix. Ditching the skirts would be an improvement, too. Replies to this message: grbeck (Dec 19, 2008 1:25 pm) lemko (Dec 19, 2008 3:49 pm) andre1969 (Dec 19, 2008 4:25 pm) fezo (Dec 19, 2008 4:35 pm)
#6879 of 7263 Pontiac by wesleyg Dec 19, 2008 (5:30 am)
Just signed the papers yesterday on a G8 GT, currently driving an 06 Impala SS which steps out pretty good, but the G8 brought back the memories of my big block 60's Chevies, 396 and 427 Impalas and Caprices, and a '69 427 Vette. This is my 38th new GM, maybe my last, just sick about where this GM thing is going. The GT puts out 361 horse net, which is more than my old 427 Vette which was 425 horse Gross, and torque of 385 pounds net which far surpasses again the old gross of the 427.
#6881 of 7263 Detnews web-poll by anythngbutgm Dec 19, 2008 (9:20 am)
link title ...if buying a foreign car is un-American
#6882 of 7263 Press Request by KarenS HOST Dec 19, 2008 (9:21 am)
A reporter from a large national newspaper would like to know if the recently announced auto industry bailout makes you more likely to consider purchasing a car from Ford, GM or Chrysler? If you are interested in talking to a reporter about this topic, please respond to jwahledmunds.com with your daytime contact information by the end of the day today (Friday, December 19).
#6883 of 7263 Re: Really like the G8 [andre1969] by grbeck Dec 19, 2008 (1:25 pm)
Replying to: andre1969 (Dec 19, 2008 5:10 am) andre1969: Something about the roofline just looks awkward, too, like it was grafted from an intermediate. The "halo" vinyl roof makes the roof line look odd. Because the vinyl roof doesn't cover the entire rear pillar, it looks as though there is a stripe between the rear side window drip rail and the vinyl roof.
#6884 of 7263 Re: Really like the G8 [andre1969] by lemko Dec 19, 2008 (3:49 pm)
Replying to: andre1969 (Dec 19, 2008 5:10 am) I still think those 8-lug wheels would look good on your Catalina! The '67 Grand Prix was a beautiful futuristic looking car. Funny how much difference a year can make. I still like the look of those big mid-60s Ponchos! They look great in those teal blue colors like that Executive we saw at Carlisle. The interiors definitely were upscale of a Chevrolet. I think the 1965 Grand Prix still used real wood on the interior. I sure do miss the days when Pontiac still meant something! Mr Knudsen and Mr. DeLorean, where are you? Replies to this message: andre1969 (Dec 19, 2008 4:25 pm) fezo (Dec 19, 2008 4:35 pm)
#6885 of 7263 Re: Really like the G8 [lemko] by andre1969 Dec 19, 2008 (4:25 pm)
Replying to: lemko (Dec 19, 2008 3:49 pm) Those 8-lug wheels are cool, but I hear they're a pain in the butt to maintain. Plus, the inner part of the wheel is actually the brake drum, so if you score it up, the thing is shot. Plus, those are only 14" wheels, and it's getting harder to find tires that size that are adequate for the car. Mine had 215/75/R14 tires, which are almost impossible to find these days, especially in a whitewall. 225/75/R14's aren't that common anymore either, especially in a whitewall. I put 15x7" Rally 2 wheels on it, with 225/70/R15 tires. Pontiac's best days are definitely behind them. Shame, too, because I think the G8 shows promise. Almost like how Oldsmobile started to show some potential with the new Aurora, Intrigue, and even the Bravada...just before they got shut down. Replies to this message: fezo (Dec 19, 2008 4:35 pm)
#6886 of 7263 Re: Really like the G8 [andre1969] by fezo Dec 19, 2008 (4:35 pm)
Replying to: andre1969 (Dec 19, 2008 4:25 pm) Exactly on Oldsmobile. The late Oldsmobiles still look nice - nicer than lots of later offerings. Oh, well...
#6887 of 7263 Re: Thought of the Year [circlew] by oldcem Dec 19, 2008 (9:39 pm)
Replying to: circlew (Dec 19, 2008 3:56 am) OW: I love to wrangle you a ride in my son's restored 68 Olds Cutlass Convertable. It looks dead stock, but, its got a built 1966 Vintage Olds 425 big block under the hood, a modified M400 Tranny, positraction, later model disc brakes, upgraded suspension, and a reinforced chassis. The thing accelerates like its shot out of a cannon. My son doesn't really know what its top end is, he runs out of speedometer way before the car tops out. Regards: OldCEM Replies to this message: circlew (Dec 20, 2008 9:05 am) fezo (Dec 21, 2008 12:10 pm) circlew (Dec 21, 2008 12:22 pm) and 5 more... gagrice (Dec 21, 2008 1:55 pm) and 1 more...