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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#6909 of 7263 Re: Intersting reading [lemko] by bpizzuti Jan 26, 2009 (8:21 am)
Replying to: lemko (Jan 26, 2009 7:50 am) I disagree. it's not a bad vehicle, but Ford, Toyota and Honda have set the bar pretty high when it comes to midsize sedans. Adequate just isn't good enough in that segment. Of course, Chrysler doesn't even make "adequate." Replies to this message: berri (Jan 26, 2009 8:47 am) lemko (Jan 26, 2009 11:44 am) bpizzuti (Jan 26, 2009 12:05 pm) and 8 more... captain2 (Jan 28, 2009 9:19 am) dave8697 (Jan 28, 2009 7:40 pm) and 22 more...
#6910 of 7263 Re: Intersting reading [bpizzuti] by berri Jan 26, 2009 (8:47 am)
Replying to: bpizzuti (Jan 26, 2009 8:21 am) I don't think people are rooting aginst Detroit. It's just that they've been burned too many times with false promises and mediocrity at best. I think a lot of people are waiting to see how these new Detroit models hold up over 3-6 years before dropping their money on one. I have to wonder that if Detroit really has vehicles that will hold up long term as well as Toyota or Honda, why don't they put a Hyundai type warranty on them? There is a lot of Detroit talk, but little action. Chrysler has the very limited powertrain thing, but that's about it. Personally, I keep cars around 6 or 7 years, so this initial quality stuff doesn't mean much to me. Replies to this message: lemko (Jan 26, 2009 11:44 am) bpizzuti (Jan 26, 2009 12:05 pm) farout (Jan 27, 2009 12:18 pm) and 5 more... andre1969 (Jan 27, 2009 12:31 pm) and 1 more... captain2 (Jan 28, 2009 9:19 am) dave8697 (Jan 28, 2009 7:40 pm) captain2 (Jan 29, 2009 7:16 am) and 21 more...
#6911 of 7263 Re: Intersting reading [berri] by lemko Jan 26, 2009 (11:44 am)
Replying to: berri (Jan 26, 2009 8:47 am) I don't have to wonder. My Buick Park Avenue and Cadillac Brougham have held up extremely well for 21 and 20 years respectively. I agree that it wouldn't hurt them to have a Hyundai type warranty anyway. I thought Chrysler already had a lifetime warranty? Replies to this message: bpizzuti (Jan 26, 2009 12:05 pm) farout (Jan 27, 2009 12:18 pm) bpizzuti (Jan 28, 2009 3:45 am) and 4 more... andre1969 (Jan 27, 2009 12:31 pm) lemko (Jan 28, 2009 9:31 am)
#6912 of 7263 Re: Intersting reading [lemko] by bpizzuti Jan 26, 2009 (12:05 pm)
Replying to: lemko (Jan 26, 2009 11:44 am) I thought Chrysler already had a lifetime warranty? That's the the lifetime of Chrysler, which means all of those warranties will go bust within a year. Replies to this message: farout (Jan 27, 2009 12:18 pm) bpizzuti (Jan 28, 2009 3:45 am) gearhead1977 (Jan 28, 2009 7:07 am) and 3 more... andre1969 (Jan 27, 2009 12:31 pm) lemko (Jan 28, 2009 9:31 am)
#6913 of 7263 Re: Intersting reading [bpizzuti] by farout Jan 27, 2009 (12:18 pm)
Replying to: bpizzuti (Jan 26, 2009 12:05 pm) Do you own a Chrysler vehicle with a Lifetime Powertain Warranty? I doubt it very much. So....why the heck are you so concerned about their warranty? I have bought 17 Chrysler made vehicles and I currently own a Pacifica Touring AWD with the Lifetime warranty. I am not concerned about Chrysler being able to up hold their warranty. Personally I am rather hacked off at those who gripe about "American" made vehicles, and those who have nothing good to say about anything but Asian made vehicles. farout Replies to this message: bpizzuti (Jan 28, 2009 3:45 am) gearhead1977 (Jan 28, 2009 7:07 am) bpizzuti (Jan 28, 2009 7:08 am) and 1 more... circlew (Jan 28, 2009 7:11 am)
#6914 of 7263 Re: Intersting reading [bpizzuti] by andre1969 Jan 27, 2009 (12:31 pm)
Replying to: bpizzuti (Jan 26, 2009 12:05 pm) That's the the lifetime of Chrysler, which means all of those warranties will go bust within a year. I know I shouldn't laugh, considering I've tended to have a preference for Chrysler products, but that was pretty funny. Gotta admit, I was thinking the same thing! Replies to this message: lemko (Jan 28, 2009 9:31 am)
#6915 of 7263 The good and bad side of the economy by dave8697 Jan 27, 2009 (6:23 pm)
I looked at my budget and then saw what part of it went to America and what part went to foreign built products. I was suprised that 35% of my gross income went to taxes collected by various governments. I was also suprised that 9% went to insurance so that I don't lose too big a part of what the 56% that was then left has enabled me to acquire through the years. 96.2% of my expenses went to American entities. 3.8% went to foreign entities. Part of that 3.8% was $67 a month to Best Buy for a Sharp TV bought on 18 months no interest. I think it was made in China. Gasoline was assumed to be 1/3 foreign. I was suprised at how little disposable income I have and how I am driven to spend that chunk on foreign products. Trying to steer that 3 or 4% into American products would take a lot of effort. Too bad that everyone's 3 or 4% is going to China these days. Got to stay busy getting the gov't their 35% and don't have time to search for American choices. The other 96% American? it goes to everything else: the water plant employees, ATT employees, the tellers at the bank, the guys who built my house, burn coal at the electric plant, pipe in the natural gas, the gov't employees with their awesome pensions, and the wealthy insurance company owners and employees. None of these industries are suffering much in this recession. They keep getting 96% and there is no way to reduce what I have to pay them. Maybe that's why McCain said in the late spring that the economy was fundamentally sound. I could see how buying a new foreign car could more than double the % to foreign. Of course it has to take away from buying American, doubling the impact, unless I got a big raise as I bought the foreign car. The 3.8% is harmful. 5% more on a foreign car is even worse. Turning the tables: If I were a typical Japanese person, what would be my % spent on American products? I actually can't think of anything they would buy. maybe the soybeans in their soy sauce? Maybe the raw wood in their house? Maybe the scrap steel molecules in their Toyota? The guy next to me got laid off today. How far down will we ride the foreign purchase spiral? Obama has so little dial to turn for the economy. Replies to this message: 62vetteefp (Jan 28, 2009 3:35 am)
#6916 of 7263 Re: The good and bad side of the economy [dave8697] by 62vetteefp Jan 28, 2009 (3:35 am)
Replying to: dave8697 (Jan 27, 2009 6:23 pm) How about a good american artist on CD? whoops they are owned by Japan.
#6917 of 7263 Re: Intersting reading [farout] by bpizzuti Jan 28, 2009 (3:45 am)
Replying to: farout (Jan 27, 2009 12:18 pm) Personally I am rather hacked off at those who gripe about "American" made vehicles, and those who have nothing good to say about anything but Asian made vehicles. Some people have had that much trouble with the "American" makes they've bought...I know several. Me I still hold lots of hope for Ford, but other than the Ram and the Voyager, Chrysler's lineup is pretty useless. Don't worry, I don't much care for Toyota either. On the upside, I'd LOVE to see some Fiats if the whole Chrysler deal comes through. Italian cars haven't been available to the masses in the USA for a LONG time now, and variety is good. Replies to this message: gearhead1977 (Jan 28, 2009 7:07 am) bpizzuti (Jan 28, 2009 7:08 am) gearhead1977 (Jan 28, 2009 11:08 am) circlew (Jan 28, 2009 7:11 am)
#6918 of 7263 Re: Intersting reading [bpizzuti] by gearhead1977 Jan 28, 2009 (7:07 am)
Replying to: bpizzuti (Jan 28, 2009 3:45 am) As long as a car appeals to me in some way and I truly enjoy the vehicle, I don't care who makes it or where it's made. I've given a lot more to the foreign companies, but that's because the domestics got so close to being "it" but then lost out at the last second for whatever reason. It's something I couldn't explain, but that's why we have an 06 Honda Accord in the driveway and not a Ford Fusion, Toyota Camry, Chevy Malibu or Hyundai Sonata. The Honda just felt better in many ways to the other cars. In six months, the lease will be up on the Honda. We'll see then what has the "it" factor and lives in our driveway. I don't rule any of the manufacturers out until I have first hand experience. Replies to this message: bpizzuti (Jan 28, 2009 7:08 am) gearhead1977 (Jan 28, 2009 11:08 am) circlew (Jan 28, 2009 7:11 am)