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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#7247 of 7263 Re: Buy American. [dieselone] by andre1969 Apr 16, 2009 (11:53 am)
Replying to: dieselone (Apr 16, 2009 10:47 am) Disclosure: I had the luxury (cough, cough, not) of driving an '85 Tempo for a while back in the early 90's. It was umm, yeah, better than walking..... My stepdad had a 1984 Tempo GL coupe, bought brand-new. I hated that car, but I also didn't get along with my stepdad, so that probably influenced my opinion of the car. I did get to drive it once. That was more than enough. Slow piece of junk, and made my '80 Malibu with its 115 hp V-6 feel like a musclecar in comparison. They got that car to around 160,000 miles, and then traded on a '91 Stanza, which oddly, would prove to not be nearly as reliable. The Tempo was still on its original engine and tranny, but I think they did have other problems with it. Can't remember what now, though. There's a house near my mechanic's shop with a 4-car carport. It has not one, but TWO Tempos parked underneath! Also has an AMC Hornet and, occasionally, an 80's Cutlass Supreme sedan. I guess the Cutlass is the only one that runs, since it's occasionally not there.
#7248 of 7263 Re: Buy American. [lemko] by m1miata Apr 16, 2009 (10:49 pm)
Replying to: lemko (Apr 16, 2009 10:39 am) You need to thank your guardian angel, since you stayed away from the '87 Olds 88, if was anything like the Olds98 Regency in '87 I made the mistake of going with that one instead of the Cutlass 442, which was RWD 180HP V8 and a better car. The Hurst dual shifter was quite the novelty. I think America can do RWD better, so I may get a Stang or Vette next for the play car. Maybe the '03-'04 Stang, or a brand new one, which in its own way is has some selling points over the previous model, though the older one, to me seems trim and shall we say really simple. The New Stang is pretty nice for 2010. The 3.5V6 though is STILL MISSING, the current V6 is OK and the V8 a very good option. As for Vettes, I still prefer the C5 look. Replies to this message: andre1969 (Apr 17, 2009 4:32 am) dieselone (Apr 17, 2009 4:55 am) rockylee (Apr 30, 2009 9:13 am) rockylee (Apr 30, 2009 11:45 am)
#7249 of 7263 Re: Buy American. [m1miata] by andre1969 Apr 17, 2009 (4:32 am)
Replying to: m1miata (Apr 16, 2009 10:49 pm) I made the mistake of going with that one instead of the Cutlass 442, which was RWD 180HP V8 and a better car. The Hurst dual shifter was quite the novelty. Did they still use that "Lightning Rod" shifter, or whatever it was called, that late on? I know some of the earlier cars used it, like around 1983-84, but I thought they dropped it because it confused too many people? I wouldn't mind having one of those RWD 80's 442's today, or even just a regular Cutlass Supreme with the 307. I always liked them better than the Monte Carlo SS. And even though the Grand National is faster, I just prefer the relative simplicity and rugged durability of the 307 to the more complex turbo V-6. Replies to this message: dieselone (Apr 17, 2009 4:55 am)
#7250 of 7263 Re: Buy American. [lemko] by andre1969 Apr 17, 2009 (4:41 am)
Replying to: lemko (Apr 16, 2009 10:39 am) Which Olds 88 are we talking about? If we're talking about the gasoline-powered RWD B-body 1980-85 Olds 88, it was an excellent car I'd purchase in a New York second. One thing I find amusing about the RWD Delta 88, is that my 1985 Consumer Guide actually ripped it apart! They also tested a 1985 LeSabre coupe with the 307, a Caprice sedan with the 262 V-6, and a Parisienne sedan with the 305. Those three tested out better, and they gave a "Best Buy" rating to the Chevy and Pontiac. The main area where they ripped the Delta was stuff like build quality, fit/finish, paint quality, and interior workmanship. They did say it could have just been a bad sample, but was still inexcusable considering Olds has only been building this car for eight years! I wonder if the quality of the Delta 88 might have gone downhill some in the final year, as they rushed to finish building them and get them out the door, so they could shut down and re-tool for the downsized '86 model? That was also the LeSabre's last year, but the LeSabre wasn't nearly as strong of a seller as the Delta. So maybe with the high demand of the Delta, they were just throwing them together too quickly?
#7251 of 7263 Re: Buy American. [andre1969] by dieselone Apr 17, 2009 (4:55 am)
Replying to: andre1969 (Apr 17, 2009 4:32 am) I wouldn't mind having one of those RWD 80's 442's today, or even just a regular Cutlass Supreme with the 307. I always liked them better than the Monte Carlo SS. And even though the Grand National is faster, I just prefer the relative simplicity and rugged durability of the 307 to the more complex turbo V-6. Yeah, those were very cool cars back then.
#7252 of 7263 Re: Buy American. [lemko] by xrunner2 Apr 17, 2009 (7:52 am)
Replying to: lemko (Apr 16, 2009 10:50 am) There is a 1989 Cadillac Fleetwood Broham on Ebay, one day to go, bidding at $3700 now. It is white and nicely appointed with white padded top. whitewall tires, wire wheel hub caps, red leather interior and has CA license plate in photo. That could be a backup, so no walking. Miles at 70K+. Now, that was a real "American" car back in late 80's, probably 100 percent American content.
#7253 of 7263 Re: Buy American. [m1miata] by rockylee Apr 30, 2009 (9:13 am)
Replying to: m1miata (Apr 16, 2009 10:49 pm) Hows it going? I've been looking for you for months. Been a long time!!! -Rocky
#7254 of 7263 Re: Buy American. [m1miata] by rockylee Apr 30, 2009 (11:45 am)
Replying to: m1miata (Apr 16, 2009 10:49 pm) Do you still have the Accord? -Rocky
#7255 of 7263 GMC by m1miata May 12, 2009 (8:33 pm)
So, first is was GM as Government Motors, and now it will be GMC for General Motors of China. Oh well, we shall see. So sad, but other than a few bright spots, like the CTS, and Corvettes, it has been looking downhill, IMHO, for a long-long time. Slippery slope began when - was it post 1973 perhaps? Guess there were a couple to three other cars, perhaps even the Camaro since '73 which were OK. Oh yea, the last Eldorado looked pretty cool -- a bit large, but then again Caddy thinks large. Guess I just liked the older GM with say the '72 Cutlass as an example of the last great ones. And Hello to Rocky -- sorry to see your GM go generally down. Oh well, the USA still has FORD. -Loren
#7256 of 7263 Is this some sort of dream or did the.. by m1miata May 21, 2009 (10:10 am)
UAW, General Motors Reach Deal on Contract Concessions Yes, those are the headlines! How then, if not in bankruptcy, do you cancel dealership contracts? And the pensions to be fully paid? Rough road ahead, but amazing headlines, if the UAW did make MEANINGFUL concessions. Wow - what times these are! Replies to this message: mikefm58 (May 21, 2009 10:37 am) gagrice (May 21, 2009 12:50 pm)