[camle]

make a good, safe, economical car and sell it at a reasonable price and people will buy it.

make a good, safe, economical car and sell it at obscene prices, and you get what you deserve.

[anymouse]

make a good, safe, economical car and sell it at obscene prices, and you get what you deserve.

Well last I checked the foreign cars were just as expensive if not more so than domestic cars. Therefore the the reason people are choosing foreign cars (even those produced in America) over domestic cars (even those owned by foreign companies) must be that at least one of the criteria quality, safety, economy) you mentioned must be lacking in the domestic cars and not lacking in the foreign cars that people are buying.

Let's presume that safety and economy are relatively close between foreign and domestic cars. Then that only leaves quality that is lacking.

I don't know about you but I'm driving an 18 year old foreign car, while it is hard to find any domestic cars even half its age still on the road.

Value counts, when you are making the second most expensive purchase in the Average American's life. Even more so when it is the most expensive purchase.

[eraser2005]

Well, I bought a safe (5-star crash test rating), economical (32 mpg highway) Ford sedan almost 9 years ago for under $20k, about $3000 less than a comparably equipped Toyota or Honda would have cost. Still no mechanical problems (though I get a slight feeling the days on the mass airflow sensor ($45) are numbered). Since then, Honda's prices have jumped, Toyota has stayed steady, and the new Ford replacing mine has a lower sticker price than mine had 8 years ago.

[motzman]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again...

You have your Mustang, Corvette, 300/Charger, a couple of Caddys, and that's it. There's no reason to ever buy any "American" (made in Canada/Mexico most likely) car over a Japanese (made in Ohio, Kentucky, etc.) model.

'Tis a shame, but it is DESERVED.

Cars I've owned:

1984 Dodge Daytona Turbo (was great for 6 months, then fell apart)
1987 Ford Mustang GT (fantastic, too bad I smashed it)
1981 Chevy Cavalier (piece of crap)
1990 Isuzu Amigo (solid as a tank, extremely thirsty, unfortunately)
1990 Mazda Miata (best car I've ever owned--by far)
1993 Ford Taurus (company car--competent, but would never buy one)
1995 Nissan Altima (competant, boring, reliable, died after 150k, I give it a B)
1990 Mercury Sable (garbage)
1991 Ford Crown Vic (comfortable, tons of minor problems)
2001 Chevy Impala (company car-boring, always a problem w/ something, would never buy one)
1993 Ford Crown Vic (better than the '91, comfortable, but as usual, tons of minor problems)

Now, the Daytona, Mustang, Amigo, Miata, and Altima were all purchased brand new. Back when cars were somewhat pricey, but worth it. Now they're ALL unbelievably expensive, and not worth it. Wanna spend some cash?---go certified pre-owned. Me, right now I'm still in the middle of a personal corporate restructuring, so everything's done on the cheeeep! Until I'm rich, no new car purchases for me---used only, and always short-term.

[mrmargaritaville]

if the ride is fly you must buy.