[Hemingway's Ghost]

Unfortunately for them, American carmakers are now reaping what they sowed in the 1960s and 1970s by utilizing planned obsolescense as their chief design principle. Because of that, the image of most American cars---true or not---is "ugly and will break down and leave me stranded."

[alice_in_bubbaland]

There are two generations of car buyers that the big three have alienated with their crappy cars, my generation and my kids. When my 1975 Ford had 55,000 miles on it, it needed a new transmission & head gasket. Two years later it needed another transmission. The engine blew on my husbands 1978 Buick with only 82,000 miles on it. Since 1984 we have owned Honda's and never looked back.

[beef]

Unfortunately for them, American carmakers are now reaping what they sowed in the 1960s and 1970s

 

I worked in my Dad/'s gas station back then, when you got your windshield cleaned and oil checked and the gas pumped for you. We could count on selling a quart of oil to every other Vega that came in.  American cars are far, far better today than they were then (thanks BTW to competition from Japan), but they still have their legacy to deal with. Good luck to them.

[the OlLine Rebel]

As if Jap and Euro cars weren't ugly.

They are the definition. Never mind just looking wimpy.