Handwriting Is On Wall In Detroit, With Foreign Cars Vastly Preferred

IBD Editorials ^ | July 29, 2008 | CONSTANTINE KAMBANIS, RAGHAVAN MAYUR AND BERT HOLLAND

[goldstategop]

The next VW will not be built in Mexico but right here in the good ol' US of A!

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[eyedigress]

There are very few imports anymore. Nissan, Toyota and Honda are stateside and Volkswagon soon will be.

[buccaneer81]

All the rest is hype. and it’s hype that you’ll pay an extra 10K for.

Not in my experience. My 2005 Toyota Camry was priced lower than a "comparable" Chevy Malibu. And it will hold its value, unlike most domestic cars.

[Grizzled Bear]

My Mazda was built in Michigan and my Toyota was built in Kentucky. Gonna tax those too?

Don't clog up a good emotional reaction with facts!

[DManA]

Who the heck cares who owns the company? They're good jobs for American workers.

or ones that are made in the US out of convenience

[DManA]

Ain’t choice wonderful?

[forYourChildrenVote4Bush]

I had an 1988 240sx, never gave me issues, sold it after 7 years it had 88K kilometers...i did have to replace the muffler though...but you have to understand, we have a rough winter here in Canada with all that salt and crap...it was tough driving in winter with rear wheel drive, but over all it was a great car...I loved it

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

I would put a $20 000 tax on all imported cars, tomorrow.

Marx, is that you?

Most "imports" are manufactured in America anyway.

[Grizzled Bear]

Yup.

[buccaneer81]

had 88K kilometers.

Heck, that's only 55,000 miles. It wasn't even broken in!

[forYourChildrenVote4Bush]

They say that Dodge has the best engineers...every thing breaks down after the warranty has ended...so I've been told...

[HereInTheHeartland]

Have a Ford Freestar bought new. In May, with 70,000 miles, the transmission went out.
The same month my Taurus with 60,000 miles, had the exhaust system fall off and the electric window opener failed in the drivers window. I also had them fix the stereo speaker that went bad at 40,000 miles and the air temperature sensor that went bad at the same time.

These items that I had to fix are simple quality issues; a lack of attention to minor details.

I have bought Ford since 1978 specifically to support an American based company.
The above is how I was rewarded for that loyalty.

[DManA]

It’s one of the important things you were fighting for. And I thank you sincerely for that.

[businessprofessor]

I would put a $20 000 tax on all imported cars, tomorrow.

Your idea is brilliant: increase the price of private transportation in a slow economy. The price of all cars will rise because of this tax. Sales of autos will fall causing even more layoffs.

Foreign manufacturers have invested heavily in domestic production. The definition of an imported car is a political question, not an objective issue. The Big 3 are heavily union dominated. Your tax would make the unions even more intransigent.

I avoid buying from union dominated companies whenever possible. I will continue to reject any auto made by the Big 3 as long as the union goons dominate these companies.

[forYourChildrenVote4Bush]

I know, had to give it up, I got married, and she couldn't get the hang of a manual car...damn

[donaldo]

I agree. I’ve also heard that Consumer Reports has an anti-American bias. A local garage owner made mention of this on his radio show. He basically made the point that most American autos are just as good as foreigns cars. He also stated that repairs to imports can really get ridiculous. He mentioned Volvo and Lexus in particular. I must admit however, that I’ve given thought to making a Subaru or Toyota my next car.

[Cousin Eddie]

Why?

[Grizzled Bear]

Thanks!

[Grizzled Bear]

On the Neon...

The brakes squeaked. I complained to the dealer. I later learned it wasn't “dangerous” but they fixed the problem if you complained.

At about two years out; while changing oil, the plug spun free. AAFES said I voided the warranty by “performing maintenance” (aka, changing the damn oil). I argued with AAFES that, the manual explained how to change the oil so the manufacturer expected the owner to do it. The salesman got on the phone with AAFES HQ and argued with them.

I gave up and bought a new oil pan. Later, the new area manager contacted me with a reimbursement.

At eight years out I was PCSing. It still ran like a champ but had a slight leak at the head gasket. I gave it to a young Airman (an AF Vehicle Mechanic) who had just gotten married.

I'd buy another Dodge.

[Cacique]

btt