Buying American if...

[Drew]

My GF and I talk a lot about things, and the subject of automobile manufactors comes up from time to time. We don't argue one or the other, but rather discuss what those companies could do to better their product, increase their sales volume, attract new buyers, etc.

The reason I decided to post this was because I just had the same conversation with my dad who has now sworn to "Never buy American again..." He has been a loyal American car buyer for the past 20 years and now he has had enough with the problems and headaches. With that in mind I posed this question to him, which I will now pose to you.

If American Automotive Manufactors backed their products with a 10 year/100,000 mile, bumper-to-bumper warranty would you buy American?

**Please note I would love stories of success/failure in either brand but save those for a different thread. I do ask of all of you who reply to answer Yes/No and why.


Thanks Everybody,

Drew

 

[Drew]

I choose Yes.

My reasoning is pretty simple. I like styling of a lot of American cars, but the hang-up are the quality and reliability. If the American Automakers stood by their product with a warranty like a 10yr/100k it tells me that they believe in their product, its quality and its reliability bar none. Additionally having that kind of warranty forces the automaker to use a premium work force and manufatored parts.

I just don't understand how one automobile can be made in Georgetown, Kentucky and have outstanding quality for 10 years, while another can be made hours away in Detroit, Michigan and have substandard quality and last less than 5 years.


Just my thoughts,

Drew

 

[Ill4Runner]

Only American vehicle I'm interested in or may purchase in the future is the Hummer H1 Alpha. And production just stopped this year to concentrate on the lil' Hummers.

 

[wm69]

I don't care if they offer a 200K warranty. I don't want to have to keep taking some POS to the dealership over and over again to get that crap fixed. My Accord has 250K on it and I've never put it in the shop for anything other than fluid changes, brakes (at 90K), and timing belts. I had to replace the radiator about 5K ago but it was from a stress crack more than likely from one of the 4-5 wrecks I've had. With a Yota or a Honda I don't worry about the warranty cause I don't think I'll need it. My grandfather owned a GM dealership for almost 50 years so this is all coming from a former "GM Family". I don't care how many times I hear "the domestics are getting better". The only way I'll EVER switch back is if the Jap cars get worse.

 

[centxrunner]

The only American vehicle I would buy would be if I had the need for a 1 ton diesel pick up. I don't ever see that I would have the need for one. If I did it would be a Ford. But then again Toyota is a few years out from producing HD pick ups so who knows. If I was to buy a sportcar is would be german well until the Supra goes back into production or the Nissan Skyline GTR is brought over.

 

[sharp4runr]

Yeah the warranty is a moot point if I have to take time out of my life to continously drop off the vehicle at the dealership for service. What I want is higher reliability and less recalls. If the American big 4 can do that, they'll have me as a customer. I'll pay a premium up front for a japanese vehicle if it means I can enjoy it on the road versus it stuck in the shop....

 

[Blade]

I choose Yes.

My reasoning is pretty simple. I like styling of a lot of American cars, but the hang-up are the quality and reliability. If the American Automakers stood by their product with a warranty like a 10yr/100k it tells me that they believe in their product, its quality and its reliability bar none. Additionally having that kind of warranty forces the automaker to use a premium work force and manufatored parts.

I just don't understand how one automobile can be made in Georgetown, Kentucky and have outstanding quality for 10 years, while another can be made hours away in Detroit, Michigan and have substandard quality and last less than 5 years.


Just my thoughts,

Drew

Simple. I'll give you two reasons. First, American cars use far too many parts as compared to their Japanese counterparts. The parts are lower quality because in order for American cars to stay competitive, they have to cut corners to make up for their labor costs. Which brings me to the second reason: UAW. Toyota's USA plant has no Unions. American auto companies are saddled with them. Between pensions and health benefits after retirement, it's a wonder Detroit can build anything that's even remotely driveable. Unions had their place, but they are a dinosaur that is bringing the US automakers down.

 

[Jay]

I personaly would not buy an american truck. japanese trucks have been reliable and known for getting 200-300K miles with very little maintance. American trucks have come a long way and they have improved their quality of vehicles, but still not up to par compared to the japanese trucks. Im on my 3rd Toyota truck, and my faimly has owned 7 toyota vehicles in the past 10 years, including my trucks. I had a 1082 Toyota 4x4 that was converted over to a rock crawler, a Tacoma 4x4 that was lifted and was a mild rock crawler, and now my stock 4Runner.

 

[Sac State]

Every America car I have ever owned has major mechanical problems or left me stranded needing a tow.

I have never had that happen to me with Toyota, Subaru, Nissan and Volkswagen.

Sorry, Kia or Hyundai offer a 10/100,000 warranty and I won't ever buy their products.

The new Jeep Wrangler, Commander, H3, Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky all interest me, but, I just push that thought right out.

If American companies started utilizing smaller diesel engines, like Cummins, in their products. Then maybe I would consider them more.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

What's funny is the new Camry has over 80% deomestic market parts while the good 'ol American as apple pie Mustang has only 65%.

Oh yeah,VWs made in Germany are better than average but the Jetta is made in Mexico and has a slew of issues with them.

 

[pat161]

I said no for many reasons. First, most people I know w/ domestic cars have pretty good luck for 100k or so, I really have no doubt that any properly maintained new car will easily make it to 100k. Second, many of the issues people have are small, like radios not working or windows not rolling up, the cars still drive but some features stop working. Last, a 100k mile warranty is nice, but what then? With a Toyota we know it will run strong after 100k, with the domestic it may run well for a while and it may go downhill quickly, then do you buy another because this one was covered for 100k? I think the piece of mind of knowing I probably won't need the warranty much is better than having extra warranty, plus I paid less than $800 to have my 54k mile used 02 Runner covered bumper to bumper for 100k, so where as it is nothing overly special I would stick with a Toyota and pay for the coverage if I wanted it.

 

[SnookAU]

To quote Tommy Boy:

Ted Nelson, Customer: But why do they put a guarantee on the box?

Tommy: Because they know all they solda ya was a guaranteed piece of sh*t. That's all it is, isn't it? Hey, if you want me to take a dump in a box and mark it guaranteed, I will. I got spare time. But for now, for your customer's sake, for your daughter's sake, ya might wanna think about buying a quality product from me.



Toyota ALL DAY.

My girlfriend dumped her 97 Runner for a 2002 Explorer - the thing is a P.O.S.