General Discussion

alarimer

(17,146 posts)

63. No, it's because American cars used to be shit.

Tue Jun 14, 2016, 07:45 AM

Jun 2016

They failed for years to compete, for whatever reason. And they are still less well-made, with cheaper materials and lousy design. Honda, Toyota, etc usually top the Consumer Reports best buy lists.

In addition, plenty of "American" cars are actually made in other countries. And Fiat owns Chrysler now, which makes Chrysler about as American as Budweiser, which is owned by a Belgian conglomerate. To say nothing of parts, which may come from all over the place.

It is more complicated than simply "Buy American". How much of the car has to be made in the US to qualify?

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Need DU advice on a new car [View all] Paula Sims Jun 2016 OP

Don't knock the backup cameras. Nye Bevan Jun 2016 #1

They will be required soon on all cars Travis_0004 Jun 2016 #8

Already standard on the new Chevy Colorados OriginalGeek Jun 2016 #75

Why would you look over your shoulder when you had mirrors? I see B Calm Jun 2016 #56

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Those VW sport wagons have a lot of cargo storage BeyondGeography Jun 2016 #3

I only buy American brand-names Dem2 Jun 2016 #4

That makes two of us. hamsterjill Jun 2016 #85

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I like Toyotas. Warren DeMontague Jun 2016 #5

We are a Toyota family. 840high Jun 2016 #14

Yeah. Warren DeMontague Jun 2016 #36

Same here malaise Jun 2016 #43

I have a Toyota Rav4 and love it womanofthehills Jun 2016 #57

Mazda makes pretty decent vehicles Zorro Jun 2016 #6

The best rjsquirrel Jun 2016 #62

I have a 93 Miata Zorro Jun 2016 #66

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Volvo, hands down riderinthestorm Jun 2016 #12

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Prius V wagon Kelvin Mace Jun 2016 #16

Subaru Forester Freethinker65 Jun 2016 #17

Have you looked at Hyundai? WillowTree Jun 2016 #18

You can't go wrong with a Subaru Doctor Jack Jun 2016 #19

I have two Subarus Abq_Sarah Jun 2016 #41

I'm going to buy another Outback when this one ('04) wears out. Not likely soon. lumberjack_jeff Jun 2016 #20

The American auto workers... Ford F-150 Jun 2016 #21

they should build a better car Egnever Jun 2016 #22

uh Huh... Ford F-150 Jun 2016 #25

Well Egnever Jun 2016 #27

My toyota was built in Kentucky. Travis_0004 Jun 2016 #30

By non union workers.nt sufrommich Jun 2016 #34

Did the workers that build Ford F-150 Jun 2016 #47

They were paid a higher wage than my wifes GM car that was built in Mexico Travis_0004 Jun 2016 #50

I was devastated to find out my Chevy Silverado was made in Mexico. Really B Calm Jun 2016 #61

How to read a vehicle identification number LiberalFighter Jun 2016 #70

Progressives are all for the union workers 1939 Jun 2016 #31

Amen Ford F-150 Jun 2016 #45

This LuckyTheDog Jun 2016 #67

Man I LOVE that OriginalGeek Jun 2016 #77

Amazing,isn't it? Americans will never admit that it's sufrommich Jun 2016 #32

No, in the case of the auto industry, it was that American cars were just not that well made. Warren DeMontague Jun 2016 #35

That's a lot of words wasted,you could have just sufrommich Jun 2016 #37

You do understand that people buy cars for a reason, right? Warren DeMontague Jun 2016 #38

I realize that you're justifying screwing union workers by sufrommich Jun 2016 #39

Then you're not listening to me. Warren DeMontague Jun 2016 #40

Keep telling yourself that Ford F-150 Jun 2016 #46

what am I telling myself, now? Warren DeMontague Jun 2016 #48

You can't win this battle. pangaia Jun 2016 #53

I promise the next time I'm in the market for a new car, I will consider all options fairly. Warren DeMontague Jun 2016 #54

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No, it's because American cars used to be shit. alarimer Jun 2016 #63

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I think they've been replaced by SUV's. alarimer Jun 2016 #64

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