Best American cars today...

[1K3]

No American cars made it on the 2006 Top 10 Consumer Report survey.

Anyway...


The Best American made cars today...

Cadilac Escalade:  Fuel consumption aside, this is the quickest and the fastest SUV on the market thanks to sophisticated 400hp V8.  The interior is upscale (the only GM car with such quality interior!), and finally its got that BLING prestige!

Buick Lucerne:  Boooring car but upscale interior and Quiet Steel is a huge plus for this car.  The Chinese love this car!


Other great American cars but needs improvement...

Other Cadilac lineup:  They're all good but they need the Escalade's upscale interior quality.

Corvette:  Needs more refinement in interior, transmision, and rear suspention.  This car uses rear leaf springs for rear suspension... c'mon that's Middle Ages technology!

Ford Mustang: Great car but plagued with cheap plastic interior.

Chrysler 300C:  Best BLING sedan out there but the interior is just like all US cars (jeez Chrysler almost got it perfect but they missed on interior!)

Dodge Charger:  A Chrysler 300C for rednecks, great everyday car but it's got the cheapness of the 300C's interior

[Vudak]

Anyone who buys any American gas guzzling car in the future is either very wealthy, or completely out of touch with reality.

A few years ago, your biggest handicap about buying an American car was that it would next to never outlast a Japanese vehicle.  Now you've got a limited selection that can match them for fuel economy, and likely still have the former problem.

I hate to say it, but I don't see myself ever buying an American car again (at least until I hit the lotto).

[Masherbrum]

Originally posted by 1K3
Best American made cars today...

Cadilac Escalade:  Fuel consumption aside, this is the quickest and the fastest SUV on the market thanks to sophisticated 400hp V8.  The interior is upscale (the only GM car with such quality interior!), and finally its got that BLING prestige!

Not any more.   The Grand Cherokee SRT-8 is the fastest and quickest.   The Vette is a cheap Ferrari ripoff, the 300C has been plagued with problems since it's introduction.  

The US Auto Industry is now twitching.   The Horse died, but how long will it lay on it's side and breathe?

[Scherf]

Originally posted by 1K3
This car uses rear leaf springs for rear suspension...  

That's just sad ... truly, leaf springs?

I went to the Corvette Museum one time - there's a special parking area there for 'vettes only. Of course, some guy parked one there as I was walking back out to my rentamobile - damn Corvette sounded like it was steam powered.

[1K3]

Originally posted by Scherf
That's just sad ... truly, leaf springs?

I went to the Corvette Museum one time - there's a special parking area there for 'vettes only. Of course, some guy parked one there as I was walking back out to my rentamobile - damn Corvette sounded like it was steam powered.

yes and that's the same shiet used on horse carriages back in the Middle Ages!

[J_A_B]

"Anyone who buys any American gas guzzling car in the future is either very wealthy, or completely out of touch with reality."


Obviously, the 22-24 MPG my Buick gets is horrible compared to the 28 MPG the EPA says the Honda Accord gets.  Hmm, actually that isn't a huge difference, scratch that.  The Buick is also bigger, safer, more comfortable, vastly more powerful, and can carry more.  I can also fix the Buick on my own easily.  A recent suspension repair cost me $4.75 and about an hour's time.  


People who hate American cars are usually stuck living in the 80's, or they think it's trendy and cool to hate them.  One day, we'll be stuck with nothing but junky little garbage cars like Hondas.  Congrats on moving the standard of living backwards.



When it comes to technology, the important question is:  Does it do the job it needs to do?  Making something needlessly expensive and complex for its own sake isn't necessarily a wise decision.

J_A_B

[KgB]

Originally posted by J_A_B
"Anyone who buys any American gas guzzling car in the future is either very wealthy, or completely out of touch with reality."


Obviously, the 22-24 MPG my Buick gets is horrible compared to the 28 MPG the EPA says the Honda Accord gets.  Hmm, actually that isn't a huge difference, scratch that.  The Buick is also bigger, safer, more comfortable, vastly more powerful, and can carry more.  I can also fix the Buick on my own easily.  A recent suspension repair cost me $4.75 and about an hour's time.  


People who hate American cars are usually stuck living in the 80's, or they think it's trendy and cool to hate them.  One day, we'll be stuck with nothing but junky little garbage cars like Hondas.  Congrats on moving the standard of living backwards.



When it comes to technology, the important question is:  Does it do the job it needs to do?  Making something needlessly expensive and complex for its own sake isn't necessarily a wise decision.

J_A_B

Safer?We cant really say wich vehicle is safer without crash test:)
Honda most likely stops,accelerates(v6 i'm sure does),holds the value much better,plus Honda very good with reliability and warranty of it's products.
Buick will cost half of what you paid for it in 1-2 years,if you finance or lease it......you'll owe more than it's worth.

[1K3]

Originally posted by J_A_B


People who hate American cars are usually stuck living in the 80's, or they think it's trendy and cool to hate them.  One day, we'll be stuck with nothing but junky little garbage cars like Hondas.  Congrats on moving the standard of living backwards.

J_A_B

Japanese Big 3 cars of today are bigger compare 10-20 years ago... specifically to target  North American consumer.

2007 Nissan Altima, Toyota Camry, and Honda Accord are as big as Buicks.  I'm also surprised that Buick sized Nissan altima can handle like a sporty compact car at corners.

Heh even the so-called compact sedans like Honda Civic (North American version) should be re-classified as mid sized sedans.

-------------

kudos for GM's Caddilac lineup for BLINGness, improving and upscale the interior look and feel,

[J_A_B]

"2007 Nissan Altima, Toyota Camry, and Honda Accord are as big as Buicks."

I said I drive a Buick; I didn't say I drive a brand-new one (my car has 53K miles atm)  My car weighs 4200 pounds and has a chevy LT1 engine.  It's a model that's no longer in production because GM wanted to build more SUV's instead (how's that for stupid?).  I consider it utterly superior to any family car built by any company in the last ten years, exept perhaps the Chrysler 300C mentioned earlier.  My wife's Grand Marquis feels like a piece of junk in comparison, although it is itself a pretty decent car.  The Hondas several of my buddies own all feel like the flimsy underpowered tin cans they are.

Originally posted by KgB
Honda most likely stops,accelerates(v6 i'm sure does)....better

You might be surprised.  The stripped-down, manual 2-door V6 Accord is about equal; the 4-door has no chance regardless of engine.  Neither Honda has any towing capacity to speak of, and neither will float along on the highway at 70 MPH and 1600 RPM

I know very well how well an Accord fares in a traffic collision, seeing as I tore the front end off one a couple years ago when he pulled out in front of me.  The only reason I didn't keep my still-driveable Cadillac was because parts cost too much (a common problem with Cadillacs) and I found a great deal on my current car.  It's worth noting that my Buick is far larger and heavier than my Cadillac was, so...you be the judge.

Anyway, my point is american cars are perfectly good and have been for quite some time.  Instead of worrying about the brand, it's a better decision if you buy what you like regardless of what its name is.

J_A_B

[mora]

Originally posted by Scherf
That's just sad ... truly, leaf springs?

Actually it uses a single transverse mounted carbon fibre leaf-spring. A very innovative and space saving design, which apparently works very well.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corvette_leaf_springs

[Vudak]

Originally posted by J_A_B
"Anyone who buys any American gas guzzling car in the future is either very wealthy, or completely out of touch with reality."


Obviously, the 22-24 MPG my Buick gets is horrible compared to the 28 MPG the EPA says the Honda Accord gets.  Hmm, actually that isn't a huge difference, scratch that.  The Buick is also bigger, safer, more comfortable, vastly more powerful, and can carry more.  I can also fix the Buick on my own easily.  A recent suspension repair cost me $4.75 and about an hour's time.  


People who hate American cars are usually stuck living in the 80's, or they think it's trendy and cool to hate them.  One day, we'll be stuck with nothing but junky little garbage cars like Hondas.  Congrats on moving the standard of living backwards.

My first car was an American one...  Nice ol' '97 Taurus SHO.  Pretty safe, ran ok, for about 85k.  Guzzled gas, etc.  A nice fast car which let me be the "good ol' American" who didn't own the "rice rocket."

Now I'm going on 130k on a '98 Camry, just as safe, almost as comfortable (I do miss the bucket seas ), vastly more reliable, and much better gas mileage.

22mpg compared to 28mpg might not seem like alot to you, but I put on about 30-40k miles in any given year.  It means an awful lot to me, and if I go with your idea, my standard of living will very much be moved backwards

The next car I get will likely be another Japanese midsize sedan...  Hopefully in the 40-50 or even 60mpg range (though that might be a dream) by the time I buy it.

Don't get me wrong - if there were a comparable American car out there, I'd get it.  But from what I've seen from most people I know who have owned American cars (excluding trucks), they're not reliable, and not worth it.

[Scherf]

Originally posted by mora
Actually it uses a single transverse mounted carbon fibre leaf-spring. A very innovative and space saving design, which apparently works very well.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corvette_leaf_springs

Thanks.

[J_A_B]

"Guzzled gas, etc. "

Blame the poor quality of the Japanese-built engine.  The 3.4 litre V-8 in the late 90's Taurus SHO was assembled by Yamaha.  It was known for reliability issues.  Had you bought a normal Taurus, you'd probably still have it.  My father-in-law owns a 1993 model that runs fine with 200K-plus on it now.

My wife had a similar bad experience with her 1991 Lincoln Continental--its engine was crap.  Neither of us took that experience as an indication that all american cars are junk.

If you like your Toyota, though, more power to you.  I can't get in one without feeling cramped and vulnerable.

J_A_B

[Vudak]

Originally posted by J_A_B
"Guzzled gas, etc. "

Blame the poor quality of the Japanese-built engine.  The 3.4 litre V-8 in the late 90's Taurus SHO was assembled by Yamaha.  It was known for reliability issues.  Had you bought a normal Taurus, you'd probably still have it.  My father-in-law owns a 1993 model that runs fine with 200K-plus on it now.

My wife had a similar bad experience with her 1991 Lincoln Continental--its engine was crap.  Neither of us took that experience as an indication that all american cars are junk.

If you like your Toyota, though, more power to you.  I can't get in one without feeling cramped and vulnerable.

J_A_B

I'm aware the V8 was a Yamaha.  There was no problem with the engine....  The transmission, and various other little oddities OTOH...

Maybe CT just has awful dealerships?  Seriously...  Not too many people around here that I personally know who buy American cars end up happy for long.  If you're having better luck, power to you though.

[Goth]

Originally posted by Vudak
Now I'm going on 130k on a '98 Camry, just as safe, almost as comfortable (I do miss the bucket seas ), vastly more reliable, and much better gas mileage.

22mpg compared to 28mpg might not seem like alot to you, but I put on about 30-40k miles in any given year.  It means an awful lot to me, and if I go with your idea, my standard of living will very much be moved backwards

The next car I get will likely be another Japanese midsize sedan...  Hopefully in the 40-50 or even 60mpg range (though that might be a dream) by the time I buy it.

I just don't see how you can do it. Every import I have ridden in seems like the hardest most unendurable ride I have ever had.