Buying American is it really worth it?

[Haroldlutsen]

I am no longer allowed to comment on the Jeep vs Toyota thread, I guess I might of gotten off subject or something. Anyway I would like a to debate the merits or not of buying American made (if possible) vs Foreign made, I would like to keep it respectful and just learn if I'm wrong about the way I think. I just think it would be better in the long run if we would buy American made cars from American based companies (for the record I think it is BS that the big three have Mexican and Canadian assembly plants) I just can't understand the loyalty to Japanese and Korean cars. I understand I could be wrong and don't know global economics that's why I am asking

[alxone]

i have no loyalty when buying used items but when it comes to new i try to buy american

[HBARleatherneck]

delete

[Dave_L]

Toyotas are awesome. They'll run like a top for years with minimal maintenance work. It's pretty simple. The big three got a bad rep here in American over the past decade or so while companies like Toyota, Hyundai, Honda seemed to step their game up. The domestics seem to be getting a little better these days and I still like the American full sized trucks. The notion that we should buy American just because "it's American" is ridiculous and is probably why they lost so much steam. They assumed people would keep buying them and their quality went down hill as they cut corners or stopped innovating. It doesn't mean I'll never buy "American", just not until they can offer the same value/quality product that these other companies are putting out there.

[Haroldlutsen]

I only buy American, if its possible. I have never owned a foreign car. Even if the foreign car was built here. I realize because of outsourcing and UNION bullshit, its not quite so clear cut about who you are helping. But, for me I buy American. Not assembled in me hico, not jap company building in Tennessee. I dont expect others to do what I do. But, I can live with myself knowing I live by my own set of morals. And I stick to them.

Exactly the way I think buy American (made and assembled) its gotta help plus I believe our quality is now equal to if not above Japanese or especially Korean cars

[Inconel710]

It comes down to a perception of quality. The big 3 burned alot of bridges in the late 70's and 80's when they made cars that were mostly crap. They've closed alot of the "quality gap" but Toyota and Honda still have great reputations for being reliable cars. I bought a Dodge Dakota new and it took three trips to the dealer to get them to find the poorly machined throttle body that was whistling. Contrast that with the Honda Civic I had that just ran and ran and ran. I still kick myself for letting my exwife keep it. I don't understand the Korean car love, but I will say I've been tempted by them - lots of features at a low price and they're assembled in Alabama.

[Ashton]

[cofi]

I just can't understand the loyalty to Japanese and Korean cars. I understand I could be wrong and don't know global economics that's why I am asking

my Honda has over 255k in the last three years it has needed a battery and front pads

my gmc has 132k on it since October it has needed
pads
rotors
calipers
hubs
water pump
thermostat
plugs
wires
coil
front diff
transfer case switch
front axle actuator

plus it leaks every fluid it has in it
(I still love my truck)

my ex girlfriend owned a 07 elantra she bought the car new when I met her it had 60k on it I beat the shit out of it for another 20k one day I asked when she had last changed the oil.....she hadn't she was under the assumption it was supposed to be changed at 100k you should have seen the sludge that came out of it....that car is still running around today just fine it's like a fucking ak47

we will only buy Japanese or Korean for our daily drivers they are built far superior to American and German.....and at the end of the day isn't that what capitalism is about? the best stuff does well the junk dissent?

[MED]

The profits go to the parent company. We don't talk about the trade deficit much anymore, but far more leaves this country than what is brought back.

There are very few imports that I like. I absolutely hate the look and feel of Asian cars; there is not one thing positive I can say about that crap. I can tolerate some of the European cars especially their current diesel technology.

I purchased American cars for the past 25 years because I like them! I like small and big block muscle cars, diesel trucks, and luxury cruisers. Every car I have purchased served me well because I buy the stuff they do well and stay away from they stuff they don't.

Although, I don't think is really going to matter much longer. The dollar is going to come crashing down and we as a country won't be able to buy foreign goods anyway.

[Ashton]

Toyota is far more american then ford. I think the only truly american american car is the corvette...