The Little I Know About Cars
I ran across this article several days ago and thought it was sort of ironic. Consumer Reports listed the top picks in cars for the year. I found it ironic that according to an article March 2, 2006 on CNN.com, "no American or European nameplate are represented on this year's list." Here we are in America and we won't even buy the vehicles made in our country. What does this say about us? Of course I will give the U.S. this, four of the five Honda's on the list are manufactured in the U.S. too according to the same article. But there are still no American nameplates that made the list. Does anyone else find this ironic or is it just me? I've never found much interest in cars but when my fiance's car pooped out in January and we had to go car shopping I developed a quick interest. Every search I have done on safety and overall consumer satisfaction has led to most foreign made vehicles. Now, I will not claim to have any true knowelge about cars but I can say the only Dodge I ever owned had an oil leak, transmission leak, the gear selector thing was off (when I was in drive it appeared I was in neutral), and the gas guage would get stuck on occasion and leave me stranded with no gas. The Oldsmobile I currently own only because we can't afford to pay two car payments is another story. Just as a breif overview, the radio doesn't work, the windows barely roll down, the power locks don't work, I can't turn my twilights on any more because they will not turn off, the trunk leaks, and my favorite quark is that if you leave the horn plugged in it will randomly start going off continuously and will not stop until you unplug it. This is by far the most fun because when I have to get it inspected and plug the horn in I end up having to drive the car with the horn blarring continuously. . . oh great fun, and apparently the only way to fix this problem is to replace the entire steering column (Ha!). Not that I want to insult American made vehicles but the experiences I have had have not been good. One thing I recently learned is that a car manufactured here can have many foreign parts as well as American parts. In my mind there's something really odd about building a car with parts made in different countries. I guess it's perfectly acceptable since it's been done for so long but I was actually surprised to learn this. What made me think of this article about Consumer Reports top picks was that I briefly heard on the radio that there is a bill in Congress or something that would wave the sales tax of any American vehicle. I don't exactly know the truth to this statement or if I even heard it right. But that would be an interesting way to get people to buy American made vehicles. Maybe someone has the scoop on this topic.
posted by amanda @ 7:05 PM
5 Comments:
I think part of the problem with American automobile makers is they have done a pretty poor job of managing their financials and keeping costs down. With the high levels of employee lay-offs in the last few years that are played up in the news, American consumers express their frustration through their purchases of foreign-made cars. Of course, all of this coming from a Finance major who knows very little about cars herself...
I have owned a foreign car, however of all the cars that I have had since I got my permit, the rest have been American made cars (and for only being 21 I have had numerous cars). I think if you get stuck with lemons, then you are bound to think that American cars are worthless and that foreign made cars are therefore better. However, you are just as likely to get a lemon for a frogein car, so it just depends on the car itself. I really enjoy looking at cars, I'm a daddies girl and have gone to numerous car dealerships and car shows! For being a girl I'm fascinated with cars, although I don't know much mechanically, I do konw a lot about purchasing them and names, body styles, etc. of new and old cars. I just think that such articles are skewed in the manor as the writer wants it, statics can be changed in any way that you want. I'm not against foreign cars, however I have family that refuses to buy foreign cars, so I have stronger feelings towards American made cars because of the way I was raised!
I am buying a new (it will be used, but new to me!) car in I buy on my own. And for some reason, I've only looked at foreign cars. My dad tells me foreign cars have a better resale value. No one in my family has ever had a foreign car, so I'm excited to try something new.
well i would look at the list from the point of population status. There are alot more people outside the US capable of driving than live here. Look at China, over 3 billion people, even they dont all own a vehicle, quite a few do. Also, american cars are set up and designed for what many americans want, big, sporty, powerful. But with the increase in fuel prices, the foreign car market has taken an exceptionally appealing look with smaller vehicles that get twice the fuel economy.
I am really curious now about the E 85 cars and if that is a fuel that is really going to catch on and last.
My first car was American made and it was a total hunk of junk. I know drive a Hyundai and have never been more pleased.
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