Why buy American?
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12,307 Posts
I have owned both Japanese and American cars. I have been fortunate enough that I have never had any serious problems with either.
My criteria for car purchase:
1) Price
2) Body style
3) Design age
4) Style
5) Perceived status
6) Value
When I buy a car, first I shop by price. I can immediately narrow down my selection that way. I wouldn't consider a Ferrari, as I can't afford it.
I wouldn't consider a Chevy Aveo or hyundai Accent, as they are too cheap. You get a budget, and you shop for a car in that range.
Once I know my price range, I shop for body style. I can knock off pickup trucks, and minivans. Convertibles, and hatchbacks. I prefer AWD, I prefer 4 doors.
3rd criteria is age. I don't want a car that will be replaced next year with a new design. (I wouldn't buy a grand am or Mustang this year, etc... knowing that an all-new design is around the corner)
Actual looks is what matters next. In my opinion, the Aztek, element, Maxima, are not nice looking designs. I wouldn't want one of those. That narrows down the field even more
Next is perceived status. This may be an ego thing. Although Hyundai has changed (for the better) by leaps and bounds in the last 10 years, I still wouldn't buy one just because of the negative connotations that come with owning one (yes, this actually knocks GM off of a lot of people's lists as well).
Next is value. I want the most for my money. If I can get a top-model car (leather, sunroof, etc...) for the price of a more expensive "base" model car, I'll go for the one with the goodies. That would mean I'd get a fully loaded Grand Am instead of a base model GP or Bonneville. at this point I compare feature for feature vs dollar between the companies. Altima vs Malbu? What gives me the most for the least?
After these 6 steps, I pretty much have narrowed down my choice to only a couple of choices.
At that point, it's actual ride quality, etc...
I don't think that "country of origin" ever really crosses my mind in the entire choosing process.
Does it matter to me where the money ends up? No. When I purchase a car I only care about what it gives me, not what it does for everyone else. Would I want people to lose jobs? No, of course not, but as long as it doesn't affect me directly, it's not really my problem. This might make me a jerk, but that is my right.
I don't smoke. Smoking kills. I don't go around telling people not to smoke. Do people die because of this? Quite possibly. Would I rather someone die than lose their job? No, of course not.
If North America ever goes into a crazy recession, then maybe I'll feel bad for not taking more pride in buying American. But I don't see that happening anytime soon.
(in the meantime the car in my driveway is made in the USA)
My criteria for car purchase:
1) Price
2) Body style
3) Design age
4) Style
5) Perceived status
6) Value
When I buy a car, first I shop by price. I can immediately narrow down my selection that way. I wouldn't consider a Ferrari, as I can't afford it.
I wouldn't consider a Chevy Aveo or hyundai Accent, as they are too cheap. You get a budget, and you shop for a car in that range.
Once I know my price range, I shop for body style. I can knock off pickup trucks, and minivans. Convertibles, and hatchbacks. I prefer AWD, I prefer 4 doors.
3rd criteria is age. I don't want a car that will be replaced next year with a new design. (I wouldn't buy a grand am or Mustang this year, etc... knowing that an all-new design is around the corner)
Actual looks is what matters next. In my opinion, the Aztek, element, Maxima, are not nice looking designs. I wouldn't want one of those. That narrows down the field even more
Next is perceived status. This may be an ego thing. Although Hyundai has changed (for the better) by leaps and bounds in the last 10 years, I still wouldn't buy one just because of the negative connotations that come with owning one (yes, this actually knocks GM off of a lot of people's lists as well).
Next is value. I want the most for my money. If I can get a top-model car (leather, sunroof, etc...) for the price of a more expensive "base" model car, I'll go for the one with the goodies. That would mean I'd get a fully loaded Grand Am instead of a base model GP or Bonneville. at this point I compare feature for feature vs dollar between the companies. Altima vs Malbu? What gives me the most for the least?
After these 6 steps, I pretty much have narrowed down my choice to only a couple of choices.
At that point, it's actual ride quality, etc...
I don't think that "country of origin" ever really crosses my mind in the entire choosing process.
Does it matter to me where the money ends up? No. When I purchase a car I only care about what it gives me, not what it does for everyone else. Would I want people to lose jobs? No, of course not, but as long as it doesn't affect me directly, it's not really my problem. This might make me a jerk, but that is my right.
I don't smoke. Smoking kills. I don't go around telling people not to smoke. Do people die because of this? Quite possibly. Would I rather someone die than lose their job? No, of course not.
If North America ever goes into a crazy recession, then maybe I'll feel bad for not taking more pride in buying American. But I don't see that happening anytime soon.
(in the meantime the car in my driveway is made in the USA)
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5,174 Posts
My vote is none of the above.
Americans work for Toyota, Nissan, Honda, the profits of these companies go to their shareholders. The shareholders can be anyone who purchases the stock. The rationale of buying a car because where it is built is timely with the entire 'outsourcing' American jobs to cheaper markets being a election issue.
If people still buy American for patriotic or economic reasons that is fine but I doubt they carry this idea to everything they buy. For example how many TVs are made in the USA?
Loyalty to a manufacturer or a country is and always will be subjective or irrational. Reasons can be created or justified but it is still subjective.
Americans work for Toyota, Nissan, Honda, the profits of these companies go to their shareholders. The shareholders can be anyone who purchases the stock. The rationale of buying a car because where it is built is timely with the entire 'outsourcing' American jobs to cheaper markets being a election issue.
If people still buy American for patriotic or economic reasons that is fine but I doubt they carry this idea to everything they buy. For example how many TVs are made in the USA?
Loyalty to a manufacturer or a country is and always will be subjective or irrational. Reasons can be created or justified but it is still subjective.
I will never own a foreign car! Not becuase I am a GM fan, but they are too costly! People think they are getting a good deal becuase the sticker is cheap, but then you have to have the frickin thing serviced ALL THE TIME and you usually have to take it to the dealer and it costs a lot!
Example: To have 4 spark plugs changed on a Toyota Echo, it costs $84 and the spark plugs are $1.70 each!! And it takes about 30 min!!!! (You have to change the plugs every 30K miles too!!!!)
Example: To have 4 spark plugs changed on a Toyota Echo, it costs $84 and the spark plugs are $1.70 each!! And it takes about 30 min!!!! (You have to change the plugs every 30K miles too!!!!)
Meh. As a Canadian (it's "EH" damnit!!) - all cars here are imports so I can't support a domestic auto manufacturer that simply doesn't exist. 
But - given the fact that my old man prefered GM over Ford (a Ford dealership pissed him off ages ago and thus saw the light!) - i'd say that his preference for GM has rubbed off onto me. Therefore - after learning of all the great things GM has done and how powerful they are - I've thrown myself at GM until they make some huge mistake and blow all their money on green hair tonic.
But my eye still likes the old Datsun Z's and older MR2's.
But - given the fact that my old man prefered GM over Ford (a Ford dealership pissed him off ages ago and thus saw the light!) - i'd say that his preference for GM has rubbed off onto me. Therefore - after learning of all the great things GM has done and how powerful they are - I've thrown myself at GM until they make some huge mistake and blow all their money on green hair tonic.
But my eye still likes the old Datsun Z's and older MR2's.
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12,307 Posts
But I have no plans or desire to ever buy a Corvette or Camaro. So, how does that help me?
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1,973 Posts
buying american just because "it's made in the usa" is to some extent the worse thing you can do to gm or ford. they need to become competitive (and they did lately), and this only happens when sales are starting to get lower.
all in all, when I buy a car I'm looking for the following things:
1- what is my budget (let's say 8k) this budget will allow either a 2 year old accent or a 11 year old deville to name the extremes...
2- looks, looks, looks;
3- value, substance (big v8, leather, etc);
4- average spare parts price and overall reliability.
I'm proud to say that both my cars (ever owned) are GM. The competition, at least in the used car segment is NOWHERE NEAR!
all in all, when I buy a car I'm looking for the following things:
1- what is my budget (let's say 8k) this budget will allow either a 2 year old accent or a 11 year old deville to name the extremes...
2- looks, looks, looks;
3- value, substance (big v8, leather, etc);
4- average spare parts price and overall reliability.
I'm proud to say that both my cars (ever owned) are GM. The competition, at least in the used car segment is NOWHERE NEAR!
Where's the choice for "A higher percentage of Honda and Toyota vehicles sold in the USA were built in the USA than those made by GM, and GM is trying their damndest to move their part content overseas to Korea while Honda and Toyota already source the majority of most of their cars from American parts and the percentage increases every year"?
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633 Posts
Reliability
Performance
Styling
Utility
Cost
When I look at these things I often find that domestics don’t meet my needs. That is not to say that I would not buy a domestic. I have owned many, and have now begun to buy imports, and for the most part am very happy with them.
Performance
Styling
Utility
Cost
When I look at these things I often find that domestics don’t meet my needs. That is not to say that I would not buy a domestic. I have owned many, and have now begun to buy imports, and for the most part am very happy with them.
Joined
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9,682 Posts
I buy American!
This includes the Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Odyssey, Pilot, Nissan Maxima, Xterra, Frontier, Titan, Altima, Quest, Armada, Infinity QX56, BMW X5, Z4, Mercedes M-Class, Toyota Camry, Corolla, Tundra, Tacoma, 4-Runner, Solara, Voltz (JDM), Matrix, etc.
This excludes the Dodge Ram SRT-10, Ram HD, Intrepid, Ford Focus ZX3, ZX5, F-150 Heritage, Lightning, Crown Victoria, Freestar, Buick Regal, Century, Rendezvous, Cadillac Escalade EXT, ESV, Chevrolet Aveo, Impala, Monte Carlo, Avalance, Silverado SS, most Silverado half-ton Ext. Cabs, most Suburbans, Equinox, Tracker, most GMC Yukon XLs, most Sierra half-ton Ext. Cabs, Pontiac GTO, Aztek, Mercury Marauder, Grand Marquis, etc.
I always look at the VIN and Content Label when I consider a new car. To me American-Made cars convey pride in my country and fellow Americans, but American nameplates on foriegn cars invoke disgust. I know many consider Canada to be part of the US, but ask any Canadian, they don't want to be the US nor do they live in the USs shadow. I like foriegn cars, because they're proud of their product and themselves, not proud of the money they can make by sending many of thier jobs to other countries to make a buck then import back a "domestic" car and sell it as "domestic." For example, Hyundai in South Korea.
Andrew
This includes the Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Odyssey, Pilot, Nissan Maxima, Xterra, Frontier, Titan, Altima, Quest, Armada, Infinity QX56, BMW X5, Z4, Mercedes M-Class, Toyota Camry, Corolla, Tundra, Tacoma, 4-Runner, Solara, Voltz (JDM), Matrix, etc.
This excludes the Dodge Ram SRT-10, Ram HD, Intrepid, Ford Focus ZX3, ZX5, F-150 Heritage, Lightning, Crown Victoria, Freestar, Buick Regal, Century, Rendezvous, Cadillac Escalade EXT, ESV, Chevrolet Aveo, Impala, Monte Carlo, Avalance, Silverado SS, most Silverado half-ton Ext. Cabs, most Suburbans, Equinox, Tracker, most GMC Yukon XLs, most Sierra half-ton Ext. Cabs, Pontiac GTO, Aztek, Mercury Marauder, Grand Marquis, etc.
I always look at the VIN and Content Label when I consider a new car. To me American-Made cars convey pride in my country and fellow Americans, but American nameplates on foriegn cars invoke disgust. I know many consider Canada to be part of the US, but ask any Canadian, they don't want to be the US nor do they live in the USs shadow. I like foriegn cars, because they're proud of their product and themselves, not proud of the money they can make by sending many of thier jobs to other countries to make a buck then import back a "domestic" car and sell it as "domestic." For example, Hyundai in South Korea.
Andrew
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815 Posts
Amen to that!
h34r:
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633 Posts
cheers!!! a critical thinker.
<_<
Oh puh-leeze. This isn't critical thinking; it's grandstanding about the same tired arguments that come up when someone asks for opinions about import vs. domestic brands.
Sorry, had to say it.
Don't get me wrong. It's a valid issue and I'm all for discussing it. I just naturally get the strong urge to react at watching someone getting away with, for example, implying that GM SUV's aren't built in Arlington Texas, then watching him being egged on by the cheerleader section.
Oh puh-leeze. This isn't critical thinking; it's grandstanding about the same tired arguments that come up when someone asks for opinions about import vs. domestic brands.
Sorry, had to say it.
Don't get me wrong. It's a valid issue and I'm all for discussing it. I just naturally get the strong urge to react at watching someone getting away with, for example, implying that GM SUV's aren't built in Arlington Texas, then watching him being egged on by the cheerleader section.
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