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Hardbutt -> RE: Would you buy an american car? (5/7/2009 8:51:11 AM)
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As someone else asked, "what is an American car?"
Most popular Japanese vehicles are built in America, designed by Americans. Mazda started this trend in 1978 with the RX-7 which was not sold in Japan. My Ford truck has a German engine, the last one had a Japanese transmission. Nissan is owned by Renault so doesn't that make it French? A friend's brother is a lead test engineer for Nissan, he blows up F-150s since that is the benchmark against which other's aspire. Isn't Chrysler a German company, for at least a few more weeks? Isn't the 100k mile warrantied Hyundai Sonata (Korean) built in the most advanced car plant in the world... in Alabama? Forget the label, study the car. Did you know that insurance on Hondas is so high because body parts are very expensive? So much for economical. Honda airbags are so expensive there are theft rings that specialize in them.
Did you know that almost all modern automatic transmissions are based on Chrysler's TorqueFlight design from the 50's? Every Japanese car uses American designed brake systems... this is where innovation occurs, Japan is know for making things smaller, not better. Read about Dr. Demming after WWII to see where Japan's modern technology developed it roots, the Japanese still celebrate this American's contribution. Japanese aircraft radios sucked during WWII, Americans showed them how to build ones that worked.
Don't confuse Japanese named with Japanese built... in the USA, vehicles are either UAW built or not, but most are American engineered. I live in a state with four foreign car factories but hardly any Asian residents. There is a huge difference between 'built' and 'engineered', and you want to make sure you buy an American engineered vehicle, regardless of the name tag on the grill. One big difference in how they are designed is how they are serviced, American designers understand maintanence is part of the overall ownership experience.
I worked on engines and sold repair parts during college 20 years ago, to this day I will only buy a vehicle that is American engineered. "But I don't work on my own car"... so you still have to pay someone to get it done. If the general public can make repairs on a car because of the design, then the supply of mechanics is greater and repair prices more competitive. "My Toyota is so reliable" says my Mom, who then trades it in at 70K miles after two sets of shocks. 'Reliable' to me is 160K before it needs a water pump or alternator, not an entire replacement car. I've owned two Plymouths that clocked over 1/4 million miles before I rebuilt them and drove them some more. A few years ago my Ford starter relay and a friend's Lexus relay failed in the same week. My expense was $14 and ten minutes, his was $280 and two days. He drives a Plymouth today.
Read the JD Powers reliability reports, the three year report (not the initial quality survey at six months). Look at Edmunds.com and KBB.com but remember the 'true cost of ownership' includes a heavy depreciation factor which won't be important to you if longevity is - that is you plan to pay it off and keep it for a while. Don't buy a brand, buy a model and year. Every brand offers bad vehicles, everybody has recalls (although Nissan only recently admitted it).
Biggest point of advice if you are shopping for a smaller car - find out if the engine has a timing chain or a timing belt. Never buy a car with a timing belt unless you trade them in every few years. IMO, a timing belt is a sure sign of disposable car design instead of longevity.
For the record, I have only paid a mechanic to work on my vehicles twice in the past 30 years so I do know a bit about car repairs. I've rebuilt V8 engines, own a scan tool and ocilliscope, have worked in body shops, paid my way through college in a parts store and making repairs for other people, and am writing a handbook on engine modifications for performance. Automotive design and repair is a subject about which I have practical experience. I hope this information will help you to choose a vehicle you will be happy to own.
Just remember - pick a model and year, not a brand. Happy hunting!
HB
Edited to correct a typo in the link to Kelley Blue Book .com
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