[MSP]

http://www.cnn.com/2006/AUTOS/carrev...cks/index.html

All 10 of the magazine's 2006 Top Picks are Japanese nameplates, but half are U.S.-made Hondas.

I like what Bush said recently about the sad state of GM, and a possible government bail-out. I'm paraphrasing, but it was something like "I don't want to have to make that decision, but I think the answer if for them to make cars people want to buy..." Ouch!

[ATIzed]

My Chrysler is hecho en Mexico.

[MSP]

Originally Posted by ATIzed

My Chrysler is hecho en Mexico.

Which model do you own? I was oogling at the Chargers this week, but I don't know I'd buy a Chrysler either. I sorta lost faith in them when a few friends who owned Chryslers all had transmissions fail just out of warranty.

The only two we owned were a 1979 Dodge Omni (shit), and a 1980-something small pickup that was built by Mitsubishi. The Mitsubishi lasted a good long time.

[Cr@cKpiPe tE@sEr noOb!]

So why is it that a Toyota built here in the US is much higher quality than a GM or Ford that's built here in the US, too? Even my old 1991 Integra had a much higher quality than every mid to late 90's American car.

[ThatHideousStrength]

After driving my dads Honda I can conclude why they are there. My Dodge Neon although is a good car so far, its doing weird shit. Sometimes when I first start the car, there is no power then it kicks in, I have to delay my acceleration if I brake otherwise transmission slips (I guess I don't really know cars)

[ThatHideousStrength]

Originally Posted by Cr@cKpiPe tE@sEr noOb!

So why is it that a Toyota built here in the US is much higher quality than a GM or Ford that's built here in the US, too? Even my old 1991 Integra had a much higher quality than every mid to late 90's American car.

Japanese design, its much better than American design.

[Cr@cKpiPe tE@sEr noOb!]

So why cant American mimic their design? It's just overall quality. Everything fits together nicely, feels sturdy and well built. It's like those model cars you put together. American cars remind me of those model cars you put together from a box. The Leven 1's where there's no glue needed and everything just snaps into place and feels like it'll fall apart if you fart near it.

[sims]

Originally Posted by Cr@cKpiPe tE@sEr noOb!

So why is it that a Toyota built here in the US is much higher quality than a GM or Ford that's built here in the US, too? Even my old 1991 Integra had a much higher quality than every mid to late 90's American car.

quality control, higher standards, far superior build quality and engineering as well as better parts, though I would wager that the parts used is the least noticeable of these differences.

Toyota over builds and engineers the shit out of there cars to insure reliability under almost any circumstance were as most American manufacture have for the last 30 years been trying to cut as many corners as possible to keep costs low.

People have noticed.

[GirlsRidePonies]

When GM cut the Trans Am, I wrote them off. I will never love another car again.

Except the Camaro.

Fuck.

[Seax440Dodge]

Originally Posted by MSP

1980-something small pickup that was built by Mitsubishi. The Mitsubishi lasted a good long time.

that was a Dodge Ram D50 more than likely

[ShabazKillaX]

The american auto industry did this to themselves when they gave into union demands. It's ridiculous how much unskilled workers get paid, not to mention the benefits. Any industry that handed out pension plans like candy is in trouble.

But what I find humorous is that the auto union basically fucked themselves. Yeah, it's great you were able to extort that kind of pay and benefits out of the auto makers, but now your going to be out of a job. Congrats assholes.

[mistawiskas]

Business philosophy has much to do with it. When Japanese companies start to see sales lag, they offer up a better quality at the same price to boost sales. When American companies see the same thing happening, they cut corners, lay off workers creating a situation where one person has to do twice as much work. Twice as much work at no extra pay = workers not caring. Japanese and American companies treat their workers differently. Japanese treat employees with respect and American employers just tell employees that "you'll do it or, by God, we'll replace you with someone that will".
After my recent purchase of an '06 GMC truck......"I should have bought the Tundra"!!!

[MSP]

Originally Posted by ShabazKillaX

The american auto industry did this to themselves when they gave into union demands. It's ridiculous how much unskilled workers get paid, not to mention the benefits. Any industry that handed out pension plans like candy is in trouble.

But what I find humorous is that the auto union basically fucked themselves. Yeah, it's great you were able to extort that kind of pay and benefits out of the auto makers, but now your going to be out of a job. Congrats assholes.

DING DING DING! We have a winner. American cars made by American workers are shit because of bad management and the labor unions. The same worker in a US based Honda or Toyota factory will make a superior product, obviously.

I've got the issue of Consumer Reports on my desk where this article came from, and it's pretty fucking sad. Looking over the American offerings there wasn't a single car I would consider, only a small handfull of trucks and SUVs.

[Goofus Maximus]

Originally Posted by MSP

Which model do you own? I was oogling at the Chargers this week, but I don't know I'd buy a Chrysler either. I sorta lost faith in them when a few friends who owned Chryslers all had transmissions fail just out of warranty.

The only two we owned were a 1979 Dodge Omni (shit), and a 1980-something small pickup that was built by Mitsubishi. The Mitsubishi lasted a good long time.

And this is the real reason American car companies are going plotz. They just don't build them to last, while the competition does. People don't want to buy something that will give them maintainance headaches down the road.

They were, until recently, countering this trend by simply building behemoths that would be too expensive for the foreign competition to ship in quantity. Now however, American-made behemoths from the foreign competition, combined with tanking sales for all gas-guzzling behemoths in the US, has put the American companies back on the hot-seat.

This was a trend that could easily have been avoided... by any company that wasn't forced to keep the stock prices up every fiscal quarter.

[LOLBOMB]

Originally Posted by MSP

Which model do you own? I was oogling at the Chargers this week, but I don't know I'd buy a Chrysler either. I sorta lost faith in them when a few friends who owned Chryslers all had transmissions fail just out of warranty.

The only two we owned were a 1979 Dodge Omni (shit), and a 1980-something small pickup that was built by Mitsubishi. The Mitsubishi lasted a good long time.

GM makes (or made, i think they got fired) the trannys for the steptronics in the bmw 3 and 5 series. they are notorious for failing at or around 60K miles, and your warrenty ends at 50K. americans make shitty trannys, atleast stock/oem. i would never buy an american muscle car without a built tranny (exception is the vette, they have a decent transaxle, but it'll pop at around 550hp).

[LOLBOMB]

Originally Posted by ShabazKillaX

The american auto industry did this to themselves when they gave into union demands. It's ridiculous how much unskilled workers get paid, not to mention the benefits. Any industry that handed out pension plans like candy is in trouble.

But what I find humorous is that the auto union basically fucked themselves. Yeah, it's great you were able to extort that kind of pay and benefits out of the auto makers, but now your going to be out of a job. Congrats assholes.

when youre paying some laborer $90K to weld on an assembly line, something isnt right. obviously unions served their purpose in the early 20th; century, now they are an archaic monstrosity that trys to squeeze every last breath of life out of their already doomed organizations. their time will come, and the smart people will laugh.

[Hubcap]

best car i even owned was that lexus. Quality was just amazing, so quiet, great bang for you buck. Take a look at the cars made by Ford and GM fro around 25-30k. They are just not as good. What are you going to buy a Taurus?

GM and Ford make good Trucks, SUV's and a few cadillacs are nice.

[ninefivezero]

This is why I bought a Toyota.

[MSP]

Honestly, I'm looking at a few different styles of vehicle for my next ride. See if you can name a decent American car in just one of these categories:

Mid-sized family converitble car - Toyota Solara
Small SUV - Honda CRV
Mini-van or mid-sized SUV - Honda Oddysee or Pilot

If I were to get a truck I would consider a Ford, but more than likely I would get the Honda Ridgeline or Toyota Tundra.

[LOLBOMB]

bmw 335CI turbo charged coupe looks hot, for a german gaybanger.