Poll: American Cars

There's been alot of press recently about the plight of the Big Three and the chance that they may get a bailout because they aren't doing well.

It seems that the question comes down to: What would happen if we Bail the Big Three Out. Or what would happen if we don't?

But really it seems the question comes down to YOU, the people who buy and drive cars.

So.. a little poll.

Question 1: Do you own an American Car?

Question 2: If you do own an American Car, what made you choose an American Car over it's competitors?

Question 3: If you do NOT own an American Car, why did you choose the car you chose over an American Car?

Question 4: Would you buy an American Car right now, assuming you had the money and need for a new car?

Question 5: Why/Why Would you NOT buy American right now?

Question 6: If you wouldn't buy American right now, what changes do you think American Cars would need to take before you WOULD buy American?

Question 1: Do you own an American Car? Yes

Question 2: If you do own an American Car, what made you choose an American Car over it's competitors? It's what my Dad got me...safety, price, availability

Question 3: If you do NOT own an American Car, why did you choose the car you chose over an American Car?

Question 4: Would you buy an American Car right now, assuming you had the money and need for a new car? Possibly

Question 5: Why/Why Would you NOT buy American right now? It would all depend on who was making the best hybrid for me

Question 6: If you wouldn't buy American right now, what changes do you think American Cars would need to take before you WOULD buy American?

And I don't think we should bail out the big 3...yes there will be lost jobs/economic fallout/disaster if they crash...but if we bail them out there is the threat of a slippery slope -what industry will need to be bailed out next?  Also, a bailout may help the symptom, but the problem is still there -cars are not going to sell in this economy, and the big 3 will continue to lose money

1 - No

3 - Reliability, design, performance, availability of features

4 - No

5 - American cars are consistently behind in the technology and reliability.  Not to mention, the fit and finish of cars assembled in the US is inferior.  My hubby and I both drive Japanese cars.  Mine was assembled in Japan, his in Indiana.  His creaks, squeeks, and rattles due to lack of attention to detail.  In addition, most American cars are not stylish, and the performance driven cars (which I would be interested in), are generally not efficient.

6 - American cars need to put significant efforts into the technology, performance, and look of their cars.  They can't be followers of other manufacturer's innovations, they need to be cutting edge.  As long as the look and drive like poo, I'm not driving one.

P.S.  I don't agree with a bail out.  I'm all against privatized gains, and socialized losses.  When the auto makers were fat and happy when SUV's were popular and making billions, I didn't see them GIVING to the American people, so why should we give them money now?

Question 1: Do you own an American Car? Yes, 2001 Ford Focus

Question 2: If you do own an American Car, what made you choose an American Car over it's competitors? At the time I worked for an automotive parts supplier and we got a better discount for American cars over foreign made. I also believe in shopping locally if possible.

Question 3: If you do NOT own an American Car, why did you choose the car you chose over an American Car?

Question 4: Would you buy an American Car right now, assuming you had the money and need for a new car? Yes, my car is getting high on miles. If I had the money I'd buy American again.

Question 5: Why/Why Would you NOT buy American right now?

Question 6: If you wouldn't buy American right now, what changes do you think American Cars would need to take before you WOULD buy American?

I believe in buying locally as much as possible. While a lot of American cars are made of foreign components and/or completely made overseas, it is better to give my money to a company that is paying American workers. That being said, I also need a safe car and demand one that gets high gas mileage. The American car companies need to seriously invest in higher mileage and more hybrid models. They also need to improve their safety ratings.

1. I do not own an american car. i drive a 93 honda accord that is on it's last leg.

3. i chose it because Hondas are know to be reliable, and it was in my price range at the time i bought it. obviously it is reliable because it's been on the road 15 years and is still running!

4. i am going to be buying a new(er) car at year end. i am leaning towards either a mazda or a nissan, because i like japanese cars and the prices are right. but i do admit to having a car crush on Dodge Chargers, and have actually considered the possibility of getting one.

5. probably won't go with the Charger because i hear that sadly, American cars aren't as reliable.

6. they'd need to get a better reputation for reliability that japanese cars, and maybe lower their prices a ton to make me pick one over a japanese car.

I find the definition of "American car" a bit of a moving target.  We have a Chrysler PT Cruiser, but it was manufactured in Taluca, Mexico.

We also have a Honda Insight, which was manufactured in Suzuka, Japan.

The so called "big 3" have outsourced an astonishing number of jobs - among other things, GM actually imports fully assembled engines from China!  They'll get my support the day they stop undermining the economy and demanding government assistance to do it.

Original Post by hkellick:

There's been alot of press recently about the plight of the Big Three and the chance that they may get a bailout because they aren't doing well.

It seems that the question comes down to: What would happen if we Bail the Big Three Out. Or what would happen if we don't?

But really it seems the question comes down to YOU, the people who buy and drive cars.

So.. a little poll.

Question 1: Do you own an American Car?

Yes, unfortunately.

Question 2: If you do own an American Car, what made you choose an American Car over it's competitors?

Stupid brother-in-law who we thought knew more about cars than he did.

Question 3: If you do NOT own an American Car, why did you choose the car you chose over an American Car?

Better quality (own a Nissan Sentra).

Question 4: Would you buy an American Car right now, assuming you had the money and need for a new car?

No.

Question 5: Why/Why Would you NOT buy American right now?

They suck.

Question 6: If you wouldn't buy American right now, what changes do you think American Cars would need to take before you WOULD buy American?

Better gas mileage and better maintenance costs (actual).  I'd also put in the impossible:  Better public reputation.

Question 1: Do you own an American Car? No. I have a Hyundai.

Question 2: If you do own an American Car, what made you choose an American Car over it's competitors?

Question 3: If you do NOT own an American Car, why did you choose the car you chose over an American Car? Last car I had was a Ford. It sucked for gas-mileage and was always in various stages of Broken (it took 6 trips to the mechanics to fix a broken fuse...). When the time came to get a new car, I looked for something with great Gas-Mileage, but also Affordable. Thus, the Hyundai.

Question 4: Would you buy an American Car right now, assuming you had the money and need for a new car? No.

Question 5: Why/Why Would you NOT buy American right now? Because I don't believe American makes good quality cars. I've spent a year in a Hyundai and haven't had to take it in for more than inspections all year. Far different than even my new Ford. Also, the Gas Mileage. American Cars are notoriously too heavy and give bad Gas Mileage.

Question 6: If you wouldn't buy American right now, what changes do you think American Cars would need to take before you WOULD buy American? See my complaints below. America needs to seriously step up with hybrids and lighter cars. They also need to improve the quality of their finished products. No one likes to spend excessive money fixing their car.

Original Post by hkellick:

Question 1: Do you own an American Car? Yes. (Ford)

Question 2: If you do own an American Car, what made you choose an American Car over it's competitors? Couple of things.  (1) I am eligible for Ford's employee discount, which can be quite generous.  (2) Have owned Fords in the past and found them to be very reliable cars. (3) Looked at other cars in the same price range and nothing really caught my eye over what I liked from Ford.

Question 3: If you do NOT own an American Car, why did you choose the car you chose over an American Car?  N/A

Question 4: Would you buy an American Car right now, assuming you had the money and need for a new car?  Yes. 

Question 5: Why/Why Would you NOT buy American right now? I would always shop around, but would have no trouble considering Ford again.  I have never liked Chrysler (it runs in the family lol) and might consider a GM product, but what I've seen of recent GM models hasn't impressed me in terms of what you get for the price.  But I usually stick with Ford because of past good experience with ownership. 

Question 6: If you wouldn't buy American right now, what changes do you think American Cars would need to take before you WOULD buy American?  N/A

Question 1: Do you own an American Car?  nope, '05 mazda 3

Question 3: If you do NOT own an American Car, why did you choose the car you chose over an American Car?  it was the only car in the class that appealed to me even a little.  the next choice would have been a civic, but the mazda was less expensive and had more appeal.

Question 4: Would you buy an American Car right now, assuming you had the money and need for a new car?  nope. 

Question 5: Why/Why Would you NOT buy American right now?  i just don't like american cars.  don't like the way they look, don't think the quality and design are up to par

Question 6: If you wouldn't buy American right now, what changes do you think American Cars would need to take before you WOULD buy American?  it would take a lot.  it would have to better honda, toyota, and nissan in the development of green cars (unfortunately mazda doesn't seem to be keeping up.  if they catch up, i'll stay with mazda).  it would also have to seriously kick the ass of the japanese in price.  like, by a lot, because i would feel like i was compromising quality and design. 

edit: i was thrilled, the other day, to hear that ford is selling a big chunk of its mazda interest back to mazda.  ford never did manufacture any mazda's (yay!!), but it was a concern.

i think a bail-out would be a bad idea.  the big three have been sucking wind for four decades; the american auto industry needs to rebuild from the ground up with a whole new philosophy.

Question 1: Do you own an American Car?  No I have a Prius and hubby has a Corolla, but he also has a GMC truck.

Question 2: If you do own an American Car, what made you choose an American Car over it's competitors? N/A

Question 3: If you do NOT own an American Car, why did you choose the car you chose over an American Car? I wanted a Prius.

Question 4: Would you buy an American Car right now, assuming you had the money and need for a new car?  No because me Prius (aka my baby) is less than 2 years old.

Question 5: Why/Why Would you NOT buy American right now? Not in the market for a car.

Question 6: If you wouldn't buy American right now, what changes do you think American Cars would need to take before you WOULD buy American?  If they made something comparable to the Prius that is just as reliable, I would consider it the next time I go looking for a car.

Personally I don't think they should bail out the auto industry.  The only way to improve it is to let them go into Chapter 11 and get out from under those horrible union contracts, get rid of the current upper management, reorganize, work on producing better cars.  The ridiculous union contracts alone would save them millions that could go towards R&D which is what they really need right now.  If they want to be competitive they have to come up with some new stuff and bailing them out will just be more of the same.

I drive a Nissan Altima and I love it!

Before I got my Nissan I always had an American car, but they all crapped out far too early so I finally gave up

Original Post by pgeorgian:

Question 1: Do you own an American Car?  nope, '05 mazda 3

Actually, Mazda is owned by Ford Motor Company, and the Mazda 6 and Mazda Tribute are both built in the United States.

Original Post by missy81:

I drive a Nissan Altima and I love it!

Before I got my Nissan I always had an American car, but they all crapped out far too early so I finally gave up

 The Nissan Altima is manufactured in Mississippi and Tennessee.

Original Post by splitrail:

Original Post by pgeorgian:

Question 1: Do you own an American Car?  nope, '05 mazda 3

Actually, Mazda is owned by Ford Motor Company, and the Mazda 6 and Mazda Tribute are both built in the United States.

i know ford bought mazda, split, but mazda remained almost entirely a separate entity.  my car is japanese.

and ford is selling a big chunk of its mazda interest as we speak; much of it is going back to mazda.

are you sure about the 6?  the tribute is just a ford escape, i know that (it's also mazda's poorest-performing model and hasn't come close to keeping up with the CX-7 and CX-9).

Original Post by splitrail:

 The Nissan Altima is manufactured in Mississippi and Tennessee.

This is all good to know. It means if the big three do go down the drain, as they fear, that those thousands of workers can just move to a Mazda plant or a Nissan plant.

Original Post by pgeorgian:

Original Post by splitrail:

Original Post by pgeorgian:

Question 1: Do you own an American Car?  nope, '05 mazda 3

Actually, Mazda is owned by Ford Motor Company, and the Mazda 6 and Mazda Tribute are both built in the United States.

i know ford bought mazda, split, but mazda remained almost entirely a separate entity.  my car is japanese.

and ford is selling a big chunk of its mazda interest as we speak; much of it is going back to mazda.

are you sure about the 6?  the tribute is just a ford escape, i know that (it's also mazda's poorest-performing model and hasn't come close to keeping up with the CX-7 and CX-9).

 The Mazda 6 is built in Missouri.  (from 35% imported parts, but still, that's better than some of the big 3 models)

Original Post by hkellick:

Original Post by splitrail:

 The Nissan Altima is manufactured in Mississippi and Tennessee.

This is all good to know. It means if the big three do go down the drain, as they fear, that those thousands of workers can just move to a Mazda plant or a Nissan plant.

 Toyota has a huge plant not too far from here - as do GM and Ford.  The difference?  All the workers make a comparable wage, but Toyota employees have no pensions and limited benefits.

Question 1: Do you own an American Car?  Yes, a Mercury and I have a Ford Truck.

Question 2: If you do own an American Car, what made you choose an American Car over it's competitors?  I have owned some form of Ford/Lincoln/Mercury for nearly 30 years now.  I have never owned a foreign car but my brother and mother both own Priuses and are happy with them.  I tend to buy Fords because of the familiarity but also there are no Foreign car dealerships in my town, we just have the Big 3.  I prefer to buy and service my cars locally.

Question 3: If you do NOT own an American Car, why did you choose the car you chose over an American Car?

Question 4: Would you buy an American Car right now, assuming you had the money and need for a new car?  Yes,  I've had great luck with the Ford family of vehicles over the years and I expect them to be around for a long time.

Question 5: Why/Why Would you NOT buy American right now?  I'm am open to the idea of owning a foreign car someday.

Question 6: If you wouldn't buy American right now, what changes do you think American Cars would need to take before you WOULD buy American? 

1.  No.
2.  N/A
3.  Because it's the one Alex bought.
4.  No.  Honda Fit's look like guinea pigs, therefore I must have one.
5.  'Cause I don't know the differences between cars anyway.
6.  It'd have to look like a guinea pig.

I shan't belabour the point further, but as consumers, I believe that we need to educate ourselves on the products we buy and the country of origin.  By way of example, in 2002, Americans imported nearly $8 million dollars worth of...are you ready for this...American flags manufactured in China. 

Shop locally, but shop smart.