Way to go GM !!

Even if those facts are correct, it's still a wash. At 100,000 miles, which vehicle is going to be worth more ya think? Which vehicle will have had less problems? Want to search those facts?
You guys sound like Obama last night. "We've created 2 million jobs over the last year!" What he didn't mention were that 5 million were lost. That's a net effect of NEGATIVE 3-million jobs LOST!!! How's those facts sound to ya???

facts

I've been reading this topic with interest and in fairness must state that I was a 41 year employee of Ford Motor and they continue to pay the bills yet today. I was a confirmed GM guy growing up and have owned numerous Corvettes and Chevelles over the years. There were many years when the imports were nothing but junk and then many years when their quality was indeed superior. I think once again things have come full circle and the domestic car companies are building better products than they ever have.
     I recently traded my 2007 F-150 Lariat Crew in on a 2011 F-150 Lariat Super Crew with the new ecoboost engine. Having been a confirmed V-8 guy my whole life this was hard technology to accept. My 2007 with the 5.4 was a great truck and I had zero complaints with it, but this new truck is fabulous! I don't know how they continue to make them better and better but this truck is quieter, rides better, and the ecoboost is unbelievable!! All I can say is if you get a chance to drive one make sure to do so.
     I agree that your money is your money and you should spend it where you feel you get the best value....the lines of what constitutes an "American" vehicle have long been blurred. I obviously drive Fords and get a break on the pricing as an ex-employee, but I truly feel they have never made better products than they currently produce.

why will you only buy a Correct Craft?

eric lavine wrote: why will you only buy a Correct Craft?

So I can remain a CCFan in good standing. That alone adds resale value to the boat.

They are the Tundra of boats.

I did my research and the Correct Craft best suited my needs.

Whatever "Jethro".

quinner wrote: TRBenj wrote: All things being equal, Id love to buy American. But the American car companies havent proven that all things are equal, at least not yet. But really Timmy, based on what?? As you can see in this thread alone you can find whatever "facts" you want to support whichever side you choose to be on.

^^This right here is what Im talking about- we approach this issue completely differently. I have no interest in choosing a side and then picking and choosing the "facts" to support my position. Instead, I did the research first and then based my purchase on that. I would encourage anyone to research the heck out of a such a major purchase and decide what's best for them.

Like I said, I want to buy American- I just cant justify it (yet) based on the reading Ive done. I think a Jeep Grand Cherokee, Tahoe/Suburban or Silverado would be great to have as a next vehicle... I'm hoping that their reliability record is good when it comes time for me to buy.

Like others have expressed, Im less concerned with domestic vs. import, Im more concerned with getting the best vehicle my money can buy. Your argument becomes even more watered down when you start looking at where a particular model is built, and how much domestic content it has, rather than where the company who builds it has their headquarters.

Eric, you didnt comment on the flag I posted... I fail to see why youre so enamored with "buying American" when youre doing your daily commute in a Volkswagen! Obviously it's what best fit your needs at the moment, else you'd be driving a Cobalt instead, right? Maybe Im selfish, but I dont particularly care for people telling me what to do, based on what they think I need! I can figure it out for myself!

PAPA wrote: bhectus wrote: PAPA wrote: Sorry to have to correct you again, but Kelly blue book says full size Ford truck has highest resale value for second year in a row. disproven: KBB info questionable at best Wow!! Go to TOYOTA TUNDRA HEADQUARTERS if you want the real info Thats a good one!!

John, I was expecting you or Quinner to pick that one apart. The point was that the KBB data and how they concluded based on their data is questionable.

"Conclusion: Any honest analysis of half-ton resale value must conclude that the Tundra has the lowest depreciation rate of any truck in the half-ton segment, as this data is echoed by multiple sources. However, when it comes to total ownership costs (fuel in particular), Ford’s new F150 may have indeed taken the lead…but this is contested by at least one other study."

I'm still taking the stance that I made the right decision for me and my family. If that upsets someone, then hey, I ain't got nothin' for ya.

Tires and brakes have nothing to do with the quality of a vehicle, neither are made by Ford or Toyota.

In fact, most rotors come from the same damn foundries. Send me the pattern I'll send you iron. Put it on whatever you want, and drive it however you want.

AirTique98, great post.

Hollywood wrote: Tires and brakes have nothing to do with the quality of a vehicle, neither are made by Ford or Toyota.

Ehh, yes and no. Poor suspension or braking system designs can cause a vehicle to be overly rough on replacement items like pads, rotors and tires. Of course, driving habits play a big part too.

Moj, youre not the only one who has had good luck with a late model GM truck (BKH and Bruce come to mind as well), another indication that theyre heading in the right direction. Good for them, Im glad to hear it.

Hollywood wrote: When exactly do you guys feel GM & Ford were making poor quality vehicles? I'm leaving out Chrysler, besides their engines, because they've always been crap IMO.

i haven't posted anything in this thread about GM or Ford quality...but, I know if you look at consumer reports or JDPower data for the last 10-15 years you will see the american companies behind the japanese by a good margin, then improving to pretty close to even now.

I'm just trying to defend the foreign autmakers here...they make good vehicles and make a lot of them in the US with a lot of US made parts...the put a lot of money into the US economy...so I really don't understand the hate. healthy competition is good for any industry.

I buy CC's because I like them the best...mastercraft and malibu make nice boats too...

Hollywood wrote: Tires and brakes have nothing to do with the quality of a vehicle, neither are made by Ford or Toyota.

Thats just your casting background talking HW.... The rotors are only one part of the system and sure, whether slotted, vented or whatever, are still made from the same material..

Read up on Brembo and SSBC, which however are only seen in a few passemger cars (some you just widely disregarded, "Chyrsler" and all their RT8's), brakes are very much an engineered and matched systems to the suspension and steering components of any car/truck, and most certainly do play a part in the overall vehicle quality !!! Tires eh...

"Not all Calipers are created equal", grasshopper .......

With respect to the Suburban, changing the first set of brakes @75K miles and tires just before that I think is impressive for a full size truck, that a lead foot wife drives, as well as perform hauling duty. It's better than the Yukon I had before it.. It's a well matched system for the vehicle I'd say.. I have an s-10 blazer once that ate pads every 20K miles and rotors at 40K.... That sounded and still does sound crazy. Bad design and quality, absolutely....
Moj'

Mojo wrote: Read up on Brembo and SSBC, which however are only seen in a few passemger cars (some you just widely disregarded, "Chyrsler" and all their RT8's), brakes are very much an engineered and matched systems to the suspension and steering components of any car/truck, and most certainly do play a part in the overall vehicle quality !!!

I wasn't trying to compare a Challenger SRT8 to a Corolla. You get what you pay for.

Mojo wrote: I have an s-10 blazer once that ate pads every 20K miles and rotors at 40K.... That sounded and still does sound crazy. Bad design and quality, absolutely.... Moj'

That does sound crazy and I suspect something was not right with that particular vehicle.

My bottom line is change the oil, warm up the engine and be light on the pedals. Treat your car nice and it should return the favor.

holy ***************...lotta ruffled panties.

there is no one here that can prove or disprove the qaulity of a car, for instance my wife is quite a bit younger than me, 35 around the same age as you younger fella's, but, she always insisted she wants a Nissan or a Toyota, now logically she's a fcn woman and I asked her why do you want a Nissan or a Toyota, she answered, because they are a better car, im like how the fck do you know they are a better car, cause my dad said so....see which way im going with this, she doesnt know her ass from a hole in the ground when it comes to a car.

All i ask is give it a fair shake when you go test drive, dont automatically assume something is better besides the BS propaganda out there. look at it this way, are yo really helping out America by purchasing a rice wagon....*************** i forgot you 30 somethings believe that BS they are made right here

PAPA wrote: OverMyHead wrote: MI-nick wrote: what do you have against the japanese car companies?? I don't think it is actually the Japanese car companies. ....... You really crack me up. If you actually believe what you posted that those on the left will buy American and those on the right will think it over and weigh the facts then choose foreign then for sure that must be a picture of you with your head up your ass in the earlier post. As stated earlier, everyone makes their decision based on their own personal needs. THIS IS NOT A POLITICAL DECISION.

John, I know there are a lot of buy American guys on the right, they just dint show up in numbers for this thread. I have notice though when I speak with people on the right they say this is what I think and this is why, on the left they say this is how you should think and if you dont....This does not need to be a political decision. a person can make an educated decision, and that can include the origins of the vehicle,but when they make a decision solely on the nation of origin of the vehicle and chastise those that make a different decision, that is getting a little political.