American-brand cars prove poipular with millennial

[Rock_Hudstone]

Originally Posted By: mechanicx
But when Golden's son, Daniel, 23, was looking for a new car, he opted for a Ford Fiesta, despite his father’s suggestion that he buy a Toyota Camry or Corolla.

“I just think it’s cooler looking and a lot more fun to drive,” Daniel said.


Ah yes, what every young American male dreams of owning one day: the Ford Fiesta...

 

[ram_man]

Popular maybe but we have a 2010 f150 in the family and an 09 focus 5200 miles on tjhe focus and 20, 000 on the focus. the focus has interior rattles and a squeaky rear suspension, the f150 is feathering tires (dealer hasn't been able to fix) and the bed paint has fallen off in large chunks. The truck has never been worked or towed anything, they are both just a dd. These 2 experiences have left me with the decision to never buy a ford . My family wont either.

 

[KD0AXS]

Originally Posted By: Cubey

- Ford Ranger was a rebranded Mazda pickup


Actually, you have that one backwards. The Mazda pickups were rebadged Rangers, built at the (now closed) Ford plant in St. Paul, MN.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: TomYoung
Originally Posted By: itguy08
Makes sense. The Japaneese cars are bland and boring. The reliability is not the God-like thing it's supposed to be. And then there's this big reason: you don't want to drive the same car your parents drove.

Still don't know why you would buy the awful Corolla and Civic when there are much better choices around there. Mazda 3, Focus, Fiesta, Spark, Sonic, Veloster to name a few.


Corollas and Civics are not awful. Not even the severely dated current Corolla. Your comparison list is a grab-bag of cars from Japanese, American and other Asian makers. There is nothing wrong with any of these cars, but only a fool would choose a Spark over a Civic.

I would like to point out that your wierd comparison is also blind to reliability data and to price.



A spark perhaps. but ive had enough cruzes and civics to know which is the better car, and it isnt the civic.

 

[Cubey]

Originally Posted By: KD0AXS
Originally Posted By: Cubey

- Ford Ranger was a rebranded Mazda pickup


Actually, you have that one backwards. The Mazda pickups were rebadged Rangers, built at the (now closed) Ford plant in St. Paul, MN.


Oops... my mistake. I assumed that since Escorts had Mazda parts.

 

[TomYoung]

Originally Posted By: Cubey
The problem with "American" cars is they are often made in Canada or Mexico, are rebranded foreign models or contain major components from foreign makes.

- I had an 88 Buick Regal coupe that was made in Canada
- Geo/Chevy Prizm was a rebranded Corolla
- Ford Ranger was a rebranded Mazda pickup
- Ford Escorts had a Mazda transmission (some had Mazda engines I think?)

I'm sure there's many more examples but those are the ones I am aware of off hand.


Your examples are all from long ago. Canada builds cars a stone's throw from the U.S./Canada border and Canadians buy what they build. Canada is a Western Democracy, a NAFTA trading partner and a superb neighbor and economic partner. Arkansas???

 

[morris]

why being made in place other than U.S.A. makes it better? better engineering? WHO put man on the moon? ONLY THE U.S.A.

 

[KD0AXS]

Originally Posted By: Rock_Hudstone
Originally Posted By: mechanicx
But when Golden's son, Daniel, 23, was looking for a new car, he opted for a Ford Fiesta, despite his father’s suggestion that he buy a Toyota Camry or Corolla.

“I just think it’s cooler looking and a lot more fun to drive,” Daniel said.


Ah yes, what every young American male dreams of owning one day: the Ford Fiesta...

Yes, the legendary Fiesta. I know I always dreamed of owning one.

 

[bigt61]

The quality gap the Japanese once had has disappeared. GM, Ford and Chrysler have all raised their games - and are making products people want to buy. Compared to a new Cruze, Focus or Dart, a Corolla looks and feels dated and cheap. Maybe the Corolla will last 200,000 miles, but pity the poor soul who has to drive it that long.

 

[TomYoung]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Originally Posted By: TomYoung
Originally Posted By: itguy08
Makes sense. The Japaneese cars are bland and boring. The reliability is not the God-like thing it's supposed to be. And then there's this big reason: you don't want to drive the same car your parents drove.

Still don't know why you would buy the awful Corolla and Civic when there are much better choices around there. Mazda 3, Focus, Fiesta, Spark, Sonic, Veloster to name a few.


Corollas and Civics are not awful. Not even the severely dated current Corolla. Your comparison list is a grab-bag of cars from Japanese, American and other Asian makers. There is nothing wrong with any of these cars, but only a fool would choose a Spark over a Civic.

I would like to point out that your wierd comparison is also blind to reliability data and to price.



A spark perhaps. but ive had enough cruzes and civics to know which is the better car, and it isnt the civic.
Where did the Cruze come from. I've rented more than a handful and I like them, but for the long haul, would choose a Civic every time. Reliability ratings are with me.

 

[TomYoung]

Originally Posted By: morris
why being made in place other than U.S.A. makes it better? better engineering? WHO put man on the moon? ONLY THE U.S.A.


I love the country dearly and love to talk about the lunar landings, but the U.S. auto industry destroyed itself with low-quality, shoddy products. My first and last American car was a Chevette, so I know the score.

I am pleased to see the new creditable new products, but would love to see some bailout or social program money go to get NASA moving again.

 

[MCompact]

My next car will probably be a domestic- a 500 Abarth.

 

[Spazdog]

Originally Posted By: Cubey
Originally Posted By: KD0AXS
Originally Posted By: Cubey

- Ford Ranger was a rebranded Mazda pickup


Actually, you have that one backwards. The Mazda pickups were rebadged Rangers, built at the (now closed) Ford plant in St. Paul, MN.


Oops... my mistake. I assumed that since Escorts had Mazda parts.


The first US Escorts didn't. The second generation of Escorts had a Mazda B-platform.

I think you were thinking of the Ford Courier. It was a Mazda B-series. Chevrolet had the LUV which was a rebadged Isuzu P'UP. Dodge and Plymouth had the D50/Arrow Pickup which was a Mitsubishi Mighty Max.

Ironically, Mazda later sold a rebadged Ford, Isuzu a rebadged Chevrolet, and Mitsubishi a rebadged Dodge. (B2300-2500-3000-4000, Hombre, i-280/370, Raider pickup)

 

[SwampSurvivor]

I'm not sure how it is in other parts of the country, but walk into a Toyota/Honda dealer and try to pay less than sticker ... not going to happen. Walk into a Ford / Chryco / GM dealer ... even if you don't negotiate that hard, you'll get a bunch knocked off.

The Japanese brands have won here a while ago and the dealers still think they have an edge over the competition. I can pay MSRP for a bland Corolla or get $2k off a Focus / Cruze ... which one makes more sense.

Toyota and Honda haven't been without their faults lately. Neither has Ford/GM/Chryco ...

The used market is horrible, often with used cars costing more than equivalent new cars. Are you going to go bland (Toyota) ubiquitous (Toyota) or cheap and "trendy" - the American car companies are doing a way better job marketing to the younger generation (my generation).

 

[evanautumn]

I guess I'm the exception to this statistic. I've never owned an American car, but if I would my first choice would be a Crown Vic- too bad they don't make those anymore.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: Cubey
The problem with "American" cars is they are often made in Canada or Mexico, are rebranded foreign models or contain major components from foreign makes.

- I had an 88 Buick Regal coupe that was made in Canada
- Geo/Chevy Prizm was a rebranded Corolla
- Ford Ranger was a rebranded Mazda pickup
- Ford Escorts had a Mazda transmission (some had Mazda engines I think?)

I'm sure there's many more examples but those are the ones I am aware of off hand.


And what exactly is wrong with an American truck made in Canada? Last time I checked, Canada (AND Mexico) were both part of North America

 

[Lyman]

Im 50 years old and have owned 38 cars/trucks in my life. The only foreign car I ever owned was a 1966 English Ford Cortina. All of the other have been American made. I have zero regrets about any of them. I am planning on building a 55-57 Chevy pickup as a second vehicle. I owned a 57 years ago and loved it.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: ram_man
Popular maybe but we have a 2010 f150 in the family and an 09 focus 5200 miles on tjhe focus and 20, 000 on the focus. the focus has interior rattles and a squeaky rear suspension, the f150 is feathering tires (dealer hasn't been able to fix) and the bed paint has fallen off in large chunks. The truck has never been worked or towed anything, they are both just a dd. These 2 experiences have left me with the decision to never buy a ford . My family wont either.


I have a really hard time believing your F-150 story, given how many of them we have at work. And they've had plenty of things thrown in the bed.

 

[daves87rs]

I'm open to all cars, even my family's roots are in the "big 3".

Or course I've mostly owned these cars, and have only been displeased with one-my current Chevy Cobalt.

Two cars fit my current fancy and price, a Chevy Cruze, and the Honda Civic.

Going to be a tough choice....

 

[ram_man]

Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Originally Posted By: ram_man
Popular maybe but we have a 2010 f150 in the family and an 09 focus 5200 miles on tjhe focus and 20, 000 on the focus. the focus has interior rattles and a squeaky rear suspension, the f150 is feathering tires (dealer hasn't been able to fix) and the bed paint has fallen off in large chunks. The truck has never been worked or towed anything, they are both just a dd. These 2 experiences have left me with the decision to never buy a ford . My family wont either.


I have a really hard time believing your F-150 story, given how many of them we have at work. And they've had plenty of things thrown in the bed.


Why would I lie about it? I have no beef with ford its just in my experience nonsense media hype that says fords quality is so much better its not in our experience. The primer is there but the paint which is white is peeling on the tailgate and passenger side fender well. Its big chucks the majority of the top of the tailgate is gone and a basketball size on the bottom of the fender well area. Ill try to get a picture.
Its not my truck its a family members but ill try to get a picture.
I have zero reason to make it up though.