18th Nov 2009, 13:39
Yes, perhaps Ford's "better idea" was to lay-off Americans and replace them with Mexicans for less money. (Yet some people still defend their business practices, and call Toyota owners "unpatriotic") Boggles the mind, doesn't it?
18th Nov 2009, 18:05
It surely does. Of course the "patriots" on here have the whole "ends justifies the means" excuse going on so it doesn't matter that Ford shafted many of their own employees by outsourcing labor, as long as they still provide more jobs than Honda does.
18th Nov 2009, 22:14
How about an 80000 dollar Honda, the Acura NSX when new? I drove it, daily driver, underpowered at 300 HP, nice track car Repair of the aluminum body if damaged is high. Mid engine nice balance and simple to drive. The Viper was also daily driven, very reliable great car. No issues and great car. You bring up bottom models, keep in mind some of own the top models.
19th Nov 2009, 06:56
Safe bet that the laid off union workers have tons of free-time to be on the net and be overly critical of people buying import cars and trucks. I'm just trying to stir the pot. We'll never get the excellent reliability that we once did with the early Acura's, Honda or Toyota because the plants all got moved from Japan to North America and now the import reliability sucks.
19th Nov 2009, 10:50
It keeps American engineers and research and development salaries in America. Why accept low assembly line pay and lack of benefits like the import companies offer.
19th Nov 2009, 12:06
"How about an 80000 dollar Honda, the Acura NSX when new?"
I love when domestic people compare cars like this. An Acura is not a Honda any more than a Cadillac is a Chevy. Using upscale brands to support your argument that domestics are as good as imports that cost so much more is ridiculous. Also, I love the used Viper comments. Yeah, any used car is worth less and can be bought for near the cost of a car 8 or 10 years newer. Even the fact the Viper is compared to a Honda is laughable. Is this is the length domestic lovers have to go to in order to find a car that competes?
Compare apples to apples or your argument has no weight!
19th Nov 2009, 16:21
6:56
I agree go back to low production (note low production) no discounting Honda and Toyotas completely made in Japan. I had no issues with my Legends then, and anyone that bought a new one was disheartened if they shared our TL experiences later... and they were not cheap new either. The good thing was my time was not wasted running back and forth to Honda/Acura dealerships back then.
Again, I will pay more, but quality and excellent service must be present. I bought expensive Acuras since and issues enough to switch to GM. Best move I ever made lately. Before I would argue imports were far better in the 80-90's. If I have to waste time back and forth to service centers, I quit buying and looked around. Not everyone is all about cheap; the quality has to be great, especially if you are willing to pay more for it as a new vehicle.
19th Nov 2009, 22:03
It's obvious that import fans don't read the previous posts on these sites, so I guess this is futile, but here we go again: The U.S. auto industry and related suppliers account for 90% of ALL U.S. auto related jobs REGARDLESS of WHERE the cars are assembled. This has been documented by private studies, university studies, the excellent CNN special and HUNDREDS of U.S. economists. ALL Japanese brands COMBINED contribute LESS THAN 10% of the auto related jobs held by AMERICANS (German vehicles are part of the 10% of the overall figure). Now, please explain why destroying 90% of our auto related jobs is "patriotic"... PLEASE... We've been waiting for a SENSIBLE answer to this very simple and straight-forward question for a very long time, and we're STILL waiting.
20th Nov 2009, 07:51
I think with the current state of the economy, people would work for a percentage less and have a "SECURE" job with benefits. The big three are learning the hard way that paying line workers top wages gets you so far. In the end, most people would want to work on a steady schedule instead of being laid off every 3 months for 2 weeks.
20th Nov 2009, 14:32
Enough already. It IS futile for you to prove to anyone that supporting such businesses is a good idea as it really is not IN THE LONG RUN. Yes, you will save your neighbors job today... but when things go south, and they will again, everything will just fail anyhow because of the refusal to change things in this country.
Same old, same old... Besides if the US companies currently hold 90% of the jobs and people are already buying imports and have been for decades then how is buying a Honda destroying US industry? Seems to me they are holding up pretty well and it shouldn't even be an issue to you... unless there is a reason you think they may fail. Well they could go into bankruptcy protection... Oh wait, GM already did that and now they are paying back tax money loaned from the government with loans from the government. Yeah, they are paying back money to the government with the government's own money. Awesome huh?
Good idea supporting this... really, you should be proud that this is what American business is all about.
I'll see you at the end of the world party!!
21st Nov 2009, 11:44
Domestic autos are currently the best in the world. I hardly call that "going south". A GM and a Ford are the highest rated vehicles in reliability in the world, ahead of even the grossly over rated Lexus. GM is continuing to outsell all foreign competition in spite of filing bankruptcy. Their sales last month were 200% better than Honda and Toyota combined, and an article in yesterday's national news reported that GM is ALREADY repaying the bailout money (which was a loan, not a free gift). In addition, Ford never took a PENNY of money and is still doing great.
More and more people are realizing the harm they do by destroying U.S. jobs and they are rethinking their buying choices. Every week I counsel people on buying American. It is a great feeling to know some people actually DO want to help our country.
22nd Nov 2009, 14:43
"Domestic autos are currently the best in the world."
Yup. One Ford and one Chevy. The two best cars in the world. ONE vehicle each.
Sorry, but Asian brands are STILL on top.
22nd Nov 2009, 20:04
Ha ha ha... Ford has ONE car that is competitive and GM has one line of a handful of cars and they are the best in the world? Yeah, okay.
Yes, GM is paying back the money they borrowed... you know how? By borrowing more money from the government in the form of loans so they are in effect paying back government money with government money that they will STILL owe. Plus Ford loses $1.2 BILLION and considers that a good quarter and you think they are "doing great". HEH...
Besides, if the domestics are selling so well why is buying a Honda destroying America? People have been buying imports for over 30 years so why now is it such an issue? If the big three are so great, there should be absolutely no threat to the great American way. Oh yeah, they have run themselves into the ground and are hanging by a thread... I almost forgot. Amazing that such great companies can have such great problems!!
17th Nov 2009, 21:50
"I know newer Civics get (in rare cases) over 30 mpg"
Yeah, okay... I know many Civic owners that get into the 40's with their cars on the highway... not too rare!!