Foreign or not?

[Incommando]

As a life-long Mopar fan I am again at a cross-roads with Chrysler. They were a German company and therefore a foreign company under Daimler-Chrysler and now that Fiat has exceeded 50% ownership they are an Italian company. To me "assembly point" doesn't make a vehicle American or whatever. Company ownership does. Honda "assembles" Accords in Ohio but do you think Honda will claim to be a Japanese or an American company? Exactly. Does anyone consider GM a German company or an Australian company because they assemble cars in each of those countries? Although neither Italy or Germany screw us on trade nearly as hard as Japan does I still have this thing about buying foreign large ticket items unless there is no option...

 

:wall:

[tbrand]

It will be a long time before I will be in the market for a new car, but when I am, I'll buy the car that fits my needs best. I don't care where it's assembled or where the company that made it is headquartered. When Chrysler was an "American" company, the LH and LX-platform cars were built in Canada. Ford is, by most accounts, an American company. The Fusion is built in Mexico. The Chevy Impala is Canadian as well. That's just off the top of my head. Plenty more of the small cars (Spark, Sonic, Fiesta, etc) are made in multiple locations.

 

I don't think there are any more "American" cars in the "every step of production done in the USA" sense.

[Rymanrph]

The only vehicle I've ever purchased new was a Ford built in the USA, but I tend to buy Chryslers, Dodges and Jeeps. However, since I usually buy used it doesn't really matter. I'm buying a used Miata this week but that's because Dodge doesn't make a small RWD car with a manual transmission.

 

I'd rather say I drove a Dodge, but I don't feel guilty buying a used Mazda. I've owned eight Jeeps, but Jeep never got any of my money since I bought them all used.

[knever3]

When I buy a car I think how I am going to service it. Any foreign car will be difficult to purchase or find used parts. Try finding a Honda Pilot in your local junk yard. I really enjoy older Mazda's and a select few foreign cars but the service factor is keeping me away. Sure they typically are more trouble free but when they do break you better whip out your wallet for the dealer or have another car ready for when you have to source parts.

[FrankTheDog]

Out of all the vehicles I've owned, the 91-98 XJ-MJ are the least troublesome I've ever had and the easyist to fix. It's mostly alternator, water pump and starter changes.

In over a half million miles I've replaced two fuel pumps and that wasn't even the problem it turned out.

I'm going to be driving these as long as I can get them.

I'll throw in the 91-98 wranglers in there too.

[dasbulliwagen]

I think that you are over thinking this. How many times has Jeep been passed around over its lifetime? A BUNCH! That doesnt make them any less Jeep or any more Chysler, or Daimler, or Fiat.... its still a Jeep, an American company, and it always will be. Getting hung up on current ownership is stupid. It doesnt mean anything anymore. Maybe it should, but it really doesnt. Get what you want to and be happy!

[knever3]

:agree:

[87Warrior]

I'm buying a used Miata this week but that's because Dodge doesn't make a small RWD car with a manual transmission.

You will love the MX-5. I really regret selling my 97, but at the time I didn't have room for it and an MJ. They are awesome cars.

[Rymanrph]

I'm buying a used Miata this week but that's because Dodge doesn't make a small RWD car with a manual transmission.

You will love the MX-5. I really regret selling my 97, but at the time I didn't have room for it and an MJ. They are awesome cars.

 

I already know I'll love it because I had an '07 last year and traded it. Not the most practical cars in the world, but neither is the Comanche.