Yes, I'm a traitor- I bought a foreign auto

[PiKA2001]

So I sold my Ford SUV and bought a 08 Volkswagen MKV GTI, due to mostly high gas prices and the lightning fast depreciation on the Ford. It was a pretty tough decision between the VW and a Volvo S40, but since the salesman at VW was better, he got the sale. I gotta say I love this little car. The gas milage is much better, it's a lot faster than anything I've owned so far, and the quality of the car far exceeds the Ford that it's replacing. It sucks too because I had the "Limited" trim, all options and the basic trim VW GTI has better options included with the car. Being born and raised in Detroit I always thought I would buy only American cars, but since most American cars are built in Canada or Mexico, does it really matter?

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

So I sold my Ford SUV and bought a 08 Volkswagen MKV GTI, due to mostly high gas prices and the lightning fast depreciation on the Ford. It was a pretty tough decision between the VW and a Volvo S40, but since the salesman at VW was better, he got the sale. I gotta say I love this little car. The gas milage is much better, it's a lot faster than anything I've owned so far, and the quality of the car far exceeds the Ford that it's replacing. It sucks too because I had the "Limited" trim, all options and the basic trim VW GTI has better options included with the car. Being born and raised in Detroit I always thought I would buy only American cars, but since most American cars are built in Canada or Mexico, does it really matter?

Yes, it still matters. I'm disappointed in you.

[Fleur de Lis]

Many "foreign" cars are actually made in factories in the US, so I don't feel too guilty. Subaru has a plant in Indiana, Nissan in Tennessee, etc. I would ideally like to buy American, but I've had my Honda Civic for 5 years and had ZERO problems and great gas mileage. If American cars start competing with that, I will consider switching.

[jon1856]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

So I sold my Ford SUV and bought a 08 Volkswagen MKV GTI, due to mostly high gas prices and the lightning fast depreciation on the Ford. It was a pretty tough decision between the VW and a Volvo S40, but since the salesman at VW was better, he got the sale. I gotta say I love this little car. The gas mileage is much better, it's a lot faster than anything I've owned so far, and the quality of the car far exceeds the Ford that it's replacing. It sucks too because I had the "Limited" trim, all options and the basic trim VW GTI has better options included with the car. Being born and raised in Detroit I always thought I would buy only American cars, but since most American cars are built in Canada or Mexico, does it really matter?

And the faster one goes, the faster the gas goes
And yes, it still does matter.
And the "better the salesperson", generally the better they are in getting into your pocket
I personally stay far away from the show room until I have a done deal.

[dekeguy]

I am begining to think I might have to get something to relieve my old XJ6. That 4.2 L is one thirsty bastard. I figure I'll keep the Jag until hell freezes over but use it a lot more sparingly. Now the trick will be to pick something that won't drink up the national reserves every week and still not be too damn boring.

[SoCalGirl]

Welcome to the dark side. Where you rarely have to speak to your mechanic again!!!

[Kappamd]

Originally Posted by SoCalGirl

Welcome to the dark side. Where you rarely have to speak to your mechanic again!!!

Ditto. I drove a Toyota Camry for 3 years and now drive a Honda Civic. Between those cars I have only had to go in for service ONCE in five years. The only reason I got rid of the Camry was because my brother got his license and needed a car.

On the flip side, my dad had a Ford Explorer and then a Lincoln Aviator.......lets just say they knew him by name at the dealership. He only kept the Aviator two years before getting fed up and trading in for a Toyota.

So we may be traitors, but at least we're saving money.

Originally Posted by Kappamd

Ditto. I drove a Toyota Camry for 3 years and now drive a Honda Civic. Between those cars I have only had to go in for service ONCE in five years. The only reason I got rid of the Camry was because my brother got his license and needed a car.

On the flip side, my dad had a Ford Explorer and then a Lincoln Aviator.......lets just say they knew him by name at the dealership. He only kept the Aviator two years before getting fed up and trading in for a Toyota.

So we may be traitors, but at least we're saving money.

I've had my Honda Civic since senior year high school (11 years), and I've only had to bring her in once when the A/C kicked the bucket. By that time she was already 9 years old. As long as I make sure her oil's changed when it comes time for that, she stays faithful.

My BF drives a Toyota Matrix, which surprises me because he is from Michigan as well.

My sister drives a Ford Escape, and I've lost count as to how many times she's had to go in in the last 2 years. I won't be surprised if she'll be trading that car in soon.

I probably have a few more years left on the Civic before I'll have to buy a new car. Like Fleur de Lis said though, once American cars start performing better, I may consider them for the next purchase.

[TrojanWoman]

I'm with OTW and Fleur de Lis. My family used to only buy American and now my parents own a Mini and I'm in an Audi. These two cars have performed amazingly and only go in for routine oil changes, which by the way, are few and far between!

When they start making American cars like that, I'm sure we'll go back!

[Blacksocialite]

While I'm Pro-American, I'm also Pro-my-pocket.

I've had my Toyota Camry for 11 years, have dogged it at times, and have had only two 'major' service/maintenance issues - both of which were paid for by the company (they were recalls).

My A/C and heat work great and have never 'given up the ghost.'

I've had Ford cars from my former company and they weren't as good on gas or maintenance.

My next vehicle will more than likely be a hybrid Toyota, Volvo, or BMW.

[Benzgirl]

Where I grew up, GM supported the tax base in our school district.

We always bought GM, but the cars were a piece of crap. I was the first defector in the family....I bought a Honda and drove it 13 years and 180,000 miles with the most expensive repair being $400. (since then, my mother has purchased nothing but Hondas and it's been 20+ years) I have since driven Mercedes (3 of them), BMW (piece of shit) and a Nissan.

Since I now have a Ford factory supporting the tax base where I now live, I wanted to buy a Ford. But, it was too much of a hassle at the dealership. You buy the base model and need to tack on a bazillion extras to roll out with a sticker nearly double what you were expecting. I ended up with a Ford-owned Land Rover. The biggest problems that I have had in the first 8 months were the staff at the dealership that couldn't hook up an XM Radio if their life depeneded on it.

If I had to do it all over again, I would have left the Ford tax-support at the curb and would go back to Mercedes

[nate2512]

I've had no problems with Ford. I just recently hit 18,000 miles and only one minor problem that it was shipped with but I haven't the time to have it fixed.

[cheerfulgreek]

I guess I'm a traitor too. A few months ago I traded my old car in for a Mini Cooper. I love it.

[nate2512]

I did want to add, I had a Honda for 1 year and three months, and that was in the shop 4 times.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

Being born and raised in Detroit I always thought I would buy only American cars, but since most American cars are built in Canada or Mexico, does it really matter?

Not to me. How can it be un-American when you're doing that most American of things -- letting the capitalist system work by buying what, for you, is the better product.

But what do I know -- I've got a Ford and a Jeep (both of which have done quite well). I've had VWs though, and really liked them.