RealTown's RealTalk

Kris Coutant wrote...

"As I have already noted, I have a Honda- and I love my Honda. I do try to buy American made products whenever possible. However I refuse to pay more for a lesser quality product. When US automakers can make a car that will go for 300k+ miles, and I can buy it for less than what I paid for my first house, I will be happy to consider it. Until then I will continue to drive my Honda.

Nicely stated, Kris.  I totally agree with you.  I've been a proud Honda owner since 1992...first an Accord EX and now I'm on my 2nd CRV.  My next vehicle will be a Pilot which I'll probably get this summer.  My husband is a retired 30-year IBEW union worker who "came over" to Honda 3 years ago with the purchase of an Element.  He said that hands down it's the best vehicle he's ever owned and will gladly buy one again when he's ready for a change.  Our new Hondas will be purchased only when we're ready for a change because unlike the "American made" vehicles, the Hondas, Toyotas, etc. don't ever need repaired and they never seem to wear out.

I've been told by a number of ex-employees of GM, Ford, and Chrysler that part of the problem with the Big-3 automakers is the high cost of wages and benefits that the unions successfully negotiated.  Combine that with the sagging auto sales, is it a wonder they are in trouble?

It's not right to blame Honda, Toyota, etc. for knowing how to build a durable, fuel efficient vehicle.  Honda, Toyota, etc. "get it".  Until the time comes that the Big-3 automakers finally also "get it", I'll stick with buying Honda or Toyota.  I don't think it's right to berate those that drive something other than a big-3 vehicle for making a sensible purchase decision.  Financially Honda and Toyota fit my budget.  Over the last 8-10 years I've spent about $25-$50/year for oil changes and I haven't have any repair costs.  Can you Big-3 owners say the same?

It's interesting to me that the largest Chevy dealership in Indianapolis (may even be the largest in the state) also owns one of the 3 Honda dealerships in town.  These Chevy and Honda dealerships are not only owned by the same person (Penski) but they used to share the same lot until a few years ago when Honda got their own digs...now it's just around the corner from sister Chevy.

Dear Lindy,

If you look at the parts sourcing and manufacturing list of most cars, you will find that they are quite global products (see recent Consumer Reports). There are Toyotas built in the US & Chevys made in Mexico. The parts come from all over the world.

This reminds me of the sentiments surrounding the massive layoffs at Boeing in the 1970s. Out of the dust grew many companies, as varied as Microsoft and Baby Jogger. These have certainly contributed to our GDP and economical development in a positive way, despite the fact that many former Boeingites were laid off.

Don't remember, who said that it is the product, but it seems at least Chevy is starting to change their product line, designed as it happens by a group of Korean designers.

Sincerely, Dörte Engel one of the House-Angels @ RE/MAX Allegiance
serving the greater Annapolis, Baltimore, Washington, DC triangle
301-352-4100 (office), ePro@myHouseAngels.com

> Yeah Al, Halle-blankin-lullyah, I totally agree! If it's even close 
> to a toss-up, buy American. I also have had a few non-American cars, 
> before I knew any better..... but ever since becoming aware of the 
> lay-offs in Michigan many years ago, which filled me with sadness 
> and sympathy, I would never consider buying a car not made in 
> America and with an America company name on it..... (IOW, I don't 
> care that they build foreign cars here, I wouldn't buy them..... and 
> I wasn't real happy about some of our American companies putting 
> foreign motors in their cars either, so those are "out" 
> too....).Sure, buy a Toyota or a Honda or Benz, but only as a 2nd or 
> 3rd car.... Main car should be American.And many customers DO notice 
> stuff like that..... I only ever had two clients actually make 
> comments, and one was quite reprimanding.... and that was my LAST 
> non-American car.Lindy in Houston
>
>

----- End message from tx-lindy@houston.rr.com -----