Why I own, and will continue to own a foreign car

...Meanwhile the IT Manager at a Fortune 500 company who is outsourcing his 720 IT staff to India has a similar list of requirements such as how much they want to be paid, their availability, their health care requirements, and their output per dollar.

No one begrudges someone for buying a foreign product. I sure don't.  However, just don't turn around and complain about companies outsourcing jobs because they are making the same kinds of "purchasing" decisions yourself.

As for me, I have a 2004 Bonneville that has given me no problems at all (in fact, I've never had any problems with my American made cars). It runs very well and has the features I want on it.

No one begrudges someone for buying a foreign product. I sure don't. However, just don't turn around and complain about companies outsourcing jobs because they are making the same kinds of "purchasing" decisions yourself.

Thanks Brad! I have only owned one American car (by brand, not by origin), and it was a POT! I have a toyota (my Fav!), but my wife has a Jeep!

Congrats Sandy! You may actually be becoming a real person! you have betrayed your roots. Now it is time to think for yourself!

You can do it!

Both my parents own foreign cars, (Lexus and Subaru), better quaility for a good price.

I love the foreign cars (Honda, BMW, lexus, Mercedes, etc.) However, Lincoln's and Cadillac's are nice too.

Ford Taurus here, but I am thinking of getting a Subaru Impreza though it depends on what is out there when I get around to buying time and what is a good car (i.e. ask friends and family if they owned the car how was it or is it).

- Grimry Xord

Ford pickup here but SWMBO dives a Altima. Sorry but I've never seen a full-sized import pickup that I would own.

As someone who doesn't think outsourcing is a bad thing, I have no problem with people buying the best product for them regardless of origin. I think we all should be free to purchase pretty much whatever we want based on whatever criteria we choose.

I just happen to believe that business owners should also have that right. If I can hire someone in India or China or wherever to do the job just as well as an American and at a fraction of the price, can anyone begrudge that? Certainly not someone who does the same thing with their purchases.

I agree with your assertion, but DiamlerChrysler is putting out some very nice products lately. The 300 and Magnum come to mind. And you can get Hemis in both. Until I can even afford a new car, I'll stick with my 1979 Honda Civic with 200,000 miles (and still going) on it.

-- B

I suggest some of you look into where your car was made. Buying a "Japanese" car doesn't necessarily mean it was made in Japan, not by a long shot. Toyota has a huge plant here in KY that employs thousands of people. It is one of many foriegn companies that build cars here and inject tons of money into local communities by doing so. Some profits may go to other countries, but enormous good is done for some of these communities beforehand.

I suggest some of you look into where your car was made. Buying a "Japanese" car doesn't necessarily mean it was made in Japan, not by a long shot. Toyota has a huge plant here in KY that employs thousands of people. It is one of many foriegn companies that build cars here and inject tons of money into local communities by doing so. Some profits may go to other countries, but enormous good is done for some of these communities beforehand.

First of all, Lexus cars with the exception of the RX are built in Japan. Second, even if they are built in japan, the profit doesn't leave this country. Money is still poured into our economy through distribution, advertising, and sales of the cars. On top of that, dividends are paid to and shares are owned by millions of people.

I suggest some of you look into where your car was made. Buying a "Japanese" car doesn't necessarily mean it was made in Japan, not by a long shot. Toyota has a huge plant here in KY that employs thousands of people

Spot on, Baker.  And, a lot of "American" cars are only assembled in the US so that they can be classified as "Made in USA".

Go to any of the Big 3's websites.  What do you see?  Ford is in bed with Mazda (as they have been for years) Daimler Chrysler is in Bed with Mercedes, because, well, they are really a German company now.  GM is in bed with Toyota, as has been for many years.  And all of them have other companies that they have acquired that are not originally "US" companies.

So, really, the car companies have been "outsourcing" for many years before it became vogue

Reply #10 By: sandy2 - 10/19/2004 5:54:10 AM I suggest some of you look into where your car was made. Buying a "Japanese" car doesn't necessarily mean it was made in Japan, not by a long shot. Toyota has a huge plant here in KY that employs thousands of people. It is one of many foriegn companies that build cars here and inject tons of money into local communities by doing so. Some profits may go to other countries, but enormous good is done for some of these communities beforehand. First of all, Lexus cars with the exception of the RX are built in Japan.

You missed this guy's entire point! He said Japanese cars are not necessarily mean that they are made in Japan. Toyota, Honda and Nissian all have plants here.

Reply #11 By: KarmaGirl - 10/19/2004 6:28:52 AM I suggest some of you look into where your car was made. Buying a "Japanese" car doesn't necessarily mean it was made in Japan, not by a long shot. Toyota has a huge plant here in KY that employs thousands of people Spot on, Baker. And, a lot of "American" cars are only assembled in the US so that they can be classified as "Made in USA". Go to any of the Big 3's websites. What do you see? Ford is in bed with Mazda (as they have been for years) Daimler Chrysler is in Bed with Mercedes, because, well, they are really a German company now.

This is show ing that you don't know as much as you'd like others to believe! Chrysler is not in bed with Daimler (Mercedes) Chrysler bought Daimler outright! And buying a foriegn company is outsourcing how? Chrysler bought Daimler so they could gain access to certain mfg. ideas and patents.

This is show ing that you don't know as much as you'd like others to believe! Chrysler is not in bed with Daimler (Mercedes) Chrysler bought Daimler outright!

No, no they didn't.  Daimler and Chrysler *merged*.  One did not buy the other.  All of their upper management is German run.  All engineering is German run.  They also own other companies, such as the diesel engineering company that my husband works for.  Management and all the "big wigs" are now German.  They now engineer as many Mercedes vehicles as they do their own brand, and they send engineering back and forth.  Chrysler merged with Daimler because they were basically bankrupt and their sales were falling.  Daimler Chrysler starting buying diesel corporations so that they could more easily control the market (since diesels are huge in Europe).  I have learned a lot about Daimler Chrysler and their business practices.  I also know that my husband's new boss's name is Wolfgang...yeah, that's a good ol' American name    But, yeah, I only have read mission statements, merger statements and all that stuff when the merger happened, but you must be right- I have no idea what I am talking about.

Reply #14 By: KarmaGirl - 10/19/2004 10:16:25 AM This is show ing that you don't know as much as you'd like others to believe! Chrysler is not in bed with Daimler (Mercedes) Chrysler bought Daimler outright! No, no they didn't. Daimler and Chrysler *merged*. One did not buy the other

Okay your right and I'm wrong. But weather or not you'll admit it, the Germans are better engineers.

But weather or not you'll admit it, the Germans are better engineers.

uh...where did I claim either way?

You didn't.

I don't agree on that. You need to be more specific when you say better "engineers". There's lots of different kinds of engineers.

Reply #18 By: Draginol - 10/19/2004 7:28:03 PM I don't agree on that. You need to be more specific when you say better "engineers". There's lots of different kinds of engineers.

I was refering to automotive engineers. And before everyone one starts on me, who engineered the VW?

Rather academic, considering that "foreign" cars are made in America, and American cars roll off global assembly lines.

I was refering to automotive engineers. And before everyone one starts on me, who engineered the VW?

Germans under Hitler.... specifically Ferdinand Porsche. The original VolksWagen cars looked remarkably similar to the VW bugs that became such favorites in the US during the 1960's.

Germans under Hitler.... specifically Ferdinand Porsche. The original VolksWagen cars looked remarkably similar to the VW bugs that became such favorites in the US during the 1960's

Don't forget the Daimler-Benz Company that manufactured Tanks and Vehicles for the Nazis as well.

Don't forget the Daimler-Benz Company that manufactured Tanks and Vehicles for the Nazis as well.

BMW too. But hey, they make good cars now. All of them.

Rather academic, considering that "foreign" cars are made in America, and American cars roll off global assembly lines.

That's kinda what I was thinking....

I have a GMC HD that was made in the states(Pontiac or Flint, Michigan I think), , A Mitsubishi that was made in Normal, Illnoise and a Dodge 1 ton that was made in mexico.......

Germans under Hitler.... specifically Ferdinand Porsche. The original VolksWagen cars looked remarkably similar to the VW bugs that became such favorites in the US during the 1960's.

Don't forget the Daimler-Benz Company that manufactured Tanks and Vehicles for the Nazis as well.

BMW too. But hey, they make good cars now. All of them.

"Mein Fuehrer! I can walk!"

Sorry, I just got my Dr. Strangelove DVD in the mail. All this Nazi talk's got me thinking about him.