I reckon I am a "flag waver". I tear up regularly during the nat'l anthem. Especially during the Olympics. I suppose I have not yet been convinced by the powers that be to feel ashamed of my country. Oh well, maybe I need to watch more TV.
Is this how you commies feel when someone calls you a "Liberal"?

We all seem to have anecdotal evidence to support the views we have regarding cars and their country of origin, but I remember craigsub mentioning recently (he's in the business) that when they underwrite extended warranties for new cars, the anticipated repair costs for the imported and domestic cars are roughly equal (luxury imports excepted). I'm guessing these folks have more to base their assumptions on than a handful of vehicles their freinds and family have owned.

I certainly wouldn't presume to speak for anyone else on the board, for me it really has zero to do with love of country or anything else along those lines. When the time comes to spend my hard-earned money, it just makes sense to me to buy a superior product. Great big caveat here: FOR ME PERSONALLY, it seems misguided to purchase (and therefore reward poor quality) an item based on any sense of patriotism. My Charger was absolutely useless and I was thrilled to find it crushed by a tree one afternoon. On the other hand, I'd probably have to shoot my Honda to make it stop running. When the time comes to buy again, Honda's getting my money.

well said. I am totally against out-sourcing, but when it comes to a product I will only buy quality. Thankfully Axiom was also Canadian.

As for the comfortable seats due to an injury is a very good point. I suffer from a bad neck from a a car accident that broke part of my neck years ago. I was driving a Honda at the time, and I loved my Honda's. But every Honda I've sat in since year 2000 I can't stand to sit in their seats for very long. My father still has a 2003 accord coupe with leather seats, and a 30 min drive in it kills my back. But, my cheaper, cloth seats of my Mazda provide me with pain free support for hours. Different for everyone I guess.

I guess you didn't get my point.
I'm saying there is no reason to expect higher quality from Honda than a domestic manufacturer. The days of built in obsolescence are over. I wish I had a dollar for every derelict import I've driven by in my American-made pickup trucks.

What model Mazda would that be? I'll be car hunting soon and any heads-up I can get would be awesome.

In reply to:

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I'm saying there is no reason to expect higher quality from Honda than a domestic manufacturer.

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No, no -- I got your point. At least I think so. But an automobile is usually the second largest purchase most people will ever make, and if you've been burned then it's unlikely you'll return to that particular marque. Your experience with imports has been uniformly negative, and therefore any future actions you may take as a consumer will be based on what you've personally observed. That makes perfect sense -- I'm doing precisely the same thing.

i know i am late on this one... havent been around in a while..

starting from my first motorcycle when i was 13, in order, and ending with my current vehicle.

1974 Honda XL 250cc
1972 Ford delivery panel van(no windows)
1982 Honda CM 125cc
1964 Chevy 1/2 ton stepside pickup
1963 Chevy Belair Station wagon w/327
1984 Chevy Monte Carlo
1984 Suzuki Savage 650cc
1982 Chevy 4x4 Blazer(with no top)
1982 Harley Sporster 1000cc
1986 Chevy 1/2 ton pickup longbed w/350
1985 Chevy 1/2 ton pickup shortbed w/350
1992 Ford 1/2 ton extended cab
1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee
1997 Chevy 1 ton, 4 door, long bed
2004 Mercury mountaineer

GOOD LORD!!! i never realized i have had that many vehicles.

neat thread. just dont start one to make me remember what happened to them all...?

bigjohn

Hey...Welcome back; John.

We trust you had a pleasant trip, hope so anyway.

Didn't you say you were driving the Mountaineer? That would certainly be a good way to see lots of family.

I'd like to see the Axiom family next month, but some 60 hours for the six of us in my Wifes little shooting brake...(if you missed it earlier in this thread....ask Ken)dosen't sound like any fun at all.

Yeah, amazing how quickly the vehicles pile up ain't it

Bikes and trucks.....sounds like my oldest Daughter
Rich.

Bigwill2, my comment was about flag wavers with no clue. They spout off how THEY support their country by buying American, but in all actuality gave someone in Mexico or Korea a job. Every Honda I've owned kept someone here working. As much as I love Honda, if it wasn't made here, I'm not buying it.

Most extended warranties are powertrain only. And you are right, most of the big 3's powertrains are just as reliable as anyone else's. (except for the 2.7L Chrysler - do a search, it's hilarious) But, I can count at least 10 people I know who own "big3", and are constantly back to the dealer for problems with power windows, cruise, heated seats, power sliding doors, computer modules, and so on. I don't have these issues with Honda.

Having said all that, it doesn't mean I'm blinded by Honda to everything else. I'm sure I'll own another GM product down the road. The new Impala SS really appeals to me. Plain jane family 4door that goes virtually unnoticed, but has a smoking 300hp V8 underhood. Even quicker than it's 409ci/425hp namesake. And if I ever buy a truck, a GM or Ford it will be. Honda's truck is a joke.

Comfortable seats are definitely key. Ian surprised me with a new Jeep at Christmas (I only asked for chocolate!!!) and had ordered a 2005. It arrived at the dealership on December 23rd and he sat in it for all of 10 seconds before panicking - had the dealership track down a 2004 with one day to go before closing so that we would have the same comfortable seats our old 2000 Jeep had. The 2005 has gone away from that model of seat and he said it was such a noticable difference that he wouldn't have bought the car because of it. Of course, every drive we take involves long distances so comfort is king for us.