Problem is, I bought a Ford and the glass was made in Australia, parts came from Mexico and Canada...so what is "American". Saturn's are assembled in Tennesee. Is that American?
Tennessee is American... parts can be imported, but fund American companies, this is the problem with the American public, they like to buy the japanese crap, which is discusting
and also my Saturn is built in Wilmington, Delaware
Ever owned a Dodge? Also known as "replace transmission every 3000 or so miles?" Now before you yell at me I drive a Chevy Silverado. I'll buy American when it comes to a truck but not a car because quite frankly some of the cars that the US auto makers put out are crap.
My Dad gets about 75K out of a tranny.. But He changes filters and oil
every 3K also.. you maynot have the same driving style
You could try looking for an old Toyota FJ-40 (instead of a jeep) Since you mentioned a Toyota soft top but they also had hard tops. Both should still be readily available if you can actually find an old FJ-40. There are numerous sources about the FJ series out there.
New vehicle...hmmmm, what about the GMC Jimmys or the Chevy Blazer? The V-6 Vortec engine is proven and quite a performer....I wouldn't recommend any other engine in one. They get good mileage too. That might or might not be a plus (because of the gearing is really not set up for crawling. However I doubt you are going to "the Rubicon" and it should not make that much of a difference.)
You can always special order a vehicle to your wants and needs. Sometimes this can save you money at the dealer......sometimes not. It never hurts to ask and they are wanting to sell. You also have to wait for the vehicle to be delivered.
If it has to be a current manufactured truck, check out the Toyota full size pickups.....a couple friends have them and love them. I am not sure what engine they have under the hood, but I am sure it is least a V-6.
Still trying to figure out what's NOT AMERICAN about all this!
BTW, my sister has a Honda Odessey and I never heard any bad comments. I did drive it, only once, and I was impressed!
Sources were Edmunds.com BTW...
Not a question of where it's built . . where do the corporate profits go? JAPAN!
We're in a global economic war and you're buying from the enemy!
It's that enemy that employs thousands of American citizens, who pour money into our economy. Taxes are paid on the purchase of those cars. The simple fact is that Detroit has known for years that it needed to change the cars it made but chose not to. Instead they put out pieces of crap that would have major issues within the first couple of years.
Well...(said in my best Bubba voice) I've been on sabbatical.
I'm the original owner of my '99 Odyssey EX (built in Canada). It has 136K miles and still runs great. I'd hop in a drive across the coutry tomorrow with no worries. Here is a great Odyssey owners site:
I don't know where you live, but for snowy climates I recommend snow tires. If they made an AWD version I would buy it tomorrow. IMHO, it's still the best minivan no the market.
Good Luck!
BTW, if you are buying used invest $40 in a 30 day CARFAX subscription. Unlimited reports for a month, and it could save you from a bad mistake.
Grand Exalted Bubba of the Order of the Sleepless Knights
I'm sure you can't go wrong with a Honda. I bought the first Odyssey they put out, and it was fine.
I'm actually more of a Toyota fan. We've got an 05 Sienna, and love it.
I will say that Toyotas run much quieter than Hondas.
Sittin by the pool with a Yuengling, listening to Jimmy
Go Ravens !!!
You may or may not like Toyota light trucks, but you cannot deny how tough they really are. I am sure you have seen news footage of them in action. Look how many country's terrorists and other bad guys, use them and how hard they (those trucks) are to "kill". Look at the damage the trucks take and keep going.
If the Toyota "adult" trucks can be held to the same standard, they are one F***ing tough truck and hard to beat!
The American .vs. Foriegn cars is always a hot topic....I have always had a soft spot for the Chevys first car a 63 impala with a 327/365 h.p. vette motor,what a ride!! Now though I have a 02 Z-71 chevy pick-up and my wife and I love it!! It is nice to drive and the big v-8 has lottsa power with do-able gas milleage.Then there is our car ,back in 05 we were buying a new car,did a lot of research alot of test drives and ended up with a Nissan Altima...it is put together in the states...but not one of the big three...We got more car for the money than we could with others,and our not disappointed,wish Chevy had a car like it in 05,they had the malibu and it felt like junk.Our Altima is today pretty much the same as when we bought it,solid,new feeling.I doubt there will ever be a time when any vehicle is all American again,sad.
We just bought an Odyssey at the end of last year. Aside from my wife getting rear-ended after having the van for only 2 months, no problems! I like driving it much more than my old Caravan and we plan on keeping the Honda for a long time.
My biggest fear is that when I die, my wife will sell all my Buffett stuff for what I said I paid for it!
