Why buy American...
Let's hope this one doesn't get out of hand. Let's throw in some opinions on decent and not so decent domestics.
A real stigma about the abilities of US cars in Europe (came over 4 years ago from the UK) and sad to admit but they (Europeans) are in many ways spot on.
Have driven (rented) a number of major US cars here and here's my take. I'm not including former European manufacturers now owned by US giants.
Have driven the following:
GM: Pontiac, Chevy (Grand Am, GTP, Venture, some buick)
Chrysler (Sebring, Intrepid, Caravan)
Ford (Taurus, Windstar, T-bird, Mustang V8)
Impressions:
Most Domestics are packed with features (at least the Canadian editions).
Handling is simply atrocious on most (my old cheap Fiat could out corner most).
Only one that I came close to liking was the Sebring (purely for its more taut handling characteristics and peppy engine).
Was not too impressed by dynamics/handling of mustang either. Meant to be driven fast in a straight line.
What happened to manual (stick) shift?!?
By far the worst cars I have driven (same holds true in Europe) is Ford (with exception of Focus which isn't bad). I have a particular passionate hatred for the Taurus and Windstar that I can't seem to shake each time I go into Avis.
Interiors are still built for those of us who still dream of driving a tank.
On the Pro side:
They're cheap(er)
They don't break down as often as I had been informed
They're fine for any place without corners and large pot holes due to an apparent oversight in the shock absorber category.
Lets hear some ramblings then..
A real stigma about the abilities of US cars in Europe (came over 4 years ago from the UK) and sad to admit but they (Europeans) are in many ways spot on.
Have driven (rented) a number of major US cars here and here's my take. I'm not including former European manufacturers now owned by US giants.
Have driven the following:
GM: Pontiac, Chevy (Grand Am, GTP, Venture, some buick)
Chrysler (Sebring, Intrepid, Caravan)
Ford (Taurus, Windstar, T-bird, Mustang V8)
Impressions:
Most Domestics are packed with features (at least the Canadian editions).
Handling is simply atrocious on most (my old cheap Fiat could out corner most).
Only one that I came close to liking was the Sebring (purely for its more taut handling characteristics and peppy engine).
Was not too impressed by dynamics/handling of mustang either. Meant to be driven fast in a straight line.
What happened to manual (stick) shift?!?
By far the worst cars I have driven (same holds true in Europe) is Ford (with exception of Focus which isn't bad). I have a particular passionate hatred for the Taurus and Windstar that I can't seem to shake each time I go into Avis.
Interiors are still built for those of us who still dream of driving a tank.
On the Pro side:
They're cheap(er)
They don't break down as often as I had been informed
They're fine for any place without corners and large pot holes due to an apparent oversight in the shock absorber category.
Lets hear some ramblings then..