American Cars Rock...

shack

As daily drivers we currently own 2 Fords, a Honda and a VW. NONE of the them have had serious problems other than normal stuff that needs to be fixed from time to time. The Honda has 60K+ miles, one of the Fords has about 75K, my Ford has 127K+ and the VW is just about 130K. I took my Mustang out of daily driver status at 185K. Before my wife bought her Element, she had 130K on a Plymouth Voyager. We have owned VWs, Fords, Hondas, Nissan and Chrysler products in the past (with a lone Camaro and a MG thrown in the mix years ago). The only major porblems we ever had was with the Chrysler products. Electrical issues on both and a major transmission failure on one at 50K. Since 1993 we have owned a Mustang, a 97 Escort sedan, a 98 ZX2, 2 Focus ZX3s and a Focus ZX5. None experienced any major mechanical problems and were/are very dependable. Two of them were totaled in wrecks and did an excellent job in protecting the occupants (my daughters) from injury. My Hondas and VWs have all been equally reliable. I will continure to buy Ford as well as Honda and VW in the future.

Kex

No problems here with German or American car reliability. In fact, the German cars go to the shop for routine maintenance only, at 10K and 13K service intervals respectively (which is once a year for each vehicle, in our case). Nothing in between.

The American car is a truck. The reason why we don't buy American cars that are not trucks is mostly because of our experience with rentals of such vehicles. They are invariably uncomfortable, quite boring to drive (in this category), and have a surprisingly poor quality finish inside IMO. In our case, it has been design, not reliability, that has kept us from American cars. Our next truck, however, if we don't just keep our current truck, will almost certainly be American. Our next car will almost certainly be German.

sucks2beme

ohskigod wrote: »

no truer words spoken. My .02, liking or hating cars based on origin is such a silly thing to do.

last i heard if you go by country, german cars have the worst reliability ratings......but I can still think of a german car or two I wouldnt mind driving around town.

I look at the car, regardless of origin. I research, drive it, and research it extensivly. I have owned Swedish (Volvo), American, and Japanese (Toyota). I liked them all because I did research before buying them.

I currently own all American cars, not because I'm a flag waving US car only guy, but because I liked the cars, at the pricepoint with what you got for them.

I reearched that My wife's Ford Fusion has better reliabilty ratings than equivalent Camry's (4 cyl to 4 and 6 cyl to 6) Plus the deal I got was ridiculous and it's one of my favorite car's to drive.

I bought my Mustang not because i am a flag waver and only like 8 cylinders. I bought it because a)I fit in it (i'm a large guy), b) performance per dollar is awesome not to mention c) the aftermarket is insane, you can make it do anything short of self sustaining flight depending on money and desire.

yes, the 8 cyl feels and sounds great, it doesnt mean there arent cars out there with 4 and 6 cylinders that are great in there own right.

dont limit yourself, research extensivly and buy what makes you happy regardless of where it is made and other factors.

I test drove a lot of cars a couple of weeks ago. The quietest, smoothest running car was the Ford Fusion. They all were about the same size and all had a 2.4L motor. Why does Chevy, Dodge, Honda, Toyota, and Hyndai
all have a 2.4L motor?

Serendipity

Kex wrote: »

No problems here with German or American car reliability. In fact, the German cars go to the shop for routine maintenance only, at 10K and 13K service intervals respectively (which is once a year for each vehicle, in our case). Nothing in between.

The American car is a truck. The reason why we don't buy American cars that are not trucks is mostly because of our experience with rentals of such vehicles. They are invariably uncomfortable, quite boring to drive (in this category), and have a surprisingly poor quality finish inside IMO. In our case, it has been design, not reliability, that has kept us from American cars. Our next truck, however, if we don't just keep our current truck, will almost certainly be American. Our next car will almost certainly be German.

Which German cars do you own?

sucks2beme

I took a v6 Camaro and a v6 Mustang out for a test drive today.
Mustang, no contest. The external looks of the Camaro is great, but
the interior wasn't so great, and the Mustang was much better to drive.

goingganzo

but if you drive a mustang down the street you are likeley to pass buy quite a few if you drive the new camerrow not as many. now if you are in a redline sky they olny make 20k a year of thoes and 5k of the redline moddles.

now a lexus is350 faster than a mustang gt from a 3.5l v6 gets better gas milage will cost about 6k more but you get so much more stuff

zarrdoss

Yes they do, epically this one

http://www.shelbysupercars.com/

GaryZ06

My last 4 cars have been American....2 Camaro SS's and 2 Corvette Z06's.....Pretty much all of them have been trouble free so there goes that saying that American cars are crap.My current C6 Z06 is the best yet.When it was stock(505 hp) it was very fast and now modded it's stupid fast....It puts out about 620-630 HP...I have crazy amounts of torque down low....The amazing thing about it when in stock form(505 hp) it could get 30 mpg on the highway that's just as good as most mid-size and compacts......

sucks2beme

goingganzo wrote: »

but if you drive a mustang down the street you are likeley to pass buy quite a few if you drive the new camerrow not as many. now if you are in a redline sky they olny make 20k a year of thoes and 5k of the redline moddles.

And your point is?....................................
I don't drive cars to impress anyone but me.
And Lexus can kiss my *ss(run in with local dealer, long story)

goingganzo

can you get a ford that parks it self no
can you drive a ford that the crues slows you down when you hit trafic the kicks back in when trafic is clear no
can you buy a car with heads up display no
can you get 10 airbags no.
so you dont care if your car looks like *ss buy a ford if you want no technology in you car buy a chevy
when i buy a car it has to look good and it has to drive good. and above all else when i take it in for repair it has to be fixed and fixed right the first time. or we cant find a problem. so that is why i drive a lexus is 250awd

LessisNevermore

goingganzo wrote: »

can you get a ford that parks it self no
can you drive a ford that the crues slows you down when you hit trafic the kicks back in when trafic is clear no
can you buy a car with heads up display no
can you get 10 airbags no.
so you dont care if your car looks like *ss buy a ford if you want no technology in you car buy a chevy
when i buy a car it has to look good and it has to drive good. and above all else when i take it in for repair it has to be fixed and fixed right the first time. or we cant find a problem. so that is why i drive a lexus is 250awd

Here ya go champ.

Lexus Automatic Park

I guess I'll pass on the technology...:rolleyes:

edit: And why are you bragging about features that your car doesn't offer?
http://www.lexus.com/models/IS/features/pricing.html

sucks2beme

goingganzo wrote: »

can you get a ford that parks it self no
can you drive a ford that the crues slows you down when you hit trafic the

Good luck when a rock hits that laser rangefinder for the cruise control.
Thats about $2k. Lexus is not in the budget. Parks it's self? Please.
My 1st car was a 1960 Bel Air. Options: AM radio, 2 speed automatic.
End of options. No airbags, no seatbelts, no power anything. And the
brother of the kid I sold it to still has it. I don't get it. I'm not millionaire.
I drive my cars till they drop. I don't need flash, or bluetooth sync, or
my car to drive it's self. I'm looking for a car I can live with and work on.
The extra money can go in the bank.

Lowell_M

GaryZ06 wrote: »

My last 4 cars have been American....2 Camaro SS's and 2 Corvette Z06's.....Pretty much all of them have been trouble free so there goes that saying that American cars are crap.My current C6 Z06 is the best yet.When it was stock(505 hp) it was very fast and now modded it's stupid fast....It puts out about 620-630 HP...I have crazy amounts of torque down low....The amazing thing about it when in stock form(505 hp) it could get 30 mpg on the highway that's just as good as most mid-size and compacts......

Gary, Have you posted any pics of your Z06 on here? Oh... if I didn't need four doors and to be able to drive in the snow... I'm driving an 07 Infiniti G35S Sedan right now as a compromise. Quickest, best handling four door with some comfort that I could find for the money... but the Z06 is on my short list for the future. Where did you have yours modified?

GaryZ06

Lowell_M wrote: »

Gary, Have you posted any pics of your Z06 on here? Oh... if I didn't need four doors and to be able to drive in the snow... I'm driving an 07 Infiniti G35S Sedan right now as a compromise. Quickest, best handling four door with some comfort that I could find for the money... but the Z06 is on my short list for the future. Where did you have yours modified?

Hey Lowell......I don't think I have posted pics but here are some.I did some of the mods myself and HPS(Horse Power Sales) here in South Florida did the cam,headers and tune.Next month I am doing an event called the MileMarker-1.....It's a standing start run for 1 mile to see what speed you can reach.It will be very cool to go I am expecting 180+ mph and not worry about getting locked up:eek:

Lowell_M

Gary, Sweet... That should be a good time. Watch the tail on that thing above 150. Even though you are in a straight line, she might feel a little uneasy. Nice looking ride.

GaryZ06

Thanks Lowell....I have had it up to 150 and it's solid as rock but there are many variables to consider such as road quality,wind,etc.....When I'm running I will be accessing everything......Thanks

Face

Lowell_M wrote: »

Gary, Sweet... That should be a good time. Watch the tail on that thing above 150. Even though you are in a straight line, she might feel a little uneasy. Nice looking ride.

I've gone 155 in a C5 Corvette with stock suspension and it felt very stable, I would imagine a C6Z would have no problems at those speeds.

GaryZ06

Face wrote: »

I've gone 155 in a C5 Corvette with stock suspension and it felt very stable, I would imagine a C6Z would have no problems at those speeds.

I agree....I have seen video's of C6 Z06's doing 190+ mph and they looked very solid and planted.

Lowell_M

GaryZ06 wrote: »

I agree....I have seen video's of C6 Z06's doing 190+ mph and they looked very solid and planted.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-z06-discussion/2390319-unstable-c6-z06-top-speed-run.html

This isn't a tremendously reliable source... but I couldn't find anything else quickly. I have heard this before and also heard it from the mouth of Tommy Byrne at Mid-Ohio after he took a fellow student's Z06 for a lap around the track. Just wanted to make you aware.

GaryZ06

Lowell_M wrote: »

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-z06-discussion/2390319-unstable-c6-z06-top-speed-run.html

This isn't a tremendously reliable source... but I couldn't find anything else quickly. I have heard this before and also heard it from the mouth of Tommy Byrne at Mid-Ohio after he took a fellow student's Z06 for a lap around the track. Just wanted to make you aware.

One persons opinion.Most of the people in the thread stated opposite.There are a lot of variables to consider.I have had mine up to 150 and it was smooth as glass.

Lowell_M

GaryZ06 wrote: »

One persons opinion.Most of the people in the thread stated opposite.There are a lot of variables to consider.I have had mine up to 150 and it was smooth as glass.

No problem. Have fun! Tommy Byrne's Bio..
•5 Formula 1 Starts
•Tested for Marlboro McLaren Formula 1 Team
•Bested Thierry Boutsen's time by 1 second per lap during F-1 test
•Won Marlboro World Cup Driving Ayrton Senna's Race Car
•Pole position and 1st Place at Nurneburgring in 1979 in first attempt
•More Indy Lights Wins Than Any Driver
•Largest purse winner in Indy Lights
•European F-2000 Champion
•British Formula 3 Champion
•British Formula Ford Champion
•Former Van Dieman Formula Ford Factory Driver

GaryZ06

Lowell_M wrote: »

No problem. Have fun!

Will do......I will have my runs on video....Thanks

audiobliss

Gary, wow, that is a MEAN looking 'Vette! I know it in my mind, but every time I see a picture, it still takes me by surprise and induces instant drooling.

I bet that standing mile will be a blast! How many runs will you get? Good luck! Be safe!

Face

Keep the shiny side up.

GaryZ06

audiobliss wrote: »

Gary, wow, that is a MEAN looking 'Vette! I know it in my mind, but every time I see a picture, it still takes me by surprise and induces instant drooling.

I bet that standing mile will be a blast! How many runs will you get? Good luck! Be safe!

Thanks audiobliss....The car sounds mean with the cam.Yes the standing mile will be awesome.Since this is the first time for this event I have no idea on how many runs I will get.They will be doing this event a few times during the year.

THEJERMON

appadv wrote: »

That is all I have to say.

P.S. That's for my mom's 60th b-day

Certainly a nice 60th birthday present.
Here's one of my American Muscle toys. :cool:

shack

THEJERMON wrote:

Certainly a nice 60th birthday present.
Here's one of my American Muscle toys. :cool:

Nice car...but you are being quite liberal with the term "American Muscle"….

THEJERMON

shack wrote: »

Nice car...but you are being quite liberal with the term "American Muscle"….

I have to disagree with the term "quite liberal." Even though it was Buick's top of the line model, it has all the standard requirements of being a muscle car. 1960's, a big block, over 300 hp, dual exhaust, 2 door, 3 speed, 4 barrel. Slap a Buick Wildcat body on it and you have a muscle car.

I don't know what it will do at top speed but it shifts into second gear at 80 mph. That's a fact. It is American Muscle. In my opinion of course
And, we all know what opinions are worth... lol.

shack

It is American Muscle. In my opinion of course And, we all know what opinions are worth... lol.

So true. The term American Muscle car has taken on a very broad definition of late.

But...having grown up and getting my license in the era of what is now referred as "muscle" cars...yours was considered a luxo boat. Show up in one of those and everyone would snicker that someone was driving dad/mom's car. Most every family car of the day had 300 hp, 4 bbl, dual exhaust...they had to in order to push all the iron around. All the big luxury cars of the day had 455s, 454s, etc. Sure it will get up to 130 mph and cruise there all day long (there is a reason you can get to 80 in second...they are geared tall)...but the real muscle cars of the era would be well past the 1/4 mile well before big guys get to the 1,000 foot mark. Quarter mile performance was the measuring stick of the day.

The actual term "muscle car" did not even show up until the late 70s. During the time the cars were actually being built and driven, the auto mags of the day would refer to them as "Super Cars". Around the hobby of car collecting, a muscle car, by the strictest definition, is a compact or intermediate sized model, powered by a large performance oriented V8 engine, at an affordable price. Again, according to the purist, personal luxury vehicles with performance engines are not considered muscle cars because of their options, heavy weight and high sticker prices. Even Mustangs, Camaros, Cudas and such are not considered "muscle cars" but "Pony Cars"...but if they got up to the real big blocks, ie: 426 hemi, 427, 428, 454 etc...they are given a pass and allowed to be called muscle cars. GSs and Skylarks were the Buick muscle cars of the day. Rivieras, Wildcats and Electras were just too big/heavy to be considered muscle cars. This is not just what I think...but is the general consensus of the muscle car collectors/enthusiasts.

As I said, yours looks to be a very nice car...a Buick 225 Electra Coupe...71/72 maybe? I have a 66 Ford Galaxie that meets all the criteria you mentioned and I would hesitate to call it American Muscle…but like you said…that’s just me...for what it's worth.

venomclan

Face wrote: »

I've gone 155 in a C5 Corvette with stock suspension and it felt very stable, I would imagine a C6Z would have no problems at those speeds.

GaryZ06 wrote: »

I agree....I have seen video's of C6 Z06's doing 190+ mph and they looked very solid and planted.

I used to be in the Long Island Corvette Owners Association when I lived there, and a friend of mine with a pretty modded C4, clocked 218 at Watkins Glen. It was also a daily driver with 735hp at the rear wheels. Imagine the Z will do fine.

Sharp looking car Gary, I will keep an eye out for it.
Venom