|
|
America Versus The WorldApr 19 '00 Write an essay on this topic.In todays automotive marketplace it is getting harder to draw clear distinctions between American and foreign. The Cadillac Catera is engineered in Germany, the Chevy Prizm is the corporate twin to the Toyota Corolla, many "American" cars are built in other countries, and Hondas now are made in Ohio. With automakers pooling resources to keep costs low, there are very few cars made that are truly one or the other. Now, if you have read any of my other articles or comments, then you already know that I am a dyed-in-the-wool Honda fan. And, if I were in the market for a new car today, there are very few American models I would consider. Still, the American marques are not without their strong points. So, here goes, a head to head comparison of American cars versus Imports, based on my own experience. Reliability The imports have it, hands down. Stories of Hondas, Mercedes, and Volkswagens that keep on going after 200,000 or more miles are very common. It seems that, just as common, there are stories of Chryslers and Chevies that burn oil and drop their transmissions after only 30,000 miles. Of course, there are exceptions. Every maker churns out a few lemons, just as every maker gets lucky and creates a few cars that last forever. I know of a Lexus that burned oil at 20,000 miles and needed a whole new engine by 80,000. I also know of an Oldsmobile that logged a quarter of a million miles with hardly any problems. Some cars can withstand abuse better than others. My mother's car care regimen consists of little more than monthly cleanings, yet her Hondas and Subarus lasted past the 100,000 mile mark. My grandmother has her oil changed religiously, but still, her Chevrolet has required two new computers, three alternators, and transmission work during its 40,000 mile life. Maintenance and the way the car is driven are also closely related to reliability and longevity. My uncle is a former mechanic who is very in tune with his cars. Not only can he sense any change in a car's behavior, but he knows what causes it, and can make the necessary repairs or adjustments before a breakdown occurs. I truly believe that he could get a half million relatively trouble free miles out of any car. Appearance The way a car looks is a highly subjective matter. In my opinion, the imports have it here too. Domestic interiors often seem too cheap and plastic to me. It is argued, and perhaps rightfully so, that many of the market leading imports are too "vanilla" or conservative in their styling. True, the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry won't cause any excitement at the traffic light, but they are simple and handsome looking. American carmakers are making big strides in this area. Chrysler has turned out some of the best looking cars on the road in that past five years...beginning with their line of "cab-forward" models. The new Lincoln LS is a striking design, and even the Ford Focus is a standout in its class. Still, General Motors lags with its uninspiring Chevrolet line, boxy Cadillacs, and plastic looking Pontiacs. Resale Value Again, the imports take the lead in this category. When I sold my 1997 Dodge Neon after less than two years of ownership, it had lost over one-third of its original value. Compare this to my ten year old Honda, which is still worth half of what it cost new. It seems that imports, probably because of increased reliability, just don't depreciate as fast. Price American cars bring it home when it comes to price. In general, the same money will buy you a better-equipped American car, or in some cases, even allow you to move up a class. American cars are also less expensive to repair and maintain. So, there you have it...Americans versus the Imports. I realize I have made some sweeping generalizations, and have largely ignored such import "bad apples" as Kia and Hyundai, and neglected to go into the obvious advantage that American carmakers have in the truck department. In fairness, I will say that American cars are getting much better. I think the merger with Daimler-Benz will increase Chrysler's reliability, and other American manufacturers will step up to the bat. In ten years, I think the American vs. Import debate will be a much closer contest.  |
| Read all comments (2)|Write your own comment |
