2007 Ford Edge (awesome CUV)

[quagmire]

Honestly- do you WORK for Ford? This whole thread reads like a commercial, because it's so far from the reality most of us in the US know and live. Toyota and Nissan do not need to take notes- it's obvious that Ford is the one that's been in need of a tutor, and looking at the Edge, apparently plaigerizing their work.

I'll take the Murano any day.

Actually Toyota and Nissan do need to take notes. They are not dominating the truck market, so they should take notes. Toyota already has. Back when the Titan came out, Ford leaked info about the new F-150. Saying it could tow 9500 lbs. Nissan designed the Titan to tow around 9500 lbs. But, when the F-150 was officially announced, Ford said, " Oops, we meant to say the F-150 could tow 9900 lbs." Nissan screwed up there. Guess what? Toyota is keeping quiet about the specs of the new Tundra only telling us that it will have a 5.7 V8. They are waiting for GM to release their specs of the new GMT-900's( Silverado/Sierra).

I will take a Ford Edge over the Murano anyday. But guess what? I already have a Chevy Equinox.

 

[decksnap]

I don't know about all that.

2005 Strategic Vision Awards: (Overall Winner-Best Full Line, Nissan)

Small Car Ford Focus/Hyundai Accent/Mazda3 (tie)

Small Multi-Function (MFV) Chrysler PT Cruiser /Scion xB (tie)

Medium Car Pontiac G6

Large Car Ford 500 / Nissan Maxima (tie)

Small Specialty -$25,000 Ford Mustang

Small Specialty +$25,000 Chevrolet Corvette(b)

Near-Luxury Car BMW 3-Series

Luxury Car BMW 5-Series / Lexus LS

Convertible (-$30,000) Mini Cooper Convertible

Convertible (+$30,000) Lexus SC 430

Minivan Honda Odyssey

Small SUV Hyundai Tucson

Medium Crossover Nissan Murano

Medium SUV Buick Rainier

Large SUV Nissan Armada

Near-Luxury SUV Infiniti FX(b)

Luxury SUV Range Rover/Hummer H2/Escalade

Compact Pickup Toyota Tacoma

Large Pickup Nissan Titan

Heavy Duty Pickup GMC Sierra 2500/3500

 

[DakotaGuy]

Honestly- do you WORK for Ford? This whole thread reads like a commercial, because it's so far from the reality most of us in the US know and live. Toyota and Nissan do not need to take notes- it's obvious that Ford is the one that's been in need of a tutor, and looking at the Edge, apparently plaigerizing their work.

I'll take the Murano any day.

Honestly- do you LIVE in Japan? Seems like an American company failing would bring you more joy then anything in the world. I am sure you are one that tells all of the thousands and thousands of people that are either employed by GM, Ford or their many suppliers and dealers to go to hell and get a job at Super Walmart. You want reality? Go to your local WalMart and try to buy something that is not made in China? Have you looked at the trade deficit lately? It is alarming. I have purchased Japanese products. I own a new Yamaha snowmobile and a Yamaha ATV. I think it is fair then that I give an American company my car business.

You can go on and on...that every car built by Ford or GM is junk, but it is not true. It is only your bias against America and American companies coming through. You will only take the Murano any day because IT IS NOT American, not because it is a nicer vehicle then the Edge will be. I would bet you a big chunk of money that the Edge will outsell the Murano. Want to bet? Because you will loose.

The Japanese are NOT ahead of Ford or GM in pickups or large SUV's. They only dream they could sell a pickup like Ford does. The F150 is the standard that Nissan and Toyota have tried to copy, but each time, they just don't get the formula right. Ford sold 900,000+ F-Series last year. That is 100,000 short of a MILLION trucks. If they are as crappy as you make them out to be, why couldn't the Nissan Titan even make their targeted 100,000 sales? Ford outsold Nissan by over 800,000 units and you still think that Ford is a joke? They do need work on their car lines and they are trying to do that, but there is nothing wrong with Ford trucks. I can promise the Japanese have an F150 in their lab and they are doing everything they can to copy it just as much as the American companies try to copy their cars.

http://wardsauto.com/ar/auto_titan_not_expected/

Talk about plagiarizing their work all you want. Toyota and Nissan have been doing nothing but plagiarzing the F150 when it comes to designing their new trucks.

 

[decksnap]

Dude, I'm just talking about machines, not people, politics, or Walmart. Half of these 'Japanese' cars are made in America and employ Americans anyway. It's such an outdated way of thinking to suggest buying from the big three is somehow patriotic, and bullheaded to suggest not buying one is un-American.

If you want to say that it all boils down to opinion that's fine, but my list of grievances with Fords is too long to type. For one reason or another, I happen to be friends with a lot of mechanics. None of them would recommend a Ford over a Nissan. That's all I'll say.

Edit: By the way, I'm sure Dell will outsell that Mac in your sig this year too. They must just make better computers!

 

[DakotaGuy]

Dude, I'm just talking about machines, not people, politics, or Walmart. Half of these 'Japanese' cars are made in America and employ Americans anyway. It's such an outdated way of thinking to suggest buying from the big three is somehow patriotic, and bullheaded to suggest not buying one is un-American.

If you want to say that it all boils down to opinion that's fine, but my list of grievances with Fords is too long to type. For one reason or another, I happen to be friends with a lot of mechanics. None of them would recommend a Ford over a Nissan. That's all I'll say.

The Japanese cars built here are not built by the UAW. In fact, the Japanese won't let even let the employees form a union. If they try, they are done. So much for letting the worker have a say in their job. I agree that the UAW does overstep at times. But the Japanese should let their employees have a say. Also, how much of that profit made when you buy your Japanese vehicle stays in the US? Not much. Most goes back into the Japanese economy.

Nissan is actually a French company. It is too bad really since Renault is starting to rub off on them. Profit before quality is Renaults motto.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06009/633531.stm

Blame it on a new plant if you want and all companies do have start-up issues, I will give them that.

I will admit if I was choosing a new midsized car, I would get a Toyota or a Honda. If I want an SUV or a Truck, I would get a Ford. I look carefully at each vehicle and I judge a vehicle on my own opinion. I am glad I got an Explorer. You just say...Nissan...that's it. You still have not explained why the F150 is still walking away from Nissan in truck sales if the Titan is so much better? And don't even try to compare this to computers. The F150 is the benchmark in a full sized truck from build quality to reliability. They outsell Toyota and Nissan in these areas, because of repeat customers. Their car line has been a mess over the years, but to group all of their vehicles together is wrong, just like I don't group the Japanese cars and trucks together.

 

[mikeyredk]

Some Rant

That american car you bought was probably built in singapore or some other south asian country and that ATV was probably built here in the united states.

 

[DakotaGuy]

That american car you bought was probably built in singapore or some other south asian country and that ATV was probably built here in the united states.

My Explorer was built by the UAW in Louisville, KY with 80% US domestic part content. The ATV was built in the US. The sled was built in Japan. Even has a little sticker on the tunnel that says Made in Japan.

Maybe you should do a little research on things before you say a Ford Explorer is built in Singapore.

 

[decksnap]

The Japanese cars built here are not built by the UAW. In fact, the Japanese won't let even let the employees form a union. If they try, they are done. So much for letting the worker have a say in their job. I agree that the UAW does overstep at times. But the Japanese should let their employees have a say. Also, how much of that profit made when you buy your Japanese vehicle stays in the US? Not much. Most goes back into the Japanese economy.

Nissan is actually a French company. It is too bad really since Renault is starting to rub off on them. Profit before quality is Renaults motto.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06009/633531.stm

Blame it on a new plant if you want and all companies do have start-up issues, I will give them that.

I will admit if I was choosing a new midsized car, I would get a Toyota or a Honda. If I want an SUV or a Truck, I would get a Ford. I look carefully at each vehicle and I judge a vehicle on my own opinion. I am glad I got an Explorer. You just say...Nissan...that's it. You still have not explained why the F150 is still walking away from Nissan in truck sales if the Titan is so much better? And don't even try to compare this to computers. The F150 is the benchmark in a full sized truck from build quality to reliability. They outsell Toyota and Nissan in these areas, because of repeat customers. Their car line has been a mess over the years, but to group all of their vehicles together is wrong, just like I don't group the Japanese cars and trucks together.

I find it funny how your point about Ford shifts from Ford in general to just the F150. Yes, arguably the F150 is a good machine, but isn't it really all they have had to hang their hat on? So they have one vehicle in their line that is up to snuff? Or is it even that? Is it just all the good ol' boys 'buying American'? The 'Edge' is not an F150, and it's not a Murano.

 

[decksnap]

My Explorer was built by the UAW in Louisville, KY with 80% US domestic part content. The ATV was built in the US. The sled was built in Japan. Even has a little sticker on the tunnel that says Made in Japan.

I think you missed his point.

 

[DakotaGuy]

I find it funny how your point about Ford shifts from Ford in general to just the F150. Yes, arguably the F150 is a good machine, but isn't it really all they have had to hang their hat on? So they have one vehicle in their line that is up to snuff? Or is it even that? Is it just all the good ol' boys 'buying American'? The 'Edge' is not an F150, and it's not a Murano.

I can't wait to see how the Edge stacks up against the Murano in sales. The vehicle will do well even as much as you hope it will fail.

The new Mustang has done well for Ford and the Fusion will also do well. Don't even bring up the fact that the Fusion is built in Mexico. I know this and people always want to bring it up, but the fact is most automakers assemble some of their car lines in Mexico.

The Explorer has always set the standard for midsized SUV's. Think about Toyota or Nissan SUV's before the Explorer came out in 1991. That was the benchmark to meet. How many years did it take them to match things like IRS? An available V8 engine? a 5 speed and now 6 speed auto transmission? Fold flat seats? Roll stability control? etc. They took years to match Ford on the Explorer.

The Five-Hundred is a car in need of a little more sizzle in styling and a bigger engine, but there is nothing wrong with the Five-Hundred. It is one of the safest cars on the road and it is a very solid machine.

The Ford products that need a LOT of help are the Crown Vic (reliable and tough, but worn out design wise) Ranger (again reliable, but too small and too old of a design), Freestar minivan...oh gawd...please discontinue that thing like yesterday.

I think you missed his point.

What point? He tried to say my vehicle was built in Singapore and it's not.

 

[mikeyredk]

My Explorer was built by the UAW in Louisville, KY with 80% US domestic part content. The ATV was built in the US. The sled was built in Japan. Even has a little sticker on the tunnel that says Made in Japan.

Maybe you should do a little research on things before you say an Ford Explorer is built in Singapore.

http://www.emcc.eurofound.eu.int/automotivemap/index.htm

Thats Europe. My point was not just that, some products are made here in the US some are made overseas there is a balance. There is a Mercedes-benz plant in Alabama, Toyota has a plant in West Virginia. What is wrong with sending plants overseas. It creates efficiencies that normally wouldn't be there. Heck, Toyota found that the american workers where more productive than the japanese workers.

 

[decksnap]

Just to put a cap on this, I obviously WANT Ford to do well. There are very few companies I don't want to do well... (Microsomething or other comes to mind) but until they can come out with more competitive products, they will continue their downward spiral. However, they know this, and hopefully they will act fast enough. It just hasn't happened yet.

 

[DakotaGuy]

http://www.emcc.eurofound.eu.int/automotivemap/index.htm

Thats Europe. My point was not just that, some products are made here in the US some are made overseas there is a balance. There is a Mercedes-benz plant in Alabama, Toyota has a plant in West Virginia. What is wrong with sending plants overseas. It creates efficiencies that normally wouldn't be there. Heck, Toyota found that the american workers where more productive than the japanese workers.

I get what you are saying. Ford has a lot of plants overseas. In fact, Ford has been much more successful in Europe lately then they have been in the US. Jaguar, Volvo, Land Rover, Ford of Europe all build cars there and have been successful.

Look I am glad I have a choice in what I drive. I am glad there are more then one brand to choose from. I want companies to succeed. The only reason why I even posted this thread about the Edge is because I thought it was a nice vehicle and that I thought it showed a nice design coming out of Ford.

I guess from now on we should just make a rule around here. If it is not a post about a Japanese automobile then it should not be posted. That should prevent any upset feelings.

 

[DakotaGuy]

Just to put a cap on this, I obviously WANT Ford to do well. There are very few companies I don't want to do well... (Microsomething or other comes to mind) but until they can come out with more competitive products, they will continue their downward spiral. However, they know this, and hopefully they will act fast enough. It just hasn't happened yet.

Well just the fact that we are actually debating Ford in the automotive world shows that there are small signs of life. A couple of years ago, people were not even talking about them.

All I can say is the F150, Explorer, Fusion and Mustang show that they are trying to make improvements. I also like their progressive stance on hybrids. The Edge might be ok. Give it a chance. Enjoy your Nissan and I will enjoy my Ford. Happy motoring!

 

[quagmire]

I don't know about all that.

2005 Strategic Vision Awards: (Overall Winner-Best Full Line, Nissan)

Small Car Ford Focus/Hyundai Accent/Mazda3 (tie)

Small Multi-Function (MFV) Chrysler PT Cruiser /Scion xB (tie)

Medium Car Pontiac G6

Large Car Ford 500 / Nissan Maxima (tie)

Small Specialty -$25,000 Ford Mustang

Small Specialty +$25,000 Chevrolet Corvette(b)

Near-Luxury Car BMW 3-Series

Luxury Car BMW 5-Series / Lexus LS

Convertible (-$30,000) Mini Cooper Convertible

Convertible (+$30,000) Lexus SC 430

Minivan Honda Odyssey

Small SUV Hyundai Tucson

Medium Crossover Nissan Murano

Medium SUV Buick Rainier

Large SUV Nissan Armada

Near-Luxury SUV Infiniti FX(b)

Luxury SUV Range Rover/Hummer H2/Escalade

Compact Pickup Toyota Tacoma

Large Pickup Nissan Titan

Heavy Duty Pickup GMC Sierra 2500/3500

I never use awards from magazines tell me which product is best for me. We will never know if they have a bias with imports or against domestics. Seeing the H2 as best luxury SUV says that guys has something wrong with him. The H2 isn't supposed to be a luxury SUV. That list you posted is fairly honest though. The Armada I don't agree with. Should be Tahoe or Suburban. The Tacoma is the best mid-size out there. Not trying to say these awards are skewed because of bias. Just saying I never use awards to a big extent for my buying decision. I will look at them, but it won't make me buy them because it won an award.

 

[JeffTL]

Having driven one, I don't get what people mean when they say the Five Hundred is underpowered. It could definitely use some more exciting sheetmetal -- since that's what the market demands -- but I don't see why people think the fiver is slow; if you want a high-acceleration Ford at a similar price point, I believe it's called the Mustang. It has as many horses as the Taurus, which was of course smaller -- but I understand it was a bit jumpy.

 

[DakotaGuy]

Having driven one, I don't get what people mean when they say the Five Hundred is underpowered. It could definitely use some more exciting sheetmetal -- since that's what the market demands -- but I don't see why people think the fiver is slow; if you want a high-acceleration Ford at a similar price point, I believe it's called the Mustang. It has as many horses as the Taurus, which was of course smaller -- but I understand it was a bit jumpy.

Well the Five-Hundred does 0-60 in 7.5 seconds which puts it somewhere in the middle of the large car class for acceleration. The biggest problem is not that the Five Hundred is underpowered on the road, it is underpowered on paper. There is an update coming mid-year 2007 however that will offer a facelift and an option of a 3.5L engine. That should add about 50 horsepower and should make the car a pretty strong runner.

I never use awards from magazines tell me which product is best for me. We will never know if they have a bias with imports or against domestics. Seeing the H2 as best luxury SUV says that guys has something wrong with him. The H2 isn't supposed to be a luxury SUV. That list you posted is fairly honest though. The Armada I don't agree with. Should be Tahoe or Suburban. The Tacoma is the best mid-size out there. Not trying to say these awards are skewed because of bias. Just saying I never use awards to a big extent for my buying decision. I will look at them, but it won't make me buy them because it won an award.

I don't completely agree with that list either. Luxury SUV should be the Escalade. Midsized car should be either the Camry or Accord, NOT the G6. Fullsized SUV should be the Tahoe, Midsized SUV should be the Explorer. Buick Rainer? Where did that pick come from? It is nothing but a re-badged expensive Trailblazer. The Trailblazer is far from the most refined midsized BOF SUV on the market. It won't even accept a 3rd row seat unless you get the EXT version that appears to be the worst afterthought ever designed into a vehicle.

 

[quagmire]

Well the Five-Hundred does 0-60 in 7.5 seconds which puts it somewhere in the middle of the large car class for acceleration. The biggest problem is not that the Five Hundred is underpowered on the road, it is underpowered on paper. There is an update coming mid-year 2007 however that will offer a facelift and an option of a 3.5L engine. That should add about 50 horsepower and should make the car a pretty strong runner.

But, still won't touch the Impala SS. It will be lucky to catch the Impala with the 3.9 V6.

I don't completely agree with that list either. Luxury SUV should be the Escalade. Midsized car should be either the Camry or Accord, NOT the G6. Fullsized SUV should be the Tahoe, Midsized SUV should be the Explorer. Buick Rainer? Where did that pick come from? It is nothing but a re-badged expensive Trailblazer. The Trailblazer is far from the most refined midsized BOF SUV on the market. It won't even accept a 3rd row seat unless you get the EXT version that appears to be the worst afterthought ever designed into a vehicle.

Yeah you're right. It shouldn't be the Rainer. It should be the 9-7x. A TB rebadge none the less, but a darn good one at that. The GMT-360's were the first step for GM from getting away from Badge engineering. While the TB, Rainer, 9-7x, and Envoy have similar sheet metal, they are differentiated enough to not be called rebadges to a full extent unlike other rebadges( GMT-800 Tahoe and Yukon are good examples).

PS: Ford lost the title of best selling Mid size SUV in '05. The Trailblazer outsold it.

 

[DakotaGuy]

But, it still won't touch the Impala SS with the Small Block V8 called the LS4 producing 303 HP and still getting 18/28. It will be lucky to catch the Impala with the 3.9 V6.

Possibly you are right, but then you would have to drive around on a W-body which dates back to 1988. The cramped rear seat compared to much more modern designs like the Five-Hundred or Avalon is starting to show it's age.

 

[quagmire]

Possibly you are right, but then you would have to drive around on a W-body which dates back to 1988. The cramped rear seat compared to much more modern designs like the Five-Hundred or Avalon is starting to show it's age.

Have you sat in the new 2006 Impala? I went to my car show and found the rear to have plenty of leg room. The W-Body is in its last generation. Rumor is the Impala might go back to its roots and be put on GM's RWD platform Zeta which will underpin the new GTO, Camaro, and the new Grand Prix/G8. The decision to put what vehicles on the RWD platform will be made within the next 6 months.

 

[DakotaGuy]

Yeah you're right. It shouldn't be the Rainer. It should be the 9-7x. A TB rebadge none the less, but a darn good one at that. The GMT-360's were the first step for GM from getting away from Badge engineering. While the TB, Rainer, 9-7x, and Envoy have similar sheet metal, they are differentiated enough to not be called rebadges to a full extent unlike other rebadges( GMT-800 Tahoe and Yukon are good examples).

PS: Ford lost the title of best selling Mid size SUV in '05. The Trailblazer outsold it.

Ford lost the title of best selling midsized SUV in '05 is because they did not have the SportTrac in the line-up for most of the year. SportTrac has always added 60-80,000 sales to the Explorer line every year. A brand new SportTrac with IRS and an available V8 is coming out in a couple of months. Second, I am sure GM was basically giving away Trailblazers. I got a new Explorer this summer and got a great deal, but Trailblazers were even cheaper. I bet '05 will be the only year the Trailblazer will outsell the Explorer. GM has now pushed back a re-engineered GMT360 to 2008 letting it go on with the same look and the interior by Mattel. Also, to add to that, extended versions have been cancelled and I don't think a 3rd row seat can be installed in a regular length one. I am actually glad to see the EXT versions gone. There was always something that did not look right with them. The body had very wacky proportions.

You could argue all day with me and I would never agree that the Trailblazer is a more advanced vehicle then the current Explorer. Where is the IRS? Fully boxed frame? 6 speed automatic? Why can you fit a 3rd row in a standard wheel base Explorer and it has more room then a 3rd row in an EXT Trailblazer?

Have you sat in the new 2006 Impala? I went to my car show and found the rear to have plenty of leg room. The W-Body is in its last generation. Rumor is the Impala might go back to its roots and be put on GM's RWD platform Zeta which will underpin the new GTO, Camaro, and the new Grand Prix/G8. The decision to put what vehicles on the RWD platform will be made within the next 6 months.

Actually I have sat in one at a local dealer that has Ford and Chevy when I was getting my oil changed in the Expy. There was nothing wrong with it, but compared to the Five Hundred they also had it was smaller inside and especially in the rear seat area. Have you ever sat in the back seat of a Five Hundred? That is a back seat that I could ride for a thousand miles in.

I will give complements to the Impala for the V8 engine. That is a nice touch. I actually liked the styling of the last generation better. It was more athletic and bold. The new one looks like a throw-back to the last generation Lumina.

 

[quagmire]

Ford lost the title of best selling midsized SUV in '05 is because they did not have the SportTrac in the line-up for most of the year. SportTrac has always added 60-80,000 sales to the Explorer line every year. A brand new SportTrac with IRS and an available V8 is coming out in a couple of months. Second, I am sure GM was basically giving away Trailblazers. I got a new Explorer this summer and got a great deal, but Trailblazers were even cheaper. I bet '05 will be the only year the Trailblazer will outsell the Explorer. GM has now pushed back a re-engineered GMT360 to 2008 letting it go on with the same look and the interior by Mattel. Also, to add to that, extended versions have been cancelled and I don't think a 3rd row seat can be installed in a regular length one. I am actually glad to see the EXT versions gone. There was always something that did not look right with them. The body had very wacky proportions.

You could argue all day with me and I would never agree that the Trailblazer is a more advanced vehicle then the current Explorer. Where is the IRS? Fully boxed frame? 6 speed automatic? Why can you fit a 3rd row in a standard wheel base Explorer and it has more room then a 3rd row in an EXT Trailblazer?

The EXT versions will be gone when the new ones come out BECAUSE the new 360's will be longer then the non-EXT's. Screw IRS. While I may lose flat folding 3rd row seating, SRA is the ideal setup for towing. I will sacrifice ride for towing. But, yeah. This arguement is useless. We aren't go to convince each other which one is better. haha

FYI, The TB did get a slight refresh.

http://www.dudleymartin.com/new_photos/2622543.jpg

 

[Les Kern]

Perfect for upper-middle class soccer moms. But if you like a girlies car, far be it from me to laugh at you when you're driving down the street.

 

[Abstract]

I guess from now on we should just make a rule around here. If it is not a post about a Japanese automobile then it should not be posted. That should prevent any upset feelings.

From all your non-sensical rants, you seem to pin this anti-GM, anti-Ford attitude on anti-Americanism. Not necessarily true. Companies like Ford just generally haven't made very good cars. Watching an American car company fail isn't my idea of a good time, but this opinion didn't stem from nothing.

My best friend's dad used to buy Buicks only (for his own personal car. His wife's car could be whatever she wanted, but it was usually a Ford), and then he switched to a Toyota Camry, and he wonders what too him so long. It's not that he didn't love his 80's Buick (possibly a Regal, but it has been awhile), but it wasn't the most well put together car and had it's reliability issues.

Both my parents' previous cars are examples of poor American cars (brakes on my dad's Ford didn't work when my dad was going downhill, and he didn't know what else he could do to avoid the intersection other than to pull the hand brake a few times, drive onto the grass to slow him down, and crash into a pole.......SWEET!!), as is my father's oldest friend, who was a mechanic at Ford for almost 25 years. He says not to buy Ford, but that was 4-6 years ago.

I think people are justified in their negative opinions of these companies when they made crap for so long. You talk about a model that may or may not be very good and/or reliable, but that's one gem out of a pile of rocks.

If they're trying to produce better cars, then great, but don't blame our attitudes on our "bias against America and American companies coming through," because you don't know that. You don't know anything about how we formed our opinions, and yet you make baseless statements like this as if anti-Americanism is clearly evident (when it's not), and then you tell people that THEY base their opinions on nothing when you did the same thing regarding anti-Americanism.

 

[quagmire]

From all your non-sensical rants, you seem to pin this anti-GM, anti-Ford attitude on anti-Americanism. Not necessarily true. Companies like Ford just generally haven't made very good cars. Watching an American car company fail isn't my idea of a good time, but this opinion didn't stem from nothing.

My best friend's dad used to buy Buicks only (for his own personal car. His wife's car could be whatever she wanted, but it was usually a Ford), and then he switched to a Toyota Camry, and he wonders what too him so long. It's not that he didn't love his 80's Buick (possibly a Regal, but it has been awhile), but it wasn't the most well put together car and had it's reliability issues.

Both my parents' previous cars are examples of poor American cars (brakes on my dad's Ford didn't work when my dad was going downhill, and he didn't know what else he could do to avoid the intersection other than to pull the hand brake a few times, drive onto the grass to slow him down, and crash into a pole.......SWEET!!), as is my father's oldest friend, who was a mechanic at Ford for almost 25 years. He says not to buy Ford, but that was 4-6 years ago.

I think people are justified in their negative opinions of these companies when they made crap for so long. You talk about a model that may or may not be very good and/or reliable, but that's one gem out of a pile of rocks.

If they're trying to produce better cars, then great, but don't blame our attitudes on our "bias against America and American companies coming through," because you don't know that. You don't know anything about how we formed our opinions, and yet you make baseless statements like this as if anti-Americanism is clearly evident (when it's not), and then you tell people that THEY base their opinions on nothing when you did the same thing regarding anti-Americanism.

100% agree with you. I just want a fair trading ground. Right now it is not happening with Currency manipulation and Japan not letting American car companies sell their cars in Japan. GM and Ford did make POS vehicles for a decade or so. I just wish people would step in the new Impala, Malibu, and Fusion to see how much Ford and GM has improved in quality. Their reliability is up too. They should actually consider GM and Ford in their decision now with the better vehicles right now. Yes, there are still vehicles in GM's and Fords stable that you shouldn't touch, but GM and Ford are most likely working on replacements for them.