American made car needed, suggestions sought

[steve2470]

For the last 18 years I've owned nothing but Hondas, simply because of gas mileage and reliability. The threads here are inspiring me, once again, to buy an American car next time.

It MUST be reliable (as possible) and good on gas.

Any suggestions please ? Thank you for your time.

[Brickbat]

1. Ford Focus. I've had two so far and they're awesome. Mr. Brickbat gets close to 40 mpg with his,

it runs like a rock star, is fun to drive, and is union made in the USA. HIGHLY recommended.

[Initech]

20. Second, but wait for the 2012 model.

Ford builds solid cars, but the 2012 Focus is going to be fucking amazing.

[FLAprogressive]

32. Ditto, the 2012 Focus looks awesome.

[Initech]

43. I want a Ford just for that awesome Sync system.

[janet118]

46. +1

Good, reliable, inexpensive and safe.

[Atman]

2. We recently got a Chevy Cruze for a rental...pretty amazing little car!

Chevy has some nice offerings, I have to admit. They've come a long way. I don't know what Consumer Reports or the car mags think of them, though.

[IDemo]

80. We had a Chevy Aveo rental this summer

It was quite a nice little ride as well.

[FLAprogressive]

3. What's your price range?

[steve2470]

4. Buying in about one year, no more than $20K please nt

[FLAprogressive]

7. some union made cars under 20K....

Dodge Avenger (starts at 19K)
Chrysler 200 (starts at 19K)
Chevrolet Cruze (starts at about 15K)
Ford Focus (starts at about 16K)
Dodge Caliber (starts at like 15K)

Would not recommend the Caliber though. I'd wait for the 2012 Focus to come out too, those are looking sharp and they're gonna get like 40 MPG.

If you don't mind a crossover, the Jeep Compass and Jeep Patriot are also made in the USA and are union made.

[lumberjack_jeff]

14. Compass, Patriot and Caliber are all the same platform.

Same engine, same running gear. Only aesthetic differences.

I have 70k on my Caliber. It's been a good car.

Also consider the Chevy Cobalt, (starts at about $15,000 - but it looks as if it's discontinued for 2011)

[FLAprogressive]

30. Interesting. I've heard lots of crap about the Caliber but I'm glad to see yours is running well.

I know a lot of people rag on Dodge/Chrysler but they look to be on the rebound. I really like the new Avenger.

[Oceansaway]

5. only 4 that i know of made here....

Ford Focus--Wayne MI.

Chevy Cobalt--Lordstown OH.

Jeep Patriot/Dodge Caliber--Belvedere IL.


hope this helps !


don't know if it's still this way....

[lonestarnot]

6. One is outpacing toyota resale for the first time in history. Don't remember which one. Focus

maybe?

[Initech]

25. Ford is outnumbering Toyota by like 2:1.

I'm heavily researching getting a hybrid, and I've decided that the Ford Fusion handily beats anything else I'm considering getting.

One to watch though is Hyundai - they're quietly owning the competiton with cars like the Elantra, Sonata, and Genesis.

[lonestarnot]

41. I think it may have been Fusion now that you mention it on resale value retention.

:shit: :senile:

[dipsydoodle]

8. 1929 Model A Ford Sport

That was my own one here in the UK.

:)

[yourout]

9. That one might be out of their price range now.

[steve2470]

10. cool car and very reliable I think ? nt

[dipsydoodle]

11. Most of the cars from that era are.

mainly due to the complete absense of an engine management system I guess.

[lumberjack_jeff]

13. You were lucky to get 3000 miles on a set of tires.

Blowouts were frequent. Engines needed rebuilt every 20,000 miles. Top speed? Don't ask.

The good old days weren't always good.

[lumberjack_jeff]

12. I have a 2007 Dodge Caliber.

30mpg, 70,000 miles and trouble free so far.

Ford Focus is another one you should look at. Chevy Cobalt too (daughter in law has one of these).

[justiceischeap]

15. Just make sure you research where the car is assembled

If you're wanting to go American all the way. You could still buy a Honda assembled in the US (therefore employing American workers). It really depends on what you're looking to support; the workers or the company.

[NNN0LHI]

18. Honda is entirely anti-union in America

If you want your own wages and benefits based on scab labor wages and benefits get the Honda. If you would rather have your own wages and benefits based on union scale purchase union.

That is the way it works.

Don

[justiceischeap]

26. That doesn't negate the fact that the OP should still research where the car is assembled. nt

[KansasVoter]

68. And the HONDA employees have voted NOT TO GO UNION. So do you think.....

that is their right???

They seem very happy working at honda!

[NNN0LHI]

71. As I said if YOU want YOUR own wages patterned after scab labor wages instead of union buy the Honda

Is that what you want?

Don

[KansasVoter]

73. How is it scab if they voted to not go union? They did not cross any picket line!!

[NNN0LHI]

74. Because we had an established autoworker union in this country long before they got here

By choosing to not unionize and undercut my union by working for less pay and benefits makes them scabs.

This is not all that complicated. Its not rocket science.

What did you say you do for a living again?

Don

[KansasVoter]

75. So now you want to FORCE every auto employee to join a union? Wow.....

so you want open votes to unionize but only if the vote goes for the union???

Wow, no wonder the union popularity is at an all time low. You sounds like a fool!

[NNN0LHI]

76. You are talking out of your ass

I didn't suggest anyone should be forced to unionize. I said if someone doesn't I won't do business with them. And if someone does do business with them they lose my support for their cause.

What did you say you do for a living again?

Don

[KansasVoter]

77. So the Honda employees, who decided that Honda paid them fairly and

are happy with their pay and benefits, are evil scabs because they trust Honda more than the AFL-CIO?

I am a computer programmer. Is my job OK or not?

[NNN0LHI]

78. Here lets check with Merriam

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scab

Definition of SCAB

1: scabies of domestic animals

2: a crust of hardened blood and serum over a wound

3a : a contemptible person

b (1) : a worker who refuses to join a labor union (2) : a union member who refuses to strike or returns to work before a strike has ended (3) : a worker who accepts employment or replaces a union worker during a strike (4) : one who works for less than union wages or on nonunion terms

[KansasVoter]

79. LOL....so every non-union worker in the united states is a scab???

So under your definition "a worker who refuses to join a labor union" is everyone who could find and accept union work but does not.

So, as a programmer, I am a scab because I could be a union plumber.

Keep up your great union PR work.

[Romulox]

53. "Assembled" means that high dollar assemblies were made overseas, and simply bolted together here

It's an old trick used to escape taxes and import quotas. :hi:

[justiceischeap]

64. It also means you think you're buying an American made car but sometimes you're not

My point being is depending on what this guy wants to support, he may not necessarily do so by buying an "American made" car. Cause not all "American made" cars are made in America. Both the VWs I've owned were assembled in Mexico, which to me means it was a Mexican made car and not German.

[NNN0LHI]

16. You are doing yourself and the next generation a great favor

Because the guys who build the imports don't fund our social programs like SS and Medicare which you or a relative may be needing some day. They fund their own social programs in their own countries.

And by rewarding the import car company workers in America who refuse to unionize, by purchasing their product over union made brings everyone's wages and benefits down over time.

Do your homework on this. Any car made by UAW workers will have a Union Made label on either the windshield or one of the side windows.

Go into any dealer(any brand) and ask to see the models that have that label on it.

Take care and good luck.

Don

[AngryAmish]

17. Honda Accords are made here

[sufrommich]

24. By non union workers in right to work states. By the way, we have

non union charter schools in the US too. Should we support them?

[KansasVoter]

70. The Honda employees are paid well! And many have voted the union out!

[Codeine]

36. By scabs.

Fuck Honda.

[PBS Poll-435]

19. The Toyota Camry is made in Lafayette, Indiana and Georgetown, Kentucky

They can be had for 20K.

[Chris_Texas]

21. Most Honda's ARE American made, Many...

So called "American" cars are not.

[NNN0LHI]

23. How many American made Hondas are built by union labor?

Don't think the people(some union members themselves), around here who drive these scab built cars don't stand out like a sore thumb to a UAW member like myself.

Don

[FLAprogressive]

31. Zero! Just out of curosity, what company do you work for, Don? Go UAW!!!

[NNN0LHI]

35. Retired from Ford. Continued my UAW membership that was optional

Hired in while still in high school in 1973. Had just turned 18 when plant personal came in and recruited many of us before we graduated. With Vietnam still raging they wanted to get us before we did something silly like enlisting in the military. Retired at 48 with 30 and out and a defined pension.

Don

[Romulox]

52. Just like Charter school teachers are American. I thought this was also about supporting unions?

:hi:

[TreasonousBastard]

22. A few that haven't been mentioned...

The new Ford Fiesta. Cheap and should last a while-- it's the US version of the #2 seller in Europe.

Chevy Equinox-- more than you wanted to pay but great mileage with the front wheel drive four banger and a lot of car for the money.

Ford Fusion-- again, a little more than you want to pay, but more comfortable than the econoboxes.

[FLAprogressive]

29. none are U.S. made though, unfortunately.

[Codeine]

40. Equinox is made in Canada. Fiesta and Fusion in Mexico.

American in brand only.

[Javaman]

27. My wife just got the new Ford Fiesta.

Great gas mileage and loves driving it.

[Codeine]

38. Made in Hermosillo, Mexico, unfortunately.

[Javaman]

54. Oh well.

even when we try to do something good...

[SteveG]

28. Chevy Malibu

My wife drives a '06 Malibu and it is a great car. First American made car that I have purchased since 1982. It's a 4 cyl. and gets about 32MPG.

[eilen]

63. I have a 2011 Malibu and love it. nt

[HuckleB]

33. 2011 Hyundai Elantra is hard to beat for size, features, quality, mileage (29/40) and price.

[Atman]

44. The Elantra scored #9 out of 10 on best "Green Cars" for 2011.

We have a 2006 Elantra...I love the car. And they've improved significantly since then. The 2011 Elantra scores a top green score (low carbon footprint from manufacturing to daily driving), in the ranks with Nissan Leaf, Prius and other hybrids/electrics...and it's not a hybrid or electric. Hyundai is doing some great stuff. They're built in the USA, but alas, not union. (They ARE union in Korea, though).

.

[Initech]

55. Hyundai is gonna own everybody in a few years.

I've test driven both the Sonata Turbo, Hybrid, and the Genesis Coupe, and I couldnt believe how well built and well performing they were.

[WolverineDG]

34. Chevy

I'm considering an Impala or the Equinox. But the Cruze looks good too.

Nice, tight cars, good ride, good seats, good (not great) gas mileage (the Cruze might get better MPG)

dg

[Codeine]

37. The Ford Focus is a proven winner for reliability.

Hugely popular world-wide.

The Dodge Caliber is inexpensive and looks amazing.

[NNN0LHI]

39. I can't take my eyes of a Caliber either

Don't know why? Just can't. Its weird. Something about them.

Don

[Atman]

45. That's the trouble with Dodges. They LOOK amazing, but only on the outside.

I just had a Dodge Charger as a rental for an insurance claim. Looked SWEET from the outside. Got inside and WRETCH. Cheap-ass plastics, cheap design, cheap cheap cheap cheap. The car wreaked of cheapness. Same experience with one of those penis-wagon things they sell...we got one as a rental in Orlando. The car looks fucking hot from the outside, but when you actually touch it, feel it, live with it for a few days, holy crap! Total POS. I would never buy any Dodge/Chrysler product.

[dionysus]

42. Ford Fusion. i can drive from maine to upstate NY one one tank of gas.

[Codeine]

48. Unfortunately not American-made. nt

[fishwax]

47. here's the list of UAW and CAW made cars

http://www.uaw.org/cars

:kick:

[whistler162]

49. No info on Union or non-Union made

http://www.cars.com/go/advice/Story.jsp?section=top&subject=ami&story=amMade0710

http://www.howtobuyamerican.com/content/db/b-db-autos.shtml

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/06/19/automobiles/20090619-auto-plants-4.html with Union/non-Union info

Bought my Mazda 626 which was made in Michigan and Union made.

[taught_me_patience]

50. Don't buy Dodge or Chevy

The depreciation is horrible. If you want to go American, I'd suggest a Ford Fusion.

[Codeine]

58. The Fusion is not American. nt

[Romulox]

51. The Ford Focus. It's a world class car made in Wayne, Michigan. nt

[Broken_Hero]

56. No suggestions here, but experiences...

I've had a 1995 Ford Windstar, died around 130k miles, horrible on gas mileage(around 18 mpg), and it only lasted 7yrs.

GMC Vandura 1989-died around 125k miles, horrible on gas(about 13mpg), lasted 15yrs, but was used sparingly.

Dodge Intrepid, 2000, and 2004, both died around 135k miles, gas mileage was around 25 mpg. The 2000 lasted 5yrs, the 2004 lasted 4yrs.

Our current car is a Malibu Maxx 2006, its mph ranges from 27-33mph depending on how you drive(warm up your car). We are only up to 76k miles, and have owned it for 3yrs.


Of the ones mentioned above, I hope the Malibu lasts. My wife puts on about 73 miles a day for her commute, and for once I'd like to own a car that outlives the payment cycle...on both Intrepids and the windstar they died literally the week after we paid the thing off.

I hope the Malibu works, if it hits at least 175k I have found the car/make that I'll buy til the day I my wife retires...also, My father in law has a Chevy Aveo(bought it brand new), its an 2004, it has 145k miles and its still going strong, the mpg on the thing has to be around 30+ mpg, I know he can get damn near 400 miles per tank of gas. I keep tabs on my FIL's car because if it lasts longer(milage wise) than the Malibu than I'm hopping on the Aveo fan wagon.

[Codeine]

59. The Maxx is a great car, though no longer made.

The Aveo is a rebadged Korean-made Daewoo, however.

[Dappleganger]

57. 2012 Ford Focus.

[Tatiana]

60. FORD FUSION (though it's not American-made, I guess).

Like you, I've driven an import (Nissan) for some time after getting pissed off with the poor quality of the last American car I bought (Pontiac Grand Am). My husband, however, is a Ford man and when we were looking for another car, we decided to go with the Fusion. It gets great mileage, has a lot of features, drives smooth, and showcases the quality and sturdiness that characterized American cars of old.

Edited to reflect the fact that the Fusion is not American-made.

[steve2470]

61. kick for others who may also be contemplating an American made purchase nt

[Initech]

62. Check out the Mazda6. It's a Ford brand that is very heavily underrated.

[RegieRocker]

65. Drive them research them then decide. Only you can pick the

best car for you.

[madokie]

66. Ford

damn fine automobiles, trucks or vans depending on needs. To drive the nail home while you're out looking at the different auto's out there make a note to check out as many 10 year old auto's you can and compare how they've held up. If you'll do this you'll find the Ford product will be on top. They just build them better, they do the little things that matter way down the road that kind of thing. Pay attention to how the doors shut, how the hood sounds when it shuts, how the upholstery looks etc.

Then buy a ford product.
Thats what I think.

We have two 98 model fords that for all intents and purposes are just like they were when they were new. No sagging doors no rattling, nor worn our seats or door panels

[flvegan]

67. For that money, I'd buy used.

Buying a new car is just...silly, sorry. And yes, I'm sorry American new car builders and union folks. There's just not a sub-$20k American made car (and that's non-union stuff too) that is in any way interesting. Sure, you can buy transportation for that. Throw a dart at a dartboard of those cars and write a check.

I know that'll piss off a lot of folks here, but most of them know how I feel about cars and though they'll hate me for saying it, they'll understand.

But, to answer the question. For $20k, American made? 2008 Ford Mustang GT. She'll have around 15k miles by now.

[phylny]

69. My husband bought a Chevy Impala last year.

The gas mileage is good (36 mpg or so) and it's a comfortable, reliable car.

[Critters2]

72. Another vote for the Ford Focus. I love my Focus.

A 2002, runs like new, no problems at all. I had an Escort that ran to just under 300,000. I can't imagine buying anything but a Ford.