import vs domestic

[efcee]

im pretty sure most everyone on this forum owns an import and i was wondering
what were your reasons for buying an import over a domestic vehicle?

[efcee]

i dont want any battles going on or anything
im just asking for facts

because well as people have probably read, im looking for a new car
my family owns domestic and my dad has a discount on a GM vehicle because of some GM credit card that puts money towards a gm vehicle when you charge things
he's pressing me towards a domestic i am not sure which makes all qualify as gm i know chevy and oldsmobile do but i dont know what else does.

[TrippZ]

we got a honda because my dads friend was a manager and knocked off a total of 6,000 off

I however owuld have LOVED a Ws-6 trans am, SS camaro, Z28, and all these other domestics.

of course, my dad wouldnt buy me a domestic either way because of the performance store next door to us that fixes them up real nice and fast.

anyway...

[rgGolf4]

There are of course good and bad things about either type of vehicle. Just htink what is importnat to you.

Imports: Cost more, more reliable, higher resale value, different style (Euro or JDM), higher insurance rates (esp. Honda)

Domestics: Cheaper, bigger, somewhat less reliable, lower resale value, cheaper to fix, and IMO uglier

I would say however that nowadays, reliablity is a crapshoot. My friends Neon has never given him problems, and I got rid of my VW because of realibilty issues. It really depends on what car YOU like. Get whatever makes you happy.:D

[lean4texas]

when I worked at nissan(makeready) all the techs I talked to said imports(honda, nissan, and toyota). they also said older muscle cars and newer camaros/firebirds and chevy trucks would be a good buy. they basically said stay away from domestic(especially any ford) if it wasn't a muscle car.

[rice_eater GT]

Well, I own cars from both markets and like someone else already mentioned they both have advantages and disadvantages.
Depends on exactly what you're looking for.
For example, if you want a fast car without having to pop the hood I would say stick to a domestic with a V8 of some sort.
Keep in mind that gas efficiency isn't a domestics best friend but you'll have lots of fun in your new Camaro, Trans Am or Mustang.
Because they are sports cars you need to keep in mind the reliability sort of goes out the window when you start pushing the car around town with your foot glued to the floor. Domestic sports cars don't like high revs.
Imports on the other hand are great for cruising around town all day long on a $5 tank of gas. My civic will get me to work, home, and the gym for the entire week on $10-12 of gas.
Imports are great reliable cars that love to perform given the right mixture of parts and they will stay on the top end of your tachometer all day long as long as you take care of it(i mean, change the oil every 3000 miles or so).

It's all up to you my friend, the point is to get the car that you really want and make sure you'll be happy with the choice you make in the long run.

[iR-VTEC2]

Just think of cars as beer.

[IceD out N CALI]

I got the honda because of my good experiences with them and their reliability. I'm not a big fan of domestics due to the fact of their overall reputation of not being as reliable. My brother worked for a rent-a-car place for some years and they'd always have problems with their domestics (no lie). that was a few years ago but i'm still a little weary of buying a domestic but that can change however.:)

[Gibhunter]

I was just looking for fun, reliable and economic transportation. Since domestics aren't known for their reliability, I've got an import.

[SiR Medic]

I've never liked the whole "import vs. domestic" debate. It's more about the vehicle itself. Right now I would not own a GM car, but I would buy a GM truck in a heartbeat.

Reliability has more to do with the manufacturer than the country of origin. Canadian built Camrys are just as reliable as Japanese made ones.

Even then, certain companies have different levels expertise. VW for example, makes bullet-proof engines from what I hear, but their electrical stuff needs work.

The best thing you can do is look at each car on it's own merits and compare it with others in its class/price range.

Before buying my SiR I looked at:
Pontiac Vibe
Toyota Matrix
Mini Cooper
VW GTI
Nissan Altima
Nissan Sentra SE-R
M-B C230K
Hyundai Tiburon
Acura RSX


I never even looked at a Ford Focus due to recall/reliability concerns... Also, that FUGLY dash!

I got the SiR because it seemed to be the best car FOR ME. All were good cars, and most were better than the SiR in some ways.
Admittedly there are no REAL domestics on my list, but that is because the domestics are weak in this particular market. If I were buying a full size pick-up, I'd own a GMC Sierra. If I wanted total bang-for-the-buck, it would be a Camaro Z28(you can still find '02s on lots).

[sonic imperial]

I bought mine because of reliability, however I have had my problems with new hondas. Nothing related to the motor, but I have had some mechanical issues on a 2000 civic and 2001 accord. I kept coming back though because I'm friends with the service people and they treat me well, and the sales staff has been very friendly. the rest of my fam drives domestics and they've had very little problems. My dad owned an 89 chevy blazer and got over 200,000 miles with only a few wear and tear issues.

[2002Si]

Import=dependable\Domestic=not so dependable, nah, but really, hondas are about the best car on the market not to mention all of the other great lasting\driving Imports out there, why buy american when other shit last longer? Not even a question. Oh and Imports are more fun too.

[blueiedgod]

this has been going on for years. I have tosay that either japanese have come down in quality or the domestics cought up to early 80's japanese standards. i would say stay away from german and english vehicles, sadly enough, the Si was designed in germany and built in england. for me, the Si, was a leap of faith. i came from, according to CR, the most realible car ever built, 2001 CR-V. i did look at vibe/matrix, soobie, wanted the element, loved the new accord, but the Si was the best bang for the Buck. Not any other car could give me the performance and sophistication for under $15K.
it is funny though that people who advocate "dmoestics only" policy fail to realize that most domestics are no longer built in US, while most of the imports are built here. When presented with the fact that their "domestic" is a foreigner, they resort to "but the money is coming back to US", to which I say BS. most of the executives don't spend their bonuses, which their have earned by eliminating jobs here, in the US, they take their families to vacation spots in Monaco and swiss alps.
but at the end it all boils down to what do you like the drive. people fall head over hells for VW jetta, even though it had worse than average reliability. Saturns seems to have a pretty good following, and out of all the domestics, i would say saturns are good, but the GM points do not apply to saturns, nor saabs. cadillac CTS seems to be promicing, but it is kind of pricey, in the same territory as IS300, and Z350, and BMW 330.. guess if i were buying what i would get?
i guess there is no definitive answer that i can give you, for my self, i chose honda long time ago. and unless there is a company out there that builds a better product, i will drive honda's. I do admit that toyota is just as good of not better, but they do not appeal to me in styling.

[2002Si]

yeah, that's what I meant

[efcee]

after much thinking and discussion i have decided to stick with my plan of getting a honda/acura
i think im going to get a 1999 teg i found a good deal on a GS but its auto
i dont know if i should settle for auto or not.. i had my eyes on a manual but someone else bought it
this car has 38k miles 1999 GS auto all the bells and whistles

and they want 9500 for it so thats about 2k under kbb..
not a bad deal
i think ill be happy with automatic even though i did want a manual but its not like this is going to be my only car for the rest of my life.
i woud look for a GS-R but im guessing insurance would be through the roof

[efcee]

after much thinking and discussion i have decided to stick with my plan of getting a honda/acura
i think im going to get a 1999 teg i found a good deal on a GS but its auto
i dont know if i should settle for auto or not.. i had my eyes on a manual but someone else bought it
this car has 38k miles 1999 GS auto all the bells and whistles

and they want 9500 for it so thats about 2k under kbb..
not a bad deal
i think ill be happy with automatic even though i did want a manual but its not like this is going to be my only car for the rest of my life.
i would look for a GS-R but im guessing insurance would be through the roof

[Buster]

I have a 01 Neon R/T that has been rock solid for the 2 yrs I have had it. I have had 1-1/2 seasons of autox and lots of hard driven city km's on it. Almost squeak and rattle free too (sunroof a little and the rear swaybar bushing over speedbumps) I have to say that at least DC is catching up with the imports.

[fyzm7357]

I have owned three Chevrolets and two Hondas and the reason why I have chosen Honda the past two times is because of the quality of work. The three Chevys that I had just had a cheap plastic feel to the interior and the exterior didn't seem much better. When I first sat in a Honda for the first time, I finally realized what I have been missing out on all these years....I will probably from now on be strictly import.....unless it a Viper....

[jo3y]

When i buy a CAR the major deciding factor is the engine. If the EP had a sohc engine i would never have bought it, just as if the coupe had a k20 I would have been all over that. From my experience when you redline domestics they tend to explode. Hondas like redlines, they are designed to be redlined safetly.

heres my expierence with I / D engines(and yes all were beat on)

90 LeBaron 1.9 - Snapped 2 connecting rods, punched holes in block

93 jeep 2.5 4 banger - destroyed valve train after 2 seasons of 4 wheeling

01 grand am SE 2.2 - lease turn in, engine ticking badly, hard to start

93 escort GT (1.8 mazda powered) Raced daily, taken to 7500 rpm redline daily, beat the piss out of this car for 2 years never gave me a single problem (this car was one of the reasons i went to import power)

02 civic Si - so far so good

[efcee]

cost of parts for repair
for instance if you wanted to buy new body parts / engine / whatever else
do Honda parts cost more ?

[iR-VTEC2]

man..i just wish i could say that i'd choose extra terrestrial cars.

import vs domestic vs ET