I think that the quality of American cars is going up. However, as good as the American cars may look and drive, they will be missing the reliabilty that Japanese cars have for many years to come. It will take quite a while for American automakers to gain a reputation of reliability. Although it is a very bold move to let potential Saturn customers drive the Accord and Camry. Thats why I said it was either pure brilliance or stupidity.

 

I think the reliability of American cars have been up for a few years now but people have been brain washed into thinking it cant happen. Same way with EVERYBODY talking about GM/Ford shutting down........ha that is actually funny that people are stupid enough to think that will actually happen. These companies have been around for over 100 years, made it through 2 world wars, a great depression, and were making cars when damn near every other auto company was either making lawnmowers and weedwackers or not even started yet. I mean really, I had a 84 Cadillac De Ville with a all aluiminum 4.1 V8 and I had heard that that particular engine was junk, it didn't last, bla. bla, bla. Well it lasted me untill 283,xxx miles and the engine itself did not fail the cam wore down enough to get fractures in it and snapped in half. But it did not even stop running. The damn thing got drove for around 8 months more by a guy I sold it to running on 5 cyl.

The reliability has been there for a while. I agree there was a dark time in the American auto industry as far as performance but for the most part what you have is a generation of younger car buyers that grew up hearing their parents praise import cars for reliability when their parent went from driving a 3/4 owner 75 buick or a dad that bought a old mid 80's Z28 and ran the **** out of it. My father has had American made carshis whole life and I can honestly say theu only one I would consider junk is a 84 S10 but guess what 84 S10's came with imported engines in them(1.9 Isuzu I4's)

 

lol. well, when I think of American cars I can't help but think of mid 90's Caviliers and sunfires. Easily put, they suck. Obviously those cars aren't representative for all American cars, but they do put a bad taste in my mouth.

 

lol the fact that the sent the 2200 engine to the grave in 2003 should eleviate that bad taste in your mouth

 

well i work at a saturn dealer, and i have driven every car in there lineup, from a 92 satrun s series all the way to a sky redline. every car satrun ever made is a decent car. but the main thing about saturn is there customer service, i don't know how many times i walked into any dealership and the service is ****ty, and takes forever. but i hear people all the time complimenting on how Saturn has the best customer service in the industry. how is this for a fact. last year Saturn of Troy (in michigan) was for a few months the #1 selling gm dealership in the WORLD!. it beat out evey other cadallac, chevy pontiac buick, etc. Saturn is the new face of GM its cars are selling better than any other gm brand now. the aura is a hell of a nice car, and it comes standard with a v6 engine. rides great. accord and camry only come standard with a 4cylinder. and they can get over 30k easily when loaded. the aura one of thecars that is bringing the american auto industry back to fight off toyota and honda. now its gonna take time, but the reliablility is there, customers just need to see it. because guess what, honda and toyota dealerships stay in business because there cars break, and need maintenace too.

now would i buy a saturn? probably not, i love hondas and jeeps. i am not in the market for a mid size sedan, and probably never will be. now if satrun ever made a nice off raod capable SUV with front and rear solid axles and a large v6, maybe i would comsider one.

 

american cars aren't that bad. my grandfather has a 92 F150 and i can't remember it ever having any major problems.