Quote:
Originally posted by tobster1911
VW Jetta ($17,900 starting) 2.5L 22/30mpg (manual)
22/30mpg (automatic) 150 hp 2.5L 5-cylinder
Pontiac G6 ($17,990 starting)167 hp
EPA (City/Highway) 23/34 mpg†
Engine: 2.4L 4 Cylinder ECOTEC®
Chevy Cobalt SS
MSRP* $18,790.00
Engine: 2.4L DOHC ECOTEC four-cylinder with 171 hp
I will agree that in the 80's American cars < ROW cars. But the cars being made today are very comparable to German cars. It is a perception that has been highly cultivated that US cars are junk.
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I think there a lot more to this than HP & price numbers on NEW vehicles.
Go out and grab a sample of 5 & 10 year old versions of Volkswagen Jettas, Pontiac Grand Prix and Chev Cavaliers. Do you really think the US cars held up as well as the VW? What about 10 yr old BMW and Cadillac of equal value?
I would love to find out that the US cars are as well engineered and built as European cars. To be honest, I'm not totally impressed with VWs lately, but I still doubt a used Chev or Dodge is as good as a used VW.
I'll start considering US cars when 10 yr old Cavaliers start holding up as well as 10 yr old Corollas and Civics. I still think the Japanese make a better quality car than US or European cars. I like European cars more, but I still think Japanese cars are more reliable, if boring.