What makes an American car an American car?

[Brandon]

Saw in another thread someone only buys an American car. With so many "American" cars having most parts made either over seas, in Mexico or Canada and alot of assembly plants in Canada... what is it that makes an American car an American car?

 

[3point5]

American cars are from the big 3 IMO. One can argue this all you want. My german designed, canadian assembled Dodge Charger is still more american than any Toyota, Honda, or Subaru.

Every person will have a different answer for you though. People will flame me for my answer.

 

[down3green]

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As near as I can tell, the answer is "union labor."



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[backfire]

V8 power.....

 

[3point5]

V8 power.....

I disagree with that.

A couple of the best american motors ever made were 6 cyl.

 

[Stschil]

It has to be subsidized by taxpayer money, assembled by Union dues paying robots and over paid screwdriver jockeys, overpriced and underperform.

 

[Brandon]

V8 power.....

Can you give more info on this one?
My 2002 BMW M5 has a 4.9 V8 with 394HP. My 2001 F250 5.4 V8 only makes around 300HP...

 

[jeremy]

There are no American Made Cars anymore...

 

[3point5]

It has to be subsidized by taxpayer money, assembled by Union dues paying robots and over paid screwdriver jockeys, overpriced and underperform.

Talk bad about em all you want...Ive still got food on my table. Thanks Chrysler!!

 

[backfire]

I disagree with that.

A couple of the best american motors ever made were 6 cyl.

A "couple" yes..... (GNX, Syclone, Typhoon, etc.) but by-and-large, the classic big-inch, gas guzzling, tire melting, V8 engine with big torque is what made American cars what they are today.

 

[Bunnykid68]

It has to be subsidized by taxpayer money, assembled by Union dues paying robots and over paid screwdriver jockeys, overpriced and underperform.

That would make Toyota number one then. No union and they pay their people well.

 

[3point5]

Can you give more info on this one?
My 2002 BMW M5 has a 4.9 V8 with 394HP. My 2001 F250 5.4 V8 only makes around 300HP...

Huge difference in tuning, compressions, etc. The F250 is a truck, the M5 is a sports car. Its not quite apples to oranges, more potatoes to sweet potatoes. Sure they both say potato, but they arent the same thing.

 

[3point5]

A "couple" yes..... (GNX, Syclone, Typhoon, etc.) but by-and-large, the classic big-inch, gas guzzling, tire melting, V8 engine with big torque is what made American cars what they are today.

4.0? 5.9 CTD?

 

[Stschil]

Talk bad about em all you want...Ive still got food on my table. Thanks [STRIKE]Chrysler!![/STRIKE]American Taxpayer

FIFY

 

[Mr Evilwrench]

The new Camaro is an Australian design (Holden) and made in Canada. Yeah, V8 power. Some of the "Japanese" cars have more American components in them than the big three's. Get the car you want and don't worry about it; nothing you do will influence them in any way, anyway.

 

[Brandon]

Wouldn't you want a "work" truck to make more power and torque with that size of a V8?? It's made to haul stuff after all.

So if the truck is an orange. Is the Mustang GT a better comparison?
4.6 V8 is at 260HP... (I used a 2002 Mustang to keep that field even)

 

[Brandon]

Some of the "Japanese" cars have more American components in them than the big three's. Get the car you want and don't worry about it; nothing you do will influence them in any way, anyway.

This is the way I look at it... But I want to try to understand why buy only from the big 3....

 

[red_zr24x4]

There are no American Made Cars anymore...

^^WINNER^^

 

[Stschil]

Wouldn't you want a "work" truck to make more power and torque with that size of a V8?? It's made to haul stuff after all.

So if the truck is an orange. Is the Mustang GT a better comparison?
4.6 V8 is at 260HP... (I used a 2002 Mustang to keep that field even)

Balance between EPA standards for fuel economy and power, etc

You can take a 4.6 ltr and pump nearly 1000 HP out of one

You can take 500 CID and get 8000 HP, course that means nitro methane as fuel.

 

[3point5]

This is the way I look at it... But I want to try to understand why buy only from the big 3....

I only buy from the big 3, more specifically only Chrysler.

The local economy in Kokomo, is completely dependent on Chryslers well being...and a huge chunk of my family are Chrysler employees.

I support the people who support me.