Absolute Worst Timing Having to Lease a Car

[The_Dude 1,142]

I really dislike American cars. If there's one thing the U.S. sucks at, it's making a good automobile.

Don't get me wrong -- most American cars have some awesome features. Unfortunately, they tent to drive like $hit. Last time I checked, it's more important for the car to drive well than have OnStar or video screens in the back seat.

The only American cars I've ever liked are the Chevrolet Corvette and Dodge Viper, both of which are very expensive. It almost seems like all American automotive skills went into those two cars and the rest got whatever was left over.

I prefer German or Japanese vehicles. German cars tend to be very expensive (trust me, I know!) but are incredible cars. Unless you're purchasing a Lexus, Japanese cars usually cost less. Oddly enough, Japanese cars seem to have fewer mechanical and electronic issues than German cars.

As a side note, my grandfather refuses to buy a German car, but he has no problem getting a Japanese car. My grandfather fought in Europe during WWII, but never went to the Pacific. That's probably why. We're also Jewish, so maybe that pesky Nazi ordeal made him a little biased.

American cars are like their health insurance..... If you've got the money to afford the upper echelon, you get a great product, if not, you're fvcked.

Personally, I prefer German cars, but then again, I go for high performance. I tried Honda, Toyota, Lexus and Acura and was wholeheartedly disappointed. When you compare them to German luxury and performance, they simply do not hold up for the same money spent. Now, Nissan and Subaru are another story. They know performance and can stand in with any European manufacturer.

[Seb928s 2]

I always had a German car. I love them and they are expensive but if you keep up with them they will run for a long time. Not to mention they look very nice and have great handling. Had a few VW's but lately the lower end models really are just ####### to much cheap plastic and stuff falls apart on them. I love BMW's and Porsche's had few of both kind and using an Carrera as a daily driver for the last two years. I know what you mean for the leasing I looked at those not to long ago and the prices are really up there for America cars and right now atleast here where I live you can lease yourself an 2010 Audi A4 for 359 with 2000 down for 36 months. Really just look at that would I rather have a new Ford or an Audi for cheaper? I don't like the idea of an lease anyways since at the end you don't have anything but there is the other plus side that you get into a new car every 2-3 years. Just depends on the person. I just serviced an 2003 BMW 745i at work today with just under 200k on the engine and it ran like new still. I just don't like the America cars cause after a few years the interior starts to fall apart and the thing makes so much noise going down the road only after a few years. Ever close the door on a Mustang it feels like everything inside the door gets thrown around each time. German cars also like to have there window regulators fail on them. Asian cars are great also they will run forever with almost no work on to them. If someone doesn't care about the up keeping of the car and changing oils I would go with Toyota,Honda, or Nissan as they willl run for a long time if people don't do any work to them. On German cars you have to keep up with the work and run Synthic oils and you will be fine. In America cars if you don't keep up with them a lot of things start going wrong with them. They do make some nice looking cars I just can't drive a car that rattles and their interiors fall apart just after a few years it's a shame if cause there are some really nice ones out there. Also why is it that when you buy can Cadillac they always leak oil and soon after they will start leaking transmission. The Northstar engines love to burn oil from brand new they burn most times about 1-2 qts of oil from new plus they always leak. If you spend that kind of money on a car it shouldn't have those issuse.

[bradcanuck 1]

I feel nothing for the workers at american car plants. They are overpaid in unions they won't budge and they have all brought this upon themselves. Legacy payments, retirement etc etc. I mean how can you build in 150 retired worker salaries, 150 plan workers, robots, advertising bla bla into a car and still make money?

[frenzyheart 2]

My dream car would be either a VW passat/jetta, or a Toyota Matrix. I recently bought a car ... and it was neither. However, I ended up with a decent car (2000 Dodge Stratus) despite always saying I wouldn't settle unless it was something I wanted. Guess need overcame want.

(I would trade my dodge for a vw in a new york minute, though...)

[milimelo 4,481]

My dream car would be either a VW passat/jetta, or a Toyota Matrix. I recently bought a car ... and it was neither. However, I ended up with a decent car (2000 Dodge Stratus) despite always saying I wouldn't settle unless it was something I wanted. Guess need overcame want.

(I would trade my dodge for a vw in a new york minute, though...)

I have a Matrix XR '08. So far a happy owner but they could have done a better job on interior insulation - can't hear radio from all the highway noise coming in.

Edited October 26, 2009 by milimelo

[Donna A 4]

I feel nothing for the workers at american car plants. They are overpaid in unions they won't budge and they have all brought this upon themselves. Legacy payments, retirement etc etc. I mean how can you build in 150 retired worker salaries, 150 plan workers, robots, advertising bla bla into a car and still make money?

well as an overpaid gm auto worker i dont ask u to feel anything for me...but come to work with me one day and see why we make the money we do. its not easy work like everyone thinks...im sure ull change ur mind after 1 hour of doing what i do.

[bradcanuck 1]

I feel nothing for the workers at american car plants. They are overpaid in unions they won't budge and they have all brought this upon themselves. Legacy payments, retirement etc etc. I mean how can you build in 150 retired worker salaries, 150 plan workers, robots, advertising bla bla into a car and still make money?

well as an overpaid gm auto worker i dont ask u to feel anything for me...but come to work with me one day and see why we make the money we do. its not easy work like everyone thinks...im sure ull change ur mind after 1 hour of doing what i do.

It doesn't matter how hard you think you work. The fact that Tata can build a $2000 car just shows that America stands NO chance if they want to continue to make cars. Someone will do what you do for less, and be VERY happy to do it.

[thetreble 19]

I feel nothing for the workers at american car plants. They are overpaid in unions they won't budge and they have all brought this upon themselves. Legacy payments, retirement etc etc. I mean how can you build in 150 retired worker salaries, 150 plan workers, robots, advertising bla bla into a car and still make money?

well as an overpaid gm auto worker i dont ask u to feel anything for me...but come to work with me one day and see why we make the money we do. its not easy work like everyone thinks...im sure ull change ur mind after 1 hour of doing what i do.

Uh, we all work hard, no matter what your job is. Won't find too many million dollar a year CEO's here.