Did people looked at you funny because you were not buying American?
I had that exerience with a couple of my neighbors, they were trying to be "funny" when they saw I got the Rav4, and then said that I was just helping the US economy into the toilet by buying a japanese car. In my building I was the only one with a RAV4, and I don´t remember which other cars they had, because I actually didn´t care. My answer was always the same: I work for my money, I pay my taxes, I live in this country and consume the food and services here... I should be able to buy the car I want without feeling guilty. How´s your experience?

This is a very interesting topic, but unfortunately will spark a lot of emotion. Hopefully everyone will keep it "in-check".

Facts:
1. Toyota quality (tolerances) are tighter than North-American products.
2. Toyota vehicles retain their value better.
3. North American vehicle parts are less expensive
4. If you can fix your vehicles, North American vehicles will be cheaper to maintain.

I myself own 1 Toyota, and 1 North American vehicle.

Buying foreign made vehicles is not a judgement of one's loyalty to one's country. In fact, foreign competition has forced North American auto makers to pay more attention to quality.

Competition is good, unless your neighbours were afraid of it ?

Wow, I've never had to deal with that type of attitude. We've always bought whatever car works the best, and for us, that happens to be Toyota.

You have very good points, Pongo... and I agree with you, competition is the best thing that can happen to a good healthy economy. My neighbors were more into american cars, and their SUVs were also American... I guess they just were envious??? I don´t know and I really didn´t care what they thought, because I was enjoying my car and that was the important part for me!

I don't get it...

I have a 2007 Toyota Avalon that was designed by Calty in California specifically for the American market. It was built in Kentucky and has over 75% domestic content. Sounds like an American car to me!

The reason I bought it was because it had good safety ratings, was very comfortable to drive, comes equipped with everything possible (and then some), produces 268-hp from a V-6 using 87-octane gas and I regularly see 30-mpg!

I've been a die-hard Ford truck owner for a loooooong time. I haven't missed the truck - not one bit! When 'American' brands turn out products as well designed, well built, well equipped and as economical (to purchase and to operate) then I'll look at their products again. Until then I'll enjoy the Avalon

Hey Hey Tom !!! Thanks for your post. Look forward to hearing more from ya.

I noticed you're from Washington State. I'm originally from the Waneta Border area (Trail, B.C.) and have regularly dashed across the border at the Pend'oreille area (by Deep Lake, Wa). We go to Spokane all the time.

I was just curious if you're familiar with the area.

Oh yeah - I'm familiar with the area. I live in Western Washington in the south end of the Puget Sound region. Work gets me over to eastern Washington on a regular basis. I travel to the area around Wenatchee/Moses Lake.

I actually have to agree 100% with you! But there are people that are this patriots that can't even think of other possibilities, not even if they might take advantage of it and even save some money. I'm telling you, I've known a few. But I think globalisation will help reduce those kinds of statements... I am seeing the effects of it here in Germany. The thing is here people are adapting more into whatever is American. Let's hope that the American Auto Industry learns more from the Japanese and the German industry... Maybe that would be the perfect combination!!!

When I first bought my toyota.... I had a cousin who worked for GM and he made a rude comment. Like thats
the problem with the world. No one buys American anymore. But, I told him. I buy whatever I like. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/57.gif)

Have you asked him how that whining was working for him? Bring up the quality and the level of service and people will buy it. Until then - nope...

So American Car companies should hire Americans to design their own cars too? IMHO the only peopl who buy japanese cars are people who look at cars as appliances. Nothing more, nothing less. They dont care what it looks like or any of that jazz, just as long as it gets them from point a to point b.

I would also like to see some sort of proof that japanese cars have "tighter tolerances" on their cars, as I dont believe this for a second. Heres my opinion of how domestic cars got a bad name. In the 80s most cars sold were domestic. Most cars sold in the 80s were junk ecno boxes suffering from new emissions laws and safty regulations that really hamperd vehicles design and function. Most of these people that bout american cars linked shitty car to domestic and not to shitty car times. Look at any car from 83-92 and you will see the same **** quality wierd **** vacuum designed garbage. It was the times people not the cars. You would know this if you drove a japanese car from these times also. I would bet bottom dollar today that if you were throw in two equal classed vehicles without badges or prior histroy of the interior design that you wouldnt be able to pick out the domestic interior over the japanese interior without just a wild guess. But most import buyers are stuck in their ways. IMHO there are very few memorable Japanese vehicles. My favorite of which is the TT supra.

I disagree whole-heartedly.

My Avalon is the first 'Japanese' car I've ever owned. I fell in love with the car the first time I saw it. It had nothing to do with tight-tolerances - no. It was the looks first, the economy second and the level of standard features third.

My 3.5L V-6 Avalon puts out as much horsepower as my '00 Mustang GT does! From the seat of my pants I'd honestly say that my big **** Japanese car would give that Mustang a real run for its money. And get this - I get 31mpg (on regular fuel!) on the highway week after week after week while listening to a factory JBL 7.1 surround-sound system. Tell me which domestic car manufacturer can do that for the same price as my Toyota.

I'm in my mid-50's and have driven cars all over the world so I've had opportunity to drive cars that never make it to our country. I also travel extensively for business and see the insides of all sorts of rental cars - Japanese, Korean and American. Sorry - the 'big-three' just don't cut it for me. They're not comfortable, they're not relatively economic to run and they're "Ho-Hum" to look at.

I say all this from my own first-hand experience. The 80's have nothing to do with it. The Japanese were affected by the same issues and have learned from that era. The big three didn't seem to get it.

But that's just my opinion...

Thats good though. At least you checked out the comptetion. Most people wont even do that. Not that they should have to.

Ive experienced these ignorant attitude towards Japanese brands. People used to give me a hard time about my, "rice grinder" and would always ask me, "so, how far can you go on a pound of rice?"
As to the comment of, "helping the American economy into the toilet", Ive experienced that attitude as well.
Many Toyotas are designed, tested and built in America. A lot of people look at what country the company is from and assume that all of the money leaves the United States. In some ways this is true, but you need to remember all the Americans who's work brought you that vehicle and remember that Toyota is providing a lot of Americans with a very comfortable life and steady work.
Me personally, Ive owned both and I can honestly say that I dont think I will ever own another domestic. They just dont hold up as well as Japanese brands, IMO. I owned 2 4Runners that had well over 200,000 miles on them and they had no squeaks, no rattles, didnt burn/leak oil and rarely gave me a moment of trouble.
Compare that to the 2 domestics I have owned (a '99 Ford Ranger I bought new and a '99 Ford F-150 that I bought used with 68,500 miles on it) that squeaked, rattled, leaked oil and at least once a year some minor little part failed on them.
You know how they say, "you dont know what you've got untill its gone"? Well, thats been my experience with vehicles. It took not owning a Toyota to realize just how great Toyotas are.

As un-American as this may sound - it isn't a competition. It's business. Car manufacturers turn out product. I'm the consumer of that product. Make a product that I like and that I can afford, one that gives me value for my money and I'll buy it.

As far as people not having to 'check out the competition' - I don't understand your point. It's not about having to do anything. It's a free-market. People will buy what they want to. People will migrate to what they perceive is "Best". Right now it's Toyota products. With the price of a gallon rapidly approaching $4 I'll predict that Toyota's sales will be going through the roof!

Again you make it sound as if toyota is the only company to get good gas milage now. Proving again that people are indeed stuck with t