Comments on: Baby, You Can Drive My Car.

By: Eric

Eric — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 06:34:54 +0000

Just came across this post as part of a Google search. Quick comment: Before my current F-150, I owned a Toyota Tacoma which I bought brand new. What a piece that Toyota was! Nothing but issue after issue. The F-150 now has 150K miles on it without a single issue!

On a separate note: I also used to think the build quality of VWs (in particular, the Passat) was excellent. When I was in South Africa, however, I rented a Passat and put it through some pretty rough use on dirt roads and such. It was amazing how such an initially quality-feeling interior essentially rattled its way apart and revealed some serious build shortcuts underneath a thin veneer of ‘quality’…

Cheers!

By: Erik Paulsen

Erik Paulsen — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 14:41:49 +0000

Grady, nice post! Sorry I’m reading it ohhhh about a month late. I gotta disagree strongly with you though. American cars are still crap compared to the rest! I’ve been traveling quite a bit and have driven a lot of the newer american models and I may have a predisposition to hate Chevy’s because of my experience with my 1994 S-10 and it’s myriad of problems but I still gave the new models a shot. I just wonder what kool-aid you drank to come out so pro american car now! I don’t think it was that Ford you speak of, maybe it was those early impressionable years spent in your Dad’s AMC wagon? Or having bounced around in my old AM General Mail Jeep schlepping Timbo food may have concussed you a bit, then again you say that VW interiors are the best in the industry, which sounds insane to me because they are so uhhhh I don’t know… German? Just so cold and angular about them I’ve never really been a fan of VW’s and wonder why so many people including my dad would choose to drive em. The magic bus was cool, but I digress. Where was I? Oh yeah modern American Auto’s. After driving around this year in many different rental cars I ended up test driving (and then buying) a V-6 Accord and it is far and above any of the competition. It does come with a slightly inflated price tag but we all know you get what you pay for. Looks like I will be buying american anyway for oh about 25 BILLION!!! WTF! What’s happening to this country? I thought the benefit of having competition is to spawn innovation? Why should the American auto makers get help? That’s cheating! I think every other auto maker who has a factory in America should get help too! Maybe they’ll spend it on R&D and not a fancy leer jet to go fly to DC and beg for a friggin handout. Pumping taxpayer money into a failed business is a recipe for disaster! I’d rather let the business fail and see what Phoenix will rise from the ashes. Sure all those high paid union workers will be out of work for a stretch but we can help them learn something new with that 25 billion we just saved!

By: Meg

Meg — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 08:12:40 +0000

I’m still very much an Audi girl or a VW girl, as you well know, but you’ve given me food for thought. I’m sure you’ll end up making these decisions for us anyway, so I’m glad you have your eyes open.

By: Ken Burbary

Ken Burbary — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 06:30:34 +0000

Gradon – Being a lifelong Detroiter, it’s very freshing to see someone not employed by one of the big 3 domestic automotive companies with such a glowing review of their work. I only hope that your experiences inspire other americans to give the domestics a chance at consideration. Nice post!

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 05:36:08 +0000

I sat in the same Malibu earlier this year in the New York Auto Show, and left with a similar impression – GM had actually built an attractive, well-designed and well-built midsize sedan.

Sadly, it may just be too late for the American motor companies – if they’d thought projects like this 10 years ago instead of specializing in badge engineering, they may have stood a chance. But, America’s commerce depends on imports – there’s very few things that companies are willing to spend money to build in America anymore – and that, is the biggest problem of all..

By: Scott Monty

Scott Monty — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:31:37 +0000

Pithy? Whatever makes you think I’m being pithy?

Your personal experience demonstrates exactly what we’re trying to convey at Ford. If you haven’t experienced one of our vehicles in the past year or so, you really have no idea what advances you’re missing.

Just today, it was announced that 16 vehicles from Ford’s 2009 lineup have received a top safety rating – more than any other automaker, including Honda & Toyota.

Thank you for sharing your own personal experience. I know your readers come to expect the plainspoken truth from you and I have no doubt that your endorsement of two of the U.S. automakers will hold some sway.

Scott Monty
Global Digital Communications
Ford Motor Company

By: Adam Denison

Adam Denison — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:12:30 +0000

Excellent post, Gradon! Thank you for your support of the American Auto Industry.

By: Shelley Greenberg

Shelley Greenberg — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:42:45 +0000

Hmm… interesting perspective, Grady. While I, too, have always been in the “all American cars are crap” camp (my Dad always used to say Ford stands for Fix Or Repair Daily), your post makes me wonder if I’ve been ignoring recent developments.

Not that I’m planning on obtaining a vehicle in the near future, but one should always be able to stand behind one’s opinions. Hmm…