My father was over yesterday and we spent some time shopping for a new car. Now before I explain this experience I need to outline a few things. First my father can afford any car he wants. I mean any. We spent a few minutes looking at a $95,000 Jaguar, cause it is just a car my mom would like. But he also likes to pench pennies. Maybe why he can afford any car he wants.
Two he and my mother drive a ton. They have some financial means and travel about 2-3 weeks a month. They always drive. I mean they drive everywhere, often hundreds and hundreds of miles. It is not remotely rare for my parents to get in a car and drive a thousand miles. It is actually common.
He also, well won't buy a car that isn't American made.
Personally I drive a "chiped" (not legally) VW Passat. V6. Manual. I mention this cause my father has a '65 Ford Mustang and two '57 Thunderbirds. He likes nice cars. Fast cars. He is stunned I drive a car that can seat five six foot people, four doors, go to about 135 MPG, and gets 28 MPG.
Right now he drives a Chrysler Pacifica. Not what I'd call a "sexy" car, but if I was married and had kids I'd own one. A "nice ride." They have (1) Stopped making them and (2) They are coming up on 110,000 miles.
And that is the first problem. He is being told, not by folks trying to sell him a car, the thing only has about 120,000 miles in it. That is why we went shopping for a car.
I think my dad has decided on what he wants, the Ford Hybird, Escape. My dad isn't some "green" dude, but he gets he can save a ton of money with it. But I talked him into going with me.'
The first thing I showed him was a V6 Passat station wagon. The second, a top-of-the-line Subaru Outback. He couldn't get over the specs of the Subaru. He was blown away. Then the person said if he took care if it, he could get 250,000 or so miles on it. This was kind of the point I hoped to make. That a "good" car, taken care of, should get him a lot more than just a hundred thousands miles.
And IMHO that is what is wrong with American cars.