As most of you who've seen my posts recently, know that I've been spending a lot of money lately to get some questionable and critical items in my car fixed. I know at some point or another a lot of you out there get a lot of unwarranted remarks about the reliability of American cars versus imports, mainly Japanese.

From my personal perspective, the ones who state such a remark have generally perverted the true meaning of reliability as it relates to cars. Their definition of reliability is more like, "How long can I use it up and then throw it away?" (Does that type of mentality sound familiar to anyone?)

Any car, irregardless of make, is just as good, if not better, in terms of reliability given a person who takes complete responsibility in the ownership of their car. That means making a truly honest effort of knowing your car inside and out, if something needs to be worked on. And by "complete responsibility" I don't mean just your routine maintenance items. I mean really "digging-in" to know the inner workings of your car.

And for all of you people out there who this applies to, I make no apologies. You know who you are. You're more content on letting your money do everything for you and make no honest attempt to take complete responsibility for the things you buy and own. And when something goes wrong, you play the role of the victim.

That's probably why I appreciate this forum so much and the members who participate here.

I apologize if I'm "blowing off" steam guys, but I just happened to come across a situation today where someone was telling me how my car was a piece of junk.

Thanks in advance for the understanding.

Hi MysterHK, hello everyone,


Another one who can't stand to see someone that's happy with what they have? Or maybe he read about your poorly designed fuel injection system, on the internet, and believed what he read.

Did he happen to mention his credentials? I didn't think so.

Sounds like you need some thicker skin. That mentality is a fact of life at many car functions, and should be ignored by any rational person.

Regards, Norm

They only put your car down, to make themselves feel more secure about thiers, or lack there of. A comment like that should be followed up with a smile, and a smart-ass remark.. Or at least I would think so!

I hear it all the time. "You put how much and that much time into THAT (they generally point to my car) Bwahahaha!" Still being in High school everybody tries to belittle everybody else into thinking they are better then anybody else. (This carries onto later life, I just haven't gotten there yet, but I will) I've learned to ignore it. And most times the kids making fun or calling my car "junk," mommy and daddy bought them their 4cylinder sports car, and they really don't care about taking care of the car much. Reality check, as soon as they get outta school, mommy and daddy won't support their ass, and then they won't know how to work on one, properly care for one.

Now us, we paid for our own rides, worked on our own rides (or at least helped a bunch in my situation with the bodywork on the car) and will continue to care for them. Everybody brags on Imports reliability and longevity. Take 85cieraholiday's relatives Delta for example, 300,000+ miles! Living proof that a Domestic can do that too!

And just for another example. A co-worker of my mothers bought a 2005 Toyota Avalon. After a month or so, it was leaking oil. Now, my 1987 refuses to leak a drip of oil (knock on wood) and it is 19 years old and has 114K. That just shows you over the year’s car quality has gone down.

Now, will my car last 250, 300K? Who knows? I certainly care for it, so I'd hope so, but I really don't know. The car isn't perfect, not any 19 year old car will.

Funny you don't see too many 17 year olds washing their car every weekend, working on them, etc. Most likely the people "hatin" on my car are jealous.

Next time, don't get all bent outta shape the next time somebody calls your car "junk." I hear the "dude your car is a piece of crap!" comments every other day. Doesn't bother me any. I know it isn't, and neither is your car


-Adam

I too am in highschool (2 weeks till graduation ) and I have heard it all, my Olds is the best example of grandmas car you could find, but I like it. The truth is that its your opinion that matters in choosing a car. As far as American vs domestic, take a look at my uncle it speaks for itself 327xxx miles. I have my 85 Cutlass Ciera and my 93 Buick LeSabre, and I had a 92 Pontiac Bonneville and I couldnt buy an import car, its just not my style.

If you like the feel of an american car then thats what is right for you, who cars what some kid in a honda likes, just put the windows down, find a beach, go for a cruise and enjoy that plush velour lol.