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Aw, c'mon! Some of GM's cars have been up at number two behind Toyota in the J.D. Power surveys. Catch up with things.

I don't necessarily follow JD Power. Granted, the new crop of GM vehicles are quite a bit better than they have been recently. However, for long-term reliability nothing beats Nissan, Toyota, and Honda. Maybe reliability isn't the number one issue for you. If that's the case, a GM vehicle might be a better choice for you. However, I cannot afford to have even the occassional 2000 dollar car repair bill, not on the money I make.

There are a few American autos I would strongly consider purchasing, however there are only a few. I'd buy a newer Impala or Grand Prix if I had the money, which I don't. Pontiac's 3.8L V6 is a solid engine with good reliability. I know a guy who has a Bonneville with this engine and it gives no problems.

However, I'm in the market for a more sporty vehicle, and one I can afford. GM doesn't make Firebirds or Camaros anymore, and I can't afford a Corvette. Nissan doesn't make a mid-range sports car like GM used to. With Nissan it's either a 4-door Sedan (Altima or Maxima) or a 350Z which I also can't afford. The Mitsubishi Eclipse is without a doubt the most fun car to drive I've ever sat behind, but it's reliability is even worse than GM by a long shot (not surprising; it's a typical Chrysler product. Some Eclipses also have this tendency to throw their timing chains which tends to total the vehicle when it happens). Basically, if I want a sporty, fun to drive car for that I can afford that won't fall apart on me at 90,000 miles my only real option is a Toyota Celica, which isn't made any more.

Now, I guess I'm being selfish but the idea of a new GM sports car that I could afford with a far more reliable Nissan engine in it is a good thought that I'd like to see happen.

why don't you Google "Pontiac Solstice"

Sounds like you want a Mustang, so why don't you go get one?

The V-6, from what I've heard, is decent, and you can put a v8 in there if you want to spend the extra money. I'm looking at getting one (V8) in the next few years, as I've wanted one for a long time.

I just looked at the V-6 numbers: 210 HP (and 240 torque). I don't remember the torque rating, but in the mid-80s through the early '90s, the Mustang V-8 put out only about 225-240 HP, so the current V-6 is competitive in quickness to past V-8s (with much better gas milage). I'm sure the torque numbers are a bit less, though. However, we have about that rating in our Honda Accord and its nothing to sneeze at.

Maybe reliability isn't the number one issue for you. If that's the case, a GM vehicle might be a better choice for you. However, I cannot afford to have even the occassional 2000 dollar car repair bill, not on the money I make.

JD Power's dependability study does track reliability (the initial quality one does not). Nissan finishes below average on dependability. Mercury beats Honda and Acura, and is in a virtual tie (1 point back, 195 to 194) with Toyota. Owning both a Ford and a Toyota, I have found that the Ford has been MUCH cheaper and somewhat more reliable. As for the Eclipse which you trash - it is not a Chrysler product. 100% mitsubishi. It had a Chrysler engine in non-tubocharged versions from 95-99. It also ran on a Chrysler platform until 2005. But otherwise it has used Mitsu engines all along...