[Maelstrom]

Well...let's help them out, what do YOU want in a vehicle?

I'll start. I want something that's cheap, easy, and simple to maintain. I want something that's going to last more than 7 years by a factor of 10. I want something that doesn't need to be taken to a dealership for parts or repairs every 50,000 miles. I want something that's inexpensive to insure, inexpensive to purchase, and I want something that's safe. Which means it won't crumple up and crush like a beer can (aka Geo's first thingamabob). I want something large enough to carry my wife, my two kids, and at least 3 of their friends.

It wouldn't hurt if it looked patriotic enough to represent a middle finger to all the Liberals out there (the majority of which are anti-American).

[uglybiker]

Then they were automobile voluptuaries, Detroit was in its rococo period and its great stylist was GM’s Harley Earl...

I'll cast my vote for Virgil Exner.

[Trust but Verify]

It'll be a long time before I buy another 'American made' car. They're pieces of CRAP! GM products are the worst. For what I can afford, Honda and Toyota make the best cars IMHO.

[mlmr]

I bought a Pinto in 72. Then had a series of overseas cars Mazdas, Toyotas, Saabs, including my love, my red MGB. Bought a 94 Caravan for the family, realized it wouldnt last to its last payment. Traded it for a Mazda 8 seat SUV which Mazda has since stupidly redesigned so now looks like a Caravan. Go figure. The Mazda works with the children, bikes, beach and our off road life. But there is still the heart of a red sports car beating in my body!!

[taxtruth]

GM products are junk!

[BigBadWolf]

This is the only car I'd ever need, 1949 Mercury.

[pt17]

GM lost me a long time ago due to shoddy quality, poor service and idiotic branding (e.g., repackaging a Nova into a Cadillac). It is highly unlikely that I will ever buy a GM car or truck again. The last decent American car I had was a 1968 Dodge Charger w/440 hemi (Ahh, those were the days).

[clodkicker]

I long for the days when I could recognize the year, make and model. Everything looks the same anymore. I still have my 1968 Olds 442 that I bought in college for $3,600 new. My 19 year old son has no interest in speed and wants a Cadillac Seville STS instead. Times have changed.

[xsrdx]

With the exception of pickups and the Corvette, GM builds junk.

Aztec? Ron-Day-Voo? Astro Van? Escalade? OMG, who is responsible? How much tacky plastic can you possibly use in a car's interior?

Controls subcontracted to Fisher Price.

Corvette Z06 is world class, and the Silverado HD pickups are truly contenders in the big pickup category. Saturn is a contender in the no frills transportation category

Buick? Pontiac? Cadillac? Not a chance.

GM has a long and storied history of giving the people what it thinks they should drive, rather than what they want.

That might have worked in 1975, but Toyota-Lexus, Honda and even Daimler Chrysler have put the screws to that business plan.

[1Old Pro]

German cars are the best.

[Biblebelter]

George Will could explore this thing further by writing about Ford's former CEO Jacque Nasser. He could have been called the non-car guy. It has been alleged that while bringing this once great company to its knees(check stock price), Nasser neglected the product while nobly attempting to change the corporate culture. For whatever reasons, Ford has a big hole to dig out of because of Nasser's mismanagement.

[boris]

I still don't trust Chrysler but I have to admit their stylists are on to something.

I drive a 97 Nissan Maxima, very reliable.

But I fantasize about Beamers, Audis, and Porsches.

Oh well.

--Boris

[pjd]

I already have my dream car.

It's a 57 Chevy two-door Handyman wagon (BelAirized) with a mostly chromed 375-horse 327 Corvette engine and trans. Wanted one since I was a kid. Got it three years ago.

(sory I don't have a way to post a picture)

When ever anyone asks me about what I want in a car, I always say that transportation and reliability do not figure into the equation. Cars are toys, and all I care about is how good it will perform in the games I want to play with it.

Period.

[stainlessbanner]

American Legend O)||||(O

[lmailbvmbipfwedu]

Recommend reading Ron Champion's book, Build Your Own Sports Car, ISBN 1 85960 636 9. I've had it with power stearing, windows, seats; sound systems, automatic transmissions, traction control, front wheel drive torque steer, computer controls, and the prospect of drive by wire. If I build it I know who to blame when it fails.....

[aomagrat]

I'll never buy a GM as long as Jeff Gordon is driving a Chevy.

[Southack]

I like your taste in cars, but stay away from my wife. I don't want her getting any ideas about that McClaren (thank God they aren't making them any longer, right). I lean more towards older, American muscle, anyway (see below). Of course, that's a very flexible opinion (because competition is a beautiful thing)...

[Taxman]

I find it odd that no one has even mentioned the Mazda RX-7 rotary. I have driven several of them, and I can tell you that it is one kick ass car!

Unfortunately, they are no longer in production, but an acquaintance of mine (Peter Farrell) in Manassas builds dual turbo-charged three rotor RX's! If those of you who have driven (or had your doors blown off by) a RX-7 think the -7 is fast, you ought to drive a three rotor RX!

The engine, BTW, is available in Japan. It is the mini-van engine! Peter imports them for his customers and does the installation and licensing. [There is a white RX-6 convertible running around out in Manassas there with one of Peter's three rotors in it. Real stealthy mochine.]

Not McLaren F1 or Porsche Turbo C country as far as a lot of things are concerned ($$$$$$$$$), but the turbo RX's are a hellofa ride.

[O6ret]

I love my Honda and couldn't be prouder. Have purchased four in 19 years--two of which I still own--and driven them a total of 211,000 miles to date. Never, ever had a mechanical or other failure of any kind. Couldn't get me to buy an American made car again!