Rick James Posted September 11, 2012 Report Share Posted September 11, 2012 (edited) American cars are for the masses. Cheap, economical and in many cases boring. Yes, the ingenuity of American engineers put man on the moon. However, American engineers also developed the "mass produced" automobile. How to build a car as cheaply as possible. Yes the CTS and CTS-V are nice looking cars but they are so horribly put together. The interior of my co-workers 2012 CTS sedan is horrible. Sure, it looks pretty in the pictures but my god it is poorly made. Same could be said of the 2007 Chevy Corvette that I got rid of last December. A rocket ship, but such a piece of junk inside. It was horrible. And it's still hand made too! What I don't understand is why are the American exports are so much better? The Holden, Vauxhal, and Euro Spec Fords. I know the Munaro is basically a Ford Fusion but it just seems nicer. Same thing with the Holden Commodore or Vauxhaul VXR8 Bathurst. What a beast of a car!! The CTS-V is basically Australian too, the Sigma platform, so it's US made based on Holden. As far as Holden itself, it's not an american export, Holden are Australian made, but GM bought Holden some time ago so they use American engines. Also I think you're thinking of Ford Mondeo which is sold outside of the US and is essentially a Ford Fusion. The Hodlen Monaro was what was sold as a re-badge Pontiac GTO in the US, similar to how the Pontiac G8 was a re-badged Holden Commodore, which is a car I own, they were both actually Australian made, rebadged and shipped here. I love my G8, no complaints on build quality. Edited September 11, 2012 by Rick James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick James Posted September 11, 2012 Report Share Posted September 11, 2012 (edited) On the topic of EU cars, I don't even like the new Porsches and VWs that are coming out. The problem with the German cars now is that everything is planned obsolescence. It's all plastic built to break. From VW to BMW and MB, they're all cars you should only buy new and then let some sucker deal with all the problems three years later. The problems range from simple things like dip stick tubes being plastic and crumbling into the engine when used to bigger problems like the coolant transfer pipe in BMW failing and requiring essentially a tear down of the motor to replace. My friend who has a 6 series was quoted something like $6 or $7k to fix a coolant leak... He found a collapsable aftermarket pipe that costs a lot less to install because it doesn't require tearing apart the motor to install, but still not cheap. Apparently this is a very common failure point, hence the aftermarket solution. While the US cars are built of plastic on the inside, the drive train itself tends to be very solid. The trim will all fall apart on an american car, but the engine and the trans, especially on GMs, will last. The SBC engine is quite popular for this reason. The German market on the other hand seems to be the opposite, nice trims but the drive train isn't built to last. Edited September 11, 2012 by Rick James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KB Posted September 11, 2012 Report Share Posted September 11, 2012 well you could say GM bought Holden some time ago...but it was before the first Holden was produced Ken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick James Posted September 11, 2012 Report Share Posted September 11, 2012 well you could say GM bought Holden some time ago...but it was before the first Holden was produced Ken Founded in 1856 by James Alexander Holden, in 1885 the establishment combined with the carriage builder Henry Frost to become Holden & Frost. In 1908 it moved into the automotive field, trimming motor vehicles and in 1914 they built their first one-off car body for an imported chassis, with larger contracts following. The firm became a subsidiary of the US-based General Motors (GM) automotive group in 1931, and resultantly retitled General Motors-Holden's Ltd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KB Posted September 11, 2012 Report Share Posted September 11, 2012 Ok I stand corrected, didn't know about that 1914 car...still 1931 is quite some time ago indeed Ken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgtguk Posted September 11, 2012 Report Share Posted September 11, 2012 'I've got my flak jacket on' Hope it's a Gen Flak Jacket D ! Seriously you can pick out the good and bad in most countries car manufacturers, just look at the Italians Alfa, Ferrari, Lambo, Fiat, then the UK MG, Aston, British Leyland, the French Renault, Citroen, all of them at some stage have suffered with major wiring faults, dodgy build quality, crappy interiors etc etc. It's not limited to just the American market Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woof* Posted September 11, 2012 Report Share Posted September 11, 2012 1963 Corvette Stingray. The first one with independent suspension and real usable horsepower. I learned to drive in that car. Oh yeah, my 350Z was made in Georgia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarkazz Posted September 11, 2012 Report Share Posted September 11, 2012 I know..I know...we just can't keep up to the Polish when It comes to making safe cars. First of all, it's cyrillic on sign, so it's not Poland, but I understand that being an uneducated american you won't recognize such obvious flaws in your logic. But I know, there are no beaches in Poland (another example of good american education, and country beginning with a letter u is utopia or utah lol), nevertheless, usa still lost in beach volleyball, that's guite funny. Nevertheless, there is only one polish car manufacturer and it's quite good (besides the [censored] that is chevy engine). Besides, there's shitload of Fiat and Opel factories. Still better than all the american [censored] procuded in mexico that will crash when you turn. I understand that roads are quite good in the USA, but Jeep failure in Moose test is just ridiculous. It's 2012 and this Jeep cannot turn, and will kill you if you do. Splendid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxman Posted September 11, 2012 Report Share Posted September 11, 2012 First of all, it's cyrillic on sign, so it's not Poland, but I understand that being an uneducated american you won't recognize such obvious flaws in your logic. But I know, there are no beaches in Poland (another example of good american education, and country beginning with a letter u is utopia or utah lol), nevertheless, usa still lost in beach volleyball, that's guite funny. Nevertheless, there is only one polish car manufacturer and it's quite good (besides the [censored] that is chevy engine). Besides, there's shitload of Fiat and Opel factories. Still better than all the american [censored] procuded in mexico that will crash when you turn. I understand that roads are quite good in the USA, but Jeep failure in Moose test is just ridiculous. It's 2012 and this Jeep cannot turn, and will kill you if you do. Splendid. I would think you would refer to me as a uneducated person Instead of a uneducated American. :I dont know how educated or uneducated you are....but you are definitely a ass hole. Nice horse btw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maverick86 Posted September 11, 2012 Report Share Posted September 11, 2012 I would think you would refer to me as a uneducated person Instead of a uneducated American. :I dont know how educated or uneducated you are....but you are definitely a ass hole. Nice horse btw Technically it would be AN uneducated person Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxman Posted September 11, 2012 Report Share Posted September 11, 2012 Technically it would be AN uneducated person My bad "An Uneducated person it is". I guess "techinically" speaking..."ass hole" is one word. My bad again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgtguk Posted September 11, 2012 Report Share Posted September 11, 2012 My bad "An Uneducated person it is". I guess "techinically" speaking..."ass hole is one word. I My bad again. Lmao.........honestly the misuse of grammar these days Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarkazz Posted September 11, 2012 Report Share Posted September 11, 2012 I would think you would refer to me as a uneducated person Instead of a uneducated American. :I dont know how educated or uneducated you are....but you are definitely a ass hole. Nice horse btw [censored] with Master's degree nevertheless. Anyway, maybe Poland sucks when it comes to producing actuals cars (simply because we don't), but remeber, when you're chillin' on golf course, there's a big change you're driving what? Polish export pride, Melex electric golf carts. Also used to deliver reps from factories to TDs, true story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ephry73 Posted September 11, 2012 Report Share Posted September 11, 2012 First of all, it's cyrillic on sign, so it's not Poland, but I understand that being an uneducated american you won't recognize such obvious flaws in your logic. But I know, there are no beaches in Poland (another example of good american education, and country beginning with a letter u is utopia or utah lol), nevertheless, usa still lost in beach volleyball, that's guite funny. Nevertheless, there is only one polish car manufacturer and it's quite good (besides the [censored] that is chevy engine). Besides, there's shitload of Fiat and Opel factories. Still better than all the american [censored] procuded in mexico that will crash when you turn. I understand that roads are quite good in the USA, but Jeep failure in Moose test is just ridiculous. It's 2012 and this Jeep cannot turn, and will kill you if you do. Splendid. Just because I love to shake the beehive, those tests are ridiculous when it comes to the Jeep testing(you forgot to post which model Jeep by the way) my 2011 4 door wrangler is lifted 3 inches(8cm for European folks) and runs on 35" inch tall tires(89cm for our European crowd) and regeared ring and pinion to 4.86. I can drive this car just as hard as any other on the street. Oh yeah, its a 6spd I cannot stan an automatic transmission, but then again, I did learn to drive in an old Willy's jeep. Very similar to the one that covered most of Europe when our American vehicles were called in to plow over some nasty Nazis(like I said, I like to shake the beehive)Weren't they a nuisance in Poland also? If I want to race a car and go fast, I won't pick the Wrangler. It's not a car to drive fast in. I'm happy to cruise all day at 70mph on it with the top down and some nasty Amarican rock blasting. However, the roads in Westcester county NY where I live are pretty bad to enjoy anything at speed really. Now, give me some mud and a trail any day and I'll show you how hard it is to really flip a Jeep. BTW, is that car you posted just a bad copy of an old Austin Healey design? Just saying. Also, the rims look like the cheap American Racing rims found in Fiats lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxman Posted September 11, 2012 Report Share Posted September 11, 2012 [censored] with Master's degree nevertheless. Anyway, maybe Poland sucks when it comes to producing actuals cars (simply because we don't), but remeber, when you're chillin' on golf course, there's a big change you're driving what? Polish export pride, Melex electric golf carts. Also used to deliver reps from factories to TDs, true story. In all seriousness...I think most of the cars I've seen In Poland are Fiats Nissans VW's and Hondas. Small cars for small roads......but. Polands Arrinera has started taking orders and plans to begin deliveries to Europe,China the Middle East and the USA later this year. Lamborghini knock off? prehaps. But a very cool looking car Irregardless. http://blog.<strong>...r-Gets-A-price/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanuq Posted September 11, 2012 Report Share Posted September 11, 2012 JESUS, JOSEPH and MARY!!! Does that come in 4-wheel-drive? How about the rifle rack? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxman Posted September 11, 2012 Report Share Posted September 11, 2012 Lmao.........honestly the misuse of grammar these days Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxman Posted September 11, 2012 Report Share Posted September 11, 2012 JESUS, JOSEPH and MARY!!! Does that come in 4-wheel-drive? How about the rifle rack? Don't forget the swinging nuts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanuq Posted September 11, 2012 Report Share Posted September 11, 2012 Why does this make me think of ex-member Victoria? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarkazz Posted September 11, 2012 Report Share Posted September 11, 2012 Just because I love to shake the beehive, those tests are ridiculous when it comes to the Jeep testing(you forgot to post which model Jeep by the way) I have no idea what model it is, the video speaks for itself. Cars should not behave like this. The last one that was so bad was Mercedes A-class and it actually flipped. Are these tests ridiculous? Don't think so. And everybody in EU knows that e.g. Mercedes failed it. Seriously, I won't argue the impact and influence of us in history of automotive, it's huge. But one thing is clear - us cars handle like crap. Probably because of good straight roads and popularity of stupid sports like Nascar that do not require handling. BTW, is that car you posted just a bad copy of an old Austin Healey design? Just saying. Also, the rims look like the cheap American Racing rims found in Fiats lol Yes, bad copy, cheap rims. 100% hand made, $150,000 and driven by nobodies like e.g. King of Sweden. Just saying. In all seriousness...I think most of the cars I've seen In Poland are Fiats Nissans VW's and Hondas. Small cars for small roads......but. It depends. It's like saying Americans drive only pickups after one day in Alabama. In Warsaw there's shitload of Porsches, BMW, Audis, Mercedes etc. Drive to our equivalent of Alabama, and you'll get 80% of 10-20yo VW Golfs and BMW. Meanwhile in Warsaw, it's easy to spot Ferraris. Only popular American cars would be Fords, Chevy is seriously investing, but without success. Also, petrol is expensive. 7$ / gallon and buying power is 25% of us so petrol is in comparison 8x more expensive. The upside is, I paid 0$ to get Master's Degree and we have universal healthcare. But that's about it. Poland sucks, seriously. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ephry73 Posted September 11, 2012 Report Share Posted September 11, 2012 I have no idea what model it is, the video speaks for itself. Cars should not behave like this. The last one that was so bad was Mercedes A-class and it actually flipped. Are these tests ridiculous? Don't think so. And everybody in EU knows that e.g. Mercedes failed it. Seriously, I won't argue the impact and influence of us in history of automotive, it's huge. But one thing is clear - us cars handle like crap. Probably because of good straight roads and popularity of stupid sports like Nascar that do not require handling. Yes, bad copy, cheap rims. 100% hand made, $150,000 and driven by nobodies like e.g. King of Sweden. Just saying. The king is dead. Long live the King lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEFREDERICKSON Posted September 11, 2012 Report Share Posted September 11, 2012 Here is another insignificant American car, The 1967 Carrol Shelby Cobra. Ooops, This is one of the greatest race cars ever created. It rules the road. I've had the great fortune to drive a few real deal, original Cobras. They're loud, foul smelling, violent and nothing else on the planet even comes close to being as fun to drive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ephry73 Posted September 11, 2012 Report Share Posted September 11, 2012 ^^^ I think one day I will settle for a 289. The 427 is just too brutal, even for me. E Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dieselpower Posted September 11, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2012 Hello, may I pop in? No insult intended, Just to let you know I'd prefer a Bristol engined Ace. Just happen to like them, that's all. Carry on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanuq Posted September 11, 2012 Report Share Posted September 11, 2012 There's something to be said for small engines and lightweight vehicles. My departed friend and race mechanic built FEROCIOUS racing motorcycles, mine included. But when we went riding in the twisty roads, he made me swear I would not try to keep up with him. He rode a 400 Super Hawk Honda and he would eat me alive between point-A and point-B. His secret? Never slow down for corners. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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