Domestic car manufacturers have had an unwelcome guest for many years and
have done very little to combat 'him'.

American consumers started taking Japanese products seriously back in the
70's (or so) when they realized that they were made better; lasted longer;
fewer maintenance issues. The cars were always cheaper. Now Japanese cars
are higher priced, made in America, and still can't be made fast enough for
the demand (you don't see Toyota offering unlimited rebates or incentives to
buy a Camry, etc.) because their quality systems are better. The domestic
manufacturers COULD make a higher quality vehicle and which the American
consumer would buy. The 'Big Three' choose not to. They want repairs; they
want obsolescence; the paradigm of the average American consumer is one who
wants a new car every 3 years, or 5; but not 7 years or 200,000 miles,
heaven forbid.

We had a 94' Saturn that didn't make it to 100,000 miles before the head
gave out; Jeep Cherokee that got to 108,000 before the radiator rusted
through;  didn't get 100,000 out of an Escort before (yeah, the head
warped). My Toyota Supra went to 314,000 before the head gasket finally gave
out; 245,000 on my old Mazda B2000; I have 98,000 on a Kia Rio that is 3
years and it runs cool and uses no oil yet. I foresee 200,000 easy for it.
We have 90,000+ on a '98 Sportage; runs perfectly; cool, burns no oil;
90,000+ on a Honda CRV; runs perfectly; cool, burns no oil.

I have worked in quality control for a domestic automotive tier one
supplier; I know, to some degree, how the domestics run their quality and
it's 'bottom line' only. I don't like sending my money overseas but it also
doesn't bother me not to support an industry who has blatantly disregarded
the quality conscious American consumer.

IMHO, of course!