When choosing a car should you consider nationality/ethnicity?

mwct · Aug 25, 2007, 10:40 PM

Just wondered about the opinions of the others here.

I'm sure you've all heard it before. People asking you to buy American cars so that the trade deficit between US and Japan doesn't increase any further. Be a patriot. (OTOH if you are living in Europe maybe you hear the opposite, lol.)

And speaking as a member of the asian minority here in the States, I often get told off for buying an American car, the opinion being that since I am Asian I should buy Japanese cars (ironically these might be the same people who will tell a non-Asian American to buy an American car).

So what do you all think? Is it "more fitting" that people buy cars from their own ethnicities or citizenship status? Or should people buy cars based on the car's merits alone? Or maybe somewhere in between (e.g. if you are American, give points towards Ford, Chevy, Mazda, Dodge, etc... because they are American, but let that only be one of a number of criteria and not the sole criteria?)

Please keep it civil thanks

Car_buff · Aug 25, 2007, 10:46 PM

nationality or ethnicity doesnt matter. buy whatever car you want.

an if you do choose a vehicle based on either factor your a fool

Attaus · Aug 25, 2007, 10:48 PM

People say buy American or buy Japanese because you're supporting your own country. Your money stays in your system. Export all you're money and you're in real trouble.. it just boils down to economics.

GT3 · Aug 25, 2007, 11:05 PM

Well, sometimes if you buy a japanese car, it was made in the US anyway.

Supra Toms · Aug 25, 2007, 11:24 PM

I dont care who says they dont take that into thought because it goes through everyones mind.

Scuderia-F430 · Aug 25, 2007, 11:30 PM

I prefer Italians and Germans cars.

n wright 275 · Aug 25, 2007, 11:41 PM

It doesn't really matter about who you buy the car from (depending on where its made). Its true Japanese companies insure better quality than some American companies, but that doesn't mean all American companies are that bad. It also doesn't mean you'll get great quality w/ Japanese cars all the time either.

If your buying used it doesn't matter which country because no money is going towards anywhere except for the place where you buy it (obviously). Don't go German for used cars most of the time because their parts are soo expensive.

GT3 · Aug 26, 2007, 12:44 AM

Quote:

If your buying used it doesn't matter which country because no money is going towards anywhere except for the place where you buy it

Disagree. Having worked on a few cars over 100,000 miles, I've found japanese cars far easier to work on.

I don't so much consider ethnicity/nationality, as opposed to, actual reputation of the company in terms of performance and reliability. Huge difference.

Scuderia-F430 · Aug 26, 2007, 1:10 AM

From America I only like Cadillac,but Italy rulz

BMW CLR 600 · Aug 26, 2007, 1:12 AM

I hate it when people think of nationality as an important factor. Nationality is just politics, and if your buying a car, do you really consider your country's economic statues? NO! There should always be a line drawn between things. But yes, diffrent countries make cars of diffrent quality and purpose. Its not like if you hate Japan and you need a reliable car, your just go with kia becuz Korea is close to Japan?
Many Chinese dont like Japanese music becuz they dont like Japan, but I'm chinese (ok...Chinese Canadian), and i like Japanese music..Music is NOT politics, Automotives are NOT politics either...
Politics is just a bunch of people getting together and DISCUSS how they are gona run the country....unless the government is planning a war, or raising tax, most of us dont even care what they are doing.

So my point is..keep politics away...it just ruins everything...

car lover !! · Aug 26, 2007, 1:19 AM

Hold on first, I thought Toyota is the biggest car maker in the whole world? Where are most of them import to? United States, is it? If it is, then I think the fact gave you the answer.

In my opinion, I would choose American cars over Japanese cars. If I were you. Since buying American cars help the economy. You're living in the country, of course you would get your own country's car instead of getting others. American has good manufacturers. Better than Proton at least. If you're living in Malaysia, that's a different story. I would rather get myself a Toyota instead of a Proton because Proton are lousy. It would definitely effect the economy. It actually depends on your own opinion. In real life, you're likely to own more than 1 car, so let the first one be a Japanese and the second one be our own country's car.

Beef Eater · Aug 26, 2007, 2:55 AM

I don't care. I'll buy whatever I want. Considering that both of australias big car makers are derived from American companies doesn't solely help our economy. Those bastards at GM told Holden to sell our Monaro, so GM can ride the fiddle for all I care now.

Spoon · Aug 26, 2007, 3:05 AM

It's not about enthnicities, class, race, etc. of either you or the car. It's all about how good a car can perform and how well can you drive it.

astonmartin138 · Aug 26, 2007, 5:08 AM

Ford UK makes much better cars than Ford US, i.e. Focus (designed by Ford UK), Mondeo (designed by Ford UK). So in that sense I like Ford. Plus classics like the Puma, Mk.1 Escort, etc.

But when you look at cars such as the 2008 US Ford Focus and the US Taurus, you realise Ford UK is doing much better at the moment.

For example:

Ford UK Focus hatch

Ford UK Focus Saloon

Ford US Focus.

I think you get the picture.

frewin1987 · Aug 26, 2007, 7:05 AM

Yeah, just don't buy anything American.

DISCLAIMER: monkey, I'm messing around, so don't bite my head off! lol

What really counts is the manufacturer and the car itself, not the country of origin.

Yes, American cars may generally be known for their cheap interiors, French cars may be generally known for their poor reliability, German cars may be generally known for their higher-than-the-average prices, Japanese cars may be generally known as staring points for ricers, English cars may generally be known as basically dead, but that's just general. As maybe you figured...

So basically, it's the car, not the country, end of story.

DISCLAIMER: monkey, I'm

Aug 25, 2007, 10:40 PM	#1
mwct Starting Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 15	When choosing a car should you consider nationality/ethnicity? Just wondered about the opinions of the others here. I'm sure you've all heard it before. People asking you to buy American cars so that the trade deficit between US and Japan doesn't increase any further. Be a patriot. (OTOH if you are living in Europe maybe you hear the opposite, lol.) And speaking as a member of the asian minority here in the States, I often get told off for buying an American car, the opinion being that since I am Asian I should buy Japanese cars (ironically these might be the same people who will tell a non-Asian American to buy an American car). So what do you all think? Is it "more fitting" that people buy cars from their own ethnicities or citizenship status? Or should people buy cars based on the car's merits alone? Or maybe somewhere in between (e.g. if you are American, give points towards Ford, Chevy, Mazda, Dodge, etc... because they are American, but let that only be one of a number of criteria and not the sole criteria?) Please keep it civil thanks

Aug 25, 2007, 10:46 PM	#2
Car_buff OIF/OEF/OND/FTS Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Chesepeake, va Posts: 9,301	nationality or ethnicity doesnt matter. buy whatever car you want. an if you do choose a vehicle based on either factor your a fool __________________ If more of us valued food and cheer above hoarded gold, it would be a much merrier world-Tolkien

Aug 25, 2007, 10:48 PM	#3
Attaus Wheelman Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: The Lone Star State Ride: 2003 330Ci Posts: 10,546	People say buy American or buy Japanese because you're supporting your own country. Your money stays in your system. Export all you're money and you're in real trouble.. it just boils down to economics. __________________ "Political discussion are like Nyquil." - Rav

Aug 25, 2007, 11:24 PM	#5
Supra Toms Giggity Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Quaghog Posts: 747	I dont care who says they dont take that into thought because it goes through everyones mind. __________________ Kids, Red Brakes dont = Brembo's!

Aug 25, 2007, 11:41 PM	#7
n wright 275 SUV Enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Boone, NC Posts: 6,975	It doesn't really matter about who you buy the car from (depending on where its made). Its true Japanese companies insure better quality than some American companies, but that doesn't mean all American companies are that bad. It also doesn't mean you'll get great quality w/ Japanese cars all the time either. If your buying used it doesn't matter which country because no money is going towards anywhere except for the place where you buy it (obviously). Don't go German for used cars most of the time because their parts are soo expensive. __________________ You must be frank with the world; frankness is the child of honesty and courage -Robert E. Lee

Aug 25, 2007, 11:05 PM	#4
GT3 Experienced Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: California Posts: 608	Well, sometimes if you buy a japanese car, it was made in the US anyway.

Aug 25, 2007, 11:30 PM	#6
Scuderia-F430 Banned Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: USA<Miami Posts: 189	I prefer Italians and Germans cars.

Aug 26, 2007, 1:10 AM	#9
Scuderia-F430 Banned Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: USA<Miami Posts: 189	From America I only like Cadillac,but Italy rulz

Aug 26, 2007, 1:12 AM	#10
BMW CLR 600 Clarissa Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Burnaby B.C Posts: 3,165	I hate it when people think of nationality as an important factor. Nationality is just politics, and if your buying a car, do you really consider your country's economic statues? NO! There should always be a line drawn between things. But yes, diffrent countries make cars of diffrent quality and purpose. Its not like if you hate Japan and you need a reliable car, your just go with kia becuz Korea is close to Japan? Many Chinese dont like Japanese music becuz they dont like Japan, but I'm chinese (ok...Chinese Canadian), and i like Japanese music..Music is NOT politics, Automotives are NOT politics either... Politics is just a bunch of people getting together and DISCUSS how they are gona run the country....unless the government is planning a war, or raising tax, most of us dont even care what they are doing. So my point is..keep politics away...it just ruins everything... __________________ "You fight like a baby! A DEAD baby!" - Action Figure

Aug 26, 2007, 1:19 AM	#11
car lover !! Diablo GTR Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Doesn't Matter Posts: 8,853	Hold on first, I thought Toyota is the biggest car maker in the whole world? Where are most of them import to? United States, is it? If it is, then I think the fact gave you the answer. In my opinion, I would choose American cars over Japanese cars. If I were you. Since buying American cars help the economy. You're living in the country, of course you would get your own country's car instead of getting others. American has good manufacturers. Better than Proton at least. If you're living in Malaysia, that's a different story. I would rather get myself a Toyota instead of a Proton because Proton are lousy. It would definitely effect the economy. It actually depends on your own opinion. In real life, you're likely to own more than 1 car, so let the first one be a Japanese and the second one be our own country's car. __________________ America started making solid cars and automatically won every competiton before they started. - Evo

Aug 26, 2007, 2:55 AM	#12
Beef Eater Poster Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 319	I don't care. I'll buy whatever I want. Considering that both of australias big car makers are derived from American companies doesn't solely help our economy. Those bastards at GM told Holden to sell our Monaro, so GM can ride the fiddle for all I care now. __________________ I heart Beer

Aug 26, 2007, 3:05 AM	#13
Spoon Poster Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: San Jose, California Posts: 190	It's not about enthnicities, class, race, etc. of either you or the car. It's all about how good a car can perform and how well can you drive it.

Aug 26, 2007, 5:08 AM	#14
astonmartin138 Resident Piston Head Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: England, UK Posts: 6,662	Ford UK makes much better cars than Ford US, i.e. Focus (designed by Ford UK), Mondeo (designed by Ford UK). So in that sense I like Ford. Plus classics like the Puma, Mk.1 Escort, etc. But when you look at cars such as the 2008 US Ford Focus and the US Taurus, you realise Ford UK is doing much better at the moment. For example: Ford UK Focus hatch Ford UK Focus Saloon Ford US Focus. I think you get the picture. __________________ "I saw something sticking out so made assumptions. I'm not a technical person." TheBrownTruth

Aug 26, 2007, 7:05 AM	#15
frewin1987 Banned Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Coventry, England, UK - the home of Jaguar & the London taxi! Posts: 7,760	Yeah, just don't buy anything American. DISCLAIMER: monkey, I'm messing around, so don't bite my head off! lol What really counts is the manufacturer and the car itself, not the country of origin. Yes, American cars may generally be known for their cheap interiors, French cars may be generally known for their poor reliability, German cars may be generally known for their higher-than-the-average prices, Japanese cars may be generally known as staring points for ricers, English cars may generally be known as basically dead, but that's just general. As maybe you figured... So basically, it's the car, not the country, end of story. DISCLAIMER: monkey, I'm

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