Posted: Nov 03 2007 at 8:10pm | IP Logged

Well the Nismo models are the ones with the locking rear right? Or is that available on any of the 4x4 models?

As far as the American vs Foreign issue...I agree with some of the other posters in that a lot of the "foreign" cars are being built in the US, and possibly having parts outsourced as well. I know the Tundra is built in the new Toyota factory in San Antonio, I'm not sure if they are rolling out Tacomas or not. I think that the F-150 is/was partially built in Mexico as a matter of fact. I could be wrong on that so don't quote me. Parts of the Mustang I read are made outside of the US. So..it's whatever trips your trigger...but I think some of the people who still get bent out of shape on that issue still are just not as informed as they could be perhaps. I'm all for supporting American companies...however, I won't buy an American product if it is crap, just because it's American (and i'm not saying that a certain manufacturer is crap, just a general statement)...kinda defeats the purpose of free markets, and doesn't give any incentive for a manufacturer to better their product if people just bought out of brand loyalty...lol kinda like straight ticket voting IMO. As a matter of fact, I think that there was a story recently that talked about Toyota quality...or customer satisfaction had slipped slightly with some things, and if one were to speculate...you might think maybe they got "comfortable"...dont' know...

Posted: Nov 04 2007 at 1:38am | IP Logged

I used to be on the band wagon for Nissans... then one day I came to simplest conclusion possible.  ALL Vehicles are a bad investment and all eventually break down..

But anyway, Ford's great SVT Lightning was built in Canada.  The Focus I believe was in Mexico

GM can't decide what it wants to do anymore.  Lets only put a few CAT diesels, and only in fleet vehicles.  Consumers will never pay about $1000 more for a diesel that already meets emissions laws and has had very few problems.  So we'll just quit offering it.  I talked with the local fleet manager, and every 2500HD and higher he sold, all went with the CAT option.

Dodge... as soon as they stop having engine fires, and their v6 quits dying at 55 MPH, they might make it somewhere.

Toyota... they know what they have, and charge an arm and leg for it.  But at the same time treat customers like crap.

Nissan... I personally think they need to hire a new designer.  Even the new GTR makes my skin crawl a little, though about time they quit ripping off the Infiniti G35 design and calling it a "Skyline"

Kia... actually read what that 10 year 100000mile warranty covers.  you'll think twice.

Honda... I wonder what happened to them.  Latest consumers are saying their quality has dropped.

VW... I wish I had major companies backing me up so I could make junk just for the heck of it.  "oh don't worry about the auto tranny problems in the jettas... we'll just sell a couple of Bugattis and Bentleys"

You want to read some good stuff on car companies today... go here.  It's really great because all the feedback in there, is actual people who had actual problems.  And you know it's bad when you read page after page of the same thing.

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/manufacturers.htm

Anymore, I buy on how a car looks or what I plan on doing with it.  The last car I bought brand new was a 03 Protege 5.  And I would buy 1 more car brand new if I could justify it.  And that's the new Camaro.

Posted: Nov 04 2007 at 10:25am | IP Logged

arebee wrote: I don't know about the locking rear, I'm new to this 4x4 stuff.  How can I check?

arebee;

... In the old days we jacked up the rear end, put the truck in neutral, then rotated a rear wheel by hand. If the other rear wheel rotated in the opposite direction it did not have a locker or LSD. Also a good LSD like in my ’99 Frontier 4x4 has a slight binding-chatter in the rear when turning sharply. I do not know about the newer types of lockers.

Posted: Nov 05 2007 at 9:11pm | IP Logged

Dave K wrote: Not real happy about reading all this, but thanks for the info.

you'll be fine as long as you don't do ridiculous off-roading.  i've taken mine through some pretty serious stuff and i've had no trouble at ~23k miles (*knock on wood*)

f

Posted: Nov 06 2007 at 2:43pm | IP Logged

Smitty wrote: Dave K wrote: Some members of my family, and some friends will give me a hard time about buying a foreign truck instead of domestic. They will just be kidding around, but still I'd like some imformed comebacks about the facts of how domestic autos are just about as foreign these days as foreign autos. Any advice? Look on your interior sticker just inside the drivers door by the locking post, it tells you where it was made. Mine was made here in the USA, by American people. Nissan employs our people, to build their stuff, and that's amazing. Anymore, most companies try to get outside the US, and employ foreigners (to us) for their cheaper rates & tax issues. Thanks to our own Uncle Sam. But anyway, check to see where it was built, and rub that in their faces

Amen BRO!...  then ask them where their undies are made or where the their computer is made... the enemy owns the perv's in Wastington D.C. 

 Greenies: The government is allowing importation of merchandise from countries that are polluting the atmosphere worse than our country is. This importation costs the U.S. jobs and make our borders less secure. Just one of the millions of un inspected container loads could disrupt our economy and life as we know it! Go hug a tree in China!

Posted: Nov 22 2007 at 10:40am | IP Logged

I am back in a Nissan. Most of the trucks I buy is because of a great deal. I have had Toyotas and Nissans and you can beat the crap out of them and still drive them home. (I am older now and don't do that so much anymore) A few years ago, I got a deal on a Chevy ZR2 and had fun with it. Lifted it, customized it, ect. I found another great deal on a ZR2 Blazer for my wife. In the last 3 years, I have put 1 engine and 2 trans in the truck. Last weekend I put a engine in the Blazer. Both engines had the same problem. Colapsed lifter at 130,000. I am a diesel tech and go above and beond maintenance, so its not a lack of maintenance. Sold the truck, bought a Nissan! I am looking at replacing the Blazer soon.

Go figure....Foreign rides are built here in USA....Domestic rides are built Mexico, Canada???

Food for thought...Example: Front end parts in foreign rides. NO grease fittings. They seem to last for 200,000. Domestic, everything has a grease fitting. 60,000 miles you are changing parts.  I realize that parts are going to fail, but come on!

This is only a opinion, because 95% of the time I will purchace a ride because of the $$$. I am not knocking S10's because I can repair them with my eyes closed. (Because I'm always repairing them)