General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWhere were your current cars or vehicles built?
In the US? In another country? A mix? Country of origin, please. If you have a Toyota or other import brand built in the US, then count it as built in the US, for example.
40 votes, 0 passes | Time left: Unlimited | |
Built in the USA. | |
14 (35%) |
|
Built elsewhere. | |
3 (8%) |
|
Multiple vehicles, all built in USA. | |
3 (8%) |
|
Multiple vehicles, all built outside of the USA. | |
1 (3%) |
|
Multiple vehicles, of mutiple countries of origin. | |
16 (40%) |
|
Other, with explanation. | |
2 (5%) |
|
None of your bidness. | |
1 (3%) |
|
0 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided. | |
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Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll |
PDJane
(10,103 posts)Made in Holland. Steel frame, which is the reason I purchased that particular bike. Batavus Urban, three speed city bike.
Couldn't find a bike made in USA or Canada with a similar frame.
GoneOffShore
(17,336 posts)And we looked at those.
PDJane
(10,103 posts)Last edited Wed Jul 18, 2012, 07:10 PM - Edit history (1)
I don't like the aluminum frames; they aren't as sturdy. The Dutch bike got my business because of the steel frame, although I admit that the coaster brakes took some getting used to. The bike I have has one caliper brake, but the coaster brakes are really fast....almost too much so! It took a few tries, but I really do like the thing, and it is really easy to ride. Pedals are sturdy, too.
GoneOffShore
(17,336 posts)Mrs GoS ended up with an Electra - one coaster brake and an aftermarket caliper.
Should have gone for the Batavus.
Edweird
(8,570 posts)Despite what the name may lead you to believe, they are based out of Brooklyn. Their 'Gangtsa Track' bike resembles some of the images I saw for the 'Batavus Urban'. Brooklyn is definitely geared towards BMX/mountain biking (my next bike will be a RaceLink) but you might find something usable.
http://www.brooklynmachineworks.com/
GoneOffShore
(17,336 posts)And not easy to ride.
Edweird
(8,570 posts)To me the 'Big Ben' is an ideal commuting bike for my riding style and skill level.
This is what my current commuter looks like:
GoneOffShore
(17,336 posts)A commuter bike for me would include:
Step through frame - and I'm a guy.
Fenders and a chain guard.
Panniers and basket for hauling stuff.
Lights - front and rear preferably run by a generator.
Comfy seat - to fit my butt
Geometry that lets me see the traffic.
Pedals that don't require special shoes - Though I do see that the pedals pictured do not.
Tires that minimize road friction but are still moderately impervious to glass shards, nails and caltrops.
Edweird
(8,570 posts)I run Maxxis Hookworms - they are super fat (2.5" but roll FAST. I get low rolling resistance AND the ability to huck or ride through whatever is in my way. They are pretty bullet proof as well.
http://www.mtbr.com/cat/tires-and-wheels/tire/maxxis/hookworm/prd_359734_151crx.aspx
But, yeah, we commute very differently. I'm pretty aggro and perpetually looking for things to jump and drop off while I'm riding.
Sea-Dog
(247 posts)hunter
(38,301 posts)I was in elementary school.
Me and that bike have been everywhere.
bhikkhu
(10,711 posts)Probably the nicest bike I've ever owned...though I think they shut down and moved to China last year
raouldukelives
(5,178 posts)I've been using a 72 Schwinn SS I picked up a couple years ago at a yard sale for $60. Rides great and it's made in the USA. Or at least, it was then.
snooper2
(30,151 posts)So the Yamaha got left out
On edit I see you do so my bad I skewered your poll...
GoneOffShore
(17,336 posts)With luck my mechanic says I've got another 15 years as long as we can get parts.
Auggie
(31,130 posts)HappyMe
(20,277 posts)custom van. Built here, I assume.
Blue_In_AK
(46,436 posts)We have a 2001 Ford Ranger pick-up.
MineralMan
(146,248 posts)Lots were.
taught_me_patience
(5,477 posts)Ford is UAW built. BMW is from Bavaria.
sarcasmo
(23,968 posts)pintobean
(18,101 posts)Every vehicle my wife and I have ever owned was union built in the U.S. New or used, all have been GM or Ford.
aint_no_life_nowhere
(21,925 posts)They're like old friends. I've never owned a modern car.
MineralMan
(146,248 posts)Tip of the hat to you, especially for the DKW. I had a Messerschmidt for a while, but something went bad in the transmission, and I couldn't find the parts, back in the 1970s. No problem now, really, with the Internet. I wish I still had it. I had an NSU Prinz for awhile, too.
Tierra_y_Libertad
(50,414 posts)We didn't buy them out of patriotism. We bought them for quality and price.
JNelson6563
(28,151 posts)Good thing cause that would've been a FAIL.
Tierra_y_Libertad
(50,414 posts)RexDart
(188 posts)1 Honda - US
2 Honda - Japan
3 Beetle - Germany
4 Metropolitan - England
So I have an import that was built in America, and an american car that was built overseas...
MineralMan
(146,248 posts)Engine from the Austin A-40. Cool beans. If I had one, I'd take it to the Friday afternoon car show here every week.
RexDart
(188 posts)Putting in an 1800 B series and four speed from a MGB (both are bolt ins!). Four wheel disc brakes. Add to that a 3.9 dif, solid axles from a Sprite, seat belts and stiffer springs and you get a... a car that _might_ be usable on today's roads.
Not a hot rod by any stretch, but I like to think that this is what you'd get if they made them a few years more.
MineralMan
(146,248 posts)A street rod Metro. Too cool.
Initech
(100,027 posts)TBF
(31,999 posts)but we're actually looking at Ford when these are ready to trade. There is a Ford dealer near us and I've owned the brand before.
KatyMan
(4,175 posts)with a nice "Built by UAW in (I forget) Michigan" sticker on it. Gotta admit I feel proud of sticker.
Edited to add that I do have a 2009 Honda VTX 1300 motorcycle, but I don't know where it was built.
Edweird
(8,570 posts)TreasonousBastard
(43,049 posts)so even if it's "assembled" here, what's the point?
One of my best cars was a Saturn LS, which was a Saab frame reworked in Germany as an Opel, and (probably) assembled here with an Italian engine and some electrical parts with Japanese characters on them. Not that much of the value was in the final assembly.
sarcasmo
(23,968 posts)I guess that would explain all the electrical problems and the reason we traded it in on a Honda Odyssey.
amandabeech
(9,893 posts)Its the mid-2000s model with the slightly larger engine.
The larger engine makes it very easy to accelerate into traffic on the hated DC 495 Beltway, but only reduces the miles per gallon by less than 0.5.
Wait Wut
(8,492 posts)Do you mean 'assembled'?
I drive a Chevy the husband a Dodge. Both American cars, not sure where the parts came from or where they were built.
My son drives a Toyota truck, built in the US with most parts from Japan. He also rides a Harley, I think the majority of parts are from here and it was built here.
Funny thing is, we discovered his Toyota was more "American made" than his buddies Ford. I can't remember what model/year the Ford was. Older sedan.
MineralMan
(146,248 posts)These days the bits and pieces for just about all cars are a hodgepodge. If you buy a car made in Japan, odds are a lot of it was made in China. Same with US cars, these days. I used "assembled" for a reason. Today's factories are assembling cars from stuff sourced from many places.
Avalux
(35,015 posts)An oldie but beauty Saab turbo; built in Sweden before GM. I love that car.
Now, Saabs aren't being manufatured anywhere!
rox63
(9,464 posts)Built in Spring Hill, Tennessee by union workers. They are no longer being made, so I have no idea where my next car will come from. I hope to get a lot more years from this one, since it still has a bit less than 100K miles on it.
GreenMask
(48 posts)Built in Canada, motor in China. Pre-bailout Chevy.
hunter
(38,301 posts)I attribute the mistake to testosterone poisoning. I did manage to pay it off and drive it fifteen years more.
The average age of our current family auto fleet, four drivers, three cars, is 23 years. Two cars are approaching 200,000 miles, and one is well over that but the odometer has been broken for a year. I may or may not fix it.
Our next car might be anything, but it will probably be used, a few years old, and have more than 50,000 miles on it.
I therefore have zero influence on the current new car market.
In my personal utopia there are no cars.
JDPriestly
(57,936 posts)1996 Honda (bought used and running well) -- Japanese
rox63
(9,464 posts)If so, I will get a lot more years out of it.
JDPriestly
(57,936 posts)wickerwoman
(5,662 posts)Liberal_in_LA
(44,397 posts)FarCenter
(19,429 posts)roody
(10,849 posts)FarCenter
(19,429 posts)Other parts sourced from numerous domestic and offshore suppliers, like every other car made in the USA.
FSogol
(45,435 posts)RZM
(8,556 posts)I've had six. Five were Japanese and one German. Not sure where any were assembled but I'm guessing not here.
I bought a car about 18 months ago and I wanted to get something American. But I just wasn't feeling any of the American cars I looked at.
Hopefully someday though.
SidDithers
(44,228 posts)and a Dodge SX2.0, union made in Belvedere, IL.
Sid
REP
(21,691 posts)sarcasmo
(23,968 posts)15% parts from Japan. I thought it was really smart for Honda to lay everything out right on the window sticker.
dmallind
(10,437 posts)mitchtv
(17,718 posts)I presume they were born here
hack89
(39,171 posts)ParkieDem
(494 posts)GMC built in Ohio, Acura built in Japan.
Jackpine Radical
(45,274 posts)OriginalGeek
(12,132 posts)The truck is a Ford Ranger so I'm not sure but I think it was assembled here.
I bought the pick-up used and the Chrysler new but I can tell you this: Never buying another Chrysler product as long as I live (and have a say). Until a few months ago at least I could say all the problems were cosmetic or electrical but now I have an oil leak somewhere too. Less than 70k miles on it so I don't think we beat it up. The headliner is falling down, half the electric locks don't work, the power side door works less than 1/4th of the time. It's been in the shop three time to have recall and/or warranty items replaced (including something to do with tie-rods or some such thing - important shit though that shouldn't be breaking at 40k miles). It's out of all warranties now though.
I've been very happy with the Mazda though. New tires, new brakes and regular oil changes and over 100k miles on it with no problems at all.
I've been eyeballing the new Camaros though. I think I would be happy with one of those even if it started having Chrysler like problems. My very first car ever was a 1968 Firebird I paid all of 500 bucks for in the late 70s and I want my midlife crisis car to hearken back to those glory days.
XemaSab
(60,212 posts)n/t
Arctic Dave
(13,812 posts)Buick Lacrosse.
Both built in the USA.
cali
(114,904 posts)I have an 11 year old VW Jetta TDI that I bought used. Germany?
stopwastingmymoney
(2,041 posts)2002 Jetta. I understand that was the first year assembled in Mexico.
I don't buy new cars
RC
(25,592 posts)It helped that the speedometer has kilometers on it, when I was driving it around up there.
Rosco T.
(6,496 posts)SeattleVet
(5,477 posts)Subaru - built in Indiana
Suzuki - built in Japan
Moto Guzzi - built in Italy (possibly by Luigi and Vito after a 3-vino lunch)
Mutt22
(76 posts)GMC - Canada
Chevy C10 - St. Louis (1967)
GoCubsGo
(32,073 posts)liberaltrucker
(9,129 posts)Assembled in Mexico
Foolacious
(497 posts)"Clyde" was assembled in Mexico, too, and has been a Really Useful Engine. Except when I drive him in the States, I have to convert kilometres/hour to miles/hour, since he only has metric on his gauges.
kooljerk666
(776 posts)has built in speedo/odometer.
I really love the HHR. I think it is great looking. Love the way the seats fold down & freakin excellent gas mileage. When my 95 saturn wears out, in 10-20 years I will be getting one of these.
It was a great vehicle & I was sad to see production end.
Iggo
(47,534 posts)I also don't know where they make the buses I ride every day.
MrSlayer
(22,143 posts)We have a great public transportation system here.
econoclast
(543 posts)This is the list for 2012 model year ... But other years are available here as well:
http://www.nhtsa.gov/staticfiles/rulemaking/pdf/AALA/2012_AALA_Alpha_rev3.pdf
Makes interesting reading
Motown_Johnny
(22,308 posts)^snip^
The Ranger and Mazda B-Series were manufactured at Ford's Twin Cities Assembly Plant in St. Paul, Minnesota, at Louisville Assembly Plant in Louisville, Kentucky until 1999 and Edison Assembly in Edison, New Jersey until the plant's closing in 2004.
flvegan
(64,403 posts)bigwillq
(72,790 posts)hughee99
(16,113 posts)My wife's is from Aichi, Japan
FreeJoe
(1,039 posts)2003 Honda Odyssey built in 'bama.
2006 Acura RL built in Japan.
Starry Messenger
(32,342 posts)Over 150,000 miles on it now, still going strong.
AsahinaKimi
(20,776 posts)I did have a 4 x4 Black Chevy Blazer when I lived in Santa Barbara. I ran it into the ground The good news is
I did donate the car, and the money went to cat food and kitty litter for a bunch of kitties at a no-kill animal shelter.
Crabby Appleton
(5,231 posts)permatex
(1,299 posts)built in St. Paul MN., delivered to a dealership in So. Ca., USA
Current project car 1966 Ford Fairlane GT convertible, built in MI delivered to a dealership in AZ., USA
ejpoeta
(8,933 posts)a couple months before the shit hit the fan with the auto companies. but I don't know where it was made.
cherokeeprogressive
(24,853 posts)2 Tahoes (2003-4)
1 Blazer (1972)
Interestingly enough, all three were built in Janesville, WI.
KeepItReal
(7,769 posts)My first new car.
treestar
(82,383 posts)DFW
(54,268 posts)Because we live in Germany. DUH!
TheKentuckian
(25,018 posts)wandy
(3,539 posts)The old Chrysler (35 years old, showroom condition) has maple leafs all over the inside of the doors.
I suspect Power chain built in US, final assembly in Canada.
TheWraith
(24,331 posts)Detroit, Chicago, and Spring Hill, respectively.
Throd
(7,208 posts)And a 2000 Saturn LS that has been the most problem-free car I have ever known. Great little car!
maddezmom
(135,060 posts)built in Canada?
SidDithers
(44,228 posts)about 5 miles from where I live.
They make the Ford Edge and the Ford Flex here too.
Sid
bluedigger
(17,085 posts)Just like it's great-great grand-pappy in the '40's.
LadyHawkAZ
(6,199 posts)'84 Honda Magna V65. As far as I know it was built there.
Populist_Prole
(5,364 posts)My Daily driver an '06 G6 2 door coupe built in Lake Orion Michigan. Best new car I ever bought.
My "hobby car" a 1970 GTO "The Judge" built at the Pontiac Michigan plant.
LeftyMom
(49,212 posts)Sen. Walter Sobchak
(8,692 posts)Although I have it on good authority from posters here that the Honda employees in Ohio have been stripped of their citizenship so it can't be considered an American made car.
flyguyjake
(492 posts)Aren't the Ford's & Chevy's built in Mexico?
dipsydoodle
(42,239 posts)I think my Jeep was built in Toledo despite the fact its a RHD diesel European model.
MiniMe
(21,708 posts)MineralMan
(146,248 posts)If you look underneath the thread title in the list, you'll see "Milestone: 100 posts" or something like that. Those arrows are pointers to threads that have reached some milestone or another. It's a recent feature on DU. When you see the arrow, look under the title for an explanation of what milestone the arrow represents. It's not me; it's the thread.
MiniMe
(21,708 posts)MineralMan
(146,248 posts)On DU2, I used to use the latest threads list, but I switched to forum browsing when DU3 went live. The milestone icons seem to work to attract thread views, which is what the admins intended, I think. I didn't realize they were milestoning by replies. I suppose that makes sense, though.
MNBrewer
(8,462 posts)It's a Kia (Korean), but I have absolutely NO idea where it was built. BTW, I LOVE LOVE LOVE my KIA.
tammywammy
(26,582 posts)kooljerk666
(776 posts)95 saturn Sw2 Spring Hill Tenn. only has 128k miles, using all Amsoil oil & coolant & lube I expect 800,000 miles easy.
82 Suzuki GS1100E Japan (w/ megacycle cams/wiesco pistons, Falicon crank, Mikuni 36mm mech carbs, Dyna Ignition system & much more..) goes over 170 mph, 33 mpg, premium req. Rated best M/C made 1980-1983 & #1 drag racing engine for 20-25 years!
95 Suzuki RF900 Japan, & stock, comfort is not yet ironed out but speed limit riding = over 50 mpg & 87 octane gas a-ok, only goes 165 slow as new 600's but this is being made into a touring machine.
No harleys ever, to many owners gave me the finger in the 70's-80's. And stolen too often.
Old cars...2 more Saturns, a LeSabre , a Celebrity, a 71 catalina , a 70 GTO. I think thats it.
jdadd
(1,314 posts)110,000 Miles on Ranger, 218,000 on the Accord...
the Accord is my daily driver (better fuel economy)
note; My sister gave the Accord to me three years ago, said it was worn out...LOL
Bettie
(16,058 posts)Our Honda Civic hybrid was built outside the US because at the time we bought it, a US made alternative wasn't available.
Our newer vehicle, an SUV, was built by union workers in the US.
We drive the Honda most of the time, but sometimes, we need a large vehicle to tow and/or carry more people.
frylock
(34,825 posts)4th law of robotics
(6,801 posts)assembled in Japan.
Reassembled many many times by various shade-tree mechanics in the US.
lumberjack_jeff
(33,224 posts)The last, a Subaru Loyale, I bought for $200 two weeks ago.
littlewolf
(3,813 posts)Last edited Thu Jul 19, 2012, 04:23 PM - Edit history (1)
96 - Ranger 220K miles
98 - Explorer 180K
11 - F150 32K