I see your point, but those cars you mentioned built on the Zeta platform (I think it's Zeta?)... why are they great? Yeah the platform is nice, but it's the engines that make them superior to competition... that's right.. SUPERIOR (I'd be happy to back that up). They all have some type of LS powered engine or a DI V6! The LS engines are made in Kentucky.. the DI V6s are made in Michigan.
Yes, Japan can make a good interior and put fancy electronics in their cars... but I've never seen a Japanese car with as much spirit as cars like the Mustang, the Camaro, the Corvette.. you know.. the American V8 big boys. Japanese cars just don't have it in them.. and I'm not talking about power.. I'm just talking about almost a 6th sense thing for cars. I'm sure this sounds stupid.. but take it from me. I drove the Lexus IS-F.. a lotta fun, faster than my dad's CTS-V. But, I prefer driving the V. why? It has that soul.. that red, white and blue punch in the face.. you just don't get that sense of pride with other cars.
Honestly, when was the last time Toyota or Honda made an exciting car? (except the S2000 some would argue). 1997? The last year of the supra? People would say the NSX is exciting, but for $80,000, the performance was subpar.
Watch the top gear episode (the whole thing when you have time) with the new CTS-V, ZR1, and Challenger SRT8.. the last line that Jeremy says, speaks for what I'm saying. "Our success though, was not the biggest surprise on this trip. We came here wondering if America finally made a car that might actually work in the civilized world. The answer is no.. they haven't. As you can see from our smiles, they've made 3."
Referring to the Ford Mustang in a different episode, Jeremy said, "Ford Mustang - Greatest car ever? Well, it's changed the world, mobilized a generation, redirected the way we thought about cars, and sounded like God, shouting. So I should say so, yeah."
Maybe foreign cars are better made (meanwhile many are made in alabama under a non-union workforce, which the big 3 should take note of), but in the end, I'll buy the American car for reasons listed above. Yes, I still think most American cars over $25K are better made than their competitors, but even if they weren't, I will always still buy them.. as long as they come with a V8
To me, that's the essence of the American car. Yeah the interior may not be the best, yeah it might not have all the latest gadgets, and maybe it doesn't talk back to you in 4 different languages, but for the money, it'll always outperform the competition.
Last point: all cars sucked in the late 70s and 80s because of the environmental scare... look at today.. what are the most boring cars? Hybrids!
Here's the link to the episode of top gear:
Season 12 Episode 2 » Watch Top Gear