Why the import hate?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 960
Likes: 0
From: Chicago IL
I'm an American. I do not hate. I just do not like imports. Will never buy, rent, or drive one unless it was a choice between the bus and an import. But, honestly the only good thing about imports is they made the US automakers make a much better product. LONG LIVE THE U.S.A.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 767
Likes: 3
From: Irvine california
(Flame suit on!) I don't hate the imports, I like several of them, the STi, R34 Skyline, Infiniti G35, are some of my favorites. It's not an anti-Japanese thing either, I like the current BMW 6-series and the Mercedes CLK family (especially the CLK 63 AMG Black Series) but I won't buy any of them. For me it's not about hating those cars, it's about supporting our local economy.
When I buy a Vette, yes, some of the parts and subassemblies are built in Canada and Mexico and even Japan, but the bottom line is that the profit for that car goes to Detroit. Its assembly employs American workers and supports local economies. Think about what would be in Bowling Green if the plant wasn't there.
To me, buying an import means that most of my money is going to a foreign country. Honda builds cars here in Ohio. Toyota builds down in Georgetown, KY. There are plants all over the country, BMW in Spartanburg, Mercedes in Tuscaloosa. Those plants do support the local economy the same way as GM supports KY, but the profit from those sales is going back to the home company. Honda and Toyota of Japan are getting a share of the pie. BMW is a closely held company and all of it's profits go back to Germany.
Furthermore, there's the tariff situation. The reason that most foreign manufacturers started building cars in this country was to get around the tariffs that are imposed on imported goods. We however are not afforded that luxury. A Cadillac imported into Japan costs the rough equivalent of $100K based on the tariffs that are imposed on the vehicles that we try to ship over there.
I could keep going, but to sum up, it's mostly for economic reasons with a hint of patriotism (some will call it xenophobia, but I don't care) that I won't buy an import - at least not a new one.
When I buy a Vette, yes, some of the parts and subassemblies are built in Canada and Mexico and even Japan, but the bottom line is that the profit for that car goes to Detroit. Its assembly employs American workers and supports local economies. Think about what would be in Bowling Green if the plant wasn't there.
To me, buying an import means that most of my money is going to a foreign country. Honda builds cars here in Ohio. Toyota builds down in Georgetown, KY. There are plants all over the country, BMW in Spartanburg, Mercedes in Tuscaloosa. Those plants do support the local economy the same way as GM supports KY, but the profit from those sales is going back to the home company. Honda and Toyota of Japan are getting a share of the pie. BMW is a closely held company and all of it's profits go back to Germany.
Furthermore, there's the tariff situation. The reason that most foreign manufacturers started building cars in this country was to get around the tariffs that are imposed on imported goods. We however are not afforded that luxury. A Cadillac imported into Japan costs the rough equivalent of $100K based on the tariffs that are imposed on the vehicles that we try to ship over there.
I could keep going, but to sum up, it's mostly for economic reasons with a hint of patriotism (some will call it xenophobia, but I don't care) that I won't buy an import - at least not a new one.
And we wonder why there are so many foreclosers
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
I don't hate imports...there are many excellent imports. Although I wouldn't totally rule out buying an import for myself, I'm becoming more and more a proponent of "Buy American." I strongly feel this Country had better protect its industrial might. The Japanese were not stupid enough to allow the US to freely sell its cars in Japan...their government protects its own. We had better do the same. If our politicians won't legislate to protect American industry (and the auto industry in particular), Americans should step-up and support their own. We're going to be in very sad shape when this Country loses its industrial base.
While it's true Japanese cars are often made by American workers and American cars have International components...the problem is the profits go to Nippon.
Personally, I really couldn't care less. I don't even know what an American or imported car is anymore.
If you consider an American car as one that is made here, then many Hondas, Toyotas, Hyundais, BMW's, and Subarus, etc. would have to be called American cars. If an imported car is one made of non-American parts, then all American made cars would have to be considered imported. Even the Corvette has lots of foreign made parts.
As U.S. and foreign corporations merge with, buy, and partially take over other companies, the lines between what is domestic and foreign are no longer that clearly defined. Right now, domestic versus foreign, in cars, is merely based on a percentage of non-American made parts. Since many "foreign"car brands are now assembled here, how else can you do it?
Again, I don't see it as a deciding factor in my car purchases. I'll buy whatever car I feel best suits my needs. Whatever that turns out to be, I'm buying it from an American dealership, with American employees, and paying for it with American dollars.
If you consider an American car as one that is made here, then many Hondas, Toyotas, Hyundais, BMW's, and Subarus, etc. would have to be called American cars. If an imported car is one made of non-American parts, then all American made cars would have to be considered imported. Even the Corvette has lots of foreign made parts.
As U.S. and foreign corporations merge with, buy, and partially take over other companies, the lines between what is domestic and foreign are no longer that clearly defined. Right now, domestic versus foreign, in cars, is merely based on a percentage of non-American made parts. Since many "foreign"car brands are now assembled here, how else can you do it?
Again, I don't see it as a deciding factor in my car purchases. I'll buy whatever car I feel best suits my needs. Whatever that turns out to be, I'm buying it from an American dealership, with American employees, and paying for it with American dollars.
I think there are no imports, the American cars are made with imported components and some imports are built here in the good old USA.
We no longer have American made cars only cars with Ameerican brands.
We have lost the industrial war.
If you start to think about all the American brands we have lost ad them to this list.
Zenith
RCA
Florshiem
Magnavox
All telephones
All computers
Tom Mccann
We no longer have American made cars only cars with Ameerican brands.
We have lost the industrial war.
If you start to think about all the American brands we have lost ad them to this list.
Zenith
RCA
Florshiem
Magnavox
All telephones
All computers
Tom Mccann
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 45,269
Likes: 8,543
From: Rochester, NY
Excellent points, this is afterall a Corvette Forum!Why do people come here and talk about imports? Or ask about imports? Or ask why people "hate" imports? Or even care what OTHER PEOPLE think about imports? What does any of this have to do with Corvettes? Answer: nothing. Go to an import forum if you want to talk imports; there are plenty. Or at least go to CFOT. This is not the import forum.
You don't see the Mustang guys or the Charger guys or the F-body guys or the GTO guys hanging around here whining about how they don't get any "respect". Why do the import guys do this?
You don't see the Mustang guys or the Charger guys or the F-body guys or the GTO guys hanging around here whining about how they don't get any "respect". Why do the import guys do this?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 29,085
Likes: 14
From: Cary IL and Parrish FL
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
I have a vette, but my daily driver is a Toyota 4runner. I have no problems with imports. Imports is what made American brands more reliable.
Former Vendor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 552
Likes: 1
From: Parkland FL
I'm an American. I do not hate. I just do not like imports. Will never buy, rent, or drive one unless it was a choice between the bus and an import. But, honestly the only good thing about imports is they made the US automakers make a much better product. LONG LIVE THE U.S.A.
I WON'T EVEN GO INTO THE CLOTHING, SHOES,CAMERAS,FURNITURE, AND EVERYTHING ELSE THAT YOU CAN THINK OF.
The Americans a(and I am a proud veteran) have lost the industrial war.
If we don't get off of our lazy asses and do something other then flip burgers we are domed to be at the mercy of third world countries that have people willing to work harder then we are.
We can't even answer our phones, when you call American Express, Dell,Apple or any other large company you get new delhi or some other third world country.
WHY CAN'T WE EVEN ANSWER OUR OWN PHONES?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 15,037
Likes: 1
From: Harker Heights, TX
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
So I have saw this forum is pretty much split between people that love all cars....and people that strictly love american cars. For those that hate imports, why is this? I've been on both sides of the fence...and I believe each 'group' has their pros and cons. I had a 2005 RX8 before I bought my 2007 vette...I personally thought the RX8 had a much better fit & finish than my vette. All the panels aligned perfectly...I loved the interior of the car...and 232hp out of a 1.3 liter was pretty cool....and the 9000 redline was cool. The cons were I picked probably the worst japanese made car for gas mileage...I think combined I was getting like 16-17mpg...though that was a lot of me screwing around in it...constant redlining. The other being...though it was a 1.3 liter making 232 hp....it doesn't compare at all to the vette in power and torque. I still have a lot of respect for imports...I may not care for the looks of the EVO's...STI's...but they are fast and can be made a lot faster...same with the Mark 4 supras...and FD RX7's....so to ask again...why all the import hate?
I don't want to say I "miss" it, but I often curse my Vette and regret my decision when I'm having problems.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,068
Likes: 1
I think that it is mostly a disdain for the stereotypical import owner... While there are all types of owners driving all types of cars, a slight majority of the "import crowd" seem to have a pretty bad attitude. This is possibly age related as most import tuners are teens-twenties. My personal observations are that most of the import guys have a chip on thier shoulder for some reason.....mabye napolean complex.....always singing about the superiority of japanese design, how pushrod engines are ancient technology, etc. How many hp/liter does your engine make
Bring in a major motion picture series like Fast and the Furious and it works them into a frenzy.....loud graphics, louder mufflers, neon, bumping stereos, wings that belong on fighter planes, what is there to like? Again, there are exceptions. I'm sure your RX-8 was tastefully done. There is also a safety element to this picture; I think that the majority of illegal street racing encompasses the import crowd....not to mention the idiots trying to learn to drift on city streets getting themselves (and others) killed. I could go on and on about this as it strikes a special nerve with me. This is my opinoin only, and is subject to change. I have seen a few import cars tastefully done, and have met a few respectable owners, but this is certainly not the norm and I am probably guilty of stereotyping many of the others.
Bring in a major motion picture series like Fast and the Furious and it works them into a frenzy.....loud graphics, louder mufflers, neon, bumping stereos, wings that belong on fighter planes, what is there to like? Again, there are exceptions. I'm sure your RX-8 was tastefully done. There is also a safety element to this picture; I think that the majority of illegal street racing encompasses the import crowd....not to mention the idiots trying to learn to drift on city streets getting themselves (and others) killed. I could go on and on about this as it strikes a special nerve with me. This is my opinoin only, and is subject to change. I have seen a few import cars tastefully done, and have met a few respectable owners, but this is certainly not the norm and I am probably guilty of stereotyping many of the others. Nicely put!
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,068
Likes: 1
I'll bet you are on an imported computer, talk on an imported phone and watch an imported television.
I WON'T EVEN GO INTO THE CLOTHING, SHOES,CAMERAS,FURNITURE, AND EVERYTHING ELSE THAT YOU CAN THINK OF.
The Americans a(and I am a proud veteran) have lost the industrial war.
If we don't get off of our lazy asses and do something other then flip burgers we are domed to be at the mercy of third world countries that have people willing to work harder then we are.
We can't even answer our phones, when you call American Express, Dell,Apple or any other large company you get new delhi or some other third world country.
WHY CAN'T WE EVEN ANSWER OUR OWN PHONES?
I WON'T EVEN GO INTO THE CLOTHING, SHOES,CAMERAS,FURNITURE, AND EVERYTHING ELSE THAT YOU CAN THINK OF.
The Americans a(and I am a proud veteran) have lost the industrial war.
If we don't get off of our lazy asses and do something other then flip burgers we are domed to be at the mercy of third world countries that have people willing to work harder then we are.
We can't even answer our phones, when you call American Express, Dell,Apple or any other large company you get new delhi or some other third world country.
WHY CAN'T WE EVEN ANSWER OUR OWN PHONES?
Because our beloved companies have decided it's cheaper. Blame them, not the american working force.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,942
Likes: 4
From: LINCOLN RI - 2010 GS Coupe - 2007 Coupe
Never thought I would say that about an American car but it's true.
I have no hate towards imports, but none can compare to my Vette unless you start getting up into the $85,000 and up categories.
Former Vendor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 552
Likes: 1
From: Parkland FL
It's cheaper to go outside the U.S. because the American worker wants $18.00/hr plus benefits,sick days, maternity leave, one hour lunch, four breaks and god forbid you ask them to work five minutes after 5.
We better take a step back and give ourselves a long hard look and get back to being the most industrial nation on earth or we will be the third world country answering the phones.
SORRY.. BUT THAT'S HOW I SEE IT.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 906
Likes: 0
From: Skippack PA
Why do people come here and talk about imports? Or ask about imports? Or ask why people "hate" imports? Or even care what OTHER PEOPLE think about imports? What does any of this have to do with Corvettes? Answer: nothing. Go to an import forum if you want to talk imports; there are plenty. Or at least go to CFOT. This is not the import forum.
You don't see the Mustang guys or the Charger guys or the F-body guys or the GTO guys hanging around here whining about how they don't get any "respect". Why do the import guys do this?
You don't see the Mustang guys or the Charger guys or the F-body guys or the GTO guys hanging around here whining about how they don't get any "respect". Why do the import guys do this?
As for imports, love them. My 05 Pontiac GTO was "imported" from Australia, and my 3 previous Z28s were all "imported" from Canada. Good stuff those imports.
As for the "other" type of import, I don't sew, and don't need a sewing machine under the hood of my car where an engine should be.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 655
Likes: 1
From: Cypress Texas
I look at this as the rivalry that existed between Ford, Plymouth, Chevy, Dodge, AMC and others back in the heyday of emerging muscle car mania ('50's and '60's). The rice burners came of age. I don't think it's "hate" I think its good natured rivalry.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,860
Likes: 5
From: Tampa FL
What's to understand. Some people just don't like them. Just the way things are. I like all kinds of cars. My son has a modded 350Z and he always beats me at the autox. I've looked at a lot of cars and just keep going back to the vette. Not sure why. I would love to have a Ferrari though. I was watching a Mini Pooper this morning and was thinking that it would be fun to own.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
From: American in Germany 1 Hour to the ring fast
My 2008 Corvette is an import
Brought it to Germany, gets a ton of looks and cost me the
same as a German Pays for a Mini Cooper S
It gets a lot of respect here where Japanese cars rarely get much respect at all,
I took it round the ring, not superfast but in 10 or so
I do not hate imports, I actually love them I hate what the
Japanese (now the Koreans) next the Chinese have done
by taking BMWs, MB, and the defunkt British cars and copying
them. Yes they have done a better job of building quality into
them, but
The Asian Cars lack one thing in my opinion Soul try and quantify
that. I have restored cars German and American Porsche for 20 years
and you cant give a car soul
The only Japanese cars that are close are the Toyota 2000GT (engine by Yamaha) and the original Skyline Box.
After liviing in Japan and knowing Car enthusiasts there as well
the Japanese even accept this !
I Like miatas and S2000s as track (autocross) cars but my Porsche 356s
and Early 911s have a soul no-one could touch C-1 and C 2s as well !
Try a Jag XKE The Corvette has a soul
Its not a matter of hating, Just like a take it or leave it Girl
use then move on no Passion and No Love cuz there is no soul !
same as a German Pays for a Mini Cooper S
It gets a lot of respect here where Japanese cars rarely get much respect at all,
I took it round the ring, not superfast but in 10 or so
I do not hate imports, I actually love them I hate what the
Japanese (now the Koreans) next the Chinese have done
by taking BMWs, MB, and the defunkt British cars and copying
them. Yes they have done a better job of building quality into
them, but
The Asian Cars lack one thing in my opinion Soul try and quantify
that. I have restored cars German and American Porsche for 20 years
and you cant give a car soul
The only Japanese cars that are close are the Toyota 2000GT (engine by Yamaha) and the original Skyline Box.
After liviing in Japan and knowing Car enthusiasts there as well
the Japanese even accept this !
I Like miatas and S2000s as track (autocross) cars but my Porsche 356s
and Early 911s have a soul no-one could touch C-1 and C 2s as well !
Try a Jag XKE The Corvette has a soul
Its not a matter of hating, Just like a take it or leave it Girl
use then move on no Passion and No Love cuz there is no soul !
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 301
Likes: 0
From: New Bern NC
IMHO, this is a relic of old perceptions about our economy. The world is now a global economy and Americans can benefit just as much, if not more, from purchasing the best quality goods they can get with the best value regardless of origin.
I have studied international trade and economics and the analysis involved in proving the above is far too involved for a casual forum like this.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,236
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis MO
i love imports....what i don't like is any import from the 80's or 90's, reason being 99% of them are teenagers who like nothing more than to see how annoying they can make their cars sound/look and how obnoxious and irresponsible they can act while driving
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 791
Likes: 230
From: SoCal CA
First I can't believe that you would suggest that the Mazda RX-8 is better built than a Corvette. My girlfriend has one and it is the biggest POS I've ever seen. With just 47,000 miles on the clock she has had her engine replaced once with the second one now starting to go, it burns a quart of oil every 1000 miles, it get terrible gas mileage, she has had 2 sun visors melt and fall off, the A/C went out, the breaks have squealed since day 1, her ABS computer shorted out once causing the car to stall intermittently or have no interior power, the car stalls occasionally just sitting at stop lights, and its flooded twice because if you don't let a rotary warm up all the way apparently it floods. Not even my 95 Pontiac Formula (which was a huge POS with constant problems) was that unreliable. Plus over on the RX-8 message board that she frequents they have a thread that keeps a running total of everyone who has had an engine swap. As far as body panels are concerned all of mine are perfectly aligned but so are hers I can't say anything about that.
About your original question, these import guys always have such a chip on their shoulder about HP/liter, or push rod technology, etc. I love hearing things like "Yea Corvettes are nice but they're American you should have gotten something fast like an Acura TL", "Why do you drive a chevy you could've gotten something reliable like a Mitsubishi", or my personal favorite "I only lost because my car isn't all plastic, if Lexus used plastic to make a car like Chevy does than I would have won" this was a guy telling me about his SC430 out at the SpeedWorld drag strip.
I guess you could say that I don't hate imports just your typical ignorant import driver.
About your original question, these import guys always have such a chip on their shoulder about HP/liter, or push rod technology, etc. I love hearing things like "Yea Corvettes are nice but they're American you should have gotten something fast like an Acura TL", "Why do you drive a chevy you could've gotten something reliable like a Mitsubishi", or my personal favorite "I only lost because my car isn't all plastic, if Lexus used plastic to make a car like Chevy does than I would have won" this was a guy telling me about his SC430 out at the SpeedWorld drag strip.
I guess you could say that I don't hate imports just your typical ignorant import driver.
Guess you have an idea what I'm looking at once Nissan buys back my car.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 763
Likes: 42
From: Detroit MI
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
I am kinda caught in the middle between the two crowds here in Detroit. Most of the muscle car/Vette guys here in the city are 15 -20years older than me and frankly, from a different era. Many of them are Vietnam vets and have a real affinity to the older muscle cars.
The local car shows have the tuner crowd segregated to a back parking lot normally and are usually mocked pretty heavily from my observations.
Its really kinda sad. I think that many of the tuner cars are real marvels of engineering and some of the kids do a great job modifying their cars. Some do a crappy job, but so do many of the muscle car guys.
I hear comments like..."that stereo is plain stupid", or "why does that fart can muffler need to be so loud?" and it brings back memories of...frankly my parents yelling at me when I was hot rodding around Telegraph in the early '80's.
I think that the ricer kids are just doing the same thing we did when we were young: mod their cars to **** of the establishement. Most of them do a "bubba" job on their cars, but lets face it, we did the same with our "hand-me-down" cars and a limited budget. Heck, I can remember the first $100 I spent on my Volare was for a set of Cherry Bomb mufflers. When I went to a car show, I was segregated to the back of the lot by all of the guys driving tri-5 Chevys just like today.
Nothing changes in the hobby. Just new generations with different ideas of what is "cool". Right now its blown 4-bangers with 10,000 stereos. In 15 years it will be kids trying to get more power out of their Hybrid-hand-me-down's.
Nothing really changes in the generational gap of auto-tuning and collecting.
The local car shows have the tuner crowd segregated to a back parking lot normally and are usually mocked pretty heavily from my observations.
Its really kinda sad. I think that many of the tuner cars are real marvels of engineering and some of the kids do a great job modifying their cars. Some do a crappy job, but so do many of the muscle car guys.
I hear comments like..."that stereo is plain stupid", or "why does that fart can muffler need to be so loud?" and it brings back memories of...frankly my parents yelling at me when I was hot rodding around Telegraph in the early '80's.
I think that the ricer kids are just doing the same thing we did when we were young: mod their cars to **** of the establishement. Most of them do a "bubba" job on their cars, but lets face it, we did the same with our "hand-me-down" cars and a limited budget. Heck, I can remember the first $100 I spent on my Volare was for a set of Cherry Bomb mufflers. When I went to a car show, I was segregated to the back of the lot by all of the guys driving tri-5 Chevys just like today.
Nothing changes in the hobby. Just new generations with different ideas of what is "cool". Right now its blown 4-bangers with 10,000 stereos. In 15 years it will be kids trying to get more power out of their Hybrid-hand-me-down's.
Nothing really changes in the generational gap of auto-tuning and collecting.