[emanunet]

well, it is just based on the fact that here this is they way American cars are percived (in Europe). it is a fact that people here reject American cars without even trying them - you say that there is a reason to doubt that rejection? maybe. i work as an assistant mechanic (i have only been in the business for 2 years) in a small garage but i have seen a great deal of ppl complaining about the running costs and built qualities of American cars much more than i have seen complaints about European/Asian cars.
i hear and read ALL the time about just how bad american cars can get, and from that i have come to realiza that there is something wrong with them. i mean, you can buy an american car here - even something as crazy as a Vette/Viper - for the price you pay for a midsized BMW - around 30-70K GBP (remember that you have to import it yourself most of the time, which almost doubles the cost, meaning it's original price is ranged between 20-40K GBP) - that must mean something, dosen't it?? there must be a reason that American built cars are SO cheap, even ones with 450+ bhp!
i know that you cannot possibly genralize all American cars as bad cars, but somce you hear all the time just how truly bad they are - what reason do you have to think otherwise??

when i was in the states two years ago,i hired with a friend 3 different cars: a PT cruiser, Pontiak GTO and a Dodge Neon. now, these three cars were appaling to drive, thier build quality did not even come near the one of even a cheap European hatchback and thier fuel economy was really a dissaster (around 10mpg from the GTO on a freeway!). i admit, it was nice to cruise at 70-100 mph with a meaty V8 under the bonnet, but everything elsed made the whole experience so bad that i just came to hate American rides.

but if you think that this is not the case, then please, enlighten me. this is exactly why i posted this thread.
EA