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I think I'm a snob...

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TDrag27

I've been researching new cars since the day I paid off my Civic about a year ago. But now I'm *for real* going to get a new car this summer. I've figured out what I want - I think. But I can't shake this one nagging feeling. I've decided I want to get a 2011 Ford Edge (they're not out until later this summer). I love everything about them except...well...they're Fords.


I know. It's terrible. I grew up in a family that bought exclusively American vehicles. The reasons I bought my Civic were a) I was poor. I bought a new model that had been sitting on the lot for a year so I got a really good deal. And b) they run forever and I was trading in a piece of shit that had made me late for work or stranded on highways far too much. And c) American cars have been lagging behind for a variety of reasons.


Now that I have more options available to me, I've found it a little paralyzing to make a decision. Plus, since the model I want isn't out yet, it gives me the opportunity to waffle.


I know I can't be the only one that has this snobbery towards American cars. If I were, Ford wouldn't run the whole "swap your ride" campiagn. Here's a few pics of what the new model refresh will look like:


Limited Edition:


View Image


Pretty, newly designed interior:


View Image


So am I being retarded? Or should I listen to that little nag in the back of my head that says American cars still lagging behind too much?

Comments (14)

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alabama_old_fart·
I can tell you about Fords. If it's front wheel drive, you'll put rotors on it anywhere from 35000 to 60000 miles. The transmission will go out at 132,000 miles. Oh, and the shifter cable may well break about 80000 miles. Other than that, I had 0 problems putting a total of 402,000 miles on 2 Tauruses and a Windstar
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TANK·
The biggest difference I see between Honda/Toyota vehicles and their GM/Ford counterparts is there is more attention to fit and finish in the imports. Although really these days what's an import and what's domestic is totally flip flopped. More and more american cars are being built overseas and more Japanese cars are being built here.\r \r What you need to find out is this, is the Edge built on an F150 frame and has the F150 engine? Basically fords best longest lasting vehicle is their truck line in my opinion. So if the edge is built around an F150 then it'll go for a good long time.\r \r I still thing in terms of overall maintenance and longevity, the hondas and toyotas still have american steel beat , but in terms of engine efficiency with miles per gallon, the US auto makers are now making vehicles more efficient than their japanese counter parts.\r
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TastyEmpire·
My sister has an Edge and she loves it. She had a Ford mini-van before that that she also loves. My father has drive nothing but Ford F-150's and F-250's my whole life, which he loves.\r \r It's been awhile since I last owned and American car. I've had a Land Rover that was just a money pit and a Toyota that is a decent car.\r \r I've been feeling like I'd like to get an American car recently as well. If I do decide to go American, it will definitely be a Ford because they didn't take any bail out money. As taxpayers, we all get to pay GM, so they can suck it. \r \r I say go for the Ford.
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TheDastard·
Ford...Found On Road Dead.\r \r Never buy a model the first year it is out. Give them a chance to figure out how to build them.
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TheDastard·
oops..should have been more specific...the 2011 is a \"revision\" year...almost like a new model. I'd still wait.
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Automan21k·
Don't worry about a vehicle being \"American\" My Hyundai Sante Fe was Manufactured in Georga, USA, my co-worker's Ford was made in Germany.
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TDrag27·
True Auto - but I don't think the quality of the car boils down to the location it was pieced together. The R&D, engineering, quality control policies, purchasing of parts, design, etc, all factor into the equation.
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redeye·
Nothing wrong with Fords these days. They are often voted best in class over here in the UK. Don't let badge snobbery stop ya.\r \r However, if buying the Ford means saying hello to monthly car repayments again, I vote you keep hold of the Honda. After all, you do own it now, rather than the other way around. ;)
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J-Cat·
Id check out lemonaid.com they are fanfreaking tastic. pay the $ and get the book. They talk meat an potatoes of cars. How well they are made... things like that.\r \r Look at it this way... Toyota had a great reputation for safety... unitl their cars went to crap and people died. \r \r they got comlacent\r \r Ford 9right now) is anything but complacent.\r \r I had a ford and I loved it. I have a Kia now.. and it's fantastic too.\r
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Fish66·
ALWAYS BUY AMERICAN if you are living in America.\r \r As far as reliability, I work on most of the family's vehicles and EVERY type breaks down and/of wears out. The Imports are better statement is not accurate. They are cheaper, that's all, so if you live and work here and plan to continue too pay the couple extra bucks, then when/if ya wine and cry about jobs you wont be a hypocrite.\r \r I I've had nothing but American made cars and have not had any major problems.
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meemoos·
Ford is the only car/truck I'll buy! Husband drives a Nissan---oops, no he doesn't...it's in the shop!!
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SoylentWhite·
I work on cars for a living and if I were to buy a domestic vehicle, it would be a Ford. Of the big 3 they're the only ones who seem to realize that they need to step up the quality in order to stay afloat. Step it up they have too. We'll see how the longevity of their new rides is though. It's still a little early to tell.\r \r Truth is, any car will will run forever if you're willing to put the work/money into it. When I'm shopping for a new ride I look into maintenance costs. How much will changing the brakes cost me? When/how much will the timing belt cost me? Water pumps, alternators, etc.. All these are what keep a car running. One major reason I drive the car I'm in now is because all these are easy/inexpensive jobs on it and I drive my cars until they burn to the ground.\r \r Ford goes by a lot of names. Fix Or Repair Daily, Found On Road Dead, First On Race Day, First when Other Racers are Drafting, etc.. Truth is, they build damn good cars and have for quite some time. Well, better than the other big two anyway. But hell, even the Koreans build better cars than those guys do now.
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Jmarps·
Here's an idea, keep the civic and don't add a new monthly bill to your budget!
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Hunturic·
I am with Jmarps and redeye....keep the civic! There is no way that the thrill of the new car lasts as long as the payments!...or can compete with the wonderful feeling of not paying a car note. I have a Mazda 626 which has been paid off for 4 years. At the 120,000 mile mark I had to replace CV joints, rebuild the transmission (my fault for not maintaining), replace timing belt, and air conditioner (I live in Houston, not an option!). I think I spent $4,000 to have all of this done over 6 months. Before doing all of this I thought about getting a new car. When realized that all the repairs equaled only 10 months car payments....I was glad I kept the car! No problems since and approaching 150 k miles. Now I am saving to pay for the next car in cash.