Buy American Cars

For those who have had poor experiences with domestic autos, or had their perceptions changed for the worse during the '80s, the notion to buy American cars may be a frightening one. But how many of those fears are valid, and what can be gained from purchasing a car that's designed and built in America? We give you five reasons to show how buying American might be a smart choice.

1. Reliability on the Rise

It wasn't long ago that people made up disparaging acronyms about the quality of Ford vehicles. However, according to the 2006 Consumer Reports Annual Car Reliability Survey, you'll find that the Ford Fusion boasts reliability ratings on par with both the Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry. Hence, even reliability can sometimes be a reason to buy American.

2. American Muscle

Although the economic downturn and volatile gas prices of the past year have taken a toll on auto sales, we have seen some of the most exciting cars to come out of Detroit in many years. The Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger have returned to classic form and are rekindling the muscle-car-era passion of the '60s and '70s.

3. Taking Advantage of Resale Value

It's a fact of life that cars drop in value the moment they are driven off the lot. But that can work to your advantage, especially with American autos that don't hold their resale value well. While a used Honda Accord might go for close to its full sticker price even after a couple of years, a Pontiac GTO can be yours for significantly less than its original cost. For the discriminating buyer, American autos can be a great bang-for-the-buck value.

4. Great Deals on New Cars

In addition to used car bargains, dealers are offering substantial cash back and low-financing deals on new cars. Declining auto sales mean that car companies are very willing to negotiate and provide compelling price points.

5. Domestic Makers Are Here to Stay

The news of Detroit automakers filing for bankruptcy protection can cast doubt on whether support will be provided for your new-car purchase. Fortunately, the domestic car companies are working with the government to ensure that parts and warranty support will be maintained regardless of how the American automakers change or evolve over time.