yelled at for driving toyota

All these stories are crackin me up. Keep 'em coming!

 

Sad but true

 

I have enjoyed reading this thread so I thought I would chime in.

I think we all have a duty as citizens to support American industry whenever possible. Sometimes that means paying a little more, but that is just the way it is and I have no problem with it most times.

However, if a free thinking person, living in a free country, earning their money in a free market decides to buy a foreign product, well sir I don't have any problem with that. In fact, that freedom of choice sounds down right American to me.

What sounds Un-American is when an uneducated mob mentality pressures you to do something just because it might appear to be good for the country. Further, that this pressure is spawned from the same people who would defend federal bailouts and government intervention in the private sector, well that actually sounds communist to me.

You can keep you federal intervention and handouts: I'll keep my freedoms, guns, money, and Toyota. Don't tread on me!

P.S. I had originally looked into buying the Ford Ranger due to my first point. When I found out they had been discontinued the decision to get my first foreign car was made a lot easier. Either way, stay free people.

 

You Nailed it RSCUE! Freedom Of Choice! I also was looking at 4door ranger as I had a 93ranger. Got a Tacoma and havent looked back.

 

Thats funny because I work at an auto parts store and one day I kept a tally of what vehicles came through the door and it was like 90% GM vehicles.... thats why I bought a Tacoma (recently).... Ford is the only post 1980 "American" vehicle I will drive from personal experience

 

even though there are a lot more gm vehicles on the road than anything else but I dont see that as an excuse.... I rarely see many toyota or even hondas have these crazy type of problems. GM,Chrysler,Ford,Honda, Toyota.... is the common order is see in the store

 

Hahaha Nice thread. I have a co-worker who gripes at me about not buying American. He's not rude or unreasonable about it, but it is annoying. He drives an F-150. So I found this http://www.factcheck.org/2011/09/ford-motor-co-does-u-turn-on-bailouts/ about how it's technically true that Ford didn't take the bailout but only because it was approved for a $6 billion loan under a different Federal program in the same year as the bailouts, 2009. And they also requested Congress leave them a $9 billion credit line just in case they did need it. Yay, congrats on not taking the bailout, right? I asked him how many of the parts of his F150 were made in America, but he didn't know.

Anyway, I told him my Tacoma is made in America and supports American industrial jobs, and asked him how much stuff he buys is made in America. He replied that for large items like trucks American is the way to go, the smaller stuff doesn't matter as much. So I pointed out that cumulatively I guarantee he's spent more on Chinese-made widgets than I did on my Tacoma. So now who is helping the foreigners?

Anyway... luckily he's not a jerk about it and he even drove me to the dealership when I bought my Tacoma and helped keep the financing guy in line (that guy was a jerk!). And also said that of the smaller trucks the Tacoma is the best on the market. Really? He wanted me to buy an inferior truck? LOL I let it drop.

Glad I found this thread though, because occasionally other people will casually comment that maybe I should have purchased American. Now I've got a few more solid comebacks for them. It doesn't bother me. I'm the only girl where I work, so it's usually said in a teasing/half flirtatious way, they don't really want to get into it with me. Plus, I kinda saw it coming. My Tacoma proudly sits on oil drilling rigs beside Fords and Chevys and Dodges. And ya know what? It handles the lease roads with dirt, rocks, and ruts left by semis far better than the the other trucks.

 

Well, in this day and age, those seeking to only "buy American" would have an extremely limited lifestyle, without computers, televisions, sterios, household appliances, power tools, and so on. All of those are absolutely loaded inside with parts and materials made overseas. Same with vehicles sold today. Likewise, food choices would be very limited since much of that is also now imported as well.

Our governments (Democrat and Republican) over the last several decades chose to remove virtually all restrictions on imports (products, people, etc), with our faltering economy today (limited jobs, excess workers, etc) the inevitable result. Adding to the problem, reduced import restrictions also allowed American companies to easily import products as well, encouraging many to move entire factories, with jobs, overseas.

Some say those governments were bowing to hidden, nefarious, influences. Who knows. However, it's bloody obvious they didn't (and don't) have the best interests of the majority in mind. Anyway, even if our government wanted to fix the problem (absolutely no sign of that), any fix would likely require several decades as well. And, of course, the longer it takes to start, the longer it will take to finish.

 

I haven't received any $hit off of anyone as of yet for driving a Tacoma, I live in a pretty rural part of north Georgia too. I have had my ass ridden by a couple of those 12 inch body lift Duramax's on 26 inch wheels and low profile tires though. (oh and the crooked stove pipes too)

 

My Texan Tacoma isn't as good as my Mexican Tacoma. I am having all kinds of minor issues that my previous had none. Wish mine was an import

 

All I know is I am happy to let other country's use their resources for products I buy. If china wants to make stuff for cheap and use up their resources? Go for it. When they use them up then the USA can sell them the same resources for 10 X's the cost and remain the #1 super power. I am more than happy to use up the middle east oil before we use Americas oil reserves.

 

I too am enjoying this thread. When you have a minute "google" General Motors World Wide Sales, or GM Cars sold in China. Did you know that in 2010 GM sold more cars in China that it sold in the U.S.? What if everybody in China decided to "buy Chinese"? The flag wavers are really missing the point. Traditionally "American Made" cars would not be as good as they are today if it were not for foreign competition. Sometime read the book called "The Recconing". It is about American Manufacturing, specifically the auto industry, its peak and its downfall. I am as red, white and blue as the next guy, but I am also part of a much larger society called the planet earth.

 

What % of your car was made in America?
http://abcnews.go.com/WN/MadeInAmerica/page?id=13795239