At the end of the day, you can no longer truthfully say that one car manufacturer currently makes better cars then anyone else...because it just doesn't happen. Toyota is getting pwned right now in reliability, which is comical considering that's what they were known for. And of course, EVERYONE doesn't care, and still think that Yota makes top notch cars. They've been making good cars for so long that everyone just assumes that a Toyota will last forever.
And the opposite can be sade for American cars. American makers had a ahrd time in the 80's and 90's. They just were not producing anything that could match the Japanese auto giants. Now, however, that has changed. Ford has a very impressive lineup right now, and GM is certainly doing a lot in terms of enviromentally friendly cars (and need Imention the Vette?). But since they've had the rep of producing lame cars for the last 20 years, no one will touch them.
Of all my friends, about 75% own imports. I've only owned GM cars. So far mine have had just as many major breakdowns and such as the others. The only bad thing I can say is about my 2000 Bonneville...that things just a piece of crap. But otherwise, my friend has a 96 Jetta. It breaks all the time. In fact, the coils are ins such a bad position that when it rains, he pretty much can't drive. The rain gets into the block and shorts out, and he's stalled on teh freeway for the next hour.
Moral of the story? People need to open their eyes, and stop making decisions based on what others think. Don't buy a car because it's supposed to be very reliable...buy one because it actually is.
And don't think I'm trying to tell everyone to buy American or you're supporting terrorism or something...I'm not. I work for Ford, and I see enough of those morons every day. It just pisses me off when someone tells me I should be driving a freakin' Civic since they're god's gift to the automotive world, and that my American pile won't last until 100,000 miles.
So...enough of my rant.
And my Dad's Camaro probably gets a good 8 mpg freeway cruising...Big Block chevy FTMFW!