Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
I am looking to update the family vehicle. The minivan is 13 years old and I don’t want to use the truck for all the little trips around town. I like my Jeep Patriot, but my sons are getting as tall as I am (and looks like they will be taller). I don’t fit comfortably in the back seat of the Patriot now, and soon neither will my two sons.
So, ignoring how fuzzy the statement is regarding whether a vehicle is “Made in America”, here is a rant on this subject.
I tried out a Jeep Cherokee and Ford Escape with same complaint. Why can’t Jeep and Ford build a vehicle with a back seat I can sit in comfortably in the price range? Who designs these vehicles? What are they thinking?
I tried the GM product (GMC Terrain, Chevrolet Equinox). I fit in the vehicle well. However, I did not like the sales person – had to ask for someone to assist me even though dealership did not appear at all busy (my conclusion from the five employees standing around with cups of coffee in a circle), had to wait until someone showed up, constantly kept upselling the trim level, did a poor job answering my questions, and annoyed me with sales pressure during the test drive. I researched and e-mailed what I was willing to pay – would not provide direct answer, saying to come in and talk with manager, etc. This kind of thing makes me hate the car buying experience.
Read almost unanimous positive owner reviews on Edmunds.com on the Mitsubishi Outlander. Dropped in to dealership and was asked whether I wanted help immediately by a sales person. Sales person explained the trim levels (starting at top trim and what each trim level lost from the one above as well as reduction in price). Sales person was helpful – knew answers to questions when asked, did not bug me otherwise, asked which trim level I wanted to test drive, etc. I fit in the back comfortably. When test drive was done, gave me his card, said call or e-mail for anything further, and thanked me for taking the time to look at the car. I researched and e-mailed what I was willing to pay. Received a response saying that was fair and let him know when I had a firm decision. A good experience.
I am going to look some more; I am not done yet. I know my test drive evaluation of the GM product is not fair – I was irritated by the sales person and that colors my judgment of the vehicle.
In this political season we hear a lot about making things in America. OK, so I want to support the American label (again, ignoring all the details of where everything is made and/or assembled). But why do we make it so hard to do? Shouldn’t the experience be at least as good for the American label product? Honestly, shouldn’t it be the best experience? And why shouldn’t the American label be the best product? I am guessing we would all say that the Cummins is the best, regardless of where made. Why shouldn’t it be that way for all American label products?
OK, rant over. I just find these situations frustrating.
So, ignoring how fuzzy the statement is regarding whether a vehicle is “Made in America”, here is a rant on this subject.
I tried out a Jeep Cherokee and Ford Escape with same complaint. Why can’t Jeep and Ford build a vehicle with a back seat I can sit in comfortably in the price range? Who designs these vehicles? What are they thinking?
I tried the GM product (GMC Terrain, Chevrolet Equinox). I fit in the vehicle well. However, I did not like the sales person – had to ask for someone to assist me even though dealership did not appear at all busy (my conclusion from the five employees standing around with cups of coffee in a circle), had to wait until someone showed up, constantly kept upselling the trim level, did a poor job answering my questions, and annoyed me with sales pressure during the test drive. I researched and e-mailed what I was willing to pay – would not provide direct answer, saying to come in and talk with manager, etc. This kind of thing makes me hate the car buying experience.
Read almost unanimous positive owner reviews on Edmunds.com on the Mitsubishi Outlander. Dropped in to dealership and was asked whether I wanted help immediately by a sales person. Sales person explained the trim levels (starting at top trim and what each trim level lost from the one above as well as reduction in price). Sales person was helpful – knew answers to questions when asked, did not bug me otherwise, asked which trim level I wanted to test drive, etc. I fit in the back comfortably. When test drive was done, gave me his card, said call or e-mail for anything further, and thanked me for taking the time to look at the car. I researched and e-mailed what I was willing to pay. Received a response saying that was fair and let him know when I had a firm decision. A good experience.
I am going to look some more; I am not done yet. I know my test drive evaluation of the GM product is not fair – I was irritated by the sales person and that colors my judgment of the vehicle.
In this political season we hear a lot about making things in America. OK, so I want to support the American label (again, ignoring all the details of where everything is made and/or assembled). But why do we make it so hard to do? Shouldn’t the experience be at least as good for the American label product? Honestly, shouldn’t it be the best experience? And why shouldn’t the American label be the best product? I am guessing we would all say that the Cummins is the best, regardless of where made. Why shouldn’t it be that way for all American label products?
OK, rant over. I just find these situations frustrating.
