I spent the last two years training to be a mechanic, and believe me... there are no winners in THIS argument. Every class has both sides fully represented.
I do know one thing though, out of the two years I was there, there was about a 1:20 ratio of imports:domestic needing any non-wear related work (everything besides brake-jobs, oil changes, etc.).
Not one of the V8 loving hicks in my class could argue with that when I pointed it out. Nor could they argue about all the interior quality issues that we were always dealing with.
I've worked at quite a few dealerships (import & domestic) and I've never seen the same cars so many times as when I was working in a GM dealership (Wheaton Pacific). I couldn't count how many crappily afixed interior parts I've had to replace on fire-chickens, grand-ams,grand-prix, & worst of all (barely) was the sunfire. Quite a few cars needed the same parts replaced more than once.
You also must admit that the ergonomics comparitively speaking are pretty pathetic in domestics. Yes, they're getting much better, but usualy in the higher dollar cars.
Sure, you can go out and buy a camaro, mustang or firebird for peanuts, but there is a REASON for that. They are CHEAPER cars, made with CHEAPER parts, put together by labourers that couldn't care less about their work or the end probuct. This is a blanket statement, and obviously doesn't speak for EVERY domestic car, but in my experience as someone that works on, and is around cars almost every waking minute, it holds true.
Look in a lemonade guide, the only Fords (cars) recommended (escort, probe) are the ones that share most parts with Mazda. When they stopped sharing... the rating went down.
I've owned domestics (this is way before I knew anything about cars), and sure, you can buy them cheap. Factor in the increased gas cosumption (domestic 4cyls in MOST cases cannot run as efficiently as imports) and the increased break-down probability, the the even worse re-sale value, it is not a deal.
This is just MY experience, I can't speak for ANYONE ELSE.
I do know that I have spanked quite a few 5.0 l LXs & GTs (pre '91ish, the nice, little & light donut machines) in my 1988 Mazda 323 GT (the 4dr 2wd version, '88 version of MSP). The only mods I had were an intake, bigger intercooler ('88 MX6/Probe GT, junkyard special), turbo-back mandrel bent exhaust, mild port/polish, sp plugs & wires, all with pretty much stock boost (a little extra from freeing up airflow). I've spanked them both in a straight line, and corners (come on now). I've held my own in the straights with many 'o' Z28s, but as soon as the twisties come... buh-bye wamaro!! and that's while getting approx 27 mpg (hardcore city driving) having nice, fully usable 60/40 split back seats, a sunroof, power windows/locks, 3-way adjustable suspension and a huge trunk, ALL STOCK. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention the INDEPENDENT SUSPENSION AND FOUR WHEEL DISC BRAKES.
All that for $2000 plus maybe a thousand more = $3000. And that's Canadian dollars, so you americans wouldv'e only paid 3 dollars and fity five cents (actually more like $2000-$2200). I'm not sure how much you can buy a 5.0l for?
Each to their own... Everyone is different... and thank god for that!!! I'm just happy we're not all driving Toyota Echos!! And that there are enough different cars out there for people like us to grow fond of and then argue about til no end.
Bottom line... if it burns gasoline and has four wheels, it's better than walking.
