Dont you like German cars in America?

[kardelenn]

As far as I can see, German cars in America are seen as a bit expensive and not liked much, and it feels slow to Americans because their horsepower is lower than other American cars, this may be true, but I think I could leave everything else aside and choose German cars in terms of luxury 🤷🏼‍♂️
Whats your opinion?

[BCA6010]

Personally, the BMW 3-series is pretty much what I judge all other sporty cars against, and almost all come short. Porsche is probably the cream of the crop from a driving standpoint, but lacks the practicality I like from sport coupes and sedans. Horsepower isn't the issue as most cars have much more than most drivers will ever use or need. I've had very little experience with German SUVs and don't really have any interest in them, but the people I know who drive Cayennes and Macans swear by them. To each their own.

The American companies as well as the American consumer market is built around the idea that most buyers will trade in their car in 4 years, give or take one. A huge chunk, probably a majority of BMWs, Audis, Porsches and Mercedes you see on the road are also leased rather than bought. As a result, most US cars are very cheaply made and gimmicky compared to the German ones, and you don't see 20+ year old cars driving around in pristine condition in the US nearly as often as you do in Germany. It also doesn't help that most mechanics that aren't European car specialists have a bad habit of substituting aftermarket parts and screwing up the car, and most Americans don't take care of their cars (because they plan to trade them in later anyway). With this in mind, most Americans are screwing themselves paying $50K+ for a good BMW over a $10-20K cheaper US or Japanese-made car that is much more abusable and expendable.

Another problem that affects more than just the German cars is the computerization. The specific BMW I referred to at the beginning is a 2007 335i, and even though I've driven 2016 and 2018 models of the 6 and 2 with M-Sport packages, it's still more fun to drive. Much of the technology thrown into cars now is extremely frivolous and drives up the price of the cars, and really the only major improvement that is basically a necessity in cars with poor rear visibility is the addition of backup cameras. But more computers and automations = more things that can go wrong = more problems = more expensive when something inevitably does happen. Part of why Porsches have such a good reputation for reliability and longevity compared to their peers is because they've generally kept as many things simple and mechanical rather than electronic, and as soon as they abandon that mindset, their value will tank.

[WindAtMyBack]

I haven't kept up with these things in recent years. But for a long time, like at least a few decades, VW and Audi had a reputation for poor quality.

Consumer Reports does an annual survey of hundreds of thousands of people. The repair records for cars is a major part of that survey. Among the major car manufacturers who sell in the US, VW and Audi were some of the worst quality cars in the world.

VW/Audi didn't normally need major repairs like major engine work. But they would nickle-dime you with a large number of minor repairs.

I used to buy and sell cars and have worked on a lot of different kinds of cars. My experience is the same. I always liked VW and Audi, but they always needed repairs.

It's possible that something has changed in recent years, but a reputation like that tends to stick with a company for a long time.

It's also a simple matter of preference. German cars and European cars in general have a different feel than other American or Japanese cars.

It also makes a difference which part of the country you are in. For example there is fairly large difference in the type of cars that are popular in California compared to Texas or Ohio.

[DizzyDesii]

BMW, Audi and occasionally Volkswagen will forever be beauties but it’ll prob be hard to get the parts if the shit breaks down

[dustybiker]

Yes. It’s the cost of parts, the difficulty finding and length of time to obtain them that is not liked.

[DaveJord]

Actually German cars are some of the very best cars and on average handle better, have more horse power... the problem is they cost more and what's the point of all that amazing German engineering when you have speed limits and stop lights at every corner. They use more gas a well. Germany didn't use dto have any speed limits so these cars were designed to be driven by the normal day to day drive at 100 miles an hour for hundreds of miles a day... but you can even do that in Germany any more.

Sure Germany doesn't have any general speed limit... like in the US the speed limit is 55 unless otherwise posted. But now days the Germany have speed zones about ever 5 to 10 miles apart almost. Its near impossible to drive more than 10 to 20 miles on the autobahn any where without a posted speed limit.

Back in the 1980's and 1990's you could drive from Frankfurt to Munich without hitting a speed zone, but now days there are at least 10 to 15 speed zones every 10 to 20 miles. So when your driving 100 miles an hour every 10 to 15 minutes you are going form 120 miles an hour down to 50 to 60 miles an hour.

[GallopAcrossEurope]

What do you mean? I love my C300 Mercedes Benz, and it's a German car. I would take it over any Chevrolet or Ford.

[TheBigWhistle]

I drive a BMW 328i and its horsepower is just fine, thank you.

[exitseven]

I think people need to support their own economy and buy American made vehicles. I would never buy a foreign made car.

[TheMajesticKing777]

Reliability is very important to me when I choose a car

[Anonymous]

Aren't Volkswagen German?

They're pretty affordable here in the US.

[OddBeMe]

I see a lot of VKs and Mercs around. Japanese seem to have the lead, tho.

[maximumpower]

"... not liked much..."?
Where the hell have you been hiding the past 40 years?

[Guy13]

Yes. BMW…. 1998

[QuietRunner]

I prefer the Japanese luxury brands over the German.

Volkswagen is a good maker though

[Anonymous]

I have never liked them.

[Anonymous]

Yes I do, but I could never afford them.