Yup, the contraction of the auto industry is annoying, but we have
mainly annoying American safety and emissions regulations to blame
for it. For example, an automaker has to get EPA certification for
each powertrain (engine/transmission) combination in a given model.
If they build a sedan and wagon that are otherwise identical, and
have one engine type but the choice between an auto. or manual
gearbox, they have to certify _four_ times. Hugely expensive, and
useless, as emissions aren't changed significantly by changes in
body style, given similar aerodynamics and weights. This is also
one of the reasons why a lot of automakers don't offer manual
transmissions on many models in the US.
.
Onward to automakers that I respect:
Honda and BMW, definitely, and they both build nice motorcycles, too.
Subaru, despite its GM connections, builds a very nice line of AWD
wagons that aren't overengineered, handle well, and strike me as
what Volvo should have done in the '90s. They have longitudinal
engines, too, which makes for easier service and less torque steer.
Other than it's volume cars, Mazda builds some nice sports cars
with little or no F*rd influence - the RX-8 and the Miata (which,
incidentally, was mostly designed by an American who sold his
design to whomever would take it).
What about the French makers that have pulled out of the US market
(can't blame 'em) - Peugeot, Renault, and Citroen? Are they still
independent? Citroens used to be quite nice cars in their own
quirky, complex way, and my friend owns an RWD Peugeot wagon (505)
that I like quite a bit and which has 200k miles on it (no PRV jokes,
please :)
.
-b.