2019 Chevy Blazer
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,208
Likes: 220
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
And that deal he got from he government was no piece of cake...he had to work VERY hard for it, and meet many difficult and stringent conditions. He describes much of that in his book, of you have read it.
I don't have a problem at all with "Buy American", as long as anyone preaching it, also practices it.
And I'll save for another thread "What is an 'American' car?" since so many foreign makers have plants in the US. It the headquarters of the company? Is it where the car is built? Is it the % of American parts?
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,208
Likes: 220
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
American labor, today, IS cheap compared to what it was in the 1970s or early 1980s. Average hourly wages are about half of what they were (adjusted for inflation), health-care insurance is not as good (or non-existent), and retirement benefits have been greatly slashed.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 10,988
Likes: 81
From: Southeastern PA
I respectfully disagree. I think most car buyers -- not enthusiasts, or "car guys"; just run of the mill folks -- consider an "American" car to be a car with an American nameplate on it, regardless of where it was built. Including a Chinese built Buick, or a Mexican built Blazer, or a Jeep sharing a platform with a Fiat.
Sure--if you are in a UAW town/county, views may be different.
Last edited by tex2670; Aug 6, 2019 at 07:56 AM.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,208
Likes: 220
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
That was almost 20 years ago. Back then, it wasn't as critical as it is now for auto-buyers to support American plants.....conditions are far different today. And Lexus, to my knowledge, back then, was not building any vehicles in the U.S., though they might have started with some ES models at Georgetown, KY (not sure).
Most of us on Car Chat, though, speak from education....and, even then, opinions can differ.
I respectfully disagree. I think most car buyers -- not enthusiasts, or "car guys"; just run of the mill folks -- consider an "American" car to be a car with an American nameplate on it, regardless of where it was built. Including a Chinese built Buick, or a Mexican built Blazer, or a Jeep sharing a platform with a Fiat.
Sure--if you are in a UAW town/county, views may be different.
Sure--if you are in a UAW town/county, views may be different.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 10,988
Likes: 81
From: Southeastern PA
That was almost 20 years ago. Back then, it wasn't as critical as it is now for auto-buyers to support American plants.....conditions are far different today. And Lexus, to my knowledge, back then, was not building any vehicles in the U.S., though they might have started with some ES models at Georgetown, KY (not sure).
Last edited by tex2670; Aug 6, 2019 at 08:36 AM.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,208
Likes: 220
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Ah...a fellow Saturn S-series customer, I see. 
I had a 1999 SL2...ordered it brand new. I loved it...though it had some flimsy parts inside, and the design of the horn-buttons on the steering wheel spokes was poor.
I've long maintained that Saturn started downhill when they did away with the S-series and started replacing it them with more conventional vehicles. But that's another subject, and I don't want to take the thread too far off topic.
I had a 1999 SL2...ordered it brand new. I loved it...though it had some flimsy parts inside, and the design of the horn-buttons on the steering wheel spokes was poor.I've long maintained that Saturn started downhill when they did away with the S-series and started replacing it them with more conventional vehicles. But that's another subject, and I don't want to take the thread too far off topic.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,276
Likes: 305
From: ON/NY
Well, that's where I take a different view. Considering the avg cost of a new car, I'm going to get the car that I feel is best for me and my situation. I'm not going to artificially prop up a car that I feel is inferior because of where it's made. IMO, this is why the American makes have been playing catch up for years. Build a dang car that's best in class, and I'll buy it. Don't guilt customers into buying "American" while putting out mediocre products--regardless of where it's made. American companies have made plenty cars that range from duds to average, that were built in the USA.
Pole Position
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,794
Likes: 0
From: Lake Country, WI
Gotta be honest... sat in this at the dealer 2 weeks ago... had a Blazer long ago... the sticker listed at $51,800 is NOT worth it.... aggressive, tech, quality... yeah, ok... but $52K??????????????????
Sorry....
Sorry....
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 67,911
Likes: 3,839
From: Maryland
Most Blazers won't be $52k, and you will have $10k discounts on them quick.
Pole Position
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,794
Likes: 0
From: Lake Country, WI
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 10,988
Likes: 81
From: Southeastern PA
For those thinking "Chevy just doesn't have enough SUVs to suit my needs; I might have to go to another brand," your prayers may be answered...
https://www.motor1.com/news/364084/c...spy-shots/amp/
Chevrolet Blazer XL Spy Shots
Chevrolet Blazer XL Spy Shots
Chevrolet Blazer XL Spy Shots
This test mule wears a significant amount camouflage, but we can see the resemblance to the Blazer underneath the concealment, particularly the headlights. Focusing on the back, it's clear that this version is quite a bit longer than the standard Blazer, and the roof is flatter. The extra room in the rear should allow for a third row of seats for boosting the model's total occupancy. When the bench is stowed away, cargo capacity should increase, too.
Chevrolet Blazer Three-Row SUV Prototype Spied Testing In Colorado
Three-Row Chevy Blazer XL Will Allegedly Arrive In China In 2020
Current reports indicate that the Blazer XL might not be available in the United States. Instead, China and markets in South America would get the bigger variant. The Chinese version would allegedly use a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder making 240 horsepower (179 kilowatts), and South American variants would be available with a 3.6-liter V6 producing 305 hp (227 kW). Both engines would hook up to a nine-speed automatic.
While more stylish than the brand's other entries, offering the three-row Blazer in the United States would step on the toes of the Traverse, so there's a valid reason not to offer the model in America. If the market changes, then the engineering on the bigger Blazer is done, and the execs could also decide to bring it Stateside.
For 2020, American buyers of the Blazer have a new engine choice. The 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder makes 230 hp (172 kW) and 258 lb-ft (350 Nm) of torque. It's available with either front- or all-wheel-drive layouts.
Source: Carpix
https://www.motor1.com/news/364084/c...spy-shots/amp/
Chevy Blazer XL Spied Trying To Hide Its Bigger Size
It's a Blazer with a growth spurt.
The Blazer is a fairly recent entry in the Bowtie's lineup, and these new spy shots provide a fresh look at the model's next evolution into a larger, three-row variant. Current rumors indicate that it wears the Blazer XL moniker.Gallery: Chevrolet Blazer XL Spy Photos
Chevrolet Blazer XL Spy Shots Chevrolet Blazer XL Spy Shots Chevrolet Blazer XL Spy ShotsThis test mule wears a significant amount camouflage, but we can see the resemblance to the Blazer underneath the concealment, particularly the headlights. Focusing on the back, it's clear that this version is quite a bit longer than the standard Blazer, and the roof is flatter. The extra room in the rear should allow for a third row of seats for boosting the model's total occupancy. When the bench is stowed away, cargo capacity should increase, too.
What We Know About The Three-Row Blazer:
Chevrolet Blazer Three-Row SUV Prototype Spied Testing In Colorado Three-Row Chevy Blazer XL Will Allegedly Arrive In China In 2020 Current reports indicate that the Blazer XL might not be available in the United States. Instead, China and markets in South America would get the bigger variant. The Chinese version would allegedly use a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder making 240 horsepower (179 kilowatts), and South American variants would be available with a 3.6-liter V6 producing 305 hp (227 kW). Both engines would hook up to a nine-speed automatic.
While more stylish than the brand's other entries, offering the three-row Blazer in the United States would step on the toes of the Traverse, so there's a valid reason not to offer the model in America. If the market changes, then the engineering on the bigger Blazer is done, and the execs could also decide to bring it Stateside.
For 2020, American buyers of the Blazer have a new engine choice. The 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder makes 230 hp (172 kW) and 258 lb-ft (350 Nm) of torque. It's available with either front- or all-wheel-drive layouts.
Source: Carpix
Yup, usual ‘game’. Upon introduction dealers will sell at or ABOVE fake MSRP and then when demand drops like a rock, they’ll offer ‘great deals’ with 10, 20, 30% off... it’s such b.s.