I think that there are two points as to why domestic is considered Canadian as well as American built cars. The first point that I would raise is that since cars started to be built and sold in North America there have been no Canadian built cars unless you want to consider the Bricklin which was a total failure. It used a GM drivetrain 454 or 350 . The body was built in Canada. For a hundred years Canadians have bought American cars pretty much at the same rate as Americans. We have the same passion for American muscle as in the States and the same passion for collecting and restoring American cars. The big three did put plants in Canada to build American cars for the Canadian market ( my dad's 23 Model T was built in Canada). The decline of the big three affects both countries and I for one have always owned either a GM or a Ford. Only one Ford and that was an 87 Mustang. I currently have a 90 Astro AWD van still going strong and a 07 Colorado which only has 9500 km. Second are the agreements that have been in place between the two countries to try to ensure the sucess of the auto industry ( domestic ) vs the invasion of foreign cars built elsewhere. IE : Toyota Which came in as well as VW bugs etc. American and Canadian governments worked together to try to protect the "domestic" market by requiring them to have assembly plants here as well as limiting the amount of vehicles being sold. Unfortunately different governments found it more attractive to open more foreign plants in order to create jobs because people were buying lots of cars and the industry was healthy. As the price of fuel increased and concerns over the quality of American cars came to light more and more people went to Japanese cars cause they lasted longer and usually had better warrenties and were more fuel efficient. The big 3 did not follow the lessons of the 70's and just went on with the same "big cars". Now we are here and the big 3 might just end up being Ford as they started looking ahead sooner by selling off jaguar and Saab , then securing long time loans before the credit crunch ( 23 billion ) to retool and develope more fuel efficient cars and trucks. If we lose GM and Chrysler both countries will lose thousands of jobs. I don't like the idea of that happening any more than you guys but I am more angry that they were so slow to start converting.

I buy nothing but used cars and pay cash. I save a lot of money that way. On average I keep my daily drivers 10 years. I currently drive a 2003 Cadd STS (great car). I just bought my wife a 2009 Hyandai Sonata (rental fleet car with 9,000 miles) to replace her Buick because I could not find a good low milage american car that could match the 100,000 mile warranty. My daily driver will always be a Cadd, don't know why just like them.

I wish they would offer something along the lines of the road runner. G8 big engine manual trans basic radio, basic seats, sound deadening delete, options delete, manual crank windows, totally basic car that actually can be used as a car, haul groceries, kids, and azz, without breaking the bank. I would consider trading in the impala on something like that! 30+k for a car is insanity. You can still find a house around here for that kind of money. Granted it will need alot of work, or/and be in a neighborhood that you will not want your kids or wife, but thats beside the point. A basic performer would sell. I would rather spend my money on the engine or suspension than power windows. I am sure I am not the only one out there that is more interested in grins than impressing my pizzant neighbors.

Outside of my prior post, used is the way to go, smart money

Actually, the 1974 Bricklin used a 401 AMC. The 1975 Bricklin used a 351 Cleveland.

I agree. Unfortunately, it is too late for that. It is a shame that one has to buy the chrome wheels and power windows to get the upgraded engine.

Th Only thing I like about newer cars like my Suburban and my 4X4 Cheby truck is the four wheel drive.

I'm not a mud racer, but the torque of a 442 etc, are less than idea in a wet field or during ice and snow.Actually, they really don't handle a pea/pecan gravel drive very well.

I really want to make a AWD Vista with Toro parts [maybe some day]

Really , I guess they must have changed it's original concept because they were still trying to get Hatfield to invest more money into it when I headed west. I thought it was supposed to have been available with a 454. That was a long time ago and they were gone when I came back and have never seen one. Probably never will , do you know how many they actually made?

OK, I lied. Apparently the 1974s used the 360 AMC motor, not the 401, and the 75s used the 351W, not Cleveland, according to Wiki (which we all know is never wrong). Production numbers are claimed to be 2854 total.

There's usually at least one for sale at spring or fall Carlisle. The biggest problem with the cars is that the plastic body panels are always warped.

I heard about the warping , at least they did not rust out and can be fixed. Less than 3000 would put them in the endangered species list.My uncle bought a new 1969 AMC Rebel " The Machine " pearl white with red , white and blue stripes and I think it had a 390 . Black interior with 4 speed hurst shifter. Cool car but ended up selling it several years later in mint condition for $3000. I was fairly young and asked to borrow money from my dad to buy it but he said no way . I think he figured I would kill myself in it.