Besides GM...

[HarleyEarl]

Obviously we are all fans of GM, but if it didn't exist, which of today's car companies would you most admire?

[vonVeezelsnider]

Ford.

More Specifically-

Taurus

Fusion

Focus

Taurus X

MKX

MKS

Sable

Flex

Edited June 15, 2008 by vonVeezelsnider

[Robert Hall]

In the mainstream, I like some Ford/Lincoln/Mercury products, some Chrysler products (esp. some Jeeps) and some Hondas.

In the premiums, I like esp. Audi and BMW, followed by Infiniti and Acura. And M-B a bit (though the CLS is the only semi-affordable one that I really like).

Edited June 15, 2008 by moltar

[Paolino]

Toyota.

Because it takes balls to lie and cheat.

[Paolino]

Now for my real answer...

I've always had a chubby for Audi.

[!!!TED!!!]

Fantastic interiors, great value versus other luxury makes.

I am skeptical of their current design direction though.

[HarleyEarl]

Now for my real answer...

I've always had a chubby for Audi.

So agree....Audi is my favorite....that RS4 when it rumbles by, well it's wood time.

Historically, probably Chrysler then Ford.

Edited June 15, 2008 by HarleyEarl

[XP715]

-Simplex

-Packard

-Hudson/Essex/Terraplane

-Auburn/Cord/Duesenberg

-Pierce-Arrow

-Studebaker

....and every other fine automobile that hasn't been built in a half-century or better. New vehicles have no class or substance or style for the most part. But because I HAVE to pick a modern manufacturer(s), I'd say the Germans have me. Mercedes, BMW, and Audi all have a ton of neat offerings. But even then, the older stuff is always better. Pre-World War II Mercedes and BMW's and Audi's stuff from their Auto Union days (think Horch) are way cooler than anything they build today.

BMW gets extra props because they also build fantastic motorcycles. I kick myself to this day for not buying an old coworker's 1970 R75/5. It was beautiful. Could have had it for a song, but I thought it fit to buy another rusty old Cadillac at the time instead!

[CaddyXLR-V]

BMW, then Audi, then Infiniti

[Flybrian]

Jaguar. They speak for themselves.

[Brougham-Holiday]

Chrysler and Mercedes Benz are my other top car makes.

[ocnblu]

VW

Chrysler

Ford

Honda

Audi

Mazda

Edited June 15, 2008 by ocnblu

[HarleyEarl]

I love Audi's design sensiblities...clean, aggressive styling with class. They look like they are carved out of single piece. I'm seeing more of the S5 coupes on the street...wow, that car is a stunner, beautiful 8 cyl sound.

Edited June 15, 2008 by HarleyEarl

[vonVeezelsnider]

Jaguar. They speak for themselves.

Well, If we're talking luxury, then Audi and Jaguar for me. I especially love the A6 and the XJ. Take away Buick and Cadillac and those two are at the top of my list.

Very Stately

Very Conservative

[daves87rs]

Honda, BMW, Ford...

Edited June 15, 2008 by daves87rs

[Satty]

I love certain Audi models from the last decade or so. Same with BMWs and Mercedes.I own a Ford and a Toyota, and have a ton of respect for what Honda has accomplished over the last 20 years. So I'd have to say if there were no GM, I'd be pretty much the same, admiring the worthwhile pieces from just about every make. Except Chrysler, they're just crap.

[daves87rs]

There is only one other car company I would work for and it's name is BMW!

And drive them too? :AH-HA_wink:

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

Ford, Chrysler and BMW in no particular order.

[HarleyEarl]

-Simplex

-Packard

-Hudson/Essex/Terraplane

-Auburn/Cord/Duesenberg

-Pierce-Arrow

-Studebaker

....and every other fine automobile that hasn't been built in a half-century or better. New vehicles have no class or substance or style for the most part. But because I HAVE to pick a modern manufacturer(s), I'd say the Germans have me. Mercedes, BMW, and Audi all have a ton of neat offerings. But even then, the older stuff is always better. Pre-World War II Mercedes and BMW's and Audi's stuff from their Auto Union days (think Horch) are way cooler than anything they build today.

BMW gets extra props because they also build fantastic motorcycles. I kick myself to this day for not buying an old coworker's 1970 R75/5. It was beautiful. Could have had it for a song, but I thought it fit to buy another rusty old Cadillac at the time instead!

Have to agree with all your choices for companies that no longer exist...simply some of the most interesting and beautiful automobiles ever. I especially like Studebaker...such a shame they are not longer with us....they were there right from the beginning.

1936 Studebaker President, so nice:

[Cory Wolfe]

Jaguar. They speak for themselves.

Long time no see, Fly. Nice to see you posting again.

So I'd have to say if there were no GM, I'd be pretty much the same, admiring the worthwhile pieces from just about every make.

Pretty much the same. My tastes are diverse and I like it that way. I could never stick to one manufacturer. I love Mazda, I love Audi/VW/Porsche, I love Jaguar, I love Infiniti/Nissan... Even Honda/Acura get some love from me. I could own a vehicle from just about any manufacturer and not have a qualm about it. Except Kia. I couldn't do that.

[ocnblu]

Shoot, I forgot Datsun (especially if this new small RWD coupe materializes) and BMW.

[HarleyEarl]

I've never been much of a lover of Japanese cars, but have always liked the Datsun 510 which was really kind of a BMW flavored car.

[XP715]

HE: here's a picture of a 1932 Studebaker President coupe-roadster owned by a friend of mine. I've been up close & personal to this car and even been fortunate enough to ride in it once. Nothing today could ever hold a candle to stuff like this:

My personal number one, meaning what I would collect if I had Jay Leno money and connections, however, would definitely be Simplex.

[mustang84]

Ford, Chrysler, BMW, Jaguar, and MB. If we're talking extinct car companies, AMC, Hudson, and Duesenberg.

[Intrepidation]

Do ya really have to ask?

Chrysler of course, but most all automakers have things I like...as some o have said I like diversity. However, the stuff at the top is, besides Chrysler, Ford, Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Jaguar and Aston Martin.

[Lamar]

Ford/Lincoln (D3s and CD3s are all good drivers... though I haven't driven the Edge/MKX)

Nissan/Infiniti

BMW (though I have yet to drive a newer one)

Acura

VW/Audi

[HarleyEarl]

Ford, Chrysler, BMW, Jaguar, and MB. If we're talking extinct car companies, AMC, Hudson, and Duesenberg.

I like AMC as well, and Kaiser too....I tend to admire smaller companies that do some interesting things on a small budget...

[HarleyEarl]

HE: here's a picture of a 1932 Studebaker President coupe-roadster owned by a friend of mine. I've been up close & personal to this car and even been fortunate enough to ride in it once. Nothing today could ever hold a candle to stuff like this:

My personal number one, meaning what I would collect if I had Jay Leno money and connections, however, would definitely be Simplex.

Wonderful '32..and you are correct that cars today have lost that special something...a sense of the road, attuned to ones surroundings and that feeling of solidity. If any of the members haven't taken a ride in a vintage auto, do so...wonderful experience in a time capsule. You instantly are transported to another time. Things are slowed down a bit..not so frantic.

[MyerShift]

Chrysler Corporation.

Especially if Lee Iacocca stepped in again to take control.

[CARBIZ]

Chrysler (okay, I would lease one, not buy), then Ford. After that, I'd get a MetroPass.

[HarleyEarl]

Yes, but what about the beautiful bouncing Ford Tempo?

[HarleyEarl]

I think this is when it all started to go wrong for Mercury...

[gm4life]

If I couldn't get GM I would go Dodge then prolly Honda or Ford. After that I would rather walk.

[Camino LS6]

I'd be down to just a few cars, not whole brands.

The knee-jerk is BMW, but they have to continue to get rid of the awful Bangle influence in their designs.

Jaguar is disappointing these days - they just don't have that clasic Jag look anymore.

Ford: Mustang

Dodge: Challenger

Audi: While that huge grille thing is a major turnoff, I am falling in love with the R8.

Slim Pickings.

[Drew Dowdell]

I'd probably end up at Ford but they don't do anything that excites me. It's just where I'd land.

I do however admire Honda.

[regfootball]

i'm pretty tired of the audi look, although the TT and R8 wow me. Audi does enough with the quality of their execution to make their basic design themes come off real well.

bmw, its getting old.. mercedes too.

I'm a ford fan, but i admit they are not off the ropes but at least they are trying.

[pow]

FoMoCo, BMW AG, Volkswagen AG, Honda, and of course, the exotics

[Delta Force79]

Two words...Dodge Challenger.

[Blake Noble]

If there were no GM, and although I never really pledge all of my allegiance to one automaker, I would be a BMW guy foremost, and probably a Ford guy second.

[the_yellow_dart]

Nissan.

[A Horse With No Name]

In the mainstream, I like some Ford/Lincoln/Mercury products, some Chrysler products (esp. some Jeeps) and some Hondas.

In the premiums, I like esp. Audi and BMW, followed by Infiniti and Acura. And M-B a bit (though the CLS is the only semi-affordable one that I really like).

Audi is just sooo sweet.

Real Jeeps are cool, Patriots are not so much...

The last Chrysler product I really liked was the prowler, as well as the LX series cars and the first gen Neon.

Chris

[A Horse With No Name]

Toyota.

Because it takes balls to lie and cheat.

Vote republican, you;ll get all the lies and cheating you can handle...Oh wait, this isn't supposed to be a political forum.

Chris

[A Horse With No Name]

Fantastic interiors, great value versus other luxury makes.

I am skeptical of their current design direction though.

First gen TT was an awesome car, second gen a little bland...

Really like the R8, and how can you argue with winning Lemans?

Chris

[A Horse With No Name]

HE: here's a picture of a 1932 Studebaker President coupe-roadster owned by a friend of mine. I've been up close & personal to this car and even been fortunate enough to ride in it once. Nothing today could ever hold a candle to stuff like this:

My personal number one, meaning what I would collect if I had Jay Leno money and connections, however, would definitely be Simplex.

You are right, nothing built today holds a candle to this...

Chris