Lol, testy thread at times. Just goes to show different strokes for different folks.
For my part, I have had a Tacoma, a jeep, a very old Legacy Wagon, and old 2wd Datsun pickup, and now an 2011 Xterra. All were great and got me where I needed to go. I bought the Xterra new and I would buy another in a second. I have been all over in it, desert, mountains, snow etc.. I love the leaf springs and the look.
I am a production manager and obviously spent a lot of time in college studying car companies and production methods. I could sit and list a thousand reasons why foreign and particularity Asian cars have the upper hand over American car companies in quality, employee relations, cost, and dependability just from a production standpoint.
Not that we can really say American Car companies anymore but this is interesting:
Most american trucks:
5. GMC Sierra/Chev Silverado
40% American parts
Assembled in Mexico
4. Nissan Frontier/Titan
Transmission Japanese
50% American parts
Mexico and America for assembly
3. Toyota Tacoma
60% American parts
1/2 Mexico 1/2 American assembly
2. Dodge Ram
66% American Parts
Mexican and American assembly
1. Toyota Tundra
Engine, Trans both made in US
75% of materials from US
Assembled in the US
I really like that when Toyota came to the US they asked themselves, "What do we need to do to be successful in America? Build the cars in America." They actively made the decision to build here and create jobs rather then jump on he NAFTA bandwagon with our own domestic auto manufacturers.
FRAT: Most off-road style vehicles are great, all do what they are supposed to and are dependable. IMO it boils down to personal taste and who you choose to support with your money.