I lurked here all through the election, learned a great deal from diaries and thread posts on subjects I didn't know about. But I have been an auto enthusiast all my young life. It's in my blood, thanks to my father, you could say. First car was a 74 VW Beetle that I bought, worked on and Modified myself. I then bought a succession of small, cool, Fuel-Efficient VW's until I bought a twin-turbo-charged Audi, and then my current ride, a Mazda.
EDIT: Full Disclosure, I DO care about my Carbon Footprint but hate boring, slow cars. I am buying the G8 Because it can do what's in the linkedhttp://www.youtube.com/... VID about 50 seconds in :) and I don't have to drive a lot.
One thing I have sadly noticed in blogs, both left and right, is an almost illogical disdain for American cars. I can understand that, since 10 years ago they only had a few small, efficient, fun products (Ford, mostly with their Contour and Focus, European transplants), and others were burned by older models of shitty quality.
But I'm a bit frustrated at the closed-mindedness I am seeing all over the net', because, especially in the case of GM, the product IS there. In the last few years, GM brands have released a torrent of attractive, fun-to-drive and EFFICIENT cars. Cadillac CTS, Chevy Malibu & Saturn Aura (both available in Mild-Hybrid or in 33 MPG 4-cylinder), Cobalt SS, to say nothing of the products coming up (Buick LaCrosse, Chevy Camaro, Chevy Cruze compact, Chevy Volt Plug-in Hybrid). If some of you, even if you're not currently in the market for a new ride, went and drove some of the above, you might see that G.M. actually DID listen to what people wanted and started releasing products to fit the need....just as the bottom fell out of the economy. Ford and GM both have amazing small-car offerings in Europe, and both of the recovery plans submitted to congress detail how they are moving to align their European lines with the American Market to bring over some of the best (Ford is bringing the New Fiesta next year, which is already getting rave reviews across the Atlantic).
If I honestly believed they weren't trying, I'd be against the bailout, too. But since I actually care about the PRODUCTS they are making or working on,(as someone who buys cars not only as an appliance for A to B but for the fun of driving and style) I understand that they just need the loans and their submitted restructuring plans to buy some some for the Products to gain traction (which Malibu and Cobalt already were before the unpleasantness). The Quality is there now (Consumer Reports and J.D. Power both back this up), as are the style and efficiency.
I also see posters railing about how they should be forced to produce almost nothing but fuel efficient cars. I submit that Ford and GM are already doing so, and those are only going to get better (See the Fiesta, Euro Ford Focus or upcoming Chevy Cruze), to say nothing of the Volt. However ALL car companies know they HAVE to make some cars for folks like, well, ME.
The Big 3 should be making fewer TRUCKS, but having them abandon performance cars when no ones else is (Japan and Germany and even Korea are still making high-performance models) would be suicidal, since they tend to be high profit margin cars aren't volume sellers. Make no mistake, GM's volume sellers (mentioned above) ARE very efficient already and they are working on making them more so (google Saturn Aura HCCI).
So, for ME, I am finally coming home to an American brand this spring. I am in love with the idea of trading in my Mazda for a Pontiac G8 GT. even though that model is built in Australia, I feel good knowing that GM has provided ME with kind of car I WANT to buy, at long last.
I encourage those of us on the left to do your part to save the US Auto industry. Go out, THIS WEEKEND and drive a Ford or GM product (I'm not to hot on Chryslers products, sorry), and tell your friends.