I always love the if you want high reliability go with asian cars belief. American cars have come a long way in quality. Several GM cars are in the top rankings.

People always quote Consumer Reports saying that they show better quality from Asian vehicles, but here is the funny thing. I heard on the radio talking about it and he was laughing about the Asian mystique because the Toyota Matrix rates HIGH for quality in CR and the GM equivalent (I forget its name) that is the same model, made in the same plant, by the same workers, rates POOR. Clearly there is an Asian favoritism in those rankings these days.

There is a perception that isn't entirely held up by the facts anymore. The American automakers did stink in the eighties... they've gotten better.

However... because of the perception of lower quality... they still don't hold their value as well. That part is unfortunately true.
Heck... I just got rid of a Ford Escort ZX2 when I got my FEH, the Escort had 130,000 miles on it.... and not a single repair, just oil changes and routine maintenance. Still had the orginal clutch in it! Now mind you it wasn't worth a dime for re-sale value.