It is certainly true that we Americans love our foreign cars. We love them so much that they outsell American-produced vehicles by tens of thousands. But why? What makes them so much better?

One reason is because, to us in the United States, most imported vehicles are seen as much more exotic than American cars. And for many imports, they are. American car companies do not produce cars like Lamborginis, Ferraris, Porsches, and Aston Martins. We don't produce these rolling pieces of art that palpitate our hearts like the cars from Italy.

More affordable imports (such as BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, etc.) are considered elitist vehicles in our society. If you are an important person, and you have more than two coins to rub together, you are more than likely considering something imported.

Drive to your local country club and cruise through the parking lots. What do you see? I bet you will see more German and Japanese luxury vehicles than you will see domestics. Next time you are at a party and you are talking to two separate groups of people, strike up a conversation about vehicles. Tell one group you drive a Mercedes. Tell the other group you drive a Cadillac. Watch their expressions. You can tell what they are thinking, and depending on what you say may affect a future invite back.

In addition, we colonials see imported cars from Japan as being much more reliable than their American competition. For some, they see their mainstream Hondas and Toyotas being the most reliable car produced. Of course this is all circumstantial and highly opinionated. When you are a car person, you know what is reliable and what is not. No one car company is going to be the end-all of reliability claims, but when you look at the facts, the majority of vehicles from outside our borders do have less problems.

Then there are those who feel that imports are much more involving to drive. These vehicles feel more connected, stimulating, and exciting to drive than something designed and built state-side. BMWs are called the "Ultimate Driving Machines" for nothing, right.

Finally, imports are viewed as more technologically evolving than domestic vehicles. I agree with this. Over the past 35 or so years, the influx of imported vehicles have played a major role in today's vehicle technology, especially in regards to occupant safety. Airbags, seat belts, brakes and all the safety nannies offered in today's cars and trucks have been greatly influenced by foreign companies.

Most of this is purely circumstantial and opinionated. No one part of the world makes the best car ever made. However, those that seem to be closest to reaching that goal are those based outside North America.

Learn more about this author, Nicholas Borgia.
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