Crazy 'Bout A Mercury

I've been driving American cars for a long time. I'm proud to count four Mercurys in my family right now and I don’t plan on changing my buying patterns anytime soon. And, regardless of the troubles Ford and GM may currently be having , I'd hold the corporate obituaries. Because these are good, solid, safe, reliable cars produced by innovative companies.
To be honest I've never been able to understand the appeal of Japanese and other foreign cars -- even those which carry a "made in America" label. American brand cars are certainly competitively priced and more often than not an American car has more interior room than its comparable Japanese model. Though I'm hardly an expert, I do not notice a huge difference in the way the vehicles ride. And to me Japanese cars in particular are uninspired when it comes to styling. There doesn't seem to be anything distinctive about them. They seem to lack panache.
And here's the real stickler: the apparent snob appeal of certain foreign cars. What does it say about a person who is so insecure that he or she needs to be defined by a beefy Lexus or a boxy Camry or a strange, little, overpriced Mini Cooper? I look at some of these people and I want to say: "Get over it. It's only a car!"
Not to suggest that cars can't be sexy. But if that's what you want, what's wrong with a new Pontiac G6 or a Ford Mustang? They're better looking than ever and pack lots of vrooom.
But most of us are happy with a trusty family sedan, minivan or SUV. Which brings me back to my Mercurys. They're good cars.

By the way, the only two foreign cars I ever owned (a long time ago) were both lemons: a Volvo and a Mazda. Thankfully, both those brands are now owned by Ford.