Other brands of cars

I've never been brand loyal.
I started out in 1969 with a 57 Chevy BelAire, but the following year I got the 70Swinger340. I had to learn to fix it real quick cuz I kept breaking it. That led to the accumulation of spare parts,and of course that led to trading of Mopar parts. And in a few years I had a lotta spare parts. So from then on, the leaning was towards A-bodies.
As I picked up mechanical knowledge and tools and skills, it was a natural that I became an auto mechanic. Most all per 2000 brands.
Over the past 50 years I have had several other branded cars, but there has always been a least one Mopar in the stable.
But I've never been fond of imports.

I remember as a teenager, me and Pops talking about it, and I was vehemently against any 4-bangers, saying I will never own one. Especially not a foreign one.
Well in 1969 the big three only had a few RWD models,so I thought I was pretty safe.
But then my kids came along, and the gas crunch,and killer interest rates, and then; I had to eat my words, and a RWD 4banger was in the driveway. And a couple of decades later a FWD 4-banger came home. Now I'm on my third 4 banger. And I really like it.
But I'm semi retired now,Dad is long gone,I only work on what I want to, and FWD 4-banger cars are NOT on the list.
They have always sucked, continue to suck, and will forever suck. FIFTY years have gone by. Back in the day,I could squeeze low to mid 20s mpg out of a 9.5Scr 318, in a 3200pound A-body. And today My 2014 Orlando,with it's VVT-2.4DFI (Direct Fuel Injection),6-speed, on a good day, makes 32@3600pounds..
Fifty years.
There is something wrong with this picture. My 4+1speed, 11/1, hotrod 367, at 3650pounds, has made 30.
If you ask me, there is a conspiracy to sell gas, lots of gas, lots and lots and lots of gas. Somebody is getting really really rich selling lots and lots of gas,, and just maybe, he has the power to put a cap on the mpg numbers. I mean you know, think about it.
Fifty years of technology for 12 mpgs at best, with engines less than half as big.
No!, Smart cars don't count. They are no where near 3600pounds.And I'm pretty sure they can't spin even one tire.