New Haven Independent

America’s car companies have a tradition of building a lot of junk and promising better.

I’ve owned a small collection of cars in my almost 40 years of driving. Most of them American and most of them terrific at emptying my wallet on a regular basis.

Leaky engine gaskets, rounded camshafts, failed CV joints and half-axles, transmissions and other major repairs come immediately to mind when I think of the Chevy’s, Ford’s and Chrysler products I’ve owned.

I am sure I am not alone.

And the Japanese and German cars? Brakes, alternators and a few water pumps. Beyond that not much.

That is why the “Big 3” may very soon become the “Big 2” or the “Big None.” We’re all terrified of buying a car that sheds parts as we drive it. Ford, GM & Chrysler probably make great cars now but I’d have to be nuts to shell out $25,000 to find out.

The answer? Warranty them. Not for just the drive train and a few nuts and bolts. Everything. Period. Just like that $1,700 extended warranty the dealer falls all over himself to sell me. Except give it to me when I buy the car.

That means every switch, contact, relay, and every other electronic “thingy” in the car.

Everything.

Write in an “out” for clear and apparent abuse (like when your 5 year-old pours soda into the radio). But otherwise, if it breaks or wears out prematurely, the owner pays a small deductible and not a penny more.

Dealers will probably hate the idea because they make boatloads of money selling those contracts.

But if car companies don’t do something soon, those circling the drain right now will be history. They will take their dealers with them.

The easiest way to convince me you really are building a quality product is to stand behind it.

Take the worry out of buying an American car and I don’t think you will be able to keep people out of the showroom.

And it wouldn’t cost the government a dime.