Buy American.....sure I will

Submitted By: Janice D. - Crystal Falls, MI

I have always owned a Toyota, and as a single mother, it was the smartest move I could have made to keep my daughter and myself safe on the road and get me to work. When I remarried, it was to the original hard-headed American male who believed no one made better vehicles than Americans. So he had his Dodge truck and I had my Toyota 4-Runner. When we hit hard times and neither of us could work due to health reasons, I was involved in an accident that left us with no vehicle. We lived for 3 years on $300 a month waiting for Social Security Disability. A friend gave us a Toyota Previa...it had been in 2 accidents, had a smashed-in right side, cracked windshield, broken back seat, no air, and it was filthy because it had been used for a work vehicle. However, I thought it was the most beautiful thing ever. We had wheels again. The van had over 250,000 miles on it when it was given to us. It moved us from Detroit to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and it took us back and forth to Florida when my mom was ill. We faithfully changed the oil every 3,000 miles but that was the only maintainence done. Then it died. My husband and I fought over what to get next...he wanted a Ford or Dodge and of course, I wanted a Toyota. I dragged him to the local Toyota dealership, and we found a Toyota Sienna. It had low miles, all the bells and whistles, and it was so comfortable. After a test drive, I convinced my husband that this was the van for us. In less than 1 hour, we had our financing and were on our way. To this day my husband grudgingly admits it was a good decision. He drives it more than I do. So to all those naysayers out there who want to buy American, do yourself a favor and visit a Toyota dealer. And you wives out there...be strong because the sweetest words you will ever hear is, I guess you were right after all. It was worth everything to me and it will be to you too. I know we will have this van for many years to come and from now on, Toyota is our Christmas present.