Generally, cars are more reliable than they were 25 yrs ago. I'd like to believe this is especially true for American based car companies. That gave Japanese based manufacturers an in.
Having worked for a Japanese company (not cars), now working for a company that modeled several systems after Toyota, and working with a few Japanese locations - quality is king in that manufacturing culture. My old Tercel was built in Toyota City, and like the old Corolla commercials claimed, you could have welded the hood shut and driven her forever. She'll be what Cher and Joan Rivers drive to get away from the roaches.
Sad but my experience (working for/with many industrial sites), American manufacturing (regardless of company base location) is still on their quality journey. It showed a lot of faith for companies like Fuji and Toyota to invest in NA facilities. We're getting there.
That said, I LOVE the Cruzes, and if AWD was an option, I'd bring one home in a heartbeat.
I bet my post count would be higher if I could just start being more concise...
