Buying Cars.

I am in the market for a truck. My old Ford Ranger XLT has so many ills that I'm not sure it can be repaired, but boy has it been a good vehicle.
I bought this truck used, from a new car dealer, and it has given me wonderful service I'm not in the business of endorsing any one brand of car or truck over another, But I think that all of us should take a close look before we buy a replacement vehicle. For myself, I want to drive a car made by American Workers, at least assembled in the good old U.S.A. Many people, I feel judge a car just by the Cost, others, by the appearance, etc, but I think that if people were really smart they would spend a lot of time before investing a hefty sum in a car or truck, Look it up on the internet and see if the vehicle has a good record. Look for any recalls, and if found, find out how serious they (the recalls) were. In short be a smart consumer. Lets face it , excepting a home, a car will probably we your biggest expenditure in life, and you should really, REALLY, spend quite a lot of time in making your choice. I myself, go by the theory that the only way to spent money smartly on a car is to carefully select an automobile or truck, take good care of it, drive it sensibly, and keep it, basically, until it is worn out. That is the only way you will even approach a point at which the vehicle will pay for itself.
Lets face it folks, a car or truck is basically a hole in the driveway that you throw money in. Most vehicle will never appreciate, instead, the moment you drive it out of the car lot, it is worth a great deal less than you paid for it. And sure, I know that to a lot of people, a car is a status symbol, but you want to know a secret? , a generous Bank Account is a much greater status symbol.
Be smart folks, and lets hear from you. Any and all comments welcomed.
Be well
The Old Professor