Made in the U.S.A.

I've spent the past couple of years convincing Cavin that American cars are, on average, just as good as comparable Japanese cars. I've given good reviews to some Pontiacs and Chevys, something even I wouldn't have imagained ten years ago. So, what happens when I've finally made progress in ridding him of an unfounded prejudice against American cars? We rent a Chevy Monte Carlo in Miami, and all my work is instantly undone. The desk clerk said she was "upgrading" us -- from what? A Radio Flyer? A bobsled? Anyway, as long as American automakers shove second, third and fourth rate cars into the rental stream, they're going to continue turning away drivers in droves.