Newer (85+) american cars are shit bags, for the average car owner. But not the good old SBC
I will def agree japanese cars will last longer, But its all a question of maintainance. Japanese cars last longer with average driver care, Which is basically having it fixed whenever the light comes on(and sometimes not) and changing the oil once in a while. If properly maintained, A typical american motor/trans/drive assembly is much less complicated and heavier duty than a typical japanese car, As long as they are properly maintained they will last forever, no matter who makes the car. But if you wana talk older cars, Nothing can beat the diehardedness of an american motor. Espeically the straight 6s and small block v8s. My dad when he was in his 20s ran his van without oil or a radiator by shoving snow in the front end and around the motor, all winter, and he eventually crashed it, and it still started and ran when he did. Same thing with a dodge he had with a slant 6, We started it, left a brick on the gas pedal, and went to work all day, We came home and it was off. It ran out of gas. lol. It started again and drove the next day. Now thats a well built machine. Try doing that to a honda haha.