My first american car...
50 some odd miles and there was a leak on the garage floor. I take it to my dealer and wammo the Rack and Pinion needs to be replaced. No other troubles after that, except I do sometimes hear a whine around 40, but I think it is the radial tires on new pavement. I also seem to have the "shudder" from takeoff when turning sharply to the side. My first V8 too...damn gas is expensive.

 

Sorry to hear you've got problems with it, but I wouldn't blame it on it being American. Mine has been practically perfect for the 1,500 miles I've driven it so far. I still can't find anything wrong with it. I kept worrying about all these problems people were saying they had, but I haven't seen any in mine.

For that rear end shudder you say you have, just be sure it's not the usual limited-slip behaviour if you have limited-slip. Mine (as it should) grabs and the inside wheel wants to spin or break loose on a sharp turn from a stop. I definitely know it's a limited-slip