Saturn Astra or Chevy Malibu? If yes, you've just got a bad one. Neither of those are of bad quality in general. I'll agree with you on cars in general though. I have a 90s M3. Most reliable and robust M car ever made. New BMWs don't hold a candle to 80s and 90s ones in build quality. Sure the interiors are prettier and rust proofing is better on the body panels, but they'll be junk not long after the warranty runs out. The electronics just will not stand the test of time. Which is their goal, so that you'll come in and buy an new one. That being said, everyone is on the same playing field at this point. I wouldn't touch a 90s/early 2000s Hyandai, Kia, Audi, VW, Jaguar, or chrysler product with a 10 foot pole. Now, if it was something I wanted, I wouldn't hesitate going to anyone if those company's dealer lots.
Chinese cars are pure unadulterated crap though. Or should I say adulterated so badly from what they were copying that they are now pure crap?

Plus they're so shady that no one has been successful in suing them either for their rip offs. BMW and Audi failed in Chinese courts. They're a VERY immature society, so that's not surprising I guess. I don't know if there's international courts for copy right infringement. I have absolutely zero respect for the Chinese when it comes to their auto industry. Most things in general actually, but the crap they pull in the automotive industry is criminal.