15th Aug 2010, 13:23

The best days are over for all Japanese imports. With Honda and Toyota both now rated lower in build quality and reliability than Ford, and Toyota rated fully SIXTEEN LEVELS below Ford in the Initial Quality Survey no one can any longer regard them as better. Honda just added to its already million-plus recalls for the year, and Toyota has probably lost count somewhere around 10 million. With the Ford Fusion the Car of the Year, and the Dodge Ram the Truck of the Year, even biased car magazines are waking up.

15th Aug 2010, 13:32

First, both of the Trailblazers I had were brand new, and they were both JUNK! Thought the first one was a lemon and gave it a second try... never a third.

Second... please stop quoting the 100K mile warranty as a great addition to GM's testament of quality. It is a MARKETING PLOY... nothing more and nothing less. I would never see half of the miles in the SHORT 5 year timeframe, so GM's gimmicky "huge" warranty is NO BETTER than any Toyota or Honda warranty.

15th Aug 2010, 13:35

Again, the GM warranty at 100K miles is exactly the same 5 year warranty you'll get from the imports, unless you are one of the very few that drive so much you'll benefit from it. I won't even bother going into the bad mechanical problems of every GM I've ever owned!

15th Aug 2010, 13:41

They stopped production so they could rectify the issue on every new car sold. Yes, there are cars out there that still need the parts, but it isn't millions of them. Being on the list does not automatically mean your car needs fixing in this case. I still haven't heard about anyone that I've known with a Toyota that actually needed any recalled parts fixed or replaced. They were recalled to make sure they were okay, but were totally fine. This whole thing has been totally blown out of proportion. Reminds me of the old Firestone tire problem Ford had... and gee they STILL use Firestone tires on Explorers today.

16th Aug 2010, 14:27

In 5 years I easily surpass 100000 miles of driving because I like driving. If I have to start fretting and worrying before even making 30000 miles, I dump quick and buy better.

Our Hondas were truly abysmal. Being Acuras, you would think we would have been good like our new Legends were. GM loaded models have Bose sound systems, great performance and amenities. The warranty is better and we love ours. No more imports, drivetrain issues and service visits. Got tiresome quick.

16th Aug 2010, 16:21

Good, you are in the 5% of people that can use GM's extended warranty. For the other 95%, it is EXACTLY the same as your Honda warranty. For me, the warranty is of no consequence. I have never had any import in for anything other than routine maintenance. Every GM I have had has needed major repairs before 100K miles. I'd rather buy the better car, and not be stranded at some dealer waiting room... just because it is covered under warranty. Maybe there is a reason they try to make their warranty look better??

Also, shouldn't you come up with a more environmentally conscious pastime? Driving 100K miles in 5 years just because you like to? I used to take drives all over years ago, but now stick to only when I need to. With our reliance on foreign countries that want to see us dead, we should be conscious of every gallon we burn these days.

16th Aug 2010, 16:27

"GM loaded models have Bose sound systems, great performance and amenities."

First, Bose is the most overrated company on the planet.

Second, what amenities do you have that you can't get on any other car or truck?

Great performance? Not compared to the imports. Toyota SUV's are much better on gas, accelerate way faster without effort, handle and stop better, and are more fun to drive than any GM SUV. GM is yesterday's technology, with harsh running engines and underdesigned suspensions that crumble under the weight of their vehicles. I say this from first hand experience, and not as some GM hater.

17th Aug 2010, 12:57

My GM has heads up display, all mechanical functions, bulletproof LS1 engine, Kumho runflats with TPI indicators, and 185 mph top speed on my GM. Acuras were nice as a sports sedan and had a nice Bose system with the factory sub. I also drove an Acura NSX new; nice balance and 300 hp. I had bad luck with TLs, and switched to GMs.

18th Aug 2010, 08:21

Driving along my coastline in my convertible is as much quality of life as the 100000 mile superior quality written warranty. I should be able to drive a new or late model in 2010 without worrying about losing a transmission or two in short import warranty again. Being afraid to drive much is crap in a late model.

Some people like laying on the couch, but our family are very active outdoors oriented. We also tow and boat as much as possible. Buying low quality and being fearful to use a new car isn't appealing to us. We prefer our reliable new GMs.

18th Aug 2010, 10:05

You guys who claim that Japanese cars are so awful, and that your "domestic" cars and trucks are superior, can keep thinking that, but saying that over and over still doesn't dispel reality.

All I know is that this last week I rented a Chevy Aveo on a 700 mile trip. Yes - it's a cheap econo-car, but still a car that fits under the GM brand. The car had less than 10 miles on it, and the door reflector fell off at the hotel parking lot.

3 days later, with 400 miles on the odometer, the belts started squealing like mad at startup. If this is supposed to represent the "New GM", then I fail to see how the argument can be made that they are superior in any way.

Sure - GM and Ford makes a better product than they used to. I'd even say that some of their products are just as good as those made by Toyota or Honda. But then again, why release such awful products like the Aveo when you're a company trying to convince people that your overall company makes good products? That is definitely not a vote of confidence.

I have a 15 year Tacoma with around 255,000 miles sitting in the parking lot as we speak. My Brother has a 98' Avalon that he simply abuses, and the thing is approaching 289,000 miles. My Wife's 2002 Prius now has close to 150,000 miles. These, along with all the other Toyota products we've owned, have never - and I mean NEVER, given us any problems. That says a lot about a company, and is the reason why people like me see little reason to switch to a company that might make some good products, but also releases junk as well.

18th Aug 2010, 11:15

"You guys who claim that Japanese cars are so awful, and that your "domestic" cars and trucks are superior, can keep thinking that,"

It isn't just thinking, it's reading, watching the news, and actually driving the cars themselves. Ford and GM are now rated as better than ANY Japanese maker's cars by virtually every automotive source with any hint of credibility. Honda just exceeded a million recalls this year, while Toyota is now somewhere over 10 million this year. Hondas transmission issues are undeniable, and with Toyota ranking 21st out of 33 car makers in the Initial Quality Survey, it can hardly be called "superior", or even "equal to" Ford or GM.