30th Mar 2007, 13:36
17:24 Please remember that a lot of individuals with multi new vehicles have jumped ship from imports to domestics lately. I have owned Toyotas, Hondas from the 70's until 2004. I have since gone with GM. I did not like the Tundra and bought a Silverado SS. Better performance, handling, warranty, people carrying capacity load and towing capacity. Even without the SS form the Tundra has yet to achieve these elements. I have bought many new cars and am basing my comments on personal experience... especially out of pocket mechanical expenses.
30th Mar 2007, 15:52
<<17:24 Please remember that a lot of individuals with multi new vehicles have jumped ship from imports to domestics lately.>.
Really? Like whom?
Honda Fits are sold as soon as they reach dealer lots. Cobalts rot there.
Accord and Camry sell 400K units a year each vs. what for the domestics?
Only in gas guzzlers do the domestics have any type of lead, and this summer should eliminate those sales as gas goes above $4/gallon.
30th Mar 2007, 21:57
13:36; If you bought a GM instead of a Toyota because you think the out of pocket expenses will be less, then did no research before buying, and you made a mistake. Toyota wins by a drastic margin in that category.
30th Mar 2007, 21:58
To 23:30. Be GLAD Ford has the integrity to replace a (very RARE) defective truck. If it were a Toyota there is NO WAY any action would be taken whatsoever. Just look at all the poor saps who got stuck with a late model Camry (especially the 2006 model) or Tundra and got ZILCH from Toyota in the way of satisfaction. As for Ranger...I'm on my 4th Ranger since '92. None of them has ever had a single repair of any kind, or any recalls. Most reliable trucks I've ever owned.
31st Mar 2007, 03:59
15:52...like myself. I owned mostly imports and recently starting personally paying more than I ever have on expensive mechanical issues and switched to a domestic brand because of this. Eventually people get fed up and you cannot expect them to be like lemmings immediately trailing back for more punishment on yet more new same mfrs. vehicles a couple years later. I do not drive a Cobalt, but I do drive higher end GM vehicles at the moment. I buy 2 new vehicles not 1 so I keep informed not walk blindly in... and they have to earn my business and respect me during my period of ownership. In my opinion the manufacturers/dealer especailly about warranty service sell the next vehicles. I got hosed for the final time and they lost a great customer.
31st Mar 2007, 06:54
First off, Ford problems aren't rare. They've had more than any other manufacturer in the history of motorized transport.
Second, when Toyota has one of their rare problems, they take care of it almost immediately. You might get a shady dealership, but that's with any manufacturer, and Ford is usually the worst.
Toyota's recent air bag problem was recalled after only SEVENTEEN cases were reported. Ford would have let it go for years, like they usually do.
31st Mar 2007, 09:46
ANY magazine or consumer group that would rate MERCEDES as one of the "best" SUV's (comment 17:24) is HIGHLY SUSPECT in credibility. Mercedes has 8 of its product line now rated as "MUCH WORSE THAN AVERAGE" in reliability.
With Toyota and Honda having continual MAJOR problems with transmissions, engine failure, air bags, oil leaks, coolant leaks, suspension problems, steering problems, computer problems, interior trim problems, electrical problems and many other problems space prohibits listing, I think I'll take my chances with Ford and GM.
I've never had a problem with a Ford truck and don't know anyone who has. Our company uses Rangers and some have been in service since 1993 with only routine maintenance. And YES, you WILL save money on repairs with a domestic. They DON'T REQUIRE ANY.
31st Mar 2007, 12:53
So I should run out and get a Honda or Toyota. Well can you tell me what Honda or Toyota dealer that has a truck to replace mine. Oh I'm in construction and haul an RV, horse trailer and a 9ton inverted 5th wheel float. No not at the same time for some of you on here. I wounder how much Honda or Toyota is asking for a duel wheel, one ton HD, extended cab (would like a crew cab this time) diesel 4x4. Oh that's right they don't make one. I would like to see what would happen If I put the goose neck of my float with the 710 John Deer backhoe on that thing Honda calls a pickup.
31st Mar 2007, 19:19
First of all, Honda DOES NOT make trucks...PERIOD. The Ridgeline is a Pilot SUV with the roof lopped off over the back and a virtually inaccessible bed that is (maybe) large enough for golf clubs or the kids soccer equipment. The little Tundra fares a little better now that for 2007 they have copied many of Ford's ideas and are offering an engine that puts out almost as much power as a V-6 Ranger. Still, I would be afraid to try pulling anything bigger than an aluminum fishing boat with one, as the frame is still very tiny in comparison to a real (domestic) truck.
31st Mar 2007, 20:07
12:53 Once Toyota and Honda decide to make trucks that large, if they decide to, they'll surely embarrass Ford, Chevy, and Dodge with them just like they already have with their existing pickup trucks, cars, and SUV's. They're smart enough to realize that only about 1 person in 5000 needs to haul anything like that, so they don't waste money making them. Just one of the many reasons that Toyota and Honda are beating the hell out of the Big 3 a little worse every day.
1st Apr 2007, 08:44
Suggest your read Automobile Magazine's long term test on the Ridgeline. Not only did the truck perform endless TRUCK tasks, it also was remarkably reliable.
2nd Apr 2007, 07:56
So what? The REALITY is that the majority of pickups are never used for the purposes you describe.
But for 99.44% of what they are used for, both Toyota and Honda match or surpass the competition.
2nd Apr 2007, 11:18
The Honda "truck" is NOT a truck and can't even be used for hauling anything due to the high bed sides. The Tundra might qualify for light duty hauling of small items, but can't compete with ANY full-sized truck. Anyone who has driven both a Tundra and F-150 (and I have) can tell you there is NO comparison. The F-150 is better in EVERY RESPECT and is a much more ruggedly constructed truck. The full size domestic trucks have NO competition.
2nd Apr 2007, 13:01
All I have to say is Japanese vehicles have a higher standard for building cars... they build cars to last long term while American car companies build cars to last for a few years with the exception of Buick Caddilac & some Lincoln models... American cars are not bad, but imports are better all around vehicles. They have better build quality & reliability.
29th Mar 2007, 20:16
That was good for a genuine belly laugh. Always remember that reliability is the only thing that you could lay claim to. Your cars are smaller, uglier, slower, and less luxurious than most any comparable car from Europe, the USA, or even Korea now. And now with Toyota's recent string of failures, it's hard for Toyota owners to even claim having superior reliability.