28th Nov 2009, 12:56
We've owned lots of Ford and GM vehicles. The earliest any of them every required brake pads was 70,000 miles. In over 200,000 miles, none ever required any engine or transmission repairs. In fact, the only vehicles we've ever owned that DIDN'T make 100,000+ miles without a repair were ALL domestic. Not a one of our imports (including a Honda) even MADE 100,000 miles.
That's why we stopped buying Japanese cars. We can't afford the repair costs, and the dealers refuse to honor even the very short warranty they have.
28th Nov 2009, 13:40
I stopped buying domestics for the same reasons. They wouldn't even honor their 100,000 mile warranties! Oddly enough, the dealer I purchased my Honda from offers a Lifetime Warranty that didn't cost me one cent extra.
28th Nov 2009, 20:54
I do volunteer work in a "Buy American" group and volunteer on Saturdays to help those unfortunate enough to be stuck with unreliable imports to trade them for reliable domestics. It is very rewarding, especially this time of year, to know that we are helping Americans enjoy a better way of life and get a more reliable car.
Today was a disappointment. I had 2 clients who wanted my help. One wanted a Ford Fusion. No local dealership (in a 30-mile range) had ANY Fusions. We were told they were selling as fast as they were driven off the trucks (if not sooner through pre-orders). The Fusion guy left and went back home.
The other person wanted a GMC Terrain. I'd called a friend at one dealership at 10 AM and he said they had 4. When we got there at 2 PM they were delivering the last one. We drove to another dealership. No luck. Then we drove 45 minutes to yet another dealership and found that during the day they had sold all but one. Unfortunately the one remaining was a fully loaded premium model listing for close to $40,000. They refused to even consider ANY discount. My client couldn't afford it. The dealership promised to call when a base model came in. I noted that the base V-6 Camaros they had were being offered at $5000 OVER list (and they only had TWO left). I was happy to see that GM is doing so well (I KNEW Ford was). Yes, there ARE still patriotic Americans and they appear to be buying GM's in droves.
2nd Dec 2009, 20:59
I actually buy GM and Honda. We have a 98 Civic EX that's nearly bulletproof, and I have a 2002 Sierra that we love to death. Also a 1995 k1500 with 225,000 miles that just won't quit. I've never had a problem with either company as long as I do all the servicing myself.
28th Nov 2009, 12:40
Ha ha! Rare. That's funny. Most mileage I ever got on a GM was about 50,000 before my engine blew. My Honda's have all made 250,000+ miles with their biggest repairs being brake pads every 100,000 miles. My Ford on the other hand ate brake pads AND rotors every 25,000.