11th Dec 2008, 09:41

"Domestic vehicles offer longer warranties because they don't last as long"

Wow. That's SOME logic. That's about as good as the "domestics were more reliable when they had no competition" argument.

11th Dec 2008, 11:58

Lets put it this way with the warranty argument: For years before anyone else, Hyundai and Kia introduced 100k warranties. Never mind that they still made crap. They still offer them, and at best their quality is mediocre. So the question is does a good warranty mean the product is automatically good? Hardly. It doesn't change the argument that all in all, Honda and Toyota still build better products - warranty or not.

11th Dec 2008, 16:01

Yes, I agree. That's why I know the Mercury and Ford will be good for a long time yet, because they still run like new at those respective miles, and based on experience with every other American car we've owned, we take it for granted that a car will exceed 200,000 miles. We owned five Dodges that passed 200,000 miles (one went 260,000 miles) ; one Plymouth; two Chevies. Unlike you, our American cars did not require money to be poured into them to exceed 225,000 miles. Maybe you feel like you were victimized in the 1980's by domestic vehicles and turned your back on America. Too bad.

11th Dec 2008, 16:41

No. The big 3 automakers are failing and suffering worse with each passing month, then throw my hard earned tax dollars in the pot when nothing is looking up is LOGIC. They got themselves in this mess I say let them dig themselves out. Besides, I don't buy American vehicles, why do MY tax dollars go to a domestic industry I do not support. When they can build a reliable car, I will buy it. Until then, I will stick with Nissan, Honda or Toyota.

11th Dec 2008, 20:29

Ford sales have dropped LESS than Honda and Toyota (and all other Japanese brands except Subaru) in recent months and it's well-known (and reported in the automotive press) that the build quality and reliability of Ford products equals or surpasses all Japanese brands.

The highest rated vehicle in the world is NOT a Honda. It's a Ford. The best selling vehicle in the world is NOT a Honda. It's a Ford. J.D. Powers best sport coupe is NOT a Honda. It's a Ford. It would behoove those ranting about "crappy"domestics to do a bit of research before making unfounded (and untrue) statements.

11th Dec 2008, 22:05

Longer warranties offer a piece of mind. I personally can't afford payments, insurance and upkeep on new cars. I would feel a lot better knowing if something happens to my car that would require thousands of dollars, would be covered under warranty. It's like a breath of fresh air. There are plenty of stories on this site that mention dealers squirming out of repairs.

11th Dec 2008, 22:45

I recently purchased this "much hyped" car. It is just an awful piece of junk. The fit and finish reminds me of my 1973 Plymouth Satellite.

I have problems with the power windows. Plus I keep hitting my head on the low roof line every darn time in get into the car, and get out of it.

Don't get me started on the trunk. I slammed me finger in it shortly after we got the car. I should sue Honda for making the trunk hard to close.

The window washing fluid tank is so small that I am forever refilling it (like three times a week). I hate the jack and spare tire too. It is very hard to get the jack out of the little compartment they store it in. That is it you can even FIND IT. It took me almost 90 min to locate the jack.

What has my blood boiling is the cheap little plastic holder for the owners manual. You think they would make this item out of "GOOD QUALITY" material like that of an expensive book. It is made with all the quality of an instruction guild for a wide screen T.V.

Since I got the car the paint has faded. The light green color now looks about three shades lighter. I have had the car back to the dealer several times. At first they tried to fix the problems, now every time I take it in it seems like they are laughing at me. One guy in the body shop told me that he had no idea what I was talking about when I said the paint faded.

Honda has grown and become a successful car company. Because of this they are now losing their edge.

12th Dec 2008, 13:31

Sounds like the '73 Plymouth Satellite was actually the better car. I know I'd rather have it than the Honda.

13th Dec 2008, 01:10

Yes, I agree with these statements. Ford manufactures a larger range of vehicles that Honda does so it is likely they will sell more cars/trucks. Also, J.D. Powers is very biased in its reviews and "encourages" consumers to buy American. Ford is crap and so is J.D. Powers. Of course they would uphold a domestic brand over a foreign one. Whatever the case with Powers, Toyota still sales more family and economy cars than Ford and GM with Honda not far behind. Even Nissan sales more Altimas each year than Ford does its Fusion (Mazda 6 foreign car). The reviews are based on opinion and not facts and from experience, I would far rather drive a Honda/Nissan/Toyota than a Ford/GM. My repair bills and years of ownership speak for themselves, along with relatives who have owned foreign over domestic vehicles with not a single dissatisfied owner.

My cousin and his wife have a 1994 Honda Accord LX bought brand new (January 1994). They also have a Nissan Armada and 2008 Infiniti G35. They STILL drive the Honda with 253,000+ miles. I asked him, he said all he has done in almost 15 years is change the timing belt, water pump, oil, occasional battery, alternator, alignment and tires. The car runs good.

13th Dec 2008, 01:15

Actually, no. I was gratified by the privilege of buying a Nissan Maxima in 1987, new. I knew better than to buy a domestic in the 80's. Owned the car for 21 years with few problems and decided then to turn my back on domestic vehicles. Buying a GMC Sonoma in 1996 confirmed the reasoning for my decision I have yet to come to regret.

13th Dec 2008, 01:17

This is SO perfectly true, and many consumers are SO terribly ignorant to what they are buying.

13th Dec 2008, 08:59

"Also, J.D. Powers is very biased in its reviews and "encourages" consumers to buy American. Ford is crap and so is J.D. Powers. Of course they would uphold a domestic brand over a foreign one."

I guess you felt that J.D. Powers was also "crap" when they were recommending Japanese cars a few years ago? Or did you think they were not biased for recommending Japanese cars?

"I would far rather drive a Honda/Nissan/Toyota than a Ford/GM. My repair bills and years of ownership speak for themselves, along with relatives who have owned foreign over domestic vehicles with not a single dissatisfied owner."

I can say the same thing for my low or lack of repair bills for domestics. My family has always bought used Dodges, Plymouths, a couple of Chevies, and more recently Fords, and have driven them all past 200,000 miles with no to minimal repairs. My positive experience with American cars also speaks for itself.

"My cousin and his wife have a 1994 Honda Accord LX bought brand new (January 1994). They also have a Nissan Armada and 2008 Infiniti G35. They STILL drive the Honda with 253,000+ miles. I asked him, he said all he has done in almost 15 years is change the timing belt, water pump, oil, occasional battery, alternator, alignment and tires. The car runs good."

That's great. And my 1985 Dodge with over 260,000 miles is STILL on the road. 10 years older than your Honda, but with no more repairs than yours. I keep waiting for an answer to the question of why Japanese cars are so much better that I'm supposed to rush out and buy one. Nobody can seem to offer anything except the tired-out mantra of "they're better because I say so."