6th Aug 2009, 09:40
"they didn't have the power to cubic inch ratio, but they went on and on and on... beyond our diesels (I have seen Merc's out of the 80's with over 600,000 miles, but Americans went beyond, with small repairs)."
This has been our experience. None of our imports made 100,000 miles without major repairs. None of our domestic vehicles has ever had a major repair, including several with well over 200,000 miles on them. We now only drive domestics because of the higher reliability, better styling and far better warranties.
6th Aug 2009, 12:14
Side air bags and I beams in the door would be my answer. I suspect little econo cars would fair poorly in crashes or underpowered ones. I found more hp can maneuver you out of danger quickly same with big brakes. We switched to Brembos with better tire footprint as well can avoid accidents upgrading small factory components.
7th Aug 2009, 22:24
I sold my Accord for a Nissan Maxima in 2002. With 200,000 miles on my Accord, and not a single problem, I really wish that I had kept it. I bet it would still be running problem-free to this day. I've always loved my Honda's, my first car was a Civic with 350,000 miles on it and also zero problems. Unfortunately, I can't say the same about the domestics I've owned. I really didn't like them. They were always giving me problems (like my '95 Lumina, engine blown at 60,000 miles) and their build quality wasn't nearly as good. I'm sticking with Honda.
9th Aug 2009, 11:57
We "stuck with Honda" until it totally disintegrated just shy of 100,000 miles. Our new GM vehicles are in warranty that long. In 9 years of rugged service we've replaced one light bulb in our GM. By that time our Honda was rusting in a junk yard. We can't afford disposable cars. We'll stick with Ford and GM.
11th Aug 2009, 10:42
This is a sad story for sure, but she must have been going way too fast in that blinding rain and hit that truck with no brakes. Virtually ANY car would have failed her at that point against an F-150. The truck was probably on top of her by the time she stopped as she most assuredly slid underneath it. You cannot find fault in any car's design when lack of judgement and/ or poor driving skill is involved.
13th Aug 2009, 22:10
After discovering that the taxpayer funded "Cash for Clunkers" program is sending millions of U.S. taxpayer dollars to Japan, I was so furious I wrote a blistering letter to my elected representatives and sent emails to all my car club and mechanic buddies urging them to do likewise.
I had thought that the program was for AMERICANS. Japanese car companies employ a tiny handful of people in the U.S. I am outraged that my tax dollars are fattening the coffers of foreign industries.
I WAS encouraged that July sales clearly showed SOME patriotic spirit. Ford topped sales in the small car class, the small SUV class, and the world class Fusion is blowing away all the competition. The 81mpg Fusion Hybrid is selling so fast Ford can't make enough of them.
16th Aug 2009, 08:08
22:10 - I can't believe you can actually write this kind of anti-Japanese propaganda, and it actually gets printed on this site.
Yes, Ford makes some very nice vehicles, but let's get the facts correct. The Fusion is rated at 41mpg, not the over-inflated 81mpg that you claim.
We know you show disdain for imported vehicles, we know you show disdain for Japanese vehicles made by Americans in the USA.
It is also clear that you don't realize or care that Americans are also selling and repairing these vehicles, so Americans are still being helped when an imported car is sold here.
Let me state that I don't work in the auto industry & I own a domestic car. However when I see statements like the one you made inflating the greatness of Ford, and making such negative statements about Japanese vehicles, I really have to wonder what is really going on here.
Enough is enough.
I was considering a Ford as my next purchase, after reading these kinds of comments, I'll probably buy Japanese. I certainly won't ever buy a Ford now.
16th Aug 2009, 22:57
2nd Aug 2009, 20:55.
They are called "cars" with safety features, not lifesavers. Sorry but in certain accidents there will be fatalities.
16th Aug 2009, 23:14
Honda sold 29,774 Accords for July 2009 and an even higher number of Civics. Sorry, Fusion still loses!
17th Aug 2009, 10:41
It's unfortunate that this happened, but you really can't blame the car. She must have been going way too fast in that rainstorm, because if she had been driving safely, chances are she would've been fine. You can't blame the car when poor driving skills are involved. Plus she hit an F-150, if she had been driving a Chevy Cobalt, do you think the results would have been any different? You also don't take into account the size difference of the two vehicles.
17th Aug 2009, 14:53
"The 81mpg Fusion Hybrid is selling so fast Ford can't make enough of them."
HA HA!! 81 MPG?! The only car capable of 81 MPG is an early 2000's Honda Insight. The Ford Fusion Hybrid is a joke! Why would I pay 30,000 grand for a piece of crap Ford that gets 41 MPG when I can buy a Honda Civic that gets 45 MPG, and it will last past its warranty! Unlike the Fusion.
I drive an '08 Civic LX, not the hybrid model, and yes I get 45 MPG. I bought it new, and so far, not a single issue. Can't be said for my last car, a Ford, that needed a whole new intake manifold by the time I reached 25,000 miles. But go ahead, keeping buying your domestics, cause I'm a mechanic, and when your domestic breaks, I'll make a fortune off your repairs. Meanwhile, I'll be happily driving problem free with my Civic.
17th Aug 2009, 20:14
"Yes, Ford makes some very nice vehicles, but let's get the facts correct. The Fusion is rated at 41mpg, not the over-inflated 81mpg that you claim.'
This claim is 100% true. It was based on a 1000 mile test run in a totally stock Ford Fusion Hybrid driving at the posted speed limits and including a trip around the Washington (D.C.) beltway. (Ford Owner's magazine, August 2009) The mileage delivered in this test was 81 mpg. The AVERAGE rating is 41 mpg, but this test returned 81 mpg and could be duplicated by any driver. I have seen mileage as high as 36 on my non-hybrid Fusion several times on trips.
6th Aug 2009, 07:47
To 21:16 - Yes the vehicle that gets t-boned would be the one with the most damage. If you t-boned a Dodge Dakota while driving a Tacoma, the Dakota would most likely suffer similar damage.
In the other accident you say that the Accord hit a Tahoe head one, and all of the occupants in the Accord were killed.
You failed to say if they were wearing seatbelts.
The Tahoe is also a much larger vehicle.
If a Malibu hit a Toyota Land Cruiser head on, do you think the results would be much different?
Your examples and your logic seem flawed to me, especially without all of the facts.