23rd Aug 2009, 02:19
I just bought another Chrysler vehicle that came with a Lifetime Powertrain Warranty. Granted Hyundai does offer the bumper-to-bumper warranty, Chrysler still covers really all of the major stuff, forever. The Chrysler dealer that I deal with is fantastic, and will likely keep buying from them. Honestly, I'm really not brand loyal, and have owned tons on vehicles in the last 30 years. I've been pretty fond of Chryslers, but have also owned GM's, Fords and imports as well. The only car I've ever had constant trouble with, was, go figure, a 1999 Toyota Camry. Ah yes, another fantastic, bulletproof import...
23rd Aug 2009, 12:26
I totally agree. Our Honda never made 50,000 miles without very major issues. It was sold to a junk dealer as scrap at less than 100,000 miles. Not one of our domestics ever had ANY problems before 100,000 miles. Our current GM vehicle is older than our Honda even lasted and has had ZERO problems. Our 2006 Fusion is flawless. We not only get better cars, we help American companies as well.
23rd Aug 2009, 16:59
To "15:26"
With a manual transmission, it doesn't matter. A manual transmission can break just from having somebody who doesn't know how to drive it. The comment you were replying to wasn't saying that the manual transmissions had a problem, he was saying that this guys transmission probably died because he didn't know how to drive it.
23rd Aug 2009, 17:22
"I've read nearly all the Fusion reviews, and most of them have said that they have serious transmission problems very early on."
I make it a point to check out questionable claims such as this and set the record straight. I scanned through EVERY Fusion review from 2006 through 2010. Out of that sizeable number, I read comments by the reviewers such as "silky smooth transmission" time after time. Out of ALL the reviews only TWO mentioned ANY type of transmission issues, and they both dealt with what the reviewer regarded as improper feel during shifting (HARDLY "serious problems"!!).
It's sad that import fans have to resort to fabrications to support their claims.
Another commenter boasted that "95 percent of Toyota and Honda reviewers are happy with their cars". That too is a bogus claim. Checking the 2003 and 2006 reviews for Accord and Camry, less than HALF say they'd buy another. In 2006, ZERO Camry owners said they'd buy another. If you don't believe me CHECK THE REVIEWS. For Ford and GM cars (Taurus and Pontiac Grand Prix) for the same years the figures were respectively: 2003 Taurus: 81%, 2003 Pontiac: 70%, 2006 Taurus: 60%, 2006 Pontiac 80%. These are the figures and they DON'T look good for imports.
23rd Aug 2009, 18:54
Of a few cars we have owned:
1987 Nissan Maxima, 360K+ miles, trouble-free
1991 Chevy Silverado, 202K miles, constant engine, transmission issues
1996 GMC Sonoma, 225K miles, constantly repairing to keep on the road. Became more a liability and safety issue to continue driving.
2004 Nissan Sentra, 150K, no problems to date except battery post acid wear.
2004 Honda Accord, 53K (currently owns), no problems to date.
1995 Chevy Silverado, 203K (currently owns), constantly leaking, overheating, radiatior, heater coils, costly repairs.
24th Aug 2009, 15:54
It's clear you are anti-Japan, but what about all of the German, Italian, Swedish, British and Korean cars out there?
Also, what about all of the countries that support Ford and GM overseas as there are many foreign cars built by our companies over there. Should they stop supporting our companies too? How do you think that would affect GM and Ford?
We need a free trade system for all to survive, and to be anti-anything, product wise, in today's world is kind of ridiculous. You better throw away all of your Japanese electronics (including the ones in place in your domestic car that keep it running properly!) And how many things around your house are built in China? To pick one item such as a car to discriminate against doesn't make much sense when virtually everything we use and own is made in some far away land that capitalizes on the US for cash flow.
You should be thankful that free trade exists to allow all of those Japanese cars into the US. Without the elevated quality level of those brands over the past four decades, the domestic cars would still be the piles of junk that they were in the 70's instead of the now high quality automobiles we have the right to choose or not choose today!
Competition is a healthy thing. Too bad the big 3 sat on the sidelines for so long and let foreign brands capitalize their own marketplace and gain legions of loyal supporters looking for the best car they could buy for the money.
24th Aug 2009, 19:44
"It's sad that import fans have to resort to fabrications to support their claims."
It's sad that this site is being hijacked by a Ford "owner/enthusiast", and it's a shame that this person has to resort to anti-Japanese rhetoric.
24th Aug 2009, 22:06
To comment 23rd Aug 2009, 18:54.
I don't deny you having some problematic vehicles, but if they really WERE that much trouble, you would not keep them for 200+ thousand miles and keep sticking money into them.
24th Aug 2009, 23:30
Taurus nor Grand Prix has sold as many Camries and Corollas as Toyota has, or as many Accords and Civics as Honda. Someone must be satisfied, and not every car owner gives a review on the website.
25th Aug 2009, 07:56
18:54 the Nissan has had nothing in 360,000 miles? What's your secret to never needing timing belts, starters, heater cores, shocks, ball joints universals, A/C issues at even half that mileage? My Nissan was not as perfect.
25th Aug 2009, 08:53
15:54 I am grateful there are 5000 auto workers no longer working a 1/4 mile from my neighborhood as well. Lots of high end homes for sale too. My home dropped another 100K in value so maybe I can get my best value driving a cheap import now.
I no longer drive Mercedes as well from the excessive 80's era... I drive domestics today.
22nd Aug 2009, 17:39
I don't get this argument that the Ford Fusion is a reliable vehicle. There's a woman on here who purchased a 2006 Fusion brand new, and it started having serious transmission problems at 10,000 miles. She said she would worry every time she drove it, praying she would be able to get home because she had her new born baby in the car. This is not reliable to me, not by a long shot. Nobody should have to worry that their car isn't going to get them home.
This doesn't seem uncommon either. I've read nearly all the Fusion reviews, and most of them have said that they have serious transmission problems very early on. I read another one in which somebody had purchased a brand new '07 Fusion, only to have the entire transmission blow at just over 200 miles on the odometer. How is this reliable? Read the Fusion reviews on this website and you will see what I mean. These reviews are by real people, driving their cars in the real world. Not Consumer Reports testing a car for a few hundred miles. I wouldn't trust any of those review magazines for ANY CAR, let alone a domestic.