25th Apr 2012, 12:57

The Japanese have been making far superior everything for years now! The North American brand vehicles are so far behind in design, quality, technology, etc. that it should be painfully obvious to anyone. Almost every automotive innovation worth having has been invented by either Mitsubishi or Mercedes, and Mercedes dropped Chrysler Corp. like a hot potato because of the poor quality they were contributing to the Mercedes name.

NA makers are just now starting to produce fuel efficient vehicles, only because they have been forced to by US government mandates. In 1995 the Civic got 44MPG on the highway. Do some research, or don't say anything at all!

28th Apr 2012, 13:07

The very last thing I think about on a new truck is mileage. First is an 8 foot bed, then strength in the frame to carry and tow. Then it's ride comfort and performance. Another consideration is insurance. Why buy a sort of compromise car frame short bed?

And I beg to differ on 2012 domestic trucks. Compare sales figures to Ford or GM full size trucks. I can live fine with over 20 mpg and have a no compromise truck.

Also, full size trucks can pay for themselves on used purchases and antiques picked up. If picking up a 3 ft footprint washer is exciting, try missing out on things that fill an 8 ft bed. I bought a commercial treadmill that would not fit as well as couches, and a spinet piano, so it pays for itself.

On steep slick boat ramps, keep your Ridgeline.

1st May 2012, 13:08

Domestic vehicles now lead the world in technology, reliability and safety. Ward's "10 Best Engines" list includes engines from Ford, GM and Chrysler (the awesome Pentastar) but not a single engine from Toyota or Honda. Comparisons by automotive magazines rate Civic and (especially) Corolla well below the level of the Chevy Cruze and Ford Focus. One major magazine called the Civic "antiquated and unsophisticated". Another referred to the Corolla as "A to B transportation... with nothing in between". Hardly a recommendation for sophistication or appeal.

Both Ford and GM have been outselling all Japanese brands in the U.S., and for many months now GM has been leading the world in auto sales. The Ford F-150 is heading into its fourth DECADE as world sales leader for a single vehicle line.

And let us not forget that it was a Japanese maker (Toyota) who earned the dubious distinction of having more vehicles recalled than any auto maker in the history of the world. And that was only after being FORCED to make the recalls after three Grand Jury subpoenas for failing to protect their customers safety and consumer rights. Not very "advanced" or "sophisticated" in my book thank you!!

2nd May 2012, 15:27

The automotive sales figures for April were released today. No surprise that Ford and GM topped U.S. sales. Toyota actually did edge up a bit, mostly due to massive incentives and aggressive advertising campaigns. Poor Honda continued in free-fall, in spite of higher buyer incentives than Ford or GM. An article stated that the Honda Insight, the cheapest hybrid on the U.S. market, continues to plunge in sales. This actually surprises me, as the Insight is a far more attractive and better built car than the higher-priced Toyota Prius.

3rd May 2012, 10:44

Why is it that every single time there is a Toyota or Honda review, the exact same, unrelated comments show up, rattling off sales reports, various unrelated stats and figures and whatnot, all in some sort of effort to try and refute the overall quality that these brands garner?

All in an effort to disguise the fact that Toyota, Honda, and Subaru all still build a better product, and a more reliable one at that, as proven time and again.

3rd May 2012, 15:44

Current sales figures are proof. Not a repetitive commenter that is still driving a 10 year old one. I agree old ones were better. I bought up til 2004 myself.

4th May 2012, 10:10

Proof of what? Just because people buy more of something, doesn't prove it's better than another. Also - the older ones were better argument is vague and not really based in reality. The new ones are just as good, if not better.

4th May 2012, 14:12

If you are shopping for a 30k truck, and more people buy Ford's 30k truck, that has relevance. If my 2002 Honda loses trans after trans, and my 90s did not, that has relevance.

5th May 2012, 07:11

Highest sales does not always equate to highest quality. The opposite is often true, because people are more sensitive to price, and are willing to sacrifice quality to pay less. Case in point: Budweiser. It may well be the world's best-selling beer, but it is merely dishwater marketed to the undiscerning masses.

5th May 2012, 14:29

Comment 10:10 makes a very good point. Just because a car sells well, does not mean it is better. Every review I have read in major automotive sources puts the Toyota Corolla at the bottom of the barrel. It is called "unsophisticated", "antiquated" and "A to B transportation... with nothing in between". Yet it remains a best seller. Why? The obvious reason is advertising hype and a buying public that doesn't bother to objectively research cars. The public relies on ad hype more than facts. He with the biggest advertising budget usually wins!!

6th May 2012, 06:51

I disagree on trucks costing 30k to 50k. These are not cheap, and I know, having owned many, what criteria directly affects a new buying decision.

First of all, applications. Then strength to carry loads and towing. Then performance, ride and handling. That creates a best seller.

If you're shopping Corollas and small cars, maybe it's what's just cheap. I tow a boat almost as much as my truck. The last thing I think about is buying super cheap. I doubt some of these commenters have even spent 30k plus on a truck.

7th May 2012, 10:44

Brand new cars under $20k brand new are a segment that likely focuses #1 on price point and economy. Cheap to buy and cheap to fuel up. A pickup truck, especially 30 grand and over, is a different segment. Price alone and even gas mileage is not what makes people buy a truck. In order for a truck to be a best seller, it has to be strong and durable when you are buying new, before price and fuel economy are even mentioned.

I can never understand why anyone would ever buy a 6 foot bed vs a 8 foot bed. In most cases, if that's the route you want, buy a hatchback, a bike rack, and tie the trunk down. I use to bring many bags of mulch home this way. When I started towing and carrying a half ton or more consistently, I went with a full size truck with an 8 foot bed with no regrets. Thinking of Corollas and the like never ever came into the picture.

5th Jan 2013, 19:00

If the domestic brands would give up on their planned obsolescence scam, you know, making a car to last 5 years only, I might consider one.

This is what happens when you let accountants run a business.

I will keep buying imports until you, the unionized workers toss the management ruining your companies out on their butts. A car has to last 10 years, no less. A car should ideally run as long as possible, giving it a sweet resale value, and that resale money goes towards the seller buying a new car.

Bean counters didn't account for resale value huh?