11th Nov 2006, 15:40

I agree with comment 07:22. When we were shopping for an SUV we drove lots, including the slow, dangerous, and highly erratic Highlander. We opted to buy a solid, safe, and much better performing GMC Envoy. We've had it almost 4 years now, and it has proven to be a great ride. It's smooth, very fast, got over 20 mpg on our last vacation, and has never had one single mechanical problem. We used the thousands we saved for a couple of nice vacation trips to the mountains and the coast.

12th Nov 2006, 06:38

Do you even know the actual price difference between your truck and a Tacoma or Tundra? If you're going to sell every few years, which is dumb and expensive, then your GM will likely limp along for that long. The FACT that I've been trying to get across is that if you are the kind of person that wants to keep a vehicle for a long time, then you will want to buy a Toyota or a Honda because Ford and GM do not build vehicles capable of this kind of reliable service. YES, there are a few exceptions, so don't bother to write in with fairy tale mileage about your GM vehicle. You can drive the Toyota for many years, without worry, and with virtually no repairs, just maintenance. And, YES I know that somewhere out there are probably a few Toyota lemons. As a whole, they manufacture the best vehicles available for the long run. Or you can spend your days in the garage with your GM, learning all the finer points of their precious 100,000 mile guarantee, where they will give you a headache over every issue, and often fail to fix a problem the first 2 or 3 tries. I think I'll stick with Toyota and remain worry free.

12th Nov 2006, 11:08

It's interesting that if Toyotas hold up so much better in the "long run" so many companies use Ford and GM trucks and virtually NONE use Toyota or Nissan (Honda, by the way DOES NOT build a truck, the Ridgerline is a Pilot SUV with the back roof chopped off). Many companies (including two that are owned by my family members) use the incredibly reliable Ford Ranger and some of these vehicles have easily gone well over 300,000 miles with ZERO engine or transmission problems.

Making rash and unfounded statements about vehicles you know nothing about tends to make the case for American vehicles. The comments on in this site from Ford, GM and Chrysler owners state actual owner's experiences. The comments from the Toyota owners seems to be mostly rants and unfounded statements more appropriate to a 10-year-old.

12th Nov 2006, 12:42

I am worry free. The harsh Tacoma ride, small cab, braking and air bag concerns might cause some however. I am not driven by cost... if I was I would sacrifice.

12th Nov 2006, 14:34

What is the driver of post 16:16 likes the vehicle? There is absolutely no value if you do not like what you are driving. New Silverados do not limp along especially the aluminum V8's. Keep in mind some households today may have 2 high earners with a lot more substantial disposable income... buying a vehicle to them may be like you going out to buy a pencil. Hummers also are selling very well under the same roof within my GM dealership. A lot are actually driven only in the city. People are buying the Vortec Max, SS and the Southern Comfort Silverado that want luxury and high end. Fuel is not an issue luxury is foremost. If the warranty and tags are transferred to the next owner it helps sell the vehicle if only for that reason. A lot of vehicles have low mileage in the teens and are like new not broken down or "limping" as you describe. I have seen trade ins to buy new Denalis, Hummers with even lower mileage. I am the second owner of my Chevrolet that was sold in April 2006 just to buy a large SUV due to the wife getting pregnant again. Not everyone hangs on to vehicles forever maybe you will, but people are fickle they want the latest and more than the few basic usual options.

12th Nov 2006, 14:57

Okay, then I guess all of the different American vehicles owned by my family must have all been flukes, right?

1974 Dodge Monaco station wagon: 130,000 miles

1976 Plymouth Volare station wagon: 205,000 miles

1977 Dodge Tradesman 100 van: 230,000 miles (still driven by next owner)

1979 Plymouth Volare station wagon: 180,000 miles

1980 Plymouth Volare station wagon: 160,000 miles

1983 Chevy Celebrity station wagon: 212,000 miles

1984 Plymouth Reliant station wagon: 220,000 (still driven by next owner)

1985 Dodge Ramcharger: 250,000 miles (still daily driven)

1989 Chevy 20 van: 208,000 miles (still driven by next owner)

1990 Pontiac 6000 station wagon: 215,000 miles

1994 Cadillac Seville STS: 170,000 miles (still daily driven)

1997 Mercury Sable station wagon: 160,000 miles (still daily driven)

So let's just hear all about how you need to buy a Toyota to avoid all those unreliable American cars. Humbug!!

12th Nov 2006, 20:34

Much of what contributes to a vehicle's lifespan has to do with common-sense care and maintenance. In most modern cars overheating the engine will TOTALLY RUIN IT. My best friend ran his Miata (which was JUST out of warranty) low on coolant because of a pin-hole leak in a coolant recovery canister hose. He ran the car until everything under the hood was fried. The repair bill was $7000. The hose would have cost him about 25 cents at Auto Zone and would have taken all of 30 seconds to replace. Many people who gripe about American cars being "crappy" are people like my friend who don't know which end of a car the engine is in, NEVER check ANY fluid or change oil, then scream "JUNK" when the poor car breaks down. Regardless of whether it is Japanese or American-made ANY vehicle built today should go 200,000 miles if properly cared for without ANY repairs. Another friend of mine owned a Highly rated Honda Civic which started falling apart at 40,000 miles because he never took care of it. Was it the car's fault? NO. When people mistreat vehicles it isn't the CAR that's crappy, it's the OWNER. I can afford to keep a newer car and trade well before 100,000 miles. I always buy American because I'm American, and I like smooth, comfortable cars with style and performance. I take care of my vehicles meticulously and wax them twice a year. I get GREAT resale on my vehicles because they are clean, low mileage and I DIDN'T pay full list for them. I have NEVER had a problem with ANY new vehicle I have owned since 1981.