11th Sep 2007, 10:24

I would not be using anything from JD Power as a yard stick in terms of comparing quality. There's a pretty important word in that report, and that word would be "Initial". In other words, it has nothing to do with long-term reliability and longevity.

All I can say is that if anyone thinks anything Buick makes comes even remotely close to being on par with Lexus, then they're only fooling themselves. Buick is STILL using old-fashioned 4 speed automatics, while Lexus is producing 8 an speed.

The fact of the matter is that Buick still produces an old-fashioned, outdated, incredibly boringly styled econo-sedan that in no way will have the same long-term reliability or longevity of anything Lexus produces. Even you who used the JD power reports as "proof" fully realize this.

In regards to Tacomas... again, Ford and Chevy lost that contest. Obviously neither company can compete with Toyota because Toyota makes a better, more solid, more capable truck. Again - the Ranger will be no more. Get it? No more small trucks from Ford. GM barely makes a scratch in that market either, and I'd be real surprised if they don't discontinue their small trucks as well. I think that just about validates the argument that Ford and GM built inferior small trucks for years. So I guess the only small trucks left to do either real or as you call it "Playing in the mud" will be Toyota and Nissan.

Also - why don't you come and check out the farming situation in CA? You obviously have no idea what you're talking about, because despite what you think, there are way more farmers and huge farms here doing more farm work than anywhere in KY or the Southeast for that matter. There are literally hundreds of miles of nothing but farmland out here. They use trucks for serious work. Fords, Chevys, and Toyotas.

Also - if we're going to have a recall contest, the facts still remain that GM and Ford have had many times the number of recalls over either Toyota or Nissan. We can single out all the technicalities all day long, but the simple fact that GM and Ford again take the cake for defective products, I think the argument can be summed up with that single fact.

Lastly, these little comparisons keep being made about "how my truck will haul a 2 story house up a wall" and so forth, as if to say that by owning a domestic truck, that automatically makes it beefier and stronger than any import. About a year ago, I went to a Chevy dealership and looked and some brand new Silverados. The interior of the truck was very nice and comfortable. But I'm a mechanically minded person, so I'm more concerned about the business end of the truck.

First of all, the whole engine was covered in a rubbermaid plastic shield. Secondly, there was a lot of welding splatter on the frame.

The hardware used in many places was already rusting. The frame towards the bed was somewhat thin looking for a full-sized truck. The handles were flimsy and felt like they flexed as I opened the doors.

Bottom line- the truck was a big full sized truck built like an econocar. I think all these comments about those "puny" toyota trucks are ironic since many of the domestics are pretty much fluff and looks versus actual heavy duty. At least the new Tundra has a real frame and modern engine.

11th Sep 2007, 10:34

I could have very likely attained that mileage 260,000 miles plus on my new Acura in time, but would suspect at least 6-8 transmission replacements with that mileage level. Not bad for a $34,000 car.

I read mileage on motors, and they can be rebuilt many times and still be the original drivetrain. It gets expensive; I lost a/c, electronic problems.

My father use to rave years ago about his great VW beetle with high mileage, but he was in the dealer constantly with struts, clutch adjustments, no heat on and on, but he was a diehard keeping the car. It would be cheaper and a lot nicer to buy something decent instead of an old rust bucket. I never keep them over 50,000 miles, and yet my last imports were the worst cars I ever owned. No more imports...

11th Sep 2007, 15:46

17:11, Sure, I'd be glad to explain; none of these comments may be true, anonymity online tends to make people bold and/or exaggerate, if not make up complete lies altogether.

And on the off chance that all of those comments are actually true, then that is an extremely rare case of a Dodge outlasting a Toyota. That would not be the norm, Toyota's reputation is one of quality and longevity, because that's the experience that practically everyone that owns one has with it.

Personally, I've never met one single person who was less than thrilled with their Toyota's performance. Keep in mind, that's in REAL life. It's that simple.

12th Sep 2007, 06:34

My old Honda had 260k when I traded it and so what? It still had the power to go another 100k... I do not need no stinking facts about DoDges going over 60k miles. OOOOO my Dodge has 100,000 miles beat that!!! It's only had like 4 paint jobs and the engine is a mitsubishi, and did I add that mine was not really built by Dodge, but by the government since they bailed out my beloved Chrysler.

12th Sep 2007, 11:19

"There's a pretty important word in that report, and that word would be "Initial."

Funny how you seized on the word "initial" and glossed over how Buick, Lincoln, Mercury, and Cadillac still have higher quality than Toyota, Honda, and Acura after three years.

12th Sep 2007, 12:47

10:24 What Silverado were you looking at? Must have been an old work truck 1500 V6 stripper... I have a new fully loaded Silverado Vortec Max model that is great. I remember a new Accord I had years ago that when it hit 100,000 miles had the heater core fail in the interior and numerous other expensive repairs at 100,000 miles, timing belts, trans problems etc. I was also wise to trade it in. I cannot see the sense in keeping very high mileage imports with high repair costs.

12th Sep 2007, 15:55

If you look at construction sites, you never see a Toyota Tundra. Invariably, contractors use Chevy's, Ford's, GMC'c or Dodges. The likely customer for a Tundra is a suburban housewife who uses it to carry groceries or soccer uniforms, which is about all the Tundra is good for.

12th Sep 2007, 17:58

10:24 Thank You! Someone else that finally sees the light of day.

Ford's and Chevy's are nothing more than outdated, inefficient, cheaply made engines wrapped in crappy, thin tin that isn't put together straight. Look at their fenders, with those two little rods, or braces, that are supposed to keep the whole fender from just flapping in the wind I guess. Look at a Toyota body. MUCH better made. And everybody knows that their engines and transmissions are decades ahead of the competition.