3rd Feb 2008, 15:13
13:42 I must have been the most unluckiest new vehicle owner... 2 new bad imports in a row.
It seems my luck has changed for the better with my new domestics. I never kept any new import ever 300,000 miles, let alone even half of that... usually after 100,000 miles I had timing belts, struts, front end components, brakes, heater cores, electrical issues, non working a/c, gas tank replacement, assorted rust for openers and wear on all components front to back.
You have to weigh repairs in your equation; is a $1000-2000 high mileage import vehicle value worth spending an equal amount on to prove some kind of durability theory? I wonder how many people even ever go 200-300,000 miles? I prefer not have a sudden $3000-4000 engine repair or trans replacements; that is something that one must prepare for. I wonder if we could get a tally on how many people are on here driving 300,000 miles.
My wife and young kids are not up to driving at night, bad winter weather, extreme summer heat stressing out every component etc. with dubious high mile vehicles. I suspect safety and peace of mind has more value, as well as not being stranded to and from work. But to each their own.
4th Feb 2008, 23:16
Even the usually biased Consumer Reports featured a Ford Ranger in its October 2007 issue that had made just shy of half a million miles with no engine or transmission problems.
That doesn't surprise me. Our company Rangers and F-150's routinely pass the 200,000 mile mark easily with no repairs, and several are now over 300,000 and going strong.
A friend's company that uses Chevy and Dodge trucks reports the same. Domestic trucks are by far the most reliable in the long run.
The myth of unreliable domestic vehicles is fuelled not by broken down domestic vehicles, but by advertising hype, exaggerations and ignorance.
My wife and I took a 4-mile drive down the freeway this evening to eat at a favorite restaurant. Just in that very short distance we passed one broken down vehicle on the roadside. It was a Toyota.
5th Feb 2008, 18:32
23:16 The 'myth' of domestics being unreliable is not myth, but in fact reality, fueled by the many millions of unfortunate consumers, like myself, that once made the mistake of owning them before we discovered that a Toyota, Honda, or Nissan is an infinitely better vehicle that lasts twice as long for just a little more money. Common sense dictates buying them.
11th Apr 2017, 22:16
Just purchased 2007 from a friend. The truck is exactly like you described it. 240k, and still rattle free and tight suspension.
A little bit of rust on the box supports appears to be a common problem.
Motor does not burn or leak oil.
Really nice to drive.
12th Apr 2017, 10:11
When is the last time you owned a new domestic full size truck? Or was it an old car? And how old was it and were service records kept? The random full sweep of a brush on all manufacturers, makes and models full size truck comments is not helpful. Please finish your comment when you make such a claim.
We have high mileage Ford F Series and Silverado HD2500 pick ups, not even offered by Honda, Toyota or Nissan. 3/4 Ton up. And many people do privately own 3/4 Ton 8 ft bed size. I also tow a Fountain powerboat, enclosed trailer etc. At work we have high mileage ones as well with fleet logs maintained. The new domestic pickups are really nice. I can't see owning a Ridgeline running with no load with high mileage as my only claim to fame. If you are in the full size truck segment, let us know what you own. I do not see catastrophic failure to be making such a domestic truck claim.
17th Apr 2017, 16:33
These aren't actually imported anyway. Tundras were and are designed, engineered, tested and manufactured in the US with something like 80%+ domestic parts, in some cases the same brand of parts as used in some of the GM and Ford trucks. Just because something is from either a foreign or domestic company doesn't indicate quality. All man made machines are prone to eventual failure regardless.
18th Apr 2017, 11:57
So you own one, correct? That was the question. Full size owner. Ford and GM build outstanding new full size pickups. What is your background in this area? Toyota is an import. You can build overseas. I don't think anyone is buying thinks that's it's a domestic company. They hire some workers and assemble. The big cash goes back to corporate overseas for much larger growth. And yes we know about free trade. But that doesn't change the import domestic definition. If they build in your state great. But there's 50.
20th Apr 2017, 18:29
Two members of my family own Tundras, so yes, I'm familiar with them. And secondly, as US citizen I have choices of what to buy and so whether something is "imported" or "Domestic " is not my concern. I will choose whatever product fits my needs the best.
Oh - and take a peek under that "domestic" truck of yours and tell me about all of the foreign parts in it that had to be "imported" here... Same difference...
21st Apr 2017, 09:19
There's a big difference reviewing a vehicle you have actually owned. You know all the nuances in all types of road and weather conditions. If you are so totally sold on a vehicle, it makes sense to acquire one. Not something smaller or close. Especially when you critique an entire line up. It's like reviewing someone else's review.
Here's a final question; have you driven any brand new domestic full sizes within a few years old? And on an ongoing basis? Many of us have. I feel Ford and GM full sizes built today are outstanding. I would like to read what you have driven lately. Full size truck wise, besides the Tundra.
21st Apr 2017, 18:12
I don't own nor really need a full sized truck, but if I did - sure - I'd check out whatever I felt was appealing to me. I do own both American and Japanese vehicles. In the past I wouldn't have considered domestic vehicles since they had quality issues for years. With the exception of Chrysler, which IMHO still makes garbage, both GM and Ford have massively improved.
The problem with discussions such as this one is when they become more of an emotional versus practical discussion. Sure - I get the idea that we as Americans should "Buy our own", but sometimes whatever American product is out there isn't appealing to all people and thus why we have other choices. Frankly the likes of Toyota and Honda more or less forced the big three to do better. Had everyone just bought whatever crap the big three made without question, they wouldn't have had any incentive to improve.
My old Toyota truck is 22 years old and I love the thing. It's really well engineered and easy to work on and service. Likewise I own a Chevy Volt which IMHO is an ingenious car and technical marvel. Strip the Chevy badge off and people would swear the thing was a Lexus or something. It also annoys me when people seemingly assume that just because it's a Chevy well it must be garbage... which is funny seeing as how 45% of the car is actually made in Japan, Korea or Austria.
Perceptions are very hard to change. My parents owned a few GM cars when I was a kid. I believe they had a '78 Malibu, an '81 Olds Delta 88 and then a Buick Riviera. Those cars literally fell apart. As in one day we went up the driveway in the Buick and the transmission gave up the ghost entirely and we had to roll it back down and have it flat-bedded to the dealership. That same car also dramatically had a problem when we drove it to church one day: The trim piece covering the power window mechanism fell off onto the parking lot. Just really awful and ridiculous issues!
I recall being a kid on Saturdays watching cartoons on some little black and white TV at the dealership while one of those cars was getting fixed again for the umpeenth time. To this day my parents will never-ever consider anything other than Toyotas. I was the same for decades and the only reason I bought the Volt was because it was actually appealing to me. And that's just it really. If a company goes out of its way to create an appealing product then people will buy it. So good for GM for getting a new customer. My impressions of the company have changed for the better but it took decades to do so. Just because 30 years ago GM made some rather shoddy products and those memories stayed with me for years.
3rd Feb 2008, 08:40
"Toyota owners expect 300,000 miles or more with regular maintenance..."
Really? The reviews I have been reading on Toyota lately would not inspire that kind of confidence. I have never had the types of problems with my vehicles (all domestic) Toyota owners are describing.