28th Feb 2009, 13:17
No, the most recent article on the U.S. auto industry (MSN, Feb. 2009) states very clearly "Ford is now rated EQUAL in reliability to the BEST Japanese cars". That means Honda, as Toyota has plummeted in quality over the past decade.
Again, please verify FACTS before making such incorrect statements. The "recommended" status for some Toyota models was pulled by CR last year because they proved so UNRELIABLE.
28th Feb 2009, 13:28
Yes, there are laws against hospitals denying care to patients in urgent immediate need. There are also laws that state that driving 80mph in a 60mph zone is illegal, but do you know of even ONE driver who OBEYS it? (well, maybe the guy with the mangled rear bumper from getting rear-ended). Having laws DOES NOT mean they will be OBEYED. I know many people who work in the health care field. ALL of them have horror stories about "dumping". This is the practice hospitals use to avoid treating patients without insurance. It involves "referring" them to a charity hospital (never mind that it may be HOURS away) and leaving them to die on the way. And YES, it DOES happen every day.
28th Feb 2009, 20:52
To all you domestic fans: pick up the new Consumer Reports, 2009, Best and Worst car issue. As always, and has been exhaustively stated, Japanese automobiles come out ahead in every single category. Just spent a half hour reading. I'm not going to repeat the entire thing, go read the facts for yourself.
Most reliable? Toyota/Honda. Best buys? Toyota/Honda.
Most fuel efficient? Toy./Honda.
Highest initial quality and long-term reliability? Toyota/Honda.
It even explains in the beginning of the book how the tests are done and how the results are compiled. They go buy them anonymously, just as you or I would, and drive them for years, just like you and I would. Those that have problems and break down get the worst of the ratings.
As usual, Dodge is pathetic, the very worst of the bunch, GM is hardly better than that, and Ford, while the best of the domestics, trails FAR behind Toyota, Honda, and Nissan.
Oh, and by the way, Consumer Reports isn't biased, so don't say something like that. They don't accept advertising from any auto manufacturer. They just tell you what breaks down and what doesn't.
P.S. The even funnier list is the "used automobiles to avoid" list - literally dozens and dozens of Fords, Chevy's, and Dodges, and ONE single Toyota and ONE single Honda.
If you're going to pretend that the Big 3 make good cars, read the facts that prove otherwise.
28th Feb 2009, 21:57
So when looking for a full size truck do you walk in say I need 30 MPG and I have Blue Cross Blue Shield? I'll love to see the facial expressions of the new sales dept. when I walk in to buy my next new one and hand my check with that concept.
28th Feb 2009, 23:05
"There is a federal statute called EMTALA (Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act) "
If you have been to a hospital anywhere near the emergency rooms, you will have seen numerous signs on the wall informing everyone of the basics of the EMTALA statute. I believe it is also federally mandated that there be numerous conspicuous copies of those signs.
1st Mar 2009, 11:52
If you have been anywhere near a highway you will notice that there are VERY conspicuous speed limit signs at very short intervals... those are ignored too.
1st Mar 2009, 12:08
One of the latest articles on the domestic auto industry (MSN, February 27, 2009) CLEARLY STATES that Ford's reliability is now EQUAL to "the best Japanese brands". If you check the "projected reliability" in Consumer Reports, you'll find the Fusion is ranked two levels HIGHER than Camry and one level HIGHER than Accord. The average rating for BOTH Toyota and Ford's overall line up is "average". That means they are both EQUAL (as clearly stated in the MSN article). Just how does this "prove" either is any better than the other?
A car review in USA today (February 27,2009) on the Nissan Versa was entitled "The Nissan Versa sings like a bird: "CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP" and discusses the many squeaks, rattles and clunks, and the rock hard rear seat.
Since USA Today's automotive reviewers are some of the most objective in the business, I tend to listen to most of what they say. They were the ones who took on the Mercedes ML-320 Bluetech and dared to label this supposedly "untouchable" luxury brand as being worse than a Dodge Durango. ALL of their recent reviews on domestics have been VERY GOOD. They are independent testers and do not receive money from ANY manufacturer or lobbying firm working with them.
1st Mar 2009, 13:10
If anyone wants a vision of what socialized health care would look like in the United States, take a good look at the Veterans Administration Hospitals. I would think that would cool off any ones enthusiasm for socialized health care.
1st Mar 2009, 14:44
"It even explains in the beginning of the book how the tests are done and how the results are compiled. They go buy them anonymously, just as you or I would, and drive them for years, just like you and I would. Those that have problems and break down get the worst of the ratings."
Yes they buy cars anonymously but that isn't where they get their repair info. The repair information comes from thousands of consumers who fill out the surveys. These surveys simply ask for the repairs that needed to be done on the consumer's vehicle (s). CR then compiles, categorizes, and averages these responses.
They buy the cars to do their road tests which are done much like those in C%D, Automobile, R&T, Autoweek, etc. The comments related to performance come from these road tests. CR also has a heavy emphasis on safety (like most consumer organizations).
Just thought I should clear that up.
1st Mar 2009, 16:12
20:52.
It is very easy to prove that Consumer Reports is bias in their recommendation (s) of Toyota. Look at all the engine failures Toyota continue to have, yet Consumer Reports continues to recommend them:
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/toyota_engine.html
How can Consumer Reports rate a car company like this top? Other manufacturers do not have these problems. Consumer Reports is flat out wrong in their ratings, regardless of what you say, or how much infallibility you think they have.
I know so many people that have had terrible problems with their Toyota's (including complete engine failures) and had to sell them early at a substantial loss, bringing their families to the brink of financial ruin, just to rid themselves of all the problems. They would have a thing or two to say to you, and would probably not be polite about it.
28th Feb 2009, 13:12
Check the EPA figures yourself. GM builds more 30mpg+ vehicles than Toyota and Honda COMBINED and has for a decade. This is a good example of claims tossed out by import fans. The highest rated cars besides hybrids sold in the U.S. (according to EPA figures) are BOTH GM with the possible exception of the Fit and Yaris. I haven't checked the revised figures on those, but I am virtually certain they are STILL lower than GM's. It gets tiresome defending one of our major industries from all the myths propagated by Japanese car companies.