11th Mar 2009, 09:59
The comment is correct about one thing - This thread won't end (unless Steven puts an end to it). But in my opinion it goes on and on because there are so many people who think that their opinion is the only one that's correct and it doesn't matter what anybody else's experience is. To them there is just black or white, no gray. It's funny that people can't just come to the conclusion that there are good (and some not so good) domestics and good (and and some not so good) imports.
There are you know.
It really does depend on what your needs and preferences are. I don't think anyone is 100% right or 100% wrong.
11th Mar 2009, 10:48
The sad part about many of the anti-American comments on this site is that so many people are unaware of the dire consequences of destroying an industry that employs roughly 1 out of every 14 people in this country either directly or indirectly. It is also irritating to see comment after comment that is purely opinion with no sources cited. There are so many reputable sources available that clearly refute the "everything American is crap" argument.
For years now the Ford Ranger has had a reliability rating EXACTLY the SAME as the Toyota Tacoma. This is a fact. It is not a matter of opinion. The same is true of almost ALL of Ford's line of vehicles. USA today just ran a review of the new Ford Focus coupe. It said "Ford got it ALL right". This is from a reviewer that always tells it like it is and has had no qualms about attacking our automotive "sacred cows" such as Mercedes. The F-150 STILL outsells every other truck in the world. It is also "truck of the Year" (again).
GM is currently building some of the world's best cars and trucks. The Corvette outperforms cars costing twice as much, and does it with comfort and style. The Cadillac CTS-V is the fastest sedan on the planet and puts BMW and Mercedes to shame. The Silverado is one of the best trucks ever made. The ride, interior comfort level and handling are extremely good compared to the Tundra.
It is easy to say "Fords are crap" or "GM builds crap". It requires no effort, no research, and no hint of an open mind. It is based solely on opinion, and that often based on a bad experience with ONE vehicle out of millions. To make an informed judgment of vehicles, one needs to own more than one Ford with 200,000 miles on it, or one Toyota. Out of over 80 vehicles owned by both me and my siblings and other family members over the years, I have never seen ANY of the issues constantly attributed to domestics. No transmissions replaced, no blown head gaskets, no engine failures. We've owned imports, including Toyota. They were not any better than any of the domestics.
Would I buy another Toyota? Absolutely not. I care too much about my country and our dire economic situation to send money to foreign industries. I'd have no qualms about buying a USED import from a DOMESTIC dealer, because that DOES benefit our economy. The problem with that is that used imports are very poor values compared to used domestics. Why buy a Camry that is rated as "average" when I can buy a Fusion that is rated "much better than average" for 7 grand less? That makes little sense financially.
As long as I make my money in America, I feel obligated to support our industry. Yes, that is a matter of opinion and choice. So is sending our money out of the country and contributing to our growing unemployment and the suffering of our fellow citizens.
11th Mar 2009, 11:18
"10th Mar 2009, 21:24
Dodge is the absolute worst of the worst. The lowest reliability ratings on the market. Their whole lineup is a joke. Especially the cars."
I actually am seeing a lot of Avengers, Calibers, and Chargers on the roads. The former two seem to fill a niche for a lot of people.
As for "reliability ratings" well, you have to take those with a grain of salt. My family has owned quite a few used cars with only "2 out of 5 stars" that have gone over 200,000 miles with minor to no issues. Maybe we just take better care of our vehicles, and avoid having break-downs, who knows? My personal experience trumps some rating system, and I'll buy what suits me.
11th Mar 2009, 15:21
Has the Toyota Tundra sold a lot more last year and displaced all other new full size truck sales? With all the fanfare on this thread they should be standing in line waiting.
The thing that gets me is someone that owns a Tacoma comparing it to Tundra and other larger trucks and not even a late model illustration. I can say my dad has great cars, but he hardly drives them and changes the fluids every 4 months with low retired mileage. I drive, tow heavily and rack up the mileage and have personal first hand ownership and testing others (full sizes) I was unimpressed with Tundra... cover the nameplate up I was still unimpressed.
The sales history of this model compared to full size pickups illustrate this... please no Yaris, Prius, Aveo etc. What is the point... It's not the category exact to the review and at least be within the same decade.
11th Mar 2009, 15:58
10:48 Your opinions are yours, but your facts are wrong. Your using a technique of propaganda to try and sell Fords by singling out a SINGLE Ford that has a decent reliability rating. Learned how to dodge those attempts in 6th grade.
Ford does NOT have most of their vehicles rated anywhere close the the marks in quality and reliability that Toyota gets. They are rated far UNDER Toyota, with the exception of one or two models, which you domestic fans love to keep mentioning. A couple of decent models will not save them, and they are not rated as, nor are they a match for Toyota or their quality. The rest of your OPINIONS, you're welcome to mention all you like.
11th Mar 2009, 19:04
I assume you are talking about this site:
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/toyota_engine.html
Maybe it keeps getting posted because somebody has yet to explain why Toyota's are blowing engines in epidemic numbers at less than 50,000 miles. Maybe it is because people keep proclaiming that Toyota's are so impeccable, and anybody else who thinks otherwise is wrong, when in fact it cannot be denied that Toyota's are having serious problems and people do not want to admit it. That includes the auto publications you cite.
Do you believe Fox News or CNN? Do you agree with the New York Times or the Washington Times? Do you agree with National Review or Time Magazine. All of these are major news sources, but I take it you and most people would disagree with one or the other of the pairs of sources I listed. Disagree with one of each or do not agree with one of them. There goes your argument that just because something appears in the news it has to be correct.
If you do not like the Consumer Affairs site constantly being listed, then explain why Toyota is having all those engine failures and we can put the issue to bed. Don't tell me those types of issues are routine or due to lack of maintenance either, because if that were the case, all manufacturers would be having those problems. They are not. Only Toyota, the company that could very legitimately be considered the worst car company on the road presently.
11th Mar 2009, 09:43
Here we go again with the perpetual post linking to the same site "proving" how bad Toyotas are, despite the fact that every single major publication and survey shows them above and beyond the ratings of all three US producers.
Secondly, if people want "proof" in regards to the quality of US produced vehicles, all they have to do is read this site because virtually every other review for Fords, GM, and Chryslers are negative and rife with ridiculous mechanical issues.