4th Apr 2009, 16:46

"I've used JUST THIS THREAD alone to convince two of my formerly import-owning friends to buy Fords"

I like Fords too, but someone who would buy a $25,000-$50,000 vehicle on the say-so of some nameless, faceless bloggers on a Tundra thread, no less, is a gambler of Russian proportions.

No one on here can even prove that they have a drivers license, let alone prove that they own the vehicles they claim to. In fact some of the claims made here on this site are of such an improbable nature that it's doubtful that they do.

This site is especially useful when you read detailed information given as the miles are racked up. They can really shed light on the TYPES of problems an owner may encounter with certain vehicles.

But to treat the blogs as some kind of conclusive evidence while ignoring reliability surveys suggests that somebody doesn't know either the nature of blogs or of reliability surveys. For all they know, half the bloggers on here are employed by a manufacturer.

I like Ford F150, Chevy Silverado, and 08-09 Toyota Tundra (if they continue to maintain the average+ reliability scores -- I'm a little unsure with the Toyota because of the nature of the early problems in the 07s). Dodge has a new model so I'm not sure about them... looks good, though. This is based on multi-sourced RESEARCH... not anecdotal commentary by strangers on a blog who can't even prove that they have EVER owned a full-sized truck of ANY kind.

After that it comes down to test drives, capacities, and applications. Depending on your needs, you may have quite a few good choices. If you're just towing a fishing boat, for example, you've got dozens.

But to treat a blog as anything more than blind jousting... that just honestly amazes me.

4th Apr 2009, 18:12

20:17 Glad I could help you sell two Fords. Please convince as many people as you can to buy more Fords. That way, those of us who actually do out research when we buy, and want something better, such as a Toyota, can pay a little less for it if people are buying junk from the "competition". Fords also keep the economy going a little more. It keeps jobs for people who work in parts stores and garages all over the country. So.. please keep buying those Fords and Chevy's; if they manage to stay in business, Toyota quality will be my little secret.

4th Apr 2009, 23:00

20:17 Your comment would be much more interesting if it contained a single, solitary fact. More likely, at 200,000 miles, if by some miracle, a Ford is still running and HASN'T had a second or third engine and transmission replaced, the ONLY thing the might still be working would be the cigarette lighter.

In reality, Toyota's are most likely running just fine at 200,000 miles while the Ford rusts in a junkyard. There's a reason they're worth nothing at that mileage and a Honda or Toyota IS: the import is built well enough and still has the potential for many more miles and the Ford doesn't. Hence... worth nothing or close to it.

I always got a kick out of people in anything but Toyota's that would try to follow my buddy's '91 Toyota truck off road. It most likely had two or three times as many miles on it and left the S-10's and Rangers either stuck or broken down overheating... good times. It was sold still running at or around 300,000 miles. We don't know, because, I will admit... the odometer stopped working at around 225,000 or so. That didn't seem to faze the engine that just kept running under abuse for another 100,000 or so after that. Try that with a Ford... yeah, right.

5th Apr 2009, 06:37

Every prior post likely Tacoma guy I have read makes me question Toyota what? Or GM what or Ford what or Chrysler what? Meaning what model on earth are you talking about?

If a person owned a used Century, how does that have any bearing on any late model full size truck? And if they have a recommendation, have they ever followed through and bought a full size truck of any manufacturer ever? Apparently this post has survived so long as those that actually owned full size trucks know otherwise.

I started out with small trucks myself and have since put many miles on my new GM Silverado trucks. I drive a lot rarely empty and tow at the same time. It's doubtful anyone is going to repeat purchase spending over $45k unless they have a specific purpose, are extremely satisfied with past performance, and have faith the vehicle will tow a very expensive investment. This is not an empty to and from work commuter. I trust it to carry my family safely while towing. None of this is ever discussed with the small car/small truck owners as they would own one if there was an application at their home.

I do not walk in with stacks of magazine articles, who is in office comments... I test them and I buy. I promise to look at every new Toyota and every other full size truck before buying. The anti domestic hatred is quite evident and I can see how it could turn even a prospective import owner for a small truck away from even considering one. I use to feel there was some kind of cachet with imports when we had them, but ours became mechanical headaches to own. When you can cover up the price sticker and buy the most capable truck (and not a F-350) I have had mixed import/domestics ownership, do not ride around as good "ole" boy or wear cowboy hats. I work, boat and play golf and just happen to also own a new domestic GM truck for towing applications.

5th Apr 2009, 13:08

The whole point is, if a commenter is not using supportive data or rational, fact-based arguments, it tends to give one the distinct impression that they HAVE no supporting evidence. My friends who have read this thread and bought Fords bought them BECAUSE the commenter made no sense, not because he persuaded them with any arguments. It was because he doesn't HAVE any arguments. That is the whole point.

I DEFINITELY put lots of credence in the owner experiences shared here and it is usually VERY easy to tell which are bogus and which are not. If a commenter says "All fords are crap" I instantly KNOW that is a totally subjective and highly prejudiced, unfounded statement. If a commenter says "I put 277,000 miles on a 1977 Buick LaSabre (as my family did) with zero problems", I feel a bit more comfortable in accepting the credibility of the commenter.

To say this site shouldn't influence car buyer's choices is a bit hasty. I was on the brink of buying an imported sports car when I came across this site. After reading numerous posts from owners who had had warranty repairs denied, I opted to buy a Ford Mustang instead (and have been VERY happy with it). I am a certified therapist as well, so it's not hard for me to spot (and point out to my friends) BS when I see it. When a commenter who has previously stated that they have never owned a new domestic or full sized truck suddenly states "I've owned NEW and used domestics", you can immediately disregard the credibility of any previous (or future) statements from that commenter.

Of course, car buyers should NEVER base a final buying decision on ANY one source (ESPECIALLY biased magazine reviews). They should drive many vehicles and base their choice on what is more in line with their needs and what has the best quality.

Before my friends bought their new Fords, each looked over and drove my 2006 Ford Fusion and agreed the fit, finish, feel and handling were better than the 2009 Accords and Camrys they had driven. In addition, they actually talked with others who had bought Fords and driven them for a few years. This is an excellent way of determining quality and reliability.

I have yet to talk to even ONE Fusion owner who has not been tremendously impressed. The same can be said of the F-150. It takes more than reading a Toyota sales brochure or baseless rants from prejudiced used car owners brochure to become fully informed about a vehicle.