14th Jan 2012, 18:06

People do comment on their experiences, that's what this site is all about.

It's when people post the same comment a gazillion times is what really gets annoying, experience or not.

15th Jan 2012, 08:46

The problem is when people fail to actually read the comments, they are so quick to follow, therefore requiring repetition. I really wish people would refrain from trying to prove some point all the time, and I also wish the import vs. domestic arguments would die off already. I think it is safe to say that someone somewhere has had a great experience with an import, and someone somewhere has had a great experience with a domestic vehicle. If you don't have an actual factual experience to add to a specific thread about a specific vehicle, then why would you post on that thread just to say your brand of vehicle is superior? It's a waste of time for everyone.

If this type of behavior would cease, you'd see a lot less repetition on here, and maybe we'd all get more beneficial information about which vehicles are good and which are not so great.

15th Jan 2012, 13:23

There would not be a product review with your comments. Also, if people do not buy, it's an economic disaster.

16th Jan 2012, 17:43

It's very important to read all the comments, especially those from owner's and mechanic's personal perspectives. I was warned about problems with the Hyundai Tiburon on this site in 2006, and opted to buy a Ford instead. After almost 5 years, the Ford is flawless.

I'm a mechanic, and this weekend I helped a stranded friend with his 3-year-old Toyota Corolla. A very cheap, poorly designed over-flow hose fitting had simply snapped due to age (AT THREE YEARS!!). We managed a temporary repair to get the car home until it can be properly fixed (in other words, after he pays Toyota a fortune for another cheap plastic fitting that will probably break in two or three years). The cheapness and poor build quality of these cars amazes me. What anyone buys them is beyond me. I guess ad hype really works.

17th Jan 2012, 06:05

In the quest for higher MPG, I feel thinner and cheaper parts arise. Thin sheet metal, poorly padded seats, plastic cheap interiors, poor insulation. It's not so much about liking the car, or its ride or handling, it's about getting there cheaply. Just a basic appliance like a toaster. Glad I do not feel that way! Many new cars are simply hideous, lacking uninspired styling. Wear them out and junk them. As far as full size trucks, at least many offer full frames for strength.

17th Jan 2012, 12:38

Oh the "ad hype" guy again. Please. Every brand uses the same type of fasteners, and much plastic can be found on EVERY car out there. There are millions of Toyota Corolla's on the road. I have known quite a few who have owned them, and they were flawless (like your Ford seems to have been) for many many years that they were owned.

Unless you're an auto designer and can really tell the actual differences and tolerance levels of every part of the Toyota vs. the Ford or any other brand, your opinions mean nothing. You are obviously biased against Toyota. We get it! Claiming "Ad Hype" is some sort of a reason for people to have purchased Toyota's makes no sense. It has been asked time and time again for you to define exactly what you mean by ad hype. You don't seem to want to do this, so stop bringing it up. Ad hype is nonsensical. It means nothing.

18th Jan 2012, 10:33

Better fuel economy has little to nothing to do with thin sheet metal, plastic, or whatnot. It's all about better engines, emission and fuel systems, and better overall engineering. Many of today's 4 cylinder engines have more horsepower and torque than V8's from the 70's and 80's. Many of today's V8's get better fuel economy than yesterday's V6's.

Lastly, most any new car is going to be not only safer, but more reliable, more efficient, and longer lasting than any car made 30-40 years ago. That much is fact as proven by the numbers. Technology is a wonderful thing indeed.

19th Jan 2012, 13:35

I think the plastic filler neck is an issue to the one commenter. I agree to a point; lighten up the cars, but not critical components. I had weak trans in my Hondas and cold spots in the block, because of engine sludging concerns on some reviews I have read. Also smaller disc brakes, undersized batteries in imports, and don't drive with an overheated engine with a light aluminum block. By the time the light is on, it may be too late.

20th Jan 2012, 14:51

So.. "Imports" use "undersized" batteries? Really? That's the first time I've ever heard of that before. So does that mean that an import - ANY import just automatically mean it surely must come with an undersized battery? Well, seeing as how my 16 year old Toyota had its original factory battery up until 3 years ago pretty much disproves that notion. Also - and once again, using a super-generic term like "Import" means absolutely zero. There are car companies. Some car companies make good cars and some don't. Just because they are imported or domestically produced, doesn't mean a single thing.

As far as lighter materials, just because they're lighter doesn't mean they're weaker. It's all about materials engineering - which is an exacting science, and it's been around for far longer than cars. The Model T for example used a Vanadium steel frame, which was not only lighter, but had more strength. Many of today's alloys, plastics, composites, and so on are much stronger than the heavier and ironically weaker materials they replaced.

21st Jan 2012, 12:38

Go on some import forums and read about battery alternator issues. Today batteries have to work harder beyond just starting the car. There are more power robbing accessories, as well as heat under the hood.

I went through brakes on my Hondas, especially rear discs, very often. I feel they were undersized.

Saving weight increases fuel mileage, but it's not always an improvement. I have a car with no spare. Before we at least had the donut 50 mile spare. I have 1 key opening on my new cars. I guess that saves weight as the key fob entry is better. I like xenon bulbs, but hate buying new ones that are very expensive. I like quality, not cutting corners.

22nd Jan 2012, 10:24

Virtually all brands of cars use the same type of batteries, and they all have too many accessories to run these days. My Ford had the SYNC drain its battery so far it couldn't be jumped anymore, and had to be flatbedded to the dealer. It only had 8K miles on it at the time. Yes, I could have replaced the battery myself, but it was actually a SYNC failure that would have drained the new battery just the same.

As far as cost cutting, well all companies do this. See, the auto industry is all about how cheaply something can be made to get it into production and sell it. One company is just like another, and the final price usually dictates what is a higher quality vehicle. This isn't always the case, but more often than not, if you buy an entry level econobox, you won't get the same level of quality all around as you do in the top of the line vehicles.