Ford & Honda: Best domestic and foreign car makers

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LouDawg

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Just wanted to make my 1000th post (yep, this is #1000) something insightful (or inciteful?)

Based on my experiences and extensive online research, I've concluded that Ford Motor Company makes the best domestic vehicles and that Honda makes the best import/foreign vehicle.

Flame away! And happy 1000 to me!
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#1000
 
If were talking Japanese then I generally prefer Honda over the rest also. Now for foreign as a whole...no way, they come across as a typical appliance (minus their sport cars) in my opinion.

I would say I generally prefer Ford for domestic also but I don't specifically like anything they make.

One car I was disappointed with today was the Corolla. We just added quite a few dozen of them to our fleet and I really disliked them. They were CE with automatics...however the steering wheel was way too far so either I'm having my knees in the lower dash or reaching for the wheel. The seat sat too high (even lowered all the way), I had to literally reach for the radio controls (I'm 6`0)...the whole interior was a mess in terms of comfort and design...I was quite suprised.

I actually found driving the Focus back to back much more comfortable since I could sit lower, have the wheel farther out and not have to lean forward to adjust the radio.
 
Don't agree with the honda statement, I think they're a good #2 to toyota, but it's probally a toss-up in the end.

Friends got an 00 civic and I cant stand driving it, no one thing sticks out as positive or negative, it's just such a bland car. I've driven comparable cars and comparing the honda to them, the honda had average acceleration, average seat comfort, average ride quality, average handling, I just couldnt stand it! I'd rather take a car with it's flaws as long as it has it's strong points too!

Best american, I think no single one is better right now. They all have their own issues.
 
Personally, I've had better luck with GM than Ford. Better gas mileage, fewer problems. Wife had a Honda Accord years ago and she liked it, but they're overpriced for what you get.
 
I think Toyota beats most in reliability. I like the Subaru's myself...one of the more reliable (and mine are wonderfully rattle-free).
 
Personally, I think it all depends upon how one defines "best". Another way to put it would be that "best" depends substantially upon what characteristics a particular consumer sees as being the most important. Each manufacturer, domestic, foreign, or cross-bred; has demonstrated strengths and weaknesses, as do their individual products. Now, threads of this ilk are not necessarily a problem in and of themselves, but the more general the question, the more likely they are to quickly descend into domestic v. foreign fisticuffs (followed quickly by entertainment quashing mod action...). Conversely, the more specific the point, probably the better the discussion.
cheers.gif
 
Quote:

Just wanted to make my 1000th post (yep, this is #1000) something insightful (or inciteful?)

Based on my experiences and extensive online research, I've concluded that Ford Motor Company makes the best domestic vehicles and that Honda makes the best import/foreign vehicle.

Flame away! And happy 1000 to me!
tongue.gif


#1000

Click to expand...

Happy 1000 to You.....I'll agree with you on the Honda. The only reason I won't say Toyota is that I look at all phases. And looking at the sludge engine and how Toy didn't/still won't take full responseabilty for it....gives the nod to Honda. But as for as Ford...I disagree. I think GM has them here. And before I get bashed, I'm talking present day.
 
Doc:

I'd have to disagree w/r/t Toyota not accepting responsibility for the sludge debacle. They extended wtys for the affected range of engines, requiring pretty much only that an owner of an afflicted vehicle show some reasonable attempt at maintenance. They may not have stepped up as quickly as they should, but at least they ultimately did. Another example: when early in its production, V-6 versions of the new Camry were found to have issues with a snap ring failing in the trans, Toyota was all over the problem (free loaner during down time, car payments covered during that time, free extended wty after the repair, etc). Don't forget that Honda has had some issues too (the Ody's transmission comes readily to mind).

In the end, while I certainly agree that you should play the probabilities (as you see them?), but as to individual owners, it's still luck/fate that probably matters most in the end. I'd much rather have a good example of an Impala than a bad example of a Camry or Accord. (Disclaimer: we presently own two Toyotas, but have had plenty of others, incl GM, Ford, Chrysler, and VW).
 
Quote:

Another example: when early in its production, V-6 versions of the new Camry were found to have issues with a snap ring failing in the trans, Toyota was all over the problem (free loaner during down time, car payments covered during that time, free extended wty after the repair, etc). Don't forget that Honda has had some issues too (the Ody's transmission comes readily to mind).

Click to expand...

Toyota's transmission problems are far from over in the new Camry. While the snap ring issue has been corrected, they are still have problems with shift flares and harsh shifts in the 6-speed Auto. They have issued TSBs calling for the replacement of the valve body with sporadic success. On the other hand, the more pressing issue is with the 5-speed Automatics with the infamous throttle lag. Yes, software updates have been released in attempt to correct the problems, but not with 100% success. Of course, I'm not trying to over exaggerate the problems as not every new Camry on the road has problems, but neither has Toyota introduced a sure fix that always corrects the problem.

BTW, I'm not a Toyota hater by any means. I still plan to get the Camry Hybrid this summer, but that car isn't affected by any of this.
 
Hey I agree with this, i have a 06 ford mustang which is a blast to drive and total eye candy I also have a honda civic for work and yes its bland but reliable and easy to work on.
 
mazda gets my vote for best import. I agree with ford being the more reliable domestic. I think that mainly because of mazda's help with the 4-bangers.
 
In general, I was just posting to get to 1000. But since people have responded, I'm pretty much talking about most reliable, not which ones have the best features, best driver's car, etc. As far as owner-reported problems, Ford products are clearly ahead of GM products, at least as far as that metric is concerned. As always, YMMV.

cheers.gif
 
I like my GM-made Saab 93. In fact I'm sitting in the driver's seat right now, testing out my 12V laptop power adapter. I had a couple of V6 Ford Contours before this (both are still on the road today) and I still have my 1988 Ford Mustang GT which still needs a clutch. Hopefully I can get that put in next weekend if all goes well.

My mom has a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic.

One thing I don't like about GM or Toyota is that they won't give their "cheap" cars (Corolla, Cavalier/Cobalt) an independent rear suspension, and both kept foisting 3-speed automatics onto the buyers of those cars until at least 2001. Oh, and the base model of the Echo doesn't even come with a clock, not that it would've cost them more than a buck to put it into the stereo..
 
Brian703

I really enjoyed the 3 speed auto in the 1992 Pontiac Sunbird SE(with the 3.1) my wife and I bought when we first got married. Didn't ever have problems with that tranny but the coolant hoses failed in only 30k. But after they replaced that we got another 60k out of it before moving on. Wasn't a Favorite but it was a nice little car that I enjoyed driving on trips.
 
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I really enjoyed the 3 speed auto in the 1992 Pontiac Sunbird SE(with the 3.1) my wife and I bought when we first got married. Didn't ever have problems with that tranny but the coolant hoses failed in only 30k.

Click to expand...


It's OK in a 1992 model, but in a 2002 model it starts becoming a little dated...I should point out that Ford started putting a 4-speed auto, and independent rear suspension, in their "cheap" model in 1991. (The tranny is electronically controlled, too).

Both of my old Ford Contours have the original coolant hoses with 11 and 12 years and 150K and 180K respectively...apparently there's a newer formulation of EPDM that lasts much longer than the old stuff.
 
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