Hondas, Toyotas and the brainwashed

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Originally Posted By: FutureDoc
Originally Posted By: Vikas
If you are arguing with the Doc about statistical method, you will lose that argument. I can guarantee you that the other guy arguing has no idea if there is a difference between sample and population
smile.gif
I think the Doc has PhD in stats. Tread carefully.


I had to take my stats classes with the mathematical sciences PhD program... but I am not a stat PHD.I am thankful to pull a B in ExStat and their other methods courses, I know I am a dim candle in a dark woods compared to some of the true PhD statisticians. I did teach the statistics class for non-math Masters and Undergrads folks (those that did not have to go to the ExStat program) as part of my assistantship. I am a much more down-and-dirty analysis for policy needs. When Sequestration happened in 2012, I "pre-retired" at 30 (PHD earned at 28), moved to NC and I am now working for a moderate sized agency and get to manage a fleet on the side (somewhat by accident... they gave the "car-guy' the fleet stuff since he did fuel economy work). I do have staff to handle a lot of the operations but I kinda take a hands-on approach. Lead from within right?

My PhD is in Urban Planning (with a Civil Engineering lean) since I am a Transportation Planner/Policy Analyst. So, my statistics/qualitative analysis deals with "dirty data" and a lot of census/survey work. Dealing with trans-oceanic shipping projections (aka planning port capacity) and fuel economy (community resiliency to fuel spikes/shortages) kinda flushes out my background. I was lucky enough to work as a sub-contractor for a firm doing market research for one of the big three because of my stat work and fuel economy (CAFE) work. Folks can always talk about stats with me, heck I might learn something. But don't fight me when there is "quick math" and capacity/projection numbers around. That is where I am quick on the draw.

Now "internet grammar" is a completely different issue, I dont have time to proof


My major is in stats but most of my research projects have all been in topology. Slowly transitioning to applied fields for the purpose of actually making money
wink.gif
I will hopefully be going into a epidemiology or biostats phd in a few years when I finish my last few classes (having a baby in a month and that is putting a huge hold on life for now!).

Might have to look back into some of your posts about your work with CAFE.
 
Cool!

My roommate was a Public Health/Epi person and we both complained about SAS together. Personally, SPSS was more useful for me but a lot of my field prefers Excel since a lot of local governments (urban planning) only have access to excel.

I also had to go the "applied" route for the $$$. The "ironic" thing was that as an undergrad, I met my "math" requirements with philosophy credits! Logic classes counted towards the "liberal arts" education.
 
Originally Posted By: stower17
I don't know what brand is the worst amongst auto manufacturers anymore. I was raised and grown up to believe that Chevy was the best there is. I have been a Chevy and GM die-hard for ever but every new product someone in my family buys we notice the quality gets worse and worse. The quality dropped considerably after about the 1994-1995 year models.

I can no longer justify a GM car.


As a GM fan, I actually agree with this, but IMO the quality has come back to a decent level in recent years. I had a 1996 S-10 pickup with all sorts of little issues; nothing major, but a lot of things like clutch fan, back up light switch, wiper module, door panel pieces popping apart, etc. My current 2012 Silverado had a CEL for a bad fuel pressure sensor on the gas tank. I fixed it myself for 30 bucks. Other than that, no issues in over 5 years. I like that domestic parts are cheap and there's a good chance you can find a decent selection in the junkyard just because there are so many GMs out there.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: Silverado12
Originally Posted By: stower17
I don't know what brand is the worst amongst auto manufacturers anymore. I was raised and grown up to believe that Chevy was the best there is. I have been a Chevy and GM die-hard for ever but every new product someone in my family buys we notice the quality gets worse and worse. The quality dropped considerably after about the 1994-1995 year models.

I can no longer justify a GM car.


As a GM fan, I actually agree with this, but IMO the quality has come back to a decent level in recent years. I had a 1996 S-10 pickup with all sorts of little issues; nothing major, but a lot of things like clutch fan, back up light switch, wiper module, door panel pieces popping apart, etc. My current 2012 Silverado had a CEL for a bad fuel pressure sensor on the gas tank. I fixed it myself for 30 bucks. Other than that, no issues in over 5 years. I like that domestic parts are cheap and there's a good chance you can find a decent selection in the junkyard just because there are so many GMs out there.


Just bring a buck and a toolbox...

Yeah, I miss CAR and CAP.
 
Originally Posted By: Silverado12
Originally Posted By: stower17
I don't know what brand is the worst amongst auto manufacturers anymore. I was raised and grown up to believe that Chevy was the best there is. I have been a Chevy and GM die-hard for ever but every new product someone in my family buys we notice the quality gets worse and worse. The quality dropped considerably after about the 1994-1995 year models.

I can no longer justify a GM car.


As a GM fan, I actually agree with this, but IMO the quality has come back to a decent level in recent years. I had a 1996 S-10 pickup with all sorts of little issues; nothing major, but a lot of things like clutch fan, back up light switch, wiper module, door panel pieces popping apart, etc. My current 2012 Silverado had a CEL for a bad fuel pressure sensor on the gas tank. I fixed it myself for 30 bucks. Other than that, no issues in over 5 years. I like that domestic parts are cheap and there's a good chance you can find a decent selection in the junkyard just because there are so many GMs out there.


I agree with the inexpensive and highly accessible parts. However, we have a 2010 Silverado 4x4 that has had issues, some since new. The intrustment cluster goes completely dead at random times, has done it since new and has been replaced under warranty. Still goes out occasionally and the BCM shows no codes according to dealerships. The 4x4 system works roughly 75% of the time when activated , GM has diagnosed the problem but it's over a $1,000 to repair it. Truck has under 20,000 miles still, family special ordered. Also has the lifter tap at startup.

We had a 2012 malibu for awhile but that car turned out to be a recall queen and just had several other issues. It is really hard to muster up the enthusiasm to purchase another GM after these mishaps.

We do have a 2002 tahoe LT, 4x4, autoride, that was purchased new and it has had ZERO issues. Just a water pump and other maintenance items. 140k miles now.

We also have a few Hondas now. 2008 accord v6 purchased new, starter replaced at 200,000miles. Traded in at 208,000 miles for a 2014 accord. Purchased a 2013 accord new, no issues whatsoever at 71,000 miles. Also purchased a 2014 accord (USED) and it has had zero issues. The Hondas's have never had nay warranty work done. And no major repairs outside of warranty.

just my experiences from a huge GM fanboy...
 
All about luck, my GMs always held up great. Lost a couple Honda transmissions but never a GM or Chrysler...go figure. I even got lucky and haven't had small issues crop up on GMs. Had a leaky strut on my Jeep a few months ago and that's the first car problem I've had in many years.
 
Originally Posted By: NGRhodes
Experience and understanding of a vehicles/range quirks and flaws can greatly alter ones opinion (for better or worse) of a car or brand.


I agree 100%.
 
Originally Posted By: Vikas
You should also change your nick from FutureDoc to PresentDoc :-)


Haha, yeah.... but I can't.

I got the "FutureDoc" nickname from by father-in-law's bluegrass jamband. When I was engaged to my now wife, her father is known as "Doc" (He is a DVM). The mother-is-law is "Mrs. Doc" and my wife is "Little Doc". I was "Future Doc", not because I was a PhD student or anything at the time, but rather because I was marrying into "Doc"'s family. So now you know the story... With my son, he is "future little doc". Bluegrass band logic. Just don't fight it.
 
Originally Posted By: FutureDoc
Originally Posted By: Vikas
You should also change your nick from FutureDoc to PresentDoc :-)


Haha, yeah.... but I can't.

I got the "FutureDoc" nickname from by father-in-law's bluegrass jamband. When I was engaged to my now wife, her father is known as "Doc" (He is a DVM). The mother-is-law is "Mrs. Doc" and my wife is "Little Doc". I was "Future Doc", not because I was a PhD student or anything at the time, but rather because I was marrying into "Doc"'s family. So now you know the story... With my son, he is "future little doc". Bluegrass band logic. Just don't fight it.


Sorry but i have to correct you:

The little one would be "the one that got the doc" :-P (....under his tiny little shoes.....)
 
The brainwashed are the ones who think they won't need to invest money to keep their domestics intact and thus upright. And that goes for Euros too.
 
Last edited:
While I hate to bring this thread back to the OT, I'll share the outcome.
The lady at work told me that her daughter had settled on a Fusion with 55K for what I thought was way too much money, although since the car was already purchased I didn't want to tell her that.
Basically, the daughter got the worst of both worlds by paying Accord/Camry money for a Fusion when my whole point was that a good Fusion would be a much less costly car than a good Camry or Accord.
I guess that I should be more careful in giving advise, which in this case was solicited, and attach dollar figures to anything I'd be inclined to recommend.
 
I learned SPSS in grad school the hard way.... before it was a Windows based program. You had to to do all the coding.. ha ha. Then assess the results within the wonderful Green bar paper Dot Matrix printout.

Used the Windows version for a few years, in the late 90's-early 2000's. Much easier!

Originally Posted By: TheKracken
Originally Posted By: FutureDoc
Originally Posted By: Vikas
If you are arguing with the Doc about statistical method, you will lose that argument. I can guarantee you that the other guy arguing has no idea if there is a difference between sample and population
smile.gif
I think the Doc has PhD in stats. Tread carefully.


I had to take my stats classes with the mathematical sciences PhD program... but I am not a stat PHD.I am thankful to pull a B in ExStat and their other methods courses, I know I am a dim candle in a dark woods compared to some of the true PhD statisticians. I did teach the statistics class for non-math Masters and Undergrads folks (those that did not have to go to the ExStat program) as part of my assistantship. I am a much more down-and-dirty analysis for policy needs. When Sequestration happened in 2012, I "pre-retired" at 30 (PHD earned at 28), moved to NC and I am now working for a moderate sized agency and get to manage a fleet on the side (somewhat by accident... they gave the "car-guy' the fleet stuff since he did fuel economy work). I do have staff to handle a lot of the operations but I kinda take a hands-on approach. Lead from within right?

My PhD is in Urban Planning (with a Civil Engineering lean) since I am a Transportation Planner/Policy Analyst. So, my statistics/qualitative analysis deals with "dirty data" and a lot of census/survey work. Dealing with trans-oceanic shipping projections (aka planning port capacity) and fuel economy (community resiliency to fuel spikes/shortages) kinda flushes out my background. I was lucky enough to work as a sub-contractor for a firm doing market research for one of the big three because of my stat work and fuel economy (CAFE) work. Folks can always talk about stats with me, heck I might learn something. But don't fight me when there is "quick math" and capacity/projection numbers around. That is where I am quick on the draw.

Now "internet grammar" is a completely different issue, I dont have time to proof


My major is in stats but most of my research projects have all been in topology. Slowly transitioning to applied fields for the purpose of actually making money
wink.gif
I will hopefully be going into a epidemiology or biostats phd in a few years when I finish my last few classes (having a baby in a month and that is putting a huge hold on life for now!).

Might have to look back into some of your posts about your work with CAFE.
 
This is just my experience. The tranny went out of our 99 Taurus at 107k so I spent $1810 for rebuild and thought I would drive for several years to amortise the cost. A few months later the heat quit working and I was looking at a $700-800 repair. Decided to trade for newer Camry and have never looked back. In the last 12 years we usually had 4 Toyotas in the family and the most expensive repair I have made or had done is $130. A/C recharge and alternator replacement. I've had good Ford's and Chevy's but none were reliable like our Toyotas.
 
This was back in the early 90's and my neighbor had a loaded Fiero GT V6 mint condition and low miles, let say 30k or so, burgundy in color. His wife had a year older bare bones Civic hatchback with more miles on it. The Civic was worth more than the Fiero and by a few thousand. I remember the guy couldn't believe it. They wanted to trade both in for a new Accord.

My dad had a bunch of GM cars growing up. No big issues with them. He went to trade the Riviera in on a Park Avenue and had a bad experience with the Buick dealer. So ended up with a 1992 Camry SE V6 sedan. It rode stiffer than the Riviera and dad didn't like that too much. The Riv was 28k back in 1986, 5 years later it was worth $3500 on trade with average miles for the age, about 70k or so. Meanwhile used 86 Accords were in the 10k range and were much cheaper on the front end. So yes Resale comes into play.
 
Originally Posted By: SatinSilver
This was back in the early 90's and my neighbor had a loaded Fiero GT V6 mint condition and low miles, let say 30k or so, burgundy in color. His wife had a year older bare bones Civic hatchback with more miles on it. The Civic was worth more than the Fiero and by a few thousand. I remember the guy couldn't believe it. They wanted to trade both in for a new Accord.

My dad had a bunch of GM cars growing up. No big issues with them. He went to trade the Riviera in on a Park Avenue and had a bad experience with the Buick dealer. So ended up with a 1992 Camry SE V6 sedan. It rode stiffer than the Riviera and dad didn't like that too much. The Riv was 28k back in 1986, 5 years later it was worth $3500 on trade with average miles for the age, about 70k or so. Meanwhile used 86 Accords were in the 10k range and were much cheaper on the front end. So yes Resale comes into play.


One of my all time favorite cars!!

 
Originally Posted By: KCJeep
... But you buy that resale...

Precisely! And few get the time value of money. You pay up delta with today money to get the diminished delta in tomorrow money.
 
Only had one Japanese vehicle...04 Nissan Maxima, got it as a company car in summer of 03, then got bought out and ended up with my Liberty in 07. It was a fine car, only put 37k on it. No issues other than heated seats that wouldn't turn off (pulled the fuse, lived in FL), and weatherstripping falling off. Would never buy a Japanese vehicle with my own money!
 
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