Originally Posted By: lovcom
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Originally Posted By: lovcom
Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
Originally Posted By: lovcom
Every single domestic car I have ever owned without exception has had major issues in the first 20,000 miles.
Every single Japanese car I have ever owned had no problems through 100,000 miles and beyond.
Makes and models?
My dad bought a 2004 Civic Hybrid brand new. It has been maintained by the Honda dealer regularly. Not a single service has been skipped. The transmission was shot by 38K, and it had to be in the shop for a week. The air bag light sometimes comes on. The dash has an annoying rattle, and it does not line up with the floor console at all. The car had a couple recalls or TSB repairs too...something to do with the computer. The car has 45K on it now. All in all, not a very good car at all.
There are many reliable Japanese cars. There are also Japanese cars that are complete junk.
That's not to say my Ford has not needed some minor things. In 65K miles/7 years my Ranger has needed a tailgate handle, a belt tensioner (warranty repair), and a cam synchronizer. None of the above required more than a couple hours of downtime though, and they were cheap, simple fixes. I'm fully confident that my truck is capable of well over 200K miles.
So, the same goes for domestics. There are many reliable domestic vehicles. There are also domestic vehicles that are complete junk.
Please don't tell us about ONE Japanese car that was a lemon.
Instead, tell us about millions of Japanese cars that are lemons.
Oh but of course you can't, because it ain't so.
I find it funny how some domestic lovers point to one or two Japanese cars that were so, so bad, but ignore the MILLIONS of domestic cars that are abosulte [censored].
Perhaps a first year course in statistics is warranted for some.
3.4 million Toyota engines recalled over the sludge debacle.
How many Honda Auto transmissions?
Subaru Head Gasket excitement?
Mitsubishi oil-fog monsters?
Toyota frame rot right up to 2004.....?
There are lots.
Yes, you are correct, and I agree.
BUT you have to compare those millions of effect Japanese cars against far, far great millions of domestics that had far more recalls, transmission problems, engine sludging issues (Chryslers and several GM models) and worse.
I never said Japanese cars are perfect, just that they're FAR LESS inclined to have problems.
True, but you are comparing them to companies, that, at the time, had a FAR greater degree of market share, leading to far greater market saturation and thus giving us a much larger sample.
If the sample base is far greater, statistically (NOT on a percentage basis) you are going to have a numerically higher number of problem vehicles.
I make no excuses for GM's intake gasket mess. There aren't any. It was despicable.
I make no excuses for Chrysler's seeming inability to produce a reliable automatic transmission.
And I make no excuses for Ford's 3.8L head gasket issues, certain FWD transmissions and the cruise control pressure switch recall.
But for the above BAD, there is a LOT of good.
GM's LSx engines are fantastic.
GM and Ford both make great RWD Automatic transmissions.
Their joint-venture 6spd is another fantastic product.
Ford's Modular-series engines. Insanely reliable.
I'm sorry, I can't think of anything that "jumps out" at me from Chrysler....
I can't speak for GM or Chrysler, but it would seem that Ford has made a genuine effort in bringing to market some very GOOD, SOLID, RELIABLE vehicles that people WANT.
They have a small, but diverse product line with some very well reviewed products in it.
And people seem to be identifying with that. Just look at the positive reviews the Fusion is getting on this board alone! It's a GREAT car, in a time where these manufacturers NEED a great car.
I don't expect to change your mind. But I do hope to get you to identify with the fact that they are TRYING.
