My Dad: first foreign car in 44 years.

[Popinski]

Today is a sad day in the family. My dad got sick of the problems with his 2008 Ford Exploder. He recently retired and wanted a car that he didn't have to worry about with repairs. His friends told him Toyota RAV4 and Hyundai Santa Fe. Before looking at those two SUV's, he looked at the Chevrolet Malibu and Chevrolet Transverse

Let me tell you something....my dad is extremely aggressive when he deals with money. One false move by the salesmen and there will be violence.

Unfortunately, the Hyundai and Chevrolet salesmen pee'd off my father and declined his demands.....the Toyota dealer met my dad's demands and the most surprisingly thing is that the Toyota dealer bought the Explorer $1,000 over the blue book value(which was one of my dad's demands).

Like most Toyota drivers, he's the type of guy who thinks an oil change is all you have to do when taking care of a car. I know Toyota owners buy Toyota's for that reason because Toyota's will run even without maintenance.

Anyway.....I am having depression now......44 years of American cars and it ended today.......

 

[bluestream]

What problems was he having with the Explorer? Under warranty?

 

[Nick R]

Well, it happens. I hope he has good luck with it, but I can understand your frustration. If any of my grandparents bought foreign it would cause shock waves for everyone else. Heck, if anyone in my family bought foreign (and I have a pretty durn big family) it wouldn't be good.

 

[Dave Hess]

Why depressed ?

Your dad bought a very high quality vehicle.

 

[aquariuscsm]

Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
Why depressed ?

Your dad bought a very high quality vehicle.


^^2nd. My dad is looking at buying a 4 Runner after owning Oldsmobiles since the 1950s. His first car was a `52 Olds. When the day comes and I buy a new car (but keeping my Z,of course) it will only be a Nissan or Toyota.

 

[Popinski]

Originally Posted By: Bluestream
What problems was he having with the Explorer? Under warranty?


Problem with brakes, Check engine light bugs, I think he had a problem with transmission (computer problem), squicks and rattles everywhere. He owned a Chevrolet Tahoe before the Exploder and it was really reliable.

 

[tig1]

10 years ago my son bought Honda for the first time in our family. Nothing but a money pit so now all he has is Ford.

 

[mechanicx]

Well at least he didn't buy the Hyundai. Toyota makes some good vehicle. As does Chevrolet. A lot of Chevy dealers are not very good with customer relations. Maybe if he'd went to another dealer they would've dealed.

 

[Popinski]

Originally Posted By: mechanicx
Well at least he didn't buy the Hyundai. Toyota makes some good vehicle. As does Chevrolet. A lot of Chevy dealers are not very good with customer relations. Maybe if he'd went to another dealer they would've dealed.


Why not? Hyundai make excellent cars.

 

[Dave Hess]

I will buy another Ford, but never ever buy any GM product

 

[Popinski]

Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
I will buy another Ford, but never ever buy any GM product


Then what's with your nickname?

 

[Dave Hess]

I made a mistake, it won't happen again

 

[mechanicx]

Originally Posted By: Popinski
Originally Posted By: mechanicx
Well at least he didn't buy the Hyundai. Toyota makes some good vehicle. As does Chevrolet. A lot of Chevy dealers are not very good with customer relations. Maybe if he'd went to another dealer they would've dealed.


Why not? Hyundai make excellent cars.


I personally don't think they are excellent. I think they copy a lot of other automakers style and I would be embarassed to own one. To me their only quality is to feed the cheapness like Walmart and super-size Mcdonalds consumer market. I don't have any respect for Korean cars and personally dislike them. At least the Japanese makes had some originality. The Korean makes just rode their coattails.

 

[LS2JSTS]

The Koreans are doing to Japan, what Japan did to the USA.

Samsung is the new Sony as Hyundai is the new Toyota. Electronics, appliances, cars.....they want to put Japan out of business....lol.

 

[mechanicx]

Originally Posted By: LS2JSTS
The Koreans are doing to Japan, what Japan did to the USA.

Samsung is the new Sony as Hyundai is the new Toyota. Electronics, appliances, cars.....they want to put Japan out of business....lol.


Yeah I totally agree. Maybe now the Japanese sort of understand how the domestic auto industry felt. But they never could totally, because this is our domestic market not Japan's. I just find Korean stuff more annoying and shoddy than Japanese. At least the Japanese had some originality and variety and weren't total hacks. What's next China takes US market share from Korea lol?

 

[Popinski]

Originally Posted By: mechanicx
Originally Posted By: Popinski
Originally Posted By: mechanicx
Well at least he didn't buy the Hyundai. Toyota makes some good vehicle. As does Chevrolet. A lot of Chevy dealers are not very good with customer relations. Maybe if he'd went to another dealer they would've dealed.


Why not? Hyundai make excellent cars.


I personally don't think they are excellent. I think they copy a lot of other automakers style and I would be embarassed to own one. To me their only quality is to feed the cheapness like Walmart and super-size Mcdonalds consumer market. I don't have any respect for Korean cars and personally dislike them. At least the Japanese makes had some originality. The Korean makes just rode their coattails.


HAHAHAH Japanese? Originality? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAH. Who's paying you to say such things?
It's normal for people like you, they are being more successful every year and you're in denial...it's ok, bud.

 

[sir1900]

I used to think the same thing as mechanicx....until I drove a Hyundai Sonata as a rental for the first time a few years back. My confidence in Hyundai grew when they starting taking home numerous automotive awards in recent years.

Can somebody explain why when a Japanese automaker comes out with a new design, it is "influenced" by another automaker.

When Hyundai/Kia comes up with something new, it's a "copycat".

Just because Hyundai provides good value, doesn't mean they are there to feed the Wal-Mart-type market.

 

[wirelessF]

Camry/Accord comes to mind. Rear looks similar without the trans problems.

I think Hyundai/Kia makes good cars. I would consider them if I'm looking to buy an import.

 

[saberz]

I think he made the right choice, in the end its what makes him happy right? My father owned GM all his life and before he retired he bought a 09 Camry and loves it. He still has the 91 Lumina(oil leaks and gasket issues included) and uses it as a Home Depot hauler. It is also his first new car since his 70's Impala.

 

[daves87rs]

Well, even though I have GM cars now, does not mean I will buy another one. They are going to have to earn it.

I'll be compact shopping, so it should be interesting.


Kia and Honda are on my radar.


But, so are Chevy and Ford....