| Author | Message | ||
     Brumbear |
Well I finally got rid of my FORD they agreed to buy my out of my lease and I leased a Toyota Camry sport. I had more trouble with buying a Japanese car than I thought actually. I have only owned 2 other imports in my past and I really have mostly owned American but being that all of my American cars were built in Canada or Mexico it wasn't like I felt bad about it I just had trouble doing the deal.  | ||
| Xl1200r |
Brumbear - were you the one with the problematic Mustang? I can't remember. I know your frustration... I'm thinking of a new car myself (used), and something like a Mazdaspeed 3 would fit the bill really well, I just don't want to buy a Mazda. Good luck with it. | ||
| Brumbear |
No I had an evil Edge | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
I just don't want to buy a Mazda I believe Ford Mo. Co. it the majority stock holder of Mazda.... so that should make ya feel a little better. My wife and I have a 2006 Miata/MX5 and it is a great car. Its the second Miata we have owned. The first one was a 1992 and it had over 174,000 miles on it when it got traded for the 2006. It didn't burn a drop of oil and it still ran great. Look at the Mazda B series pick ups and the Ford Ranger....... same same. | ||
| Brumbear |
Yeah the edge is actually based off the cx9 I believe. I have had since 1999 a slew of American cars that have been less than well lets say good 1999 chevy malibu bad rotore every 3 K miles trans problems 2003 chevy venture AC failure 4 times guague cluster failure 2 times 2005 Buick lesabre anti lock brake problems constantly (Korean) hyundai tuscan total POS not mechanicly but build issues like you wouldn't believe THE Ford Edge 11 times in for PTU issues and transmission problems also CV boot failure so I gave the US cars a shot still this was not as easy a thing to do as I thought. I love some of the new Pontiac's that are out the Caddy CTS is phenomenal looking and I still after all the above problems thought about one of those cars first. But I must be fiscally responsible and all so the Japs got me this time | ||
| Zane |
Last three "American" cars I had all gave me trouble. I had an older Buick Century that had problems with the front geometry. 50,000 mile tires would never last longer than 15,000 miles. It also had a/c and transmission problems. A Chevy Corsica. Windshield leaked, lousy mileage and had electrical problems. A Plymouth Voyager that was a total POS. Electrical problems, A/C problems, Transmission issues exhaust problems and window leaks. It was an complete lemon. Then I got a Toyota Tacoma. 178,000 miles. At 150k I replaced the starter. That was it. It was running great the day my son ran it into a tree and totaled it in March of this year. Replaced it with a Rav4. In 16,000 miles I've had zero problems. I would prefer to buy an American vehicle but refuse to buy substandard vehicles. | ||
| Bill0351 |
My '02 Camry has roughly 90,000 miles on it. Since it was new, the only repairs have been brakes and a torn CV boot which I noticed when I did the brakes. Both those things happened at around 85,000 miles. Besides going through 2 sets of tires during that time, that's it besides scheduled maintenance stuff. It was even built in the United States. | ||
| Zac4mac |
All my "cages" are American. 1986 Jeep Cherokee, 2.8 V-6, 5-sp man. Paid 600 bucks, has sounded like it's ready to blow up since day one, 190k miles - I put 50 k of them on. Gonna sell for a grand when the snow starts. 1985 Fiero, bought new, best car I have ever owned. Same engine as Jeep, but MPFI vs carb. Need to put engine back in and get on the road again. ~140k miles. 1995 Camaro Z-28, LT-1 loaded. Got from little brother in trade for 2003 XB9R. 204k miles and runs great. Z | ||
| Dwardo |
2002 Ford Focus. Currently going on 207,000 miles (125 mile round trip to work). Brakes, clutch (would have gone a lot farther), hoses, front struts, shifter cable assembly. A couple minor emission control issues. That's it. Uses NO oil between changes and runs as well as ever. Never a front end alignment and tires wear perfectly. Peppy and gets 34 mpg plus I can put a whole load of stuff in the hatch. Is it cheap and tinny? Yes. So what? It cost me $10,600 with taxes and tags when I bought it off-lease with 9000 miles. First new car I ever bought was a Corolla and it was a POS. Don't ask about the used Volvo. All my Mustangs have been wonderful and the T-bird was fair. I buy American (OK, it was made in Mexico and that's a travesty). I think Jap cars are highly overrated. Just my .02. | ||
| Xl1200r |
Wolf - you gotta understand I'm die-hard GM guy... the fact that I'm even considering a Dodge Caliber SRT-4 is a big step for me, but GM just doesn't sell what I'm looking for. Closest thing is the HHR SS, but it's so damned ugly. There's a VW/Mazda dealer a mile from my house... they have a couple Mazdaspeed 3's that look REALLY sharp, and I know it's kind of a benchmark car... I may have to give one a try. Also thinking of a used Dodge Magnum R/T... Choices... | ||
| Froggy |
2002 Chevy Monte Carlo 3.4L 130k miles, former rental. Replaced only a wheel speed sensor that acts up occasionally. Turns out its not the sensor needing replaced, as cleaning it once a year does the trick. Also it has a problem with the battery going dead, I need a tender for this thing, or I should actually drive it more than once every 3 months and then leave the GPS on.  | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
98 Mustang 3.8L, auto - 195k on the odo but you'd think 50k from the way it looks and drives. My only complaint is that every high schooler in a rice rocket wants to race from stoplights. sorry kids, maybe next time when I'm ridin Betty.. 89 GMC S-15 4.3L, auto - with 202k miles, this one should have gone to C4C, but it gets me from A to B with whatever I need to haul! Can't expect much more when paying less than a grand for a vehicle.. The 87 Civic Hatchback is up for sale. Man I'm gonna miss that 35mpg city. | ||
| B00stzx3 |
Commie pinko! I kid. Have owned all Fords and little trouble, thats why we keep buying them. Muiltiple Focuses, F-150's, Rangers, Windstar and Aerostar... Greatest cars on the road period. (Message edited by b00stzx3 on September 29, 2009) | ||
| Court |
Ford F105 . . . just got it's first set of tires at 45,000 and does nothing but run perfectly . . . looking for something new for the wife in December and there are some interesting vehicles out there. Spending the week with folks from Europe doesn't help . . they are constantly reminding me of all the vehicles we DON'T get in the USA. | ||
| Swordsman |
I believe I was the one with the problematic Mustang. Or maybe there's two of us around here.... Still don't have all the bugs worked out after almost two years of ownership. Pretty much given up hope. I believe I just got a lemon (they all make 'em), but the treatment Ford offers in such a situation is so pathetic that I'll never risk it again. Next time, I'm all Hyundai. The Tuscon we have has been a great trouble-free vehicle, and the local dealership has stellar customer service. ~SM | ||
| Xb12mel |
my 2¢ worth is that: if YOU are the person working on your car for general maintenance, then they seem to work great. But the moment you are dependant on a shop, you get the shaft and have lots of chances to complain about your cage. Before I picked up a wrench I had Fords and I'm no spring chicken so I'm talking Torinos, Escorts & Granadas There was always something wrong that was costing me $$$. Then I found the joy of DIY and my problem with Ford was... they're just too dang unfriendly! I made the switch over to Chrysler and I've been happy ever since. Not to take anything away from modern Fords, but if you put the oil filter midway up the rear of the engine where you can barely reach it from the top and hardly from the bottom... well that just says don't try it in my book! I have a 96 Caravan with a 3.0 (Yeah, I know it's a Mitsu) it's got 228K miles and looks like new under the hood. I've put all but 25K miles on it. I also picked up a 93 Jeep Cherokee Sport from the auction for less then $500, nursed it back to health and now it's got 238K miles on it from the 175K when I found it. It gets 22 MPG CITY!!! So... moral to the story... pick up a wrench and get a manual! As long as someone else is depending on your trust to feed their family, you'll have all sorts of issues with your cars American or Import! | ||
| Indy_bueller |
2003 Ford Focus, 95,000 miles. New brakes at 85,000 miles, new tires about every 35,000. Replaced the clutch master cylinder at about 75,000 miles. It's never burned a drop of oil. I used it to tow my bike to Blackhawk Farms and back last weekend (about 600 miles). It got 28 mpg pulling the bike on a trailer. The car was assembled in Mexico. | ||
| Bads1 |
}There's a VW/Mazda dealer a mile from my house... they have a couple Mazdaspeed 3's that look REALLY sharp, and I know it's kind of a benchmark car... I may have to give one a try xL1200R, If you looking at a speed 3 your selling yourself short. Go try a WRX. They are really twice the car. I just bought one a couple months ago. I tested the Mazda it just isn't the same. (Message edited by bads1 on September 29, 2009) | ||
| Cityxslicker |
I still got the 84 Ford Pickup that I bought with my initial enlistment bonus. 38k miles on it. I need to find a girl friend as reliable.  | ||
| Bads1 |
Opp's here it is.  | ||
| Crackhead |
subaru, assembled in America at a "green" production plant with zero land fill waste my wifes outback is the first car i have worked on that is easy to change the oil.  | ||
| Bads1 |
Wow I didn't realize that. Its my second Subie. The first was a Outback. I had zero issues. It was the best car I've been in in the snow. It kicked my 4 Runner butt in most cases on the street in bad weather. This one is just simply quick. It'll be quicker next Spring and I don't have to do much to get it either. | ||
| Xl1200r |
Bads - there's just something I don't like about the Subaru's styling... the proportions aren't quite right or something for me... The only real reason I'm even considering the Mazda is because they had a nice blue Mazdaspeed3 parked out front at the dealer down the road and everytime I drove by I couldn't help but stare at it. It's just one of those cars for me. | ||
| 14d |
I'd much rather have a truck, but my subaru does pretty good. '93 legacy wagon, 214k. Put 20k on it since I've had, and had to replace the clutch and couple minor things, but other than that trouble free. Everything works (except power mirrors and cigarette lighter) and can't beat 30mpg with the AC on. Had to add some stickers to let people know I'm not a hippie though.  | ||
| Crackhead |
we almost got a Mazda 3, but then we drove the used 08 Outback. For as big as the outback is, it handled better then new 3. I am trying to convince the wife to let me get a Impreza WRX Sti hatchback (blue with gold rims) when my Taurus eventualy dies. | ||
| New12r |
I did a complete engine swap in a non turbo Subaru in less than 4 hours from pushing it in the shop to the end of my test drive. Really like the Subaru. 2000 S-10, 112,000 2.2L 5 speed. AC compressor is bad($600 repair), Front end needs ball joints, tie rods, idler etc...($600+ repair), Seats are crap and broken, door hinges are worn out, cat is rattling and once the TPS sensor took a dump. The repairs are a mechanics cost, not retail. 1999 GMC Jimmy 110,000 miles 4.3 Auto. AC compressor is bad, 4x4 does not work, brake rotors keep warping, stuck rear caliper, seats are junk and broken, washer bottle cracked and leaking, vacuum leak in heater control module, trans mount torn. 2005 Nissan Altima, Sold at 70K. AC needed all the soft lines replaced, front end was thumping from a bad strut, variable valve timing was leaking oil. 1988 Honda Civic, sold at 288k, routine maint and a R134 ac upgrade with a new expansion valve. 1994 Pontiac Firebird Formula 168,00 when sold, with a 5.7 LT1. Burned up the front wheel bearing every 60k, ac compressor crapped out, opti spark distributor died twice(8 hour repair, had to pull the water pump.) Fuel pump failure, trans mount failed 6 times, rear end grenaded. In all fairness I did beat the hell out of the car. I got about 25 more to go, mostly american and all littered with repairs, the jap cars are much better and I have turned a wrench for the last 13 years of my life(and finally not doing it any more!!!) | ||
| Brumbear |
Guys I was just posting how difficult it was to do even with all the problems my domestic vehicles have given me I didn't think it would be, even though all my cars are American in name except my sons and now my wife's. I still drive a 1986 pontiac every day and my work vehicles are all American I was just saying how home grown I actually am I almost couldn't do it. | ||
| Xl1200r |
I got about 25 more to go, mostly american and all littered with repairs, the jap cars are much better and I have turned a wrench for the last 13 years of my life(and finally not doing it any more!!!) I turned wrenches myself and I rebut your statement. Japanese and European cars break down just as often as American. I'm glad your Civic went to 288k with no major repairs - you were lucky as most of them needed a distributor. I'm glad Toyotas are so bulletproof for everyone that owns them, but how does that explain the Tacoma with 45kmi that needed a complete engine overhaul? I owned a Grand Am with an H.O. QUAD-4 engine - arguably GM's LEAST reliable engine. It was my first car. There were a ton of miles on it. I beat the living SNOT out of it for a year before selling it. It never skipped a beat. I put all new rear brakes on it and I think that was it. All I'm saying is I don't think he'll be any happier with the Toyota than he would have been with a Malibu or a Taurus. There's bad cards in every deck. | ||
| Brumbear |
I agree with that I just want a new deck cause the last few hands really sucked the life outa me | ||
| Bads1 |
1993 Toyota 4x4 75,000 miles no problem. Front pads and tires 1995 Toyota Tacoma 4x4. 70,000 miles no problems. Tires and front pads. 1996 Toyota corolla. 86,000 miles no problems. Tires and brake pads. 1995 GMC 1 ton extended van. I put 40,000 of the 58,000 when I sold it. Needed a muffler,ball joints,u joint,tires pads and hydra boost,then tranny cooler. Good riddens. 2000 Subaru Outback,45,000 not a problem replaced nothing. 2002 Toyota 4 Runner, 55,000 miles tire and pads. Driving now just bacause I got a good deal and regretting it now. Is a 2006 Dodge Durango. Drives nice....really roomy. 2 fuel tanks,1 bad rim from the factory,tranny cooler lines are rubber they blew. This truck is AWD and Dodge says change transfer case and rear end fluid every 15,000. 200 some bucks. What a joke. The subies don't need it that often. The durango has 27,000 on it now and its been in the shop more for repairs then all the above cars and trucks put together. Forgot one before the Durango. 2004 Honda Element.48,000,Tires and brake pads. Also have the new 2009 WRX as of now..... to early to tell. Expect no different. I'll never buy American again. |
