| Author | Message | ||
     Xl1200r |
I guess I just don't get it. I've never owned anything but domestic vehicles: 1991 Pontiac Grand Am 1978 Chevy Monte Carlo 1996 Dodge Stratus 1997 Ford Thunderbird 2004 HD Sportster 2006 Chevy Cobalt SS 2007 Buell XB12R 1964 HD Sportster 2009 Buell 1125CR The only real *bad* one I had was the Stratus, and that was more because it had a blown head gasket from the dealer (used car) and went through two heater cored before I figured it out. Other than that, it wasn't a terribly car, just terribly slow. On top of that, my dad has also only owned American cars 1989 Chrysler LeBaron Turbo Early 90's Taurus 1997-ish Ford Windstar 2002 Taurus 2008 Escape All of his have been trouble free, and he's the type that puts 100,000 miles on a car in 3 or 4 years. My mom has had: 1993 Dodge Interpid 1999 GMC Jimmy 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix (Supercharged) 2004 Cadillac CTS The Intrepid had some teething issues with the A/C. Otherwise, again, all good cars. I think the Pontiac got valve cover gaskets - big whoop. I guess I just can't understand how some people can own a dozen American cars and have each one of them be a steaming pile of dog crap, and there's other people, like myself, who have had nothing to really complain about. On top of it, at the shop I worked at, 95% of the people drove American cars and trucks. Three people didn't (we had a BIG shop) - two of them were father and son who used to own a VW shop, and one was the parts guy who decided to get a new Hyundai. I'm just sayin'. | ||
| Swordsman |
Xl, looking at your age and the list of vehicles, did you ever drive any of them more than a year or two?  ~SM | ||
| Xl1200r |
Haha, fair catch. Actually, the Cobalt is the only car I've ever owned for more than about 2 years, but keep in mind that every other car had at least 100kmi on it before I bought it. That, combined with my parent's experience, I think allows my assertions to stand. | ||
| Bads1 |
X1, That is just a list of what I've owned since 93. I've owned 8 more cars before that. I bought ny first in 93. I had such a great experience that I bought another and another. Even switched brands. Had nothing bad to say. My Domestics just couldn't compare. I just won't look back because of it. My Durango I'd love to dump now. I'd like to buy a Subaru Forester or a Legacy but the Economy just won't let me do it just yet. | ||
| Kyrocket |
I know the parent company is foreign but that camry was probably built right up the road from me in Georgetown, Ky. We own a '96 Avalon and a '02 Sienna, both built in Georgetown. A buddy of mine could tell by the numbers that he put my trunk lid on. | ||
| Xl1200r |
Well, I just drove the Mazdaspeed3... I love the car. Trying to see if it's something I can reasonably afford right now... I can't believe I'm actually seriously considering buying a Japanese car, lol. | ||
| Black9 |
Funny,with an American car, some of you are willing to dump it and never come back, but a Buell with issues, you're more than willing to put up with some Major problems, ( clutch leak,5th gear oiling, constant remaps, yada ,yada, and chalk it up to being different.... | ||
| Xl1200r |
Black - part of my comparison meant to mention that, but not exactly how you put it. I've owned two Buells and by in large they have been bulletproof bikes for me, but somehow others get bikes that are riddled with issues non-stop from day one. Like I said, some people just get a bad hand. | ||
| Black9 |
I've owned 3 bullet proof Xb's, and one 1125r (poo!)a good dealer can't overcome some issues, bike or car. | ||
| New12r |
I turned wrenches myself and I rebut your statement. jap cars break too, just not as often. | ||
| Xl1200r |
>>>jap cars break too, just not as often. Complete and utter BS. | ||
| Bads1 |
Black, I've owned a few Buell's. Your right they have there issues. I live with them. Thing is its my toy. I don't rely on it. If it breaks I'll fix it when I have time. My cars on the other hand I rely on. As far as Jap cars not breaking as often?? Thats no BS. Thats basically a fact. I'm quite sure theres facts out there. | ||
| Boltrider |
I used to be hesitant about foreign makes, but that was two Tacomas and many miles ago. I'm glad I'm over it. | ||
| Xl1200r |
>>>As far as Jap cars not breaking as often?? Thats no BS. Thats basically a fact. I'm quite sure theres facts out there. It's opinion formed by anecdotal evidence. You say all your American cars gave you headaches. I say all mine have not. I'm willing to put my Cobalt up against any Japanese car, as I'm sure you're willing to put your Sube against any American car - and that's pretty much the point. I'm not saying Domestic makes are better - I'm saying, as a whole, everyone is about the same these days. They all have their problems. Toyota has more recalls than any other make - Consumer Reports has removed them from the "automatically recommended" list because of it. Just researching the Mazda 3 shows they've had problems with the engines literally falling out of the things - that's the stuff made up horror stories for god's sake. I'm just saying that the days of crap American cars are gone, save for maybe a few Mopar models. No American car I've ever owned has ever left me stranded or needed a repair other than regular maintenance that cost me more than $100 or so. My girlfriend's Honda Civic, on the other hand, does this thing every once in a while where it doesn't start unless you pin the gas, and even then it barely gets going and spews out all kinds of unburnt fuel out the exhaust. All that said, I think I'm going to pull the trigger on this Mazdaspeed3... I wish GM put the tubrocharged 2.0 liter in a wagon or hatch other than the HHR SS - that thing is just hideous. A Saturn Astra Redline would have been a no brainer for me, but such a beast only exists across the pond, so Mazda will get my business. | ||
| Bads1 |
Ummm TOYOTA puts there recall's out there. Where dodge doesn't even let there customers know till they have a problem. How do I know that. Have a few customers that I've actually had the discussion about. GM has been known to do the same unless its a safety issue. Remember its not the import companies that need bail out money and get ran by their government. Toyota by the way has more 4 star rated vehicle's then any other brand that I know of. Camery,corolla,4 runner,etc. | ||
| Xl1200r |
The import brands get plenty of government money on a regular basis - they get a perpetual bailout. Who do you think paid for the development of the Prius? The Japanese taxpayers. I don't know if you're mixing up a recall with a TSB, but a manufacturer is required by law to inform the customer of a recall i believe. There was only one on my Cobalt, and it was a safety thing, so since I was notified right away it doesn't refute your argument. | ||
| Bads1 |
Well then why didn't I get informed about the bad fuell tank that was in my Durango that splashed gas all over my wife while filling it up. And then before that a wiring issue that could cause a cabin fire from the dash. BTW I bought it brand new. If you don't believe me. These are problems I've had and looked them up by google before I ever got a notice in the mail. Wheres pontiac,buick,olds,and is GMC going to make it??? | ||
| Black9 |
American car cos. needed bailout money more because they hung their hats on gas guzzling trucks and suv's, and when gas hit 4.00 consumers quit buying them and went for the more efficient Hondas , Toyotas, etc.don't believe it? look see what was brought in to the "cash for clunkers" program...BTY, my bikes are a hobby too, but when I spend $12,000.00 on one I expect it to be well sorted and reliable, this is after all 2009, plus, and lets all be honest...Buell only has one basic platform, and 2 drivetrains, other makes have many more.. | ||
| Brumbear |
I just bought the Camry and they have the biggest recall of all time last night. Dammit its me I am the problem I should order my freekin YUGO now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | ||
| Xl1200r |
I think someone mentioned it before, but GM sold WAY more big SUVs and trucks than small cars, and they made way more money on them. They "hung their hats" because people were buying them. Nevertheless, they always had some solid small cars out there as well. They've definitely gotten much more serious about them in the last few years, but they've always been there. Bads - I can't explain your situation with the Durango, but I can't imagine it's the norm. I don't know if GM is going to make it, but I suspect they will given recent performance. BTW - has anyone seen the new Chevy Equinox? Better fuel mileage from a largish crossover SUV with a regular engine than even a Ford Escape Hybrid. That's pretty good. | ||
| Xl1200r |
Brum, what was it? I read that Lexus was recalling a bunch of floormats because they can pin down the gas pedal in the IS series. | ||
| Brumbear |
Floormats on the driverside REMOVE THEM they catch the accelerator | ||
| Brumbear |
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| Bads1 |
Bads - I can't explain your situation with the Durango, but I can't imagine it's the norm. Seems to be the norm around here. I have a customer at the bar that owns a construction company. He deives a to ton 4x4 extended. He also has 5 other Dodges that are all within a year apart. They all have had tranny problems. 3 of them were recall's with no notification from Dodge.His truck was one of them they are all 06's and 07's. I have another guy that was in the same discusion with us the same.... a tranny. He heard they had problems but didn't know of a recall. Gm lost money and lost money. They made squat. The government will now call the shots appears. Imports are not having those problems. Is it how the company is ran or is it the product or possibly all the above. I see at as both. My wife wants a legacy. I like it but would rather have the new Hyundai Genesis. I don't think any company can compare what you get for size,performance,fuel economy,and just as a whole | ||
| Crackhead |
which version of the legacy? 2.5gt (turbo), 2.5i or the 3.6? | ||
| Xl1200r |
I don't really know much about the Genesis to make strong comments, but looking at the spec sheet doesn't convey "good value" or exceptional fuel mileage for me. For that money, I'd rather have a loaded up Pontiac G8 GT, a Cadillac CTS, Lincoln MK-whatever, etc. I know Hyundai's have gotten better over the years, but last I checked they still felt exceptionally cheap. And specking of tranmission issues, my girlfriend's car before the civic was a Tiburon that needed a new trans around 70kmi. | ||
| Bads1 |
You better look a bit deeper then. Its been tested against the Mercedes and the BMW and it won in many areas.I've been in one. The interior is top notch. Nothing cheap about it. | ||
| Swordsman |
Mmm, no Hyundais are fantastic vehicles. We selected the 2006 Tuscon over it's American counterparts BECAUSE it felt so much nicer than anything else we drove. The interior plastics are thick and rubbery, not thin and hard, and the seats were 10X cushier than anything else we drove (everything by GM felt like the seats were carved from cardboard, both cars and SUVs). The engine is a little thrashy at higher rpms, but it's been a rock solid little buggar. It's been a 2 or 3 years ago, but Hyundai's customer satisfaction was second only to Lexus at the time. You can't be making crappy cars and be #2 in customer satisfaction. Hyundai is phenomenal bang for buck now. My father in law was a hardcore GM guy, worked for them for 17+ years. he bought EVERYTHING American made if possible, price be damned. He wound up working for an auto consulting group and contracted with Hyundai, and actually decided they were good cars. If they can convert Sam, they MUST be good.  ~SM | ||
| Bads1 |
Swordsman, I went for a drive in the Genesis sedan. One big awesome car with the V8 in it loaded to the gill's. Could touch a American car for the same amount of car. The warranty is just amazing. If you didn't look at the name you'd think your looking and driving in some of nicest Euro sedans. I just frigg'n loved it. | ||
| Bill0351 |
"Bads - I can't explain your situation with the Durango, but I can't imagine it's the norm." The company I used to work for had a small fleet of Dakotas that routinely ate transmissions at 40-50,000 mile intervals (rough, often off road use). Two needed engines replaced by around 75,000. I never understood why they kept them as long as they did. We finally bailed on them and got Ford vans. I don't know about reliability statistics for those vehicles, but they took everything we could dish out and they never missed a beat. I have never known anyone who has had really good luck with a modern Chrysler product that they kept for more than 5 years or so. |
