You make some interesting arguments. The big three still have a way to go to catch Toyota in long term quality. And Lexus is the ultimate. The European makes and some of the other Japanese models are way overrated. I could tell you several stories of people having terrible chronic problems with their cars. VW's come to mind. My daughter Mitsubishi Eclipse is the most trouble-plagued car I've EVER bought, but she loves the style. Toyota is still the best built cars in the world and the stats prove it. Here's an interesting list of initial quality (which doesn't always mean a lot down the road) that show that the US automakers have made good strides in quality. The 2004 and 2005 list are similar with a couple models improving. I like where Buick stands, even if it isn't exciting anymore. http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=7086 http://www.pfblog.com/archives/2369_jd_power_2005_vehicle_initial_quality_survey.shtml
the ultimate refutation of this thread: Click here to see Video i'd like to see you do this with your toyota! :laugh: gun? i don't need no steeeenking gun.
perception is everything: http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/news/nation/13004094.htm (since everyone loves links to try and prove their point) later Tim
That is a great article. Thank you very much. I knew the Euro stuff was junk these days. I'm surprissed the domestics are number two tho.
I think it's the previous mind set of buyers. "oh it's an american car it will have problems and then they complain about them" and It's a toyota and my last one never had a problem, it must be a fluke that this one has a problem. the other thing with the high end cars, lexus, BMW, Mercedes, etc. the owners of those cars don't really complain if there in the shop for 2 reasons, one they generally get a loaner car when it's there so they arn't out any thing. And two, they don't want to explain to their golfing buddies that the car is in the shop again, or if they did say it, my BMW 5 series is in the shop but they lent me this sport ute one till it's done. things are getting better for american cars in terms of quality. now about that really lousy cheap interior of the chevy colorado. -nate
ya, secretly in the deepest darkest depths of my soul ... i kinda wonder what kind of frame tweeking that Hummer got. but it's still funny. :laugh:
Asian Vehicles Rank Low in Survey USA Today By Sharon Silke Carty Oct. 27, 2005 Consumer Reports challenges the belief that Japanese cars are generally made better than domestic vehicles in its annual reliability survey released Wednesday. Vehicles that Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. makes at its new plant in Mississippi -- the Quest minivan, Armada SUV, Titan truck and Infiniti QX56 SUV -- are among the 48 least-reliable cars and trucks sold. Toyota Motor Corp.'s redesigned Avalon was rated with average reliability, lower than any of Toyota's other cars. The Acura RL, made by Honda Motor Corp., and the Honda Odyssey were also rated average. "One time you would consider buying a Japanese car because you'd get excellent reliability, but now you're starting to see some nicks in the armor," says David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports' auto test center. But Asian nameplates still dominated the most-reliable list. Of the 31 cars that earned a top reliability rating, 29 were Japanese and two were domestic models. No European cars earned a top ranking. Irv Miller, a Toyota spokesman, says the automaker is actively addressing complaints from consumers about the Avalon. He predicts the car's rating will increase next year. Consumer Reports sent surveys last spring to its 6 million Web site and magazine subscribers. The results cover 1 million 1998 to 2005 model year vehicles, the most responses Consumer Reports has ever received. The annual reliability study is among the most significant factors affecting consumer preferences. Other findings include: Lofty sticker prices don't always mean high quality. The list of least-reliable cars includes some of Europe's most expensive nameplates, such as the Audi A8, BMW 7 series and Mercedes-Benz S-class. For the second year in a row, no European automaker made it on the most-reliable car list. Only 3 percent of Toyota Prius owners reported problems with their cars. By comparison, 67 percent of Infiniti QX56 owners had to go back to the dealership because of problems. The quality gap between Asian and domestic carmakers is closing for new cars, Champion says. Hyundai has spotty reliability, with the Tucson SUV earning a poor reliability rating, while the Santa Fe SUV and Elantra sedan were rated average.
Interesting story headline. I guess the media can spin anything. Since there are some Asian cars that are on the low side of the list, which is no suprise since some makes are complete garbage. I guess they will hope the reader glosses over the fact that of the 31 cars at the top for quality 29 are Japanese. ou:
:shock: well with the whole country selling it self out..... could this be next uzzled: http://www.newsmax.com/fir/fir-templeton3.cfm?PROMO_CODE=1615-1
Add to that www.jibjab.com and play the "Big Box Mart" clip and then ask yourself...what are we doing! Why can't the Americans of today pull together like the WW2 generation did to consider the good of our country and it's future first. It seems like we now have a "I got mine, tough for you, you get yours" attitude. ou:
YES AND ALOT OF PEOPLE HATE THE AUTO WORKERS BECAUSE THEY MAKE BIG BUX....... DELPHI WHAT's TO OFFER $9.00HR :rant: http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21836 what goes around..... come's around.... how long until it gets to you :shock:
:shock: :laugh: well... well... well.. lookie.. lookie.. here. the great Toyota :laugh: http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21412
Consumer reports is pretty much useless. They get reviews from their readers, and they will even tell you 80% of their readers are import owners! You know its not biased... ou: later Tim
I think I will stick with the GM cars and trucks. Most Toyotas,Nissans, Mitsubitchis,etc. really turn me off. The only foreign cars that really rock are made in Germany. I had a '99 Chevy Tahoe 2X that got me through 200,000 with only a waterpump,alternator,and fuel sender unit replacement. Oh yeah,had to replace the crappy intake manifold heaterhose fitting once. The original a/c was still ice cold when I traded in.Engine and trans were all original also.Half of the mileage was towing something.No tranny problems.Now my current vehicle is 03 Silverado 4X4 that just rolled 120,000.Amazingly,it still has the original brake pads all the way around.No problems with anything else.The wife's '98 S10 Blazer also a 4X4, is at 133,000 .It has gone through a waterpump,alternator,first set of plugs,and a crappy Delco battery.The Delco batteries only last 2 years,then they self destruct.The Blazer still wears its original brake pads which need replacing now since this last trip through the Smoky Mountains a week ago.They got pretty spongy going down a looong steep grade. A Toyota or Nissan would not hold up to my driving and towing.My 20cents worth. Ted
I read Newsmax.com .Lots of info there! Another good website to read on is Jeff Rense.com and Alex Jones Prison Planet. They seem to tell it like it is. Alex Jones seems like a balsey character,not afraid of much.
I sent this address to GM. proobably not the correct channel but requested that it be forwarded to the correct personel. probable won't get any response, but we'll see. I think they should see this.
