16th Dec 2008, 21:11
I took my usual afternoon break today to read my paper and run a few errands. The headline on my newspaper referred to the delay of a new Toyota plant in Mississippi due to Toyota's plunging sales. Ironically, the plant was to build the Prius, which most import fans seem to think is some magical device that will save the world. The article noted that Prius sales are down by 48%. That is 18% WORSE than Ford sales. Of course part of the decline is due to the economy, but I'm sure a great part is due to the numerous issues Prius has had with extremely expensive repairs.
After reading my paper, I had to drop by our GM dealership to pick up a part for my 8-year-old GM car. It was the FIRST repair ever for the car and cost me a whopping $10. While there I asked a friend who works there how they were doing. His reply shocked me. He said "we only sold 14 new vehicles yesterday, but on Saturday we had FIFTY-ONE new GM vehicles sold." This is in a small city of only about 40,000 people. We are notably more patriotic than some other parts of the country, but 51 sales in ONE DAY is incredible for a company facing bankruptcy.
17th Dec 2008, 14:29
"The Japanese cars had virtually NO rust proofing and would be a pile of rust in a few years."
My '87 Maxima had NO rust anywhere on the body at all even after 20 years. Not a speck of rust or fading paint ANYWHERE on the body of the car. My sister bought an '88 brand new, hers only has fading paint on top due to washing every weekend the first ten years she had it.
18th Dec 2008, 12:23
"My '87 Maxima had NO rust anywhere on the body at all even after 20 years".
Our 1955 Pontiac STILL does not have a trace of rust ANYWHERE. 53 years versus 20. We win.
And if GM DOES go bankrupt, import owners will be hurt just as badly as domestic buyers. Wishing for disaster for our country is cutting off your nose to spite your face.
18th Dec 2008, 14:36
Hey lady, if your VIN doesn't start with a "J" have the dealership swap it out with a Japanese made Honda.
18th Dec 2008, 17:07
Well, I also rent a lot of vehicles, one or two a month for business travel. Ever since 2005 in particular I've been very impressed with the cars I've gotten. As recently as 2000, I wasn't convinced that a car of that year rode or drove any better than a 1970's boat, and often not as good. But by 2005, virtually every rental (Chevy Malibu, Chevy Impala, Pontiac G-5 and G-6, Chevy Malibu Maxx, Ford Crown Victoria, Buick LeSabre, Ford Taurus, Ford Fusion) were smooth, had good power, and got good mileage (25-28 mpg city/mixed/highway, except of course the Crown Vic got about 21). The two Dodge Calibers were also good cars--I had an R/T AWD and a base model. The only dog in the bunch was a Chrysler PT Cruiser. Admittedly, the Hyundai Sonata wasn't a bad car, either.
However, after this week the new champion dog is-----the Suzuki Forenza! What a pile! I would have been begging for ANY Chevy, Ford, or Dodge over that junk. Window sealing foam falling off, gutless with no acceleration and very soft shifts that left you wondering when you'd start moving again, the engine rattled so badly that at stop signs it sent vibrations right through my spine--this is superior Japanese engineering!?! Please! Is anybody seriously trying to tell me that every Japanese car is better than any American car??? No way!
19th Dec 2008, 06:39
I really hate the 2008 Honda Accord! The styling and the manufacturer support of this car really sucks! It is comfortable although I'm not happy with this car! People from Honda are very boastful thinking that they are number one in this world but the number one is Toyota right? They are being so pretentious on their cars and how they deal with people and service! That is why we have never owned a Honda ever since and we will never get one!
19th Dec 2008, 15:41
Actually, GM still sells more vehicles world-wide than Toyota. It depends which hairs one wants to split regarding categories of vehicles. It's close with Toyota, though.
19th Dec 2008, 17:45
To 17:07: Are you SURE that horrible vehicle you described was a Suzuki? It sounds remarkably like my old Honda Civic.
20th Dec 2008, 10:58
Considering that GM produces far more vehicles across a far broader demographic than Toyota, there stands a reason why they sell more vehicles. Toyota sales come from the bread and butter, long-popular, long-standing Camry and Corolla models.
21st Dec 2008, 10:38
That's why it is recommended a person does something called a test drive before making a purchase. You should've known before buying it that the cars styling "sucked." They probably didn't deal with you good if you go to the service office complaining. One minute you complain about the car, then complain you would never get one, get it straight.
19th Jul 2009, 16:03
Sounds like you're more mad at your husband than the car. In terms of your complaints:
1) Styling is subjective, the car looks quite modern and not unlike a lot of other cars on the road today. But if you don't like it, you shouldn't have bought it. PS: You're complaining about the styling on the Accord after driving a Chevy Astro???
2) Head gasket leak sounds like an isolated incident and Honda was right to have replaced it under warranty.
3) Brake shudder, not sure how hard you drive your car but from the level of hostility you're displaying it sounds like you beat it to death. This is a big heavy car and is not really designed to be driven like a sports car, repeated heavy aggressive braking will warp any car's rotors, a quick turn on the lathe should sort you.
4) Honda's have always made better manual transmissions vs. automatics which tend to be a little finicky. They've gotten better over the years but it still pays to service the tranny fluid regularly with genuine Honda ATF. Keep it maintained and you should be fine.
16th Dec 2008, 11:35
"You mean such as donning the Pro-Import Blinders and chanting "Toyota is better"? That is called being close-minded."
I guess we have been equally close-minded. You as well have spoken that "Ford is better." Do you not think that is being close-minded?
Yes, I imagine that domestics are cheaper to repair somewhat. However, with my Nissan, repair costs (that were rare) were only slightly more expensive than my domestic vehicle. Toyota has the highest maintenance costs for Japanese vehicles.
One of the biggest reasons I haven't driven domestics as of late is because the resale value pitfall. We had a Chevy TrailBlazer back in 2002, the vehicle was decent as far as performance was concerned but the note outlasted the warranty and decided to trade it for a Honda Accord in 2004. We have paid the Accord off and have not had ANY repairs. I am in the market for another car now and MAY consider a domestic but I am not sure. I need to see an incentive to spend money on a brand that may not survive. Maybe I will consider that you have said while shopping.
"I guess that's the only way to pretend that spending $600 on changing a timing belt at 60,000 miles is somehow superior to replacing a timing chain at 200,000 miles."
Speaking of a timing belt, the service manual for my GMC recommended it was changed at 60K, it broke at 59K and cost me $669 to repair. The Maxima (at 90K) I had a timing belt changed on it for $450.
"Oh no, that's not a "repair"... it's "merely" preventive maintenance."
It's preventive maintenance when you change it before the part is damaged or faulty. If a service guide says 60K miles to change a part does not mean driving beyond that will cause damage just that there is a higher possibility of a costly repair driving beyond that mileage. That's with ANY vehicle, certain things are suggested at certain intervals to maintain a car in good condition. You speak as though no service is recommended at all and that is not true.