1st Feb 2006, 14:12
No, your post just proves what I've always known about American vehicles - buying them is always a crapshoot. There is no consistent quality.
Want proof? Just read the book "Rivethead" about a GM factory worker and what REALLY goes on.
19th Apr 2006, 10:09
American car parts are cheaper???
Have you read the reviews on this site? Some of the costs make my old 3 series BMW seem cheap.
I don't understand why anyone buys American when they are less reliable, MORE expensive to fix, and have horrible resale value.
7th Jan 2007, 13:29
OK don't let that put off. us cars are great. heres some reasons your car might have failed...
1 you bought a older car with higher miles.
2 the old owners might have abused it.
15th Aug 2008, 11:32
Japanese cars suffer a bad model here and there just the same. Toyata and Mazda have had their fair share of avoidable cars particularly with some transmissions and sludge prone engines. Korean makes such as Hyndai and Kia which often are mistaken by some as a Japanese make having the same quality reputation, but are cheaply manufactured and have limited reliance and mileage expectations. No, its never that easy as just buy Japanese... they too require some diligence when choosing the right vehicle.
1st Feb 2006, 06:43
My 1994 Pontiac Trans Sport has 212,000 miles and it is still on it's original engine and transmission, with relatively little maintainence (ball joints, brakes, shocks... all after 150,000 miles) and both it's interior and exterior have held up amazingly considering it has been there while I raised three kids. We are driving it now to see how long it will go for. It still runs just as well as the day we drove it off the lot with 14 miles on it! My 1991 Chevrolet Lumina car (just recently retired) was involved in 2 major accidents in which the front and the side had to be replaced, but was still on it's original engine and second transmission, but had 374,000 miles on it. That car defined the meaning of "tank".
My point to this is, my GM vehicles have proven to be EXTREMELY reliable, requiring very little maintenence, and have lasted a very long time. Any car you buy could happen to be like your Trans Sport was, whether American, Japanese, Korean, etc... that is if it is a lemon, or heavily abused. Sounds to me like your Trans Sport was heavily abused, as typically, these are well constructed, excellent vehicles. Good luck with yours.