14th Sep 2011, 18:08
I love the comic side of these comments. 22 million recalls (more cars than some auto makers have built in 40 YEARS), but that's a "few" recalls. Gee, I wish somebody would give me a "few" dollars for every Toyota I've seen abandoned on the freeway on my way to work!!
14th Sep 2011, 18:35
My domestic recall I had in 2006 was for a new seat belt retractor vs an import trans and sludging.
Did I see a 1998 domestic comment on here? If so, I can comment on my 3.8 1990 Pontiac Bonneville with 250000 miles on the same engine. And if someone is acting like they are impressed with 1980s Toyotas in a sunny climate... whoopie. Wow, an 80s car on the highway today, imagine that!
15th Sep 2011, 12:35
If you have even owned a nineties Ford or GM (or even worse; a Chrysler/Dodge), you will know that engine failures before 150K miles or even before 100K miles is the norm. Trans failures on Fords is commonplace, they will not simply go past 150K miles in any circumstance. It's simply impossible. Not only the hopeless Taurus, but on the even worse Probe and the useless Explorer. I replaced my trans on both my Taurus, my daughters Probe and my later Explorer. Useless P-O-S.
Or head gasket failure on the GM V6 is also the norm. Heavy oil leaks is also the norm. After 5-6 years, you can't see that GM engine for layers of oil and grit.
Complaining about the Toyota recalls for loose floor mats and things like that! Come on! Gimme a break! Get out in the real world and get some real world experience instead of recycling hearsay and old news.
15th Sep 2011, 17:20
Having a vehicle go over 100k before brake service is a very common thing; my friend's Chevy Avalanche has 115k, and still all four wheels have the original pads. How you drive the car plays a big role on how quick pads can wear out.
16th Sep 2011, 10:28
It also depends on what type of brakes we're talking about too. For example, my Tacoma tends to wear out the front pads in about 60,000 miles. They're easy to change, so no big deal. On the other hand, the rear drums are the ones that came with the truck, 243,000 miles ago.
16th Sep 2011, 11:25
I guess you only gloss over major issues and focus on mats. There are 2012 cars available, not just grand mom's car you were given until you could afford a new small economy car.
The 3.8 Pontiac motor I had was fantastic, and still runs today. I sold it because the clear coat went on the hood. Not for issues. It still runs well, and the person I sold it to loves the ride and commute to work. I even had that engine in my 22 foot I/O boat with no issues. Very reliable motor.
I have a new Ford. I love the Edge AWD SEL, and have a few friends either buying or about to buy one. I just turned over 40,000 on mine and I drive it to accounts. Nice crossover and no issues. My friends love mine. I also like the brand new Explorer if you can afford it. Again, look at technology and improvements. I do have a new Mazda 3 bought for my daughter, so I am not dead on all imports. No Toyota or Honda anymore though. Too much shop time on engine trans issues; not mats though
16th Sep 2011, 11:42
Comments like 12:35 need to cite some reliable sources in order to have any credibility at all.
We've owned Ford, GM and Chrysler products from the 70's, 80's, 90's and 00's. Not a single one of them has ever had any of the problems the commenter mentions. One of our Fords made well over 300,000 miles on the same engine and transmission with less than $500 in total repairs in 18 years. Our Buick LeSabre (with that supposedly unreliable 3.8) made 277,000 miles without a single engine or transmission repair. Our Chrysler was just shy of a quarter million miles when it was sold in perfect condition. It had had two timing belts and one hose in it's life.
As for oil leaks, my 5.0 Mustang DID have an oil leak after 130,000 miles. Not one of our Chrysler or GM vehicles ever did. Our current GM has a totally spotless engine after 9 years of driving and 100,000+ miles. No oil leaks or oil burning. I never even bother to check the oil between its 10,000 change intervals. None of our GM or Chrysler products has ever used a drop of oil.
My family's company uses Ford service vehicles. Some are over a decade old and have well over 250,000 miles on them. That is the norm for an F-150 or Ranger pickup.
And when it comes to imports, we did have brief and very unsatisfactory experience with a few. None ever made 100,000 miles without very major repairs. All of them used and/or leaked oil. That is why we switched back to driving only domestics. Imports just cost too much to drive beyond 50,000 for us to regard them as practical.
With regard for Toyota's massive, largest-in-history recalls, a Federal Grand Jury had to force many of the actions Toyota took to be in integrity with their customers. It was not just floor mats and sticking accelerators. There were many safety issues that needed to be addressed, and sadly, it took the legal system to force those recalls and insure that people were not subjected to life-threatening defects. U.S. automakers issue VOLUNTARY recalls without being forced to by law. That ought to speak volumes for the integrity of U.S. car companies.
There is certainly not a shred of credible evidence to back up the rather sweeping (and false) accusations made in many import-supporter comments. And at the present it is more than evident that Ford, especially, has far surpassed all auto makers in both build quality and reliability. Lincoln became the highest-rated car in long-term reliability with the 2008 model. Nothing touches the performance of the new Boss 302 Mustang (it beat a BMW M-3 very handily in a road-course test). GM has the fastest production sedan on Earth (Cadillac), and the CTS-V STATION WAGON just beat a $200,000 Ferrari in a drag race. So, no, domestic vehicles have nothing to apologize for.
16th Sep 2011, 17:39
"head gasket failure on the GM V6 is also the norm"
I know you are not talking about the 3800 V6.
16th Sep 2011, 17:52
That is pretty impressive that your 77 LeSabre went 277,000 miles with the 3.8, as opposed to having the optional 350 or 403 V8's. The problem was the 3.8 was a bit underpowered, but don't get me wrong, it was a great motor used in many cars from 1975-1987 in the carburetor form. I had an 84 Grand Prix with that V6 that made it 210,000 MI.
14th Sep 2011, 12:28
I am not the the commenter that has been writing back and forth non-stop with you. I have owned many GM vehicles over the course of 25 years of driving. All car makers have had their share of crappy cars. To claim that NOT one of your "domestics" required any repairs is greatly exaggerated. Not needing even brake pads until 100,000 miles. Did you even drive the car? Any car that is driven needs to stop, and stopping requires the use and the wearing down of the pads and shoes. Your heart might be broken, knowing that many of your beloved domestics are actually IMPORTED from Canada, Mexico and Germany.