17th Nov 2019, 20:03

"American cars are so crappy that the entire American car industry needed a bailout in 2009."

A bit of a generalization :)

But I see where you are coming from. Mid to late 2000s cars are a funny one. I think all manufacturers can make decent cars, but the time period is important - and there are some better than others and it does not always go steady upwards in a smooth way just because technology gets better. There is business and politics and the general state of the world to consider. Example - 60s/early 70s - great if you like muscle cars. Late 70s/early 80s - awful cars let's be honest. By the late 80s with fuel injection and airbags, cars were getting better again. 1990s is the sweet spot in my opinion. Cars after the year 2000? Far too many complex electronics to go wrong and expensive to repair. But no one will deny they are light years ahead in safety and economy.

Gentlemen, debates like this can go on forever about which car is best or better than another. The car in question (97 Lexus) is by no means a bad car, but expensive to repair, I think that's all you have to keep in mind. Mercury? Well some like them and some don't. Nothing wrong with a more luxurious Ford though - I have had a few and they have been OK, from the 1990s of course.