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Would You Avoid a Manufacturer Because of Bad Public Policy?

56 messages, Last post on Mar 12, 2007 at 7:37 AM
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Replying to: john_324 (Nov 08, 2006 6:38 am) |
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Replying to: snakeweasel (Nov 08, 2006 12:11 pm) The people who know - lemon law lawyers, mechanics who work on a variety of makes, people who work at used car auctions - invariably say that those makes have a good reputation for reliability because they have earned it. I have yet to hear anything to the contrary. With the European marques, it is the driving experience and superior build quality (which is different from reliability).
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Replying to: grbeck (Nov 09, 2006 6:42 am) To be perfectly honest I don't think that Honda nor Toyota makes them any much better that anyone else. i keep hearing people on these forums talking about the work they needed to have done on them, I see my family and friends with them having as much trouble as those i know that don't have Toyotas or Hondas. In this case it is more of perception creating its own reality more so that reality shaping perception. Case in point I have a sister whose toyota goes into the shop like clock work still bragging about how much more reliable her car is.
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Replying to: snakeweasel (Nov 09, 2006 7:06 am) For example, I know exactly ONE satisfied VW owner. Everyone else is either having problems with their VWs, or has traded it for something else. And, if we are using anecdotal evidence here, my wife's 2000 Cavalier gave up the ghost at 113,000 miles (and the air conditioning compressor had conked out at 50,000 miles). It needed a complete engine rebuild. But she didn't go to the imports - she bought a 2005 Ford Focus SE sedan, which has been good so far (32,000 miles). And, turning to evidence of a more non-anecdotal variety, the professionals who deal with many makes of vehicles in various capacities all tell me the the same thing about Honda and Toyota reliability - it is based on fact, not mere perception. They also say that the domestics have improved dramatically over the past 10 years (particularly Ford).
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Replying to: grbeck (Nov 09, 2006 9:50 am) Very well but that doesn't negate the fact that these cars with their stellar reputations break down just as much as most other cars, even ones without steller reputations. I know a guy, a master mechanic, who used to work for "steller reputation" motors (you figure out which one). He was one of the guys that came out to dealerships when the factory would "send someone out". For that he used a company car. But for his personal car he drove a GM. I asked him why his reply was "don't believe the hype". perception creates its own reality.
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Replying to: snakeweasel (Nov 09, 2006 10:49 am) With the exception of a few "trouble" models (early Neons, certain Kias, etc.), breakdowns are as much a function of the maintenance that YOU perform (or fail to perform) as they are of make. Personally, I am more concerned with those automakers that fail to do recalls in lieu of "secret warranties" (see Lemonaidcars.com for details). |
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http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=117486 Rocky |
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Replying to: snakeweasel (Nov 09, 2006 10:49 am) And the proof to back up this "fact" is found exactly where? Sorry, but that is not a fact, that is your opinion. You are entitled to your opinion, but until you back it up with independent sources, it remains an opinion, not a fact. At this point, the rating agencies agree with me. Until I see something substantial to discredit them - something more than "They don't give my favorite cars high ratings, so I don't believe them" - I'll go by their results. snakeweasel: I know a guy, a master mechanic, who used to work for "steller reputation" motors (you figure out which one). He was one of the guys that came out to dealerships when the factory would "send someone out". For that he used a company car. But for his personal car he drove a GM. I asked him why his reply was "don't believe the hype". And I knew a master mechanic who worked for a local chain of dealers that included a Pontiac-GMC-Buick franchise, and a Toyota franchise. His car of choice? A Toyota Camry, because, in his words, "Don't kid yourself - there is a difference. Toyotas are better."
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Replying to: grbeck (Nov 13, 2006 1:16 pm) What rating agencies? And CR doesn't count. A Toyota Camry, because, in his words, "Don't kid yourself - there is a difference. Toyotas are better." Tell that to my sister, I don't think she ever had a Toyota that went more than 30K miles before something major went on it. Of course she states that they are the best cars ever made. Perception creates its own reality.
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