Darius11 12 #1 August 22, 2008 Reason for poll: In my personal experience I have had great luck with my American cars. Not just because you get more bang for your buck but I have also had much less issues with them when compared to imports. What I have noticed with my self and few friends limited experience is that the imports have not been as reliable even though most people seem to think they are. I have had a friend lose engines on VW that only have had 20K miles, Bran new Range rovers that seem to go to the shop every other week, one just got a G35 the thing is at the dealers for a 4th time in 6 months. I my self had a Nissan and it was a nightmare. I have never takin any other car to the mechanic as much as that one. Now I understand that my personal experience is extremely limited so that’s the reason I have made this poll. I want to see what your experience has been.I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not." - Kurt Cobain Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eeneR 3 #2 August 22, 2008 I have had both and similar problems with both with the exception of my current car. I have a Subaru Outback, holy crap this car ROCKS. have had it 2 years and no problems at all!She is not a "Dumb Blonde" - She is a "Light-Haired Detour Off The Information Superhighway." eeneR TF#72, FB#4130, Incauto Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #3 August 22, 2008 My Ford Taurus blew its head gasket at 125000 miles and had to have its transmission rebuilt at 72000. The electronics in the seat were really fickle and might or might not work so I had to leave the seat in a position for me and never change it. My Ford Probe kept blowing O2 sensors starting at 40k miles and just would not start from time to time. The electronic dash in it would lose power all the time. It went through 2 timing belts in 80000 miles. It lost the water pump at around 85000 miles. My 5 year old Honda Civic has 105000 miles on it that I drove them all and the only thing I have found on it is that the front struts are starting to leak and it has a slight pull to the left that I am sure I could fix with the strurt replacement and a realignment. Oh, and there is a rattle in the sunroof that has been there since 15000 miles.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
simplyputsi 0 #4 August 22, 2008 Well here is my experience. Dad had more than one ford growing up, they all had problems. They managed to make it for many years, but not anything super long. He switched to Chevy a few years back and has not had any trouble that I know of. I've had a bad taste in my mouth over Ford because of his experiences as well as from friends. Mom has had a Mitsubishi, two actually, that have run great, except for me running one into a curb at a high rate of speed I had a Saturn that was nothing but a hassle. Never really had to spend a ton of money on it, but it burned oil, and things went out long before they should have. Brings me to my Honda. Has 125k on it and runs like a champ. Two things have gone wrong, the catalytic converter about 5k ago. So that was 120k and 8 years into it. Then the B pipe broke, pipe from cat to muffler. I'm not so sure the shop didn't accidentally have something to do with that. I just know too many people that have imports that have had no problems. I also know a few with domestic that don't have problems these days either. I'll give it to ya that domestics have come a ways. They sure don't look as cool though Skymama's #2 stalker - Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Darius11 12 #5 August 22, 2008 I think everyone i know who owns a Subaru loves it. Great carsI'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not." - Kurt Cobain Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hungarianchick 0 #6 August 22, 2008 I've only owned Japanese, and I've never had issues. Currently I drive a 2005 Acura RSX I bought brand spanking new and I love it. I rented American cars before and I found them cheaply put together. "I love cooking with wine. Sometimes I even put it in the food." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Darius11 12 #7 August 22, 2008 Never owned a ford, but that sucks man. Hondas are great. My mom had one of the old civics (box shape) when I was a kid, I honestly do not remember it ever braking down and we had it for 5. I have had no issuies with Olds mobile, Buick, or Pontiac. But thats the only US cars i have owned.I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not." - Kurt Cobain Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Darius11 12 #8 August 22, 2008 I am surprised about the Saturn asi have known 3 people 1 who had over 200K on it and still loved that car. QuoteI'll give it to ya that domestics have come a ways. They sure don't look as cool though Have to say I disagree. Too me it doesn’t get any hotter then the newer Corvettes, GTO, New Camaro, Cadillac’s I love the way these cars look. What I love the most is they don’t look just like another bubble. I miss the days where you could tell what the cars was without having to read the name on it. Most lower price cars look like shit no matter where they are from (the new Honda Civic is an exception). So the cars above are I guess mid to high end, but if you want to go to super cars you have to admit the GT40 is a beautiful car as well.I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not." - Kurt Cobain Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Darius11 12 #9 August 22, 2008 Quote 2005 Acura RSX When they first came out with the RSX I was ready to sell a kidney to buy one. Very hot car.I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not." - Kurt Cobain Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 35 #10 August 22, 2008 My issues - '93 Ford Mustang hatchback, electrical short in the hatchback door prevented me from being able to start the car. They fixed that and never had another problem. Ran it up to 80K miles and sold it to a friend who reported that he drove it to 298K miles without a problem, until the engine gave out. '96 Ford Mustang, no problems that I can remember, other than 2 wrecks, one that bent the frame a little but was fixed just like as new. '96 Mazda Protege, we still have it, has 199K miles on it and never had any problems, other than having to replace the manual transmission at 140K miles because I drove it through a flooded street trying to get home during a heavy rain. 2000 Toyota Tundra, which we still have as well, has 145K miles on it and there have been two issues - the transmission conked out at 20K miles on my way to work the day I was supposed to fly to Texas for the first Deaf World Record. I was lucky I had planned to work a half day then fly at 1 pm. Ended up missing work and spending 3 hours just getting the damn thing towed 30 miles to the dealership's shop and getting a ride to the airport. The work was fully covered by warranty. It took them 3 weeks to get it done and I had a rental car for free during that time. Good service. The other issue was the O2 sensors kept failing. I had the "check engine" light come on 3 times and ended up having to pay something like $80 to have a diagnostic done and replace the sensor each time. The 4th time it happened, I simply ignored it for 45K miles, before I finally had it replaced, while having a major service done, no harm done to the engine though. 2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder convertible - it was a great car to drive, but the air conditioning system was shit. Yeah, I know you really don't need A/C in a convertible, you just take the top down, but this is the hot and humid south. We had to have the A/C compressor replaced, under warranty of course. We only had it for a little over 2 years though and traded it in for a Pontiac Vibe when my wife got pregnant. 2006 Pontiac Vibe - no issues so far after 45K miles."Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Adriandavies 0 #11 August 22, 2008 Hey Darius, how about importing a Paykan and see how it compares when used on American roads Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpeedRacer 1 #12 August 22, 2008 I don't think you can go by American vs Imports in terms of reliability. some japanese cars are made here in america & american cars have japanese parts. sometimes it's even the same car, just sold by an american vs. a japanese company! (they literally just change the logo on the car) Speed Racer -------------------------------------------------- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ASTKU 1 #13 August 22, 2008 I have had lots of success with Ford. Bought a 1999 F250 for work in 2004 with 113K miles on it. I had a mechanic go through it to be amazed to find out that all the parts were parts originally on the vehicle when new. Since then I am up to 247K miles and it is still running strong. I did have to replace the alternator a year ago but other than that, No Problems.... I also have owned a bunch of Mustangs a 1967, 1990, 1991,1992,1996, and a 1997 and they were all very good cars. I still have the 1967 Mustang and have owned it for 12 years and have had minimal problems with it.... To me it all depends on how you take care of your vehicle. Oil Changes every 3000miles, Transmission serviced once or twice a year, letting your car warm up before driving it hard.....Just My Opinion Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Darius11 12 #14 August 22, 2008 Dude I use to drive one when I was in high school in Iran. It never brakes down but then again it doesn’t have shit in it to brake. I had the old type the boxy ones, I believe they have much newer models now. I love a car that sounds like you are doing 200Mph when you’re doing 50I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not." - Kurt Cobain Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy_Copland 0 #15 August 22, 2008 Have not got enough experience in an American car to give a point on reliability. What i will say though is i feel automatics take the pleasure out of driving. And thats ALL i see here.1338 People aint made of nothin' but water and shit. Until morale improves, the beatings will continue. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
efs4ever 3 #16 August 22, 2008 I've had a lot of cars over the years. Lemmon with a GM in 78 and problems with Toyota and VW in the past. I love my FORDS. For one thing, when you are on the road, there's a FORD dealer in every town, in case you have to get a fixit. Womfish now has 309,000 miles. Russell M. Webb D 7014 Attorney at Law 713 385 5676 https://www.tdcparole.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 35 #17 August 22, 2008 Quote Have not got enough experience in an American car to give a point on reliability. What i will say though is i feel automatics take the pleasure out of driving. And thats ALL i see here. Well yeah. We have one manual and two automatics. The manual is fun to drive, but it's nice to have the automatics when you've got a sprained ankle/broken leg or broken arm. "Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy_Copland 0 #18 August 22, 2008 Yea, i know what you mean. I find it much easier to drink my beer with no gears to worry about.1338 People aint made of nothin' but water and shit. Until morale improves, the beatings will continue. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 35 #19 August 22, 2008 Quote Yea, i know what you mean. I find it much easier to drink my beer with no gears to worry about. Drinking and driving? Andy.... "Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fast 0 #20 August 22, 2008 I have an RSX-S that is doing pretty well. I had to have the engine replaced (no cost to me, covered under warranty) after a shop put it back together poorly after a car accident (not my fault, stupid delivery truck pulling into traffic) but I blame that on the shoddy repair shop work not Honda. I would buy another one in a heartbeat. Honda/Acura makes some seriously reliable cars!~D Where troubles melt like lemon drops Away above the chimney tops That's where you'll find me. Swooping is taking one last poke at the bear before escaping it's cave - davelepka Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy_Copland 0 #21 August 22, 2008 Come on Billy, give me some credit. I dont drive drunk, if i feel the affects i simply take some amphetamines. Sobers you right up.1338 People aint made of nothin' but water and shit. Until morale improves, the beatings will continue. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
virgin-burner 1 #22 August 22, 2008 QuoteI think everyone i know who owns a Subaru loves it. Great cars i never had a US car, and that would be considered an import.. my last three and current cars were/are renaults. i have a clio sport, great, fast little car. been to the garage just yesterday, the offered me to fix everything for like six grand. havent had a service in loooong.. well. the garage i used to go to i had some arguments with, so for this time i got the offer from another one. one of my best friends works at my normal garage and happened to see it at the other place. he talked things over with his boss and they agreed to do it all for four grand. its a shame, you have to put pressure on people to let the market play. i'll now get it fixed with them.. i was contemplating buying a subaru, i'd like to get a station wagon, you know, with all that skydiving-gear the dog and what not, i'd be great to have something a little bit bigger.. my brother and father both drive subarus, no complaints at all.. i might get my clio fixed and sell it to get a second hand subaru.. that gave me a serious headache the last couple of days..“Some may never live, but the crazy never die.” -Hunter S. Thompson "No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try." -Yoda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
futuredivot 0 #23 August 22, 2008 Darn those imported Americans You are only as strong as the prey you devour Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hungarianchick 0 #24 August 22, 2008 Quote Quote 2005 Acura RSX When they first came out with the RSX I was ready to sell a kidney to buy one. Very hot car. Mine has leather AND a manual tranny. It does raise your sex appeal a few notches... "I love cooking with wine. Sometimes I even put it in the food." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bodypilot90 0 #25 August 22, 2008 probe is a import btw Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
