I felt I had to chime in on this one. As far as the Foreign Quality goes its no different than any of the big three. I worked as a mechanic putting myself through college. The dealership that I worked at sold GM, Honda and being in a University town I got to work on many of the other foreign cars as I was a trained Honda mechanic. Their quality in my opinion was no better than any of the others. The 1.8 so called bullet proof Honda motors would throw a timing belt and take out the valves and heads on these cars at 60,000 to 80,000 miles, they also went through head gaskets at the 100,000 mile mark on a regular basis.
Now I have owned GM vehicles since before I was old enough to drive and have had my share of misfortune but I will say dollar for dollar I have not spent near the money for repairs that my family and friends have on their Toyotas, Hondas, Nissans etc…
My fiancé is an Acura owner and over the last five years and roughly 85,000 miles I have replaced a complete motor 1.8 D.O.H.C. as the head gasket went out which cracked the head and then caused some block damage due to the overheat. The new motor after 50,000 blew the timing belt which bent a few valves. I put a timing belt on and a new head with all new valve train. Replaced an axle in the front and also had to replace a lower control arm just because the bushings were worn, couldn’t buy just the bushing had to replace the whole control arm to replace the bushing ($300.00) for a $5.00 worn part. She still believes that her foreign car is the greatest regardless of what she spends. Her family is from the south and most of them drive Acura’s or Toyota’s and they all have had similar expenses with their cars and trucks. Her father owns a new Tundra and while he was visiting from Texas with it, it wouldn’t start. This truck had less than 2000 miles on it. We took it to a local dealer and it was supposedly fixed. During the month they were here that truck spent more time in the shop than it did on the road. He used my 2001 2500 HD during this time and when he left for Alaska he wanted to take my truck, I told him no way. He has since been having trouble with his Tundra holding a charge and intermittingly he will have all the lights go out inside and out. I bring this up only to show that it doesn’t matter what you buy it can happen to anyone.
I have had in my past these cars and will state mileage for each one.
1976 Olds 98 – 160,000 no major probs – made it a demolition derby car
1974 Olds Cutlass – 180,000 basic maintenance no major prob. Turned it into a circle track car
1987 Chevrolet Silverado ½ ton lifted 8” when new – 250,000 no problems, best truck ever.
1984 GMC Sierra ¾ ton – New engine at 150,000 but this truck was a company tow truck its whole life. Still have this one for playing in the mud. 200,000 and going strong.
2001 Chevrolet S-10 4x4 – bought it w/80,000 and sold it with 160,000 still going strong – basic maintenance.
1994 GMC Yukon GT – Bought with 140,000 miles as a tow vehicle, sold it with 249,000 on it and it still is on the road, no problems, basic maintenance.
2001 Chevrolet 2500 HD 85,000 no problems at all.
2001 Oldsmobile Aurora 3.5 147,000 miles and is my daily driver, and have only spent minimal $ on maintenance.
I drive anywhere from 60 to 300 miles a day in all weather and have no major problems. Everyone is entitled to what they chose to drive but for me I will stick with what put food on my table as a child. My father worked for local GM dealerships and my step father worked for GM. My step father drove a Ford and that was his choice, being a GM employee he got a lot ribbing for that but to each his own.
We as Americans just need to stick together, voice our opinions to our Gov’t and vote according to what is best for our citizens. Only we can make change and by bickering about what everyone should do, buy, and where to work, etc… we are only making it easier for other countries to supersede us. There are too many laws and regulations which are slowly taking away our freedoms.
Sorry for the rant but this one FIRED me up a little. Buy what works for you and your family, don’t try to convince me that I should buy what you want and certainly we need to stick together as Americans. It has become a “its all about me society” instead of helping neighbors, looking out for one another and being united. Until we all can work towards a common goal we will continue down the road to which we currently track. I currently work in a professional position and no longer work blue collar, but if and when I get to a position that can make a difference you can bet I will never forget where I came from!!!!!
ffice
