CNN: Fact Check, Are American Cars Really That Bad?

[GTaudiophile]

Text

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - With all the bad news coming out of Detroit these days, many have a disarmingly simple suggestion: Ford and General Motors should simply build better cars.

 

[BDawg]

I think the reason Buick is so high on their list is because the elderly rarely report problems.

 

[GTaudiophile]

This is it right here IMO:

Reviews: GM and Ford vehicles haven't always exuded the quality that may have been hiding in there somewhere. Cheap-feeling interior materials, raspy-sounding engines and gap-filled construction didn't give potential buyers the feeling of confidence that even lesser Japanese brands manage to carry off.

This AND to quote Mr. Clarkson, "American cars can't do corners" or something to that effect. American cars can be okay in a straight line, but throw them into the twisties and they fall apart.

 

[DaTT]

I :heart: ****** cars.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

I've always been very dubious about the validity of the JD Power surveys. One wonders whether the buyers of American cars simply have lower expectations.

 

[Genx87]

Well according to the article they do have better cars on avg than the Japanese. So why does the reputation continue?

Because reputations are hard to get rid of.

This AND to quote Mr. Clarkson, "American cars can't do corners" or something to that effect. American cars can be okay in a straight line, but throw them into the twisties and they fall apart.

Next time I am going through the twisties in my car Ill remember this quote.
Most driving is pretty much straight line, nobody is doing an obstacle course.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: Genx87
Well according to the article they do have better cars on avg than the Japanese. So why does the reputation continue?

Because reputations are hard to get rid of.

They're only better according to JD Power, whose results are, in my view, of dubious value. I simply don't accept that, say, a Buick (or, for that matter, a Porsche) is a more reliable car than a Subaru or a Nissan.

 

[ElFenix]

mazda*

i'd imagine the * is a note that says 'we can't really figure out where to put it, it's a japanese brand with japanese engineering but built in ford plants'

 

[CaptnKirk]

I've always thought that the Japanese Auto Market was riding on the coat-tails of Toyota and Honda,
and that all the other vehicles of Japanese origin were bogus players, contributing nothing and stealing glory.

This pretty much confirms that. With the exception of Honda and Toyota, most 'American Cars'
palced better than the Jap Crap.

There was a report out last month that the worst vehicle (other than the Hummer) was the Infinity SUV.
absolutely terrible vehicle.

 

[GTaudiophile]

To this day I remember this circa. 1995 Ford Taurus my parents were given by Enterprise while their BMW was in the body shop after a wreck. As you were driving along, all the sudden the left turn signal indicator light would come on and stay on dimly. Then if you hit the turn signal stalk downward to activate the left turn signal, the engine would shut off, the speed and tach gauges would go berserk, and breaks would shudder. Damn fine American engineering!

 

[SampSon]

JD power reliability scores are always "skewed" by the style of product and it's consumers.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: DonVito

Originally posted by: Genx87
Well according to the article they do have better cars on avg than the Japanese. So why does the reputation continue?

Because reputations are hard to get rid of.

They're only better according to JD Power, whose results are, in my view, of dubious value. I simply don't accept that, say, a Buick (or, for that matter, a Porsche) is a more reliable car than a Subaru or a Nissan.

my nissan has been an utter POS

 

[UlricT]

Originally posted by: CaptnKirk
I've always thought that the Japanese Auto Market was riding on the coat-tails of Toyota and Honda,
and that all the other vehicles of Japanese origin were bogus players, contributing nothing and stealing glory.

This pretty much confirms that. With the exception of Honda and Toyota, most 'American Cars'
palced better than the Jap Crap.

There was a report out last month that the worst vehicle (other than the Hummer) was the Infinity SUV.
absolutely terrible vehicle.

huh? infinity is above toyota on that list...

 

[GeneValgene]

Originally posted by: Genx87
Well according to the article they do have better cars on avg than the Japanese. So why does the reputation continue?

Because reputations are hard to get rid of.

well, better according to jd power. if you read the article, it points out consumer reports does not rate them as highly.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: DonVito

Originally posted by: Genx87
Well according to the article they do have better cars on avg than the Japanese. So why does the reputation continue?

Because reputations are hard to get rid of.

They're only better according to JD Power, whose results are, in my view, of dubious value. I simply don't accept that, say, a Buick (or, for that matter, a Porsche) is a more reliable car than a Subaru or a Nissan.

my nissan has been an utter POS

Well, Nissan/Infinti is owned by Renault you know. And their cars aren't even good enough to be sold here in the USA.

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
This AND to quote Mr. Clarkson, "American cars can't do corners" or something to that effect. American cars can be okay in a straight line, but throw them into the twisties and they fall apart.

I'll be sure to keep this in mind next time I purchase a car. Will I be dissapointed when I can't fly around that curve at 45+ with my kid sitting next to me.

 

[Ferocious]

Wow.

2005 ratings (lower is better)

GM/Ford average: 211.9
Japan cars average: 236.6

 

[rbrandon]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
To this day I remember this circa. 1995 Ford Taurus my parents were given by Enterprise while their BMW was in the body shop after a wreck. As you were driving along, all the sudden the left turn signal indicator light would come on and stay on dimly. Then if you hit the turn signal stalk downward to activate the left turn signal, the engine would shut off, the speed and tach gauges would go berserk, and breaks would shudder. Damn fine American engineering!

the stench of bullshit is strong around here

 

[Shlong]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: DonVito

Originally posted by: Genx87
Well according to the article they do have better cars on avg than the Japanese. So why does the reputation continue?

Because reputations are hard to get rid of.

They're only better according to JD Power, whose results are, in my view, of dubious value. I simply don't accept that, say, a Buick (or, for that matter, a Porsche) is a more reliable car than a Subaru or a Nissan.

my nissan has been an utter POS

Well, Nissan/Infinti is owned by Renault you know. And their cars aren't even good enough to be sold here in the USA.

Renault I believe has a 44% stake in Nissan, and Nissan a 15% stake in Renault. But Infiniti cars are high quality these days (after the initial release of the G35), and Nissan cars are pretty reliable as well.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
This AND to quote Mr. Clarkson, "American cars can't do corners" or something to that effect. American cars can be okay in a straight line, but throw them into the twisties and they fall apart.

I'll be sure to keep this in mind next time I purchase a car. Will I be dissapointed when I can't fly around that curve at 45+ with my kid sitting next to me.

Quit cyber-stalking me, Mr. Olympus. Go troll elsewhere.

I would be disappointed! I would miss an opportunity to hear my kids hoot and giggle with laughter as daddy flings them around the corner!

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: Ferocious
Wow.

2005 ratings (lower is better)

GM/Ford average: 211.9
Japan cars average: 236.6

yeap.

Problem is reputation. Poeple think GM/Ford suck just because they are Ford/GM etc.

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
This AND to quote Mr. Clarkson, "American cars can't do corners" or something to that effect. American cars can be okay in a straight line, but throw them into the twisties and they fall apart.

I'll be sure to keep this in mind next time I purchase a car. Will I be dissapointed when I can't fly around that curve at 45+ with my kid sitting next to me.

Quit cyber-stalking me, Mr. Olympus. Go troll elsewhere.

I would be disappointed! I would miss an opportunity to hear my kids hoot and giggle with laughter as daddy flings them around the corner!

LOL, e-paranoid are we? So now that we had a disagreement I can't post in the same thread as you? Get off your high horse and forget about it. I already did.

 

[Paulson]

Originally posted by: BDawg
I think the reason Buick is so high on their list is because the elderly rarely report problems.

I don't know about that...

My dad had an 88 Buick park avenue... that thing was loaded with features for an 88.

All digital dashboard, automatic lights, power everything, computer climate control, a whole bunch more I'm missing...

Not to mention the thing went to 240,000 miles before we got rid of it (it still ran, but the radiator was leaking and my dad didn't want anything to do with it)

We've also got a 94 dodge intrepid with 221,000 miles on it that is loaded and never have had any problems with it (original engine and transmission)

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: DonVito

Originally posted by: Genx87
Well according to the article they do have better cars on avg than the Japanese. So why does the reputation continue?

Because reputations are hard to get rid of.

They're only better according to JD Power, whose results are, in my view, of dubious value. I simply don't accept that, say, a Buick (or, for that matter, a Porsche) is a more reliable car than a Subaru or a Nissan.

my nissan has been an utter POS

Well, Nissan/Infinti is owned by Renault you know. And their cars aren't even good enough to be sold here in the USA.

so what you just posted backs up even further that nissan is less reliable than a buick or a porsche.

not to mention that, while renault may have taken a big interest in nissan, nissan is pretty much swallowing renault at the moment.

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: BDawg
I think the reason Buick is so high on their list is because the elderly rarely report problems.

LOL, all old people bitch about anything. That's def not the problem.