POLL Cars - Japanese, European, American or others

[take8easy]

Here we go again. One of my trusted automobile (Honda) just crossed the 200 K milestone. I have never had any issues with it in last 10 years. Well, except its battery died in Riza's driveway, but that is due to my negligence.

Anyway, within next year or so I have to start looking for new set of wheels. Most likely I would either go again with a Japanese auto (Honda or Toyota) or most likely one of the German autos. I was just wondering what others' opinion is.

Question is pretty simple, what is your preferred auto? Japanese, European, American or Others?

Like I said above, that is the order I would go for, but only upto number two. My first three cars were American (price tag was an issue back then) and needless to say, I learnt my lesson.

T8E

PS: I was trying to start this thread as a poll, but............ I couldn't figure it out. :doh:

 

[golferjohn]

as the old saying goes...wear Italian, kiss French and drive German :biggrin1:

I'm an unabashed 'car-guy' and once you've experienced driving a BMW/Mercedes/Audi, you'll never want to drive anything else. That being said, one also needs to be prudent and determine their choice on whatever requirements will be demanded, i.e. kids? soccer games? snow sports? payload? etc. If you're accustomed to driving a sedan vs. an SUV, then being a tad lower wouldn't be an issue, (some feel safer being able to see above the cars, I've driven both and feel equally adept at anticipating what's beyond the car in front of me). Most of todays cars are solid, safe and have all the technology you'd ever need, so it boils-down to feel, refinement and price.
If it's 90% just you in the car and you log a fair amount of miles, the comfort/seating position/dynamics/steering/braking/etc. will lessen the fatigue and keep you strong for the next 100 SP's

 

[take8easy]

as the old saying goes...wear Italian, kiss French and drive German :biggrin1:

I'm an unabashed 'car-guy' and once you've experienced driving a BMW/Mercedes/Audi, you'll never want to drive anything else. That being said, one also needs to be prudent and determine their choice on whatever requirements will be demanded, i.e. kids? soccer games? snow sports? payload? etc. If you're accustomed to driving a sedan vs. an SUV, then being a tad lower wouldn't be an issue, (some feel safer being able to see above the cars, I've driven both and feel equally adept at anticipating what's beyond the car in front of me). Most of todays cars are solid, safe and have all the technology you'd ever need, so it boils-down to feel, refinement and price.
If it's 90% just you in the car and you log a fair amount of miles, the comfort/seating position/dynamics/steering/braking/etc. will lessen the fatigue and keep you strong for the next 100 SP's

I totally understand what Merc, BMW, Audi and few others have to offer in terms of class and thrill. Heck, I would love to have Porsche or a Ferrari parked in the driveway of my very humble suburban house in a very crowded subdivision but I was talking more in terms of reliability of use, value for your money, longevity and just overall satisfaction.

T8E

 

[westwoody]

200,000 on my Toyota.
GMC Yukon fell apart in less than a year.
GMC Sierra lasted a few years, but the dealer was a total asshole.
GM trucks had recalls because of defective seat mounts. One time I slammed on my brakes and the driver seat came unattached! Good thing it did not turn out worse.
Had a Chrysler, fuel lines fell off after a few months, sprayed gasoline all over hot engine. You can figure out the rest. Chrysler dealer was by far the worst.
GF had three Benz in a row, but that dealership had service issues. She is on her second Lexus and loves the dealer service.
Lexus/Toyota has very good service, and service is just as important as the car itself.
I went in for a pair of windshield wipers once. The Toyota service manager himself came out and put them on for me. GM would have charged me a hundred bucks.

 

[badbadboy]

I think if I were in the market for a new car I would have to assess what my current priorities are moving forward/

• Gas, Hybrid, Electric?
• Internal storage litres? SUV, cross terrain, mid size?
• How many km's per year vs how much I would enjoy driving it?

I've owned North American, Japanese, German, British and a temperamental Italian too lol.

I used to have a bias towards Japanese having great reliability and low cost of ownership but got one of those vehicles that had a lot go wrong with it. The German, Italian and British cars were the absolute most fun on four wheels for me. Cost wise, I think the German and British car were actually more reliable than the Japanese or North American vehicles.

 

[golferjohn]

can't beat Toyota or Honda for reliability and value...you have 1st hand knowledge of 200k trouble-free kilometers under your belt. (sometimes a $500 SP aka Ferrari, can be rather 'high-maintenance', lol)

 

[westwoody]

Bear in mind Benz BMW and most Japanese carmakers all have plants in Canada and the US.
They have design studios in the USA.
So what exactly defines domestic vs foreign?
Benz had F1 cars built in UK.
Even Ferrari had Postlethwaite designing engines for them.

Lol look at the mileage on used Ferraris. They last a few thousand on nice sunny days on good roads then disintegrate. Nice to look at though.

I am too practical to waste money on a car...if it gets me from point A to point B it is fine

 

[wintersurfer]

I have had 3 BMW M3 since 2000, I usually keep them 5-6yrs then trade for a new one, they hold their value very well, I also have a Dodge Ram 2500 with 400k, still runs great with little major issues

 

[take8easy]

Bear in mind Benz BMW and most Japanese carmakers all have plants in Canada and the US.
They have design studios in the USA.
So what exactly defines domestic vs foreign?
Benz had F1 cars built in UK.
Even Ferrari had Postlethwaite designing engines for them.

Lol look at the mileage on used Ferraris. They last a few thousand on nice sunny days on good roads then disintegrate. Nice to look at though.

I am too practical to waste money on a car...if it gets me from point A to point B it is fine

I honestly don't care where the car is made. My last three cars have been 1 Toyota and 2 Honda's, I don't have an iota of complaints about them. Like I said, I don't care where they were designed, assembled, made, washed, cleaned, or whatever else.

Before that I had Chev Impala, Ford Tempo, Chev Sprint and Oldsmobile Achieva. I am sure those all are rotting in hell somewhere, heck, those were rotting when I had them. But mind you, I bought them all used. A friend of mine got Safari van at the same time I bought Rav 4. He had ridiculous amount of chagrin to deal with and finally got rid of it just after 100 k. He had silly issues, like air vents, wiper motor, power window switch, fuel gauge!!!!!!!!!

One day while driving, I started to look at the headlights and taillights of different cars to see how many have burnt bulbs. What did I find? ............... Well, why don't you do it yourself and see which brand has fewer than the others.

As far as comparison between Honda and Toyota is concerned, I feel Toyota has a slight edge in terms of price and longevity. What kept me buying another Toyota was the style and looks. Take their Camry or Corolla for example. I would choose an Accord or Civic over them just because the latter cars look more chic.

T8E

 

[luvsdaty]

I just bought a Nissan Frontier 4x4 and have been very happy with it. A lot cheaper than a comparible Toyota Tacoma. I went for the v6 added a cold air intake and a cat back exhaust and was pleasantly surprised by how much pep it had.

 

[poonmiester]

I have had my share of vehicles...had Japanese. ...German. ... British. North American.... all in all I can say I would certainly never buy a new vehicle again.... had too many loses and wasn't worth the new car smell and be the first to drive it....
Since 2008 I have been buying solely used cars.... a few years old... or depending on the deals I come across. ... I have an 07 F150..... the only maintenance I had to do to this truck was brakes....tires and recently the battery...... I owe this truck big time....
Bought a Jaguar used of course... and warranty was long gone... well I can say they are a dream to drive, solid with great road handling..... being able to do all my mechanic repairs myself... and pay the overpriced parts at the stealership when there is no other option, I wouldn't recommend.
Same goes for German cars.... amazing drive.... but once the warranty is out... get the wallet ready... the 540I cost a bundle to keep running not mentioning all the querks that are required .....for example replacing the battery.... no as simple as just removing battery post and changing it.
I would suggest stick to what has worked for you for the past years.....
Everyone will have different opinions of course... but it boils down to .....1 principal use of the vehicle...2 how many passengers you will normally need to carry.. 3 and if you will be hauling any extra... and finally the budget in place for the vehicle....

 

[Aesthetics>all]

I don't leave things in factory form... I also like to turn my own wrenches, American cars are my choice. As an example I just swapped the motor and trans on my car in my driveway, that was easier than replacing the wheel speed sensor ring on my cousins c63. parts are stupidly over priced for euro vehicles too, 5000+ for full exhaust system on same c63

 

[Ray]

For fun to drive, the precise handling and braking, by a European car.

For reliability and low maintenance costs, buy Japanese.

 

[shakeshake]

Japanese cars I had were generally reliable. German cars I have are more fun to drive. For my next car, I am going to check out a JDM German car.

 

[apl16]

Japanese cars are reliable. Euro more fun, get rid of once warranty is over. Wallet will thank you. Lexus is a nice balance depending on model and what you want. Bought a low mileage older Lexus sport sedan five years ago. Just cost me maintenance. Never get dealer to maintain. Ripoff. Some are better than others.

Get a 10 year old Lexus privately. Get a independent mechanic to check it out.

 

[Sonny]

Had bad experiences with Subaru and with Honda after three years. Certainly not cheap to fix, and a lot of fixing they needed!

Got over 400,000 km on my Ford Windstar XL before the head gasket blew. Chose not to fix it due to high gasoline prices. That vehicle had many uses, haha.
Was wise enough to buy used with original bumper to bumper warranty left, and then bought extended Ford warranty bumper to bumper for another three years.
Most everything got fixed under those warranties. Out of pocket not so much.

I'm not so sure about Japanese reliability which may be more legend than actuality today, at least according to my buddies who own them.

Every vehicle will require fixes. Which brands cost less in terms of parts prices, which ones can be fixed by non-dealer shops, which ones can be fixed anywhere in Canada & USA, even in the middle of nowhere.

If you're looking for something intangible such as perceived brand value or whatever, expect to pay for your indulgences.

 

[take8easy]

Had bad experiences with Subaru and with Honda after three years. Certainly not cheap to fix, and a lot of fixing they needed!

Got over 400,000 km on my Ford Windstar XL before the head gasket blew. Chose not to fix it due to high gasoline prices. That vehicle had many uses, haha.
Was wise enough to buy used with original bumper to bumper warranty left, and then bought extended Ford warranty bumper to bumper for another three years.
Most everything got fixed under those warranties. Out of pocket not so much.

I'm not so sure about Japanese reliability which may be more legend than actuality today, at least according to my buddies who own them.

Every vehicle will require fixes. Which brands cost less in terms of parts prices, which ones can be fixed by non-dealer shops, which ones can be fixed anywhere in Canada & USA, even in the middle of nowhere.

If you're looking for something intangible such as perceived brand value or whatever, expect to pay for your indulgences.

This must be the only post in this thread that I had to read twice.

I have no experience with Subaru, but you must be the first person that had a bad experience with Honda. As far as the legend about Japanese autos are concerned, out of 7 or 8 vehicles I have owned, my experience with 3 Japanese autos is miles ahead of other brands.

Yes, they cost more, but you get what you pay for. Also, if you pay more at the start, the resale value is higher too. Remember, you yourself paid more to get extended warranty on your Ford as well. I had the same debate with an older fellow who used to live next door. He said he only buys American cars, although he worked for a Kia dealership. His argument was same as yours (that you have to pay more upfront.)

Also, a few months ago, I was riding a cab. It was a Toyota Prius. I asked the driver his opinion and he swore by Japanese cars. He said he used to drive a Corrolla and that lasted him 400k! He said that you don't see any American car being used as a taxi anymore. Having said that, he said that Priuss are a bit more expensive to fix.

I guess, based on my own experiences I am biased towards Japanese, but there is no perceived legend affecting it. But then so is yours. lol.

 

[Aesthetics>all]

He said he only buys American cars, although he worked for a Kia dealership.

Not many people are loyal to a brand just because they work for it. Good example would be a majority of the cars in the parking lot at teslas compound are Mercedes

 

[icon]

Look at Kia. Their chief designer use to be at BMW. I have had a Kia for 3 years and am very happy. Before the Kia I had a 3 series BMW.

 

[wetnose]

This must be the only post in this thread that I had to read twice.

I have no experience with Subaru, but you must be the first person that had a bad experience with Honda. As far as the legend about Japanese autos are concerned, out of 7 or 8 vehicles I have owned, my experience with 3 Japanese autos is miles ahead of other brands.

The transmissions in the Honda Accords from 2003-2004 were dumpster fires. It was so bad that they had to do 1 million+ vehicle recall.