Ford ties Honda, Toyota in initial quality survey

 

Too bad the publics impression won't change even though the real world results have. Toy can keep making crap for decades and people will think it is still more reliable. The Japanese automakers also have TERRIBLE customer service but that never seems to catch on either.

 

so a survey that Ford paid for shows good results for Ford? This carries even less weight than Consumer Reports.

 

That makes it even stranger that it took them 10 years to come to this conclusion.

 

You may be right about the service. I had my Toyota pickup for 6 years (bought used) and never needed service. I had my Honda Accord (bought new) for 11 years before I needed a fuel pump. They fixed it quickly and charged me a fair price....... my only experience with their service departments.

 

I think he was referring to people that actually used the service department. I have several Ford stories that match yours. In fact, my old Aerostar needed absolutely nothing for 180,000 miles other than tires, one battery, one set of plugs, brakes, etc. I never put a new fuel pump in it. No big deal. I expect it.

 

OK...Ford builds cars that are of good quality. Now they just need to pull their heads out of their collective rear-ends in the design department. That's why I'm driving a Mazda3 instead of a Focus right now.

I think most of the "quality" issues domestics have goes back to their dealer networks. Most horror stories I read or have heard from others seem to point the finger squarely at the dealership giving someone the run-around over an expensive (should have been in-warranty) repair.

 

We can argue about who makes the best, but who can deny we have the capability ...... we are a nation of motorheads. We can thank the Japanese for waking us up, we were making crap (I recall my '68 Fairmonts) and now our products are world class.

 

One thing I hate about american cars is for the most part they hold no resale value at all. Ford, Chevy, and Dodge sedans are worthless after a few years. Toyota camrys and Nissan maxima's hold a great resale value. I probably will never own a car for myself but if I did this would be a factor for me.

 

Well, I have a feeling this latest news will change Ford's resale for the better:

Ford ups warranties in used-car program

 

I would like to see some data to back up that claim as I don't see it.

Also, if you're really counting dollars and want to do the most economical thing, you'll buy a good vehicle and drive it 'til the wheels fall off. Trading cars every year or two doesn't make a bit of sense.

 

i love the all new 35mpg focus adds, its not achieved by any automotive technological design, they dropped a ton of steel and other weight problems on the car


fords marketing department has had me baffled for a couple of years now


not taking a stab at ford, but i think anything american made is in jeopardy for the next few years, and in reality, if this country returns to faith within this country we will be booming again


i think wendell will agree this country will be manipulated and and try to be taken advantage of for the next couple of years, especially in the asian markets

 

You can compare vehicles using Kelly Blue Book.
You are right about keeping a car .... that depreciation curve gets flat as the years go by.

 

I went to kbb.com and typed in a 2001 toyota camry, and a 2001 Ford taurus both loaded out with options and 125000k miles. The toyota in good condition booked out at $7000.00 and the Taurus booked out at $4525.00. Dont beleive me take a look for yourself. I don't trade cars every one to two years, but I do keep my wife in a newer car than I keep for myself. I want the peace of mind that her and the rest of my family are safe and not broke down on the side of the road. I also don't agree with trading every few years but for those that do it is their own business and not mine. Again I was not giving my opinion on the resale value of used cars, just saying what it is like where I live.

 

Which only really matters if you do the worst thing you can do with cars, buy new ones every 2-4 years. If you drive one longer than that, resale value is pretty meaningless.

With some exceptions, almost everything is capable of making it to 100k miles with nothing but regular maintenance. If one makes it there without any major issues, it'll probably run another 100k before I'd have to start thinking about an engine rebuild or replacement. This isn't the 70s or mid 80s anymore, you're really not buying anything but extra car payments keeping a car less than 5 years these days. I'm actually driving the newer car between my wife and I. She likes driving her Jeep and I have the longer commute. There might come a day when we switch or just carpool if when I think its gotten to the point where it will need major work to be reliable again. Personally, I've learned my lessons on buying new cars every 2-3 years...it sucks!!