domestic or foreign

III · 10-12-05, 12:53

Let me set the scene here.

My 1997 Pontiac Bonneville with 115,000 miles has had the following items replaced:

6/05 - new fuel pump/sending unit

7/05 - head gasket

8/05 - alternator

9/05 - water pump

My 1998 Chevy Silverado with 93,000 miles has had the following items replaced:

8/05 - alternator

10/05 - water pump

These last couple of months have been nothing but vehicle problems for me. So, is buying foreign the way to go? I've pretty much been a GM man, but I'm debating whether to stay with that mind set.
This is the Bonneville's 2nd water pump. I replaced the water pump back in 01 with a new GM one. The new one lasted 4 years, which is the exact number of years as the original stock one. To me 4 years isn't a long time.

Before I bought the Silverado I had a 1993 GMC Sonoma. Nothing but problems with that also. However, I did have a 1991 Chevy Cavalier with over 221,000 miles on it.

Mike-in-Orange · 10-12-05, 03:53

I don't know that foreign or domestic really makes all that much of a difference. You've had a domestic last a very long time, and from the same maker as others you've had issues with (honestly, I don't think an alternator and water pump at 93k is all that bad, really).

This forum doesn't seem to have the horrific biases I've seen elsewhere, but certainly members here have opinions. You can show anecdotal evidence for or against almost any manufacturer out there. For example, my last two Chrysler products have been 100% trouble free, but I won't tell you "buy Chrysler, they're flawless". I've heard people curse every make at one time or another, or condem a brand because of one bad experience with it. That's just silly.

Find a car that you like - that fits your needs; fits your body, your driving style, your personal style, your towing requirements, load capacity needs, fuel economy needs, etc. Then take care of it, really good care of it. If neglected, the "best" car in the world won't last, guaranteed.

Scottwax · 10-12-05, 08:00

If you want reliable, your best bets are Honda and Toyota. GM is getting better but too many of their cars are still rental car bland.

tdekany · 10-12-05, 08:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scottwax

If you want reliable, your best bets are Honda and Toyota. GM is getting better but too many of their cars are still rental car bland.

Agree.

Toyota (truck) is the way to go.

Pontman43 · 10-12-05, 08:18

I'd hate to say it, but ya, if you want reliable go Honda or Toyota. Although GM is getting much better. And GM compared to Dodge, LMAO!, at least you haven't replaced the whole drivetrain yet. I have a 97 Trans Am and its been great, but my dad had a 99 Suburban and lets just say, never again. We now have 4 foreigns, (3 Hondas, 1 Toyota) and 2 domestics (both F-bodies) and claim to be a GM family. lol I love my car and its been great, only had to replace the plugs at 93K, but it mostly depends on two things, the type of vehicle and the way you drive it. Seems like Fbodies are pretty reliable, IMO. Although the trucks, at least the older style, is a whole different thing. My next car will be a Toyota or Honda though, mainly for gas, reliablilty and affordability, still going to keep my TA, probably turn it into a weekends/track car.

DETAILKING · 10-13-05, 06:02

Also consider the cost of repairs....you can replace a few parts on American cars for teh cost that one part on a Foreign car would cost.....typically.

ebpcivicsi · 10-13-05, 06:19

I am a bit biased based on my personal experiences, but I don't think I'll ever own a domestic. I mean honestly, why would anyone purchase a pontiac G6 over an accord, or a cobolt over a civic? IMO, it just doesn't add up.

I wish that domestic automakers would raise the bar and begin producing cars worth purchasing, but they are a long way off IMO.

SpoiledMan · 10-13-05, 07:05

And everytime they get a good thing rolling(the last REAL Impala SS circa 1995) they kill it off.

White95Max · 10-13-05, 09:05

This argument can always swing both ways.
American cars have cheaper parts. Service is available anywhere.

Foreign cars are known for reliability (particularly Japanese). Parts are more expensive.

You'll get people saying that they have had only good experiences with american cars, and others that will say that they've only had good experiences with foreign cars. Truth is, my parents have owned 3 Dodge/Chrysler vehicles, and all have had frequent problems. My brother has had 2 Fords now, and both of them have been almost trouble-free. His Bronco had over 220K on it when he sold it a couple weeks ago. It leaked oil and power steering fluid but it still ran OK. I had a Taurus and that never gave me any problems.

The Maxima gave me some problems, which got more frequent over time (166K when I sold it). The Mazda hasn't given me any problems (only at 66.5K currently).

Everybody has a different opinion on this topic. You'll never get a unanimous vote for either. Japanese vehicles have problems, and so do German cars, American cars, Korean cars, etc...

III · 10-13-05, 11:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by White95Max

This argument can always swing both ways.
You'll get people saying that they have had only good experiences with american cars, and others that will say that they've only had good experiences with foreign cars. Everybody has a different opinion on this topic. You'll never get a unanimous vote for either. Japanese vehicles have problems, and so do German cars, American cars, Korean cars, etc...

How true. For the most part the bonneville and the silverado have been good vehicles. I'm just getting sick of the repairs. Granet, there's going to be repairs with any vehicle, but to me these last couple of months have been crazy.

Pontman43 · 10-13-05, 11:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by III

How true. For the most part the bonneville and the silverado have been good vehicles. I'm just getting sick of the repairs. Granet, there's going to be repairs with any vehicle, but to me these last couple of months have been crazy.

Yep, they all come at once. Another thing about domestic is they're easy to work on (most cases) so you can also save money on labor too.

Picus · 10-13-05, 12:16

I'm a big fan of warranties. It's been 15 years since I owned a car out of warranty. I know it might cost more in the short term, trading in every 4-6 years - but I figure it makes up for it never having to worry about repair bills. Not only that, but just the time and incovenience associated with ailing cars. I don't know, not worth it for me. I usually try to buy one year old off leases, or end of year new models to mitigate the depreciation hit. I've actually mananged to do well in terms of value loss on my last few cars.

I do understand the mindset behind owning a vehicle for a long time and maintaining it well, though. And I do admit I've been bitten in the *** before with a new car that I had to use the lemon law on. Cars suck, but I still love them.