domestic or foreign

I

III

97 bonneville/98 Z71
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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. ;)
 
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.
 
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.
 
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...
 
White95Max said:
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...
Click to expand...



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. :hairpull
 
III said:
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. :hairpull
Click to expand...

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.
 
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. :)
 
My experience with my friends and familys' cars are that foreign (mainly Jap.) are more dependable than domestic. I could go into personal experience but I don't think its necessary. Hopefully my experiences predicts true and my car is (knock on wood) troublefree and dependent.
 
Corey Bit Spank said:
I really want a new Sonata. I've never said this about a Korean car before.
Click to expand...



Same here. I've seen a few on the street now and it is a really good looking car. The available 235 hp V6 sounds good too.
 
Funny - I just saw a black Sonata and at first I didn't know what it was - I thought maybe a Benz model I hadn't seen (I was looking at it from the back), when I got close and saw the funny Hyundai H I went :shocked
 
White95Max said:
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...
Click to expand...



Case in point......



1988 Caprice Classic



- Rebuilt alternator twice

- Replaced water pump twice

- Replaced radiator

- Pollution controls died

- Electrical Issues

- Brake issues

- Oil leak that eventually killed the motor





1994 Maxima GXE



- Replaced distributor and cap





2002 Maxima SE



Nary a mechanical issue





I never had a mechanical problem with either of my Nissans, but I had other niggling issues with the '02 (fluttering hood, wind noise, grit in fuel filler area, paint chipping, brake rotors warping like crazy).



The point I am making is that you are going to run into problems no matter what make of car you own. I was strictly a GM person up until 2000 and my Caprice and its list of problems (combined with the fact it was a target for car thieves). Before then, I never had a problem with a GM car. But am I totally foreign? No.
 
If repair costs are a consideration stay away from the German cars! I took my M3 in today for a CEL and to have the annual oil change / service done. $159 for an oil change ($66 in parts, $84 labor plus tax) and annual service (inspection basically) YEOW! But its all n how you want to pay it, Japenese cars are costlier repairs, American cars are cheaper but cheaper, more frequent repairs (although all of my Ford vehicles have been almost trouble free) and just forget the Germans and Italians if cost is a factor.
 
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