Japanese vs. US cars--what is the truth?

I was perfectly happy with my last two Chevys ('95 Lumina Euro Sport & 2000 pick-up), and will certainly be at the dealers to check out the Camaros- if they ever actually get them! I have read that GM's quality has improved quite a bit, but I guess the proof will be in the pudding in the next 5-10 years, assuming anyone is paying attention by then. The road tests seem to be showing that they at least (& at last!) realized that they need to provide decent performance if they're going to compete these days.

And let's not forget the Corvette- definitely a world class car!
 
I don't think there's much of a difference nowdays.

I have 2 Fords and a Nissan and far as I can see they have performed about the same. The only difference was the Fords were cheaper and cost way less to repair. (1 ford and nissan over 150,000 the other ford 100,000)

I know some folks with some impressive miles racked up on Toyotas. They are great, but I've known several folks with Chevy Cavaliers with between 250 and 300 thousand on them.

I think the PERCEPTION is foreign names are better but I'm not sure it's true in the past say 10 years. Of course it depends on what model.
 
My father's Toyota pickup made it to 300k. He had to replace the fuel pump once.

My brother's Toyota pickup made it to 200k before the head gasket went. He should have it running again this week or next.

The Ford Taurus started having some problems at 80k. Not much past 100k, it is now literally falling apart, and the transmission is failing. We can't get it past emissions or else it would have been long gone.

The Chrysler Town & Country made a little past 100k before the first transmission died, and it has had severe overheating problems. At maybe 130k, the second transmission died.
 
wutitiz said:
As I posted in my other thread, I am trying to figure out what kind of small truck to buy, since I want to be able to haul my motorcycle on occasion. I was hot and bothered over the Hummer H3T but have all but given up on that idea.

So now I am thinking about either a crew-cab (4 door) Dodge Dakota or Toyota Tacoma. I lean towards the Dodge, but everything I see and read extolls the Toyota. Every third word written about it seems to be 'bulletproof.' Everything written by reviewers reads like ad copy.

My question then, is do Japanese vehicles really deserve the gold-plated rep they seem to have? I have heard some pretty distressing stories on the local 'radio car repair' show about the cost of parts for imports (both Japanese and German). There was a guy who needed a new catalytic converter for his Infiniti, and was quoted $3000 for the OEM part. The host confirmed that the price sounded about right, and further that it was not a good idea to look for a cheaper non-OEM part.

I drive a Jeep and have had few problems with it, but Consumer Reports hates it. Before that I had a Subaru, and I liked it, but when I worked on it some of the parts seemed cheesy even to me.

What is the truth--are Japanese cars really that much better? Or could this possibly be one of those self-feeding memes that everyone believes because everyone else believes it? I don't doubt that the Japanese makers pushed the American makers to improve, but I wonder now whether the popular belief accurately reflects the reality.
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Toyota makes nice cars. Before you get one of their trucks, however, watch this video:

http://www.fordvehicles.com/2009F150/
 
I haven't read this whole thread, but wanted to add my 3 cents.

I had a 98' Tacoma, 4cyl 5 speed 4x4 standard cab. It was lifted slightly and rode on 33' tires. I sold it off at 180,000 miles due to a slipping clutch and 3 kids who didn't fit in it.

I loved it.

I now have a Trailblazer and a Suburban. The "burbon is a decent vehicle, smooth, runs good at 75,000 miles. Nice truck.

The Trailblazer is a turd. 42,000 miles and nothing but problems. When it goes, I'll be getting a Tacoma again.
 
I have been VERY,VERY happy with my '06 Toyota Tundra. I would get a Toyota again. Our other car is also a Toyota.
 
We have 2 trucks and an SUV. The 89 K2500 is a beast, sucks gas like no tomorrow (8 MPG, empty, fully loaded, uphill, downhill, towing the tractor, it doesn't matter), and is a real workhorse. At 90,000 carefree miles (except for a nagging wiper motor problem) it was retired to the farm. Its replacement was a Toyota Tundra, and it is a really nice truck. We needed something to pull a trailer in the mountains, and it does a great job. With or without pulling the 3800 pound camper, it drinks gas. That's the only complaint to date. Its a 2006 model. The SUV is a '96 Tahoe with 89,000 miles, and not one problem with it at all. It has never been in the shop for anything (except for the lift kit install at 45,000 miles). It was made in Canada, or at least the sticker on the door jamb says so.

If I had to buy another truck tomorrow, it would be a Tundra.
 
After owning many American made vehicles(Chevy, Ford, Pontiac, Buick), all pieces of junk, I finally bought a Honda back in 1991. That car went 140,000 miles with no problems. Probably would be still running, except for the fact that my Stepson ran it into a guardrail and totalled it. Since then, the wife and I have bought nothing but Toyota and Honda and I don't see any reason to change that. Simple reason; you turn the key and the damn car starts. :thumbup:
 
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