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The Pub For General Automotive Related Talk |
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15-10-2007, 08:52 PM | #1 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Central Q..10kms west of Rocky...
Posts: 8,308
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The last few years have been rough ones for Detroit automakers, as they have seen their market share erode in the face of competition from their Asian and European rivals. Some of the reason is a more fragmented auto industry, with more and more models coming down the pipeline every year, offering shoppers a much larger set of options. But another part of the problem has been a perception among car buyers -- whether accurate or not -- that the U.S. automakers are lagging when it comes to quality and dependability. Ultimately, would-be domestic buyers look at rival import vehicles instead.
Top Five Most Dependable Brands* 1. Buick 2. Lexus 3. Cadillac 4. Mercury 5. Honda Based on J.D. Power & Associates 2007 Vehicle Dependability Study, problems per 100 vehicles In that context, Detroit carmakers should be thrilled about the results of the 2007 Vehicle Dependability Study conducted by J.D. Power and Associates. For the first time in 12 years, a brand -- an American brand, no less -- tied with Lexus for the highest ranking in long-term dependability. That brand is Buick, which obviously augers well for General Motors and its other nameplates. But, just as significant for the domestic auto industry is the fact that three of the five top spots are American brands. Following top-ranked Buick and Lexus were, in order, Cadillac, Honda and Mercury. The study was based on responses from more than 53,000 original owners of 2004 model-year vehicles, and was conducted from January through April of this year. It measured the number of problems reported by these owners. Lexus and Buick each posted a "top score" of 145 problems per 100 vehicles. |
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15-10-2007, 09:22 PM | #2 | ||
Peter Car
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: geelong
Posts: 23,145
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Ford owned Mercury at no 4. Seems like both GM and Ford are lifting their game.
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15-10-2007, 10:01 PM | #3 | |||
Can't go around corners
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Radelaide
Posts: 639
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Rigged perhaps? unless american cars have come a mega long way since i was last out there in 2004, thats total crap. Our hire cars, were a pontiac grand prix, and a Buick LeSabre, and they were both rubbish, the pontiac's glovebox fell out after the 3rd day, and the buick's door trims were about ready to fall off.
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15-10-2007, 10:50 PM | #4 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Canberra Region
Posts: 9,007
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And rental cars are a great gauge of quality :rolleyes:
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2016 FGX XR8 Sprint, 6speed manual, Kinetic Blue #170 2004 BA wagon RTV project. 1998 EL XR8, Auto, Hot Chilli Red 1993 ED XR6, 5speed, Polynesian Green. 1 of 329. Retired 1968 XT Falcon 500 wagon, 3 on the tree, 3.6L. Patina project. |
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15-10-2007, 10:53 PM | #5 | |||
Can't go around corners
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Radelaide
Posts: 639
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The Grand prix was less than 6 months old when we got it. And the LeSabre was about 9 months old. If they are rooted after that time period, there not exactly well built.
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15-10-2007, 11:02 PM | #6 | ||
...
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,046
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I've heard some very nasty things about the build quality of american cars. Makes our local cars seem like 'insert well build car name here'.
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15-10-2007, 11:08 PM | #7 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Canberra Region
Posts: 9,007
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I work with rental cars and 6 months is a long time :
Good comparison of Ford quality vs Toyota http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWjTbiYo3x0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRfE_XAk2mE
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2016 FGX XR8 Sprint, 6speed manual, Kinetic Blue #170 2004 BA wagon RTV project. 1998 EL XR8, Auto, Hot Chilli Red 1993 ED XR6, 5speed, Polynesian Green. 1 of 329. Retired 1968 XT Falcon 500 wagon, 3 on the tree, 3.6L. Patina project. |
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15-10-2007, 11:49 PM | #8 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Northern Sydney
Posts: 1,908
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Quote:
Not to mention that the Lexus cars have topped the J&D Power surveys for 12 years straight. http://www.jdpower.com/corporate/new...spx?ID=2006133 |
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16-10-2007, 11:15 AM | #9 | ||
Purveyor of filth
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 2,958
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That Tundra is a softy. Whoever engineered it should be shot. The flex was plainly visible as soon as the support was pulled away, let alone when the 275 pound load was released.
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16-10-2007, 03:23 PM | #10 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Gold Coast
Posts: 155
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[QUOTE=Dave_au]
Not to mention that the Lexus cars have topped the J&D Power surveys for 12 years straight. After buying the wife a little IS200 to run around in i have to agree its a great car . Steers brakes and handles well , needs some more poke , but will do her fine . |
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16-10-2007, 03:55 PM | #11 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Canberra
Posts: 1,060
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Americans build there cars to last 5-10 years. No american car has good build quality. Just ask Jeremy from Top Gear hahaha
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16-10-2007, 06:30 PM | #12 | |||
WP Fiesta LX
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Eastern Suburbs, Sydney
Posts: 117
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Quote:
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No Show, No Go - Just Woah!
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16-10-2007, 09:57 PM | #13 | |||
buickman
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: eastern suburbs Melb Vic
Posts: 1,462
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Quote:
I've hired many cars over there and have drovearound the whole country and Canada and have never had any problems with their cars as far as reliability or build quality as their about par with our domestic cars don't forget the camry and other makes are on their roads the only complaint I have is their power steering is lighter. |
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16-10-2007, 11:02 PM | #14 | ||||
Can't go around corners
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Radelaide
Posts: 639
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Quote:
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16-10-2007, 11:43 PM | #15 | |||
Audi S3
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Sydney.
Posts: 8,307
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Quote:
my mates Alfa GTV (1982) has the craziest wiring i have ever seen. he cant run more than 2 electrical things at once. so thats stereo + wipers or wipers + lights or lights + stereo lol even his ducati motorcycles are crazy. its a joke lol
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17-10-2007, 04:19 PM | #16 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 500
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Quote:
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17-10-2007, 04:30 PM | #17 | |||
radio off =save petrol :P
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: northernbeaches(NSW)
Posts: 588
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Quote:
Of Australian.
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Better roads,and better planned infrastructure=higher speed limit : |
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17-10-2007, 06:56 PM | #18 | ||
LPG > You
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Posts: 4,277
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Toyota, reliable?
GM US stuff, reliable? Honda, reliable? Oh right, one of those US surveys that has no bearing on real life...
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LPG Lovers Association President & Member #1. : |
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17-10-2007, 07:00 PM | #19 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,198
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Good to see Ford and GM improving.
As for Italian cars, yes they went through a bad patch in the 70 and 80's. Seem to be ok now. As sales show. |
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17-10-2007, 07:06 PM | #20 | |||
LPG > You
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Posts: 4,277
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Quote:
They may suck as driver's cars, be ugly, have no saftey features... or features at all... but they're indestructable.
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LPG Lovers Association President & Member #1. : |
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