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Turncoat.. yeap I did just that!

I'm a Dodge truck fan - have had 3 (4 with the '91 Ram 2500 plow I got when my F-I-L passed). My '05 Dakota Laramie is the best one I've had with AWD. Only has 82k on it I bought used with 45k on it. Body is going to **** now so will look for some rust-free parts. After having a full size truck (97 Dodge) the Dakota accommodates 90% of what I need a truck for.

My 1st foreign car I decided to buy was an '07 Sonata 6 cyl with 12k on it that gave us great service. My daughter has had it for a few years pretty much trouble-free with over 180k on it now. Liked it enough to buy an '09 with just 10k on it wanting the 6 motor, last year this model came with the 6, and after some 40k miles it's been fine - compared to the dozen or more sedans we've had mostly Chrysler and a couple Olds (liking the Aurora's). But, the repairs required by comparison have been pretty much nil for the Sonata's and were inexpensive to buy. So - as an always American car person before, sure can't complain about the Sonata's.
 
04 ram 3500 about 220k miles...1 water pump 2 batteries (it takes 2) 1 alternator and just getting ready to do the front end (over due). I just bought a new grand cherokee and hope it goes as long as my 02 did 200k. Wife drives lincolns and the last one was traded in at 120k with 1 set of break pads....this one is at 75k and no repairs. My son drives a 06 4 runner...195k and only front end work...it never let us down.
 
Maybe I'm on an island all by myself. Never owned a "foreign" - based manufacturer vehicle. Nor will I ever. Had a small fleet of k-cars years ago, all did almost 300k miles. So did a recent Explorer sold at 300k still running like a top. Had an Impala for 8 years, my only non-maintnenace repair cost was a $40 vent tube. Yeah, my late model Mopars are technically grey-area... but the name is still Chrysler & Dodge. That's me.
 
chargervert said:
View attachment 1086201 View attachment 1086202 View attachment 1086203 My wife leases Jeeps,she does the 5 year leases,the last time she leased two,one for her and one for my daughter. The 2016 Wrangler needed only one $23 dollar wheel speed sensor,I installed it in 5 minutes,zero other issues,just oil changes. The other car is a 2016 Cherokee, I replaced the battery 4 years in,no other issues,just oil changes. She just got her 2021 Wrangler and she loves it! This cool 71 Challenger poster was on the wall at the dealership!
Click to expand...
We have a Town and Country, excellent van, excellent reliability, my last daily driver was a Dakota... again excellent reliability but I wanted fuel mileage too. This Cooper is badass!
 
Michael_ said:
I somewhat doubt that a bmw mini is much more reliable?

But i pretty much gave up on modern cars anyway... (Not that i was ever really into them, though...)

If i needed something relatively small and light on gas i would consider a 69 camaro with a 6 banger or if it has to be even smaller an amc pacer.
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Haha, look up Chevy Cruzes! I had an LS model with a 1.8L which is supposed to be the most reliable, 126,000 miles and everything took a ****! I wanted something that would run and run good, the 1.4L Cruze is ****, the Focus ST or RS are way to expensive so....
 
Truth be told I'm a motorhead to the core, raced motorcross for years and love the human and machine interaction.. that being said this thing is like a race go kart and I love it!! No stupid bullshit just me a motor, a supercharger and a 6 speed! It's a blast to drive!
 
:usflag: thank you

I "NOW" only own American cars & Trucks
a 99 Dodge Dakota, a Plymouth 68 RR & a 2002 Ford f-350

25 (-ish & prior) years ago I had a few foreign jobs
I was into MG's Triumphs Jags Porsches,

I had a few 1) 83 2wd SR5,
2) of SR5 Toyota 4x4's 84-85, 10+ years apart
3) others late 80's & early 90's for my girls, they loved four-wheeling
(great trucks for a lil' truck, dependable/extremely reliable)

had a Lexus 400 but that's "American version of a Toyota"
still a Japenese car in my mind

had an 82 Turbo-Supra, I bought Lisa, her dream car
head gasket eating sob, but she loved it, pretty quick too, handled great

I had bought a couple 77 & 78 VW Convertible FI Beetle's
for my former GF Vicky back early 80's

I had a few others of VW's personally too
a 68 Beetle hopped up & turned into a Baja Bug
& a 68 Myers Manx Dunebuggy

I had a 71 280Z (sort of a mix of 260Z & 270's) drag car,
I made it into a 9.90 Super-gas/8.90 Super-comp car too

I bought my nephew an early 90's Nissan 2wd pick-up for graduation
he had it till about 1999-ish, 300k miles +

I worked in the dealership business for 35+ years
I was around a shitload of cars, trade-ins etc.
had the pick of the litter more often than not
I saw & owned many different brands, the majority 75% (?) were American

I've personally owned 111 cars/trucks to date
some were bound to be non-American
I'm sure I've forgotten a few foreign jobs too

I have changed my ways 'NOW'
:luvplace:
 
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To add to my post #22, I was of the mind I'd never get away from da big 3- mostly Chrysler - 4 Eagle Visions - really liked those - 2 were new company cars I had and bought at turn in time. Liked Olds Aurora's had 2 of those and bought a clean Intrigue for the wife with 30k on it. Well go figure, at 48k the head gasket goes and my go to shop said nada, don't want to work on that motor...it's Cadillac. Take it to the dealer...$4,800 to repair it! My good fortune is I had an extended warranty that was to expire at 50k so it was covered minus the deduction. That ended my GM selections as I was close to buying a CTS then thought nah, if a dealer has to repair it extra hassle. Liked the looks of the 2nd gen Sonata's (this was around '08) so went that route. We all have our preferences and experiences; but the two I've had - have had little problems compared to most of the cars I had before. My daughter's '06 Honda CRV is another story...using excessive oil; but she loves the thing so she has gotten used to checking it often with my fatherly reminders warning her about the consequences. Honda should a recalled that era CRV considering the multitude of complaints I found on the web and I bitched enough with them about it and go figure...the top premium X warranty I got on it deftly excludes the reason why her CRV drinks oil! Grrr...
 
I only owned one car that wasn't American,and that was a VW Golf,when gas was over 4 dollars a gallon,and my 02 Ram 2500 4x4 got 9 miles per gallon. The trans blew on the way to pick my mom up at the airport,in the VW,and I went back to driving my Dodge swearing to never again own a foreign car!
 
Congrats on the Cooper.... my wife is over in the UK and when I go to visit her I see those little buggers EVERYWHERE. I told my wife I may just buy one for the economic around town fun... she wants a Tesla instead (Sh!t...$$$). But I did get to bomb around in a Cooper I borrowed from someone over there... fun little car.

As for everything else being "foreign" - it's a global economy boys. What is worse? Buying a Toyota that is made in Texas of buying a Ford built in Mexico? I personally would buy the Toyota as it Employs Americans... the money goes to Japan sure - but they are investing in the US with factories and the like. Ford and GM employ Canadians and Mexicans to build vehicles and invest your money in infrastructure in Canada and Mexico... That's how I look at it anyway.

I daily a 1998 Toyota 4Runner... running strong with 168,*** on it and the only work I have done on it is maintenance... aside from swapping it from a 2wd auto to a 4x4 5-speed... swapped in an e-locker... my only complaint is my mileage with it... driving across country I have gotten an average of 23mpg when loaded with about 500lbs of crap in it. Which is actually pretty good - most guys get mid to high teens.

The wife drives a 2016 Hyundai Tuscon she picked up used with ~20,000mi on it and she loves it... no work needed on it what-so-ever to this point. Does about 34mpg with AWD while going all over the country (USA and UK).

I still stick to American cars when dealing with classics --- but I have to say modern cars... foreign makers have a leg up on domestic companies... IMO
 
20210313_124928.jpg
My wife's 2009 Challenger R/T classic she bought new off the showroom floor has not had a single issue,it still even has the original battery!
 
With value on most people’s minds I wonder how these American auto makers stay competitive when they’re throwing out power train warranties that are only 5 year 60k miles while the foreign companies are handing out 10 year 100knmile warranties. If you think about it VW, Hyundai and Kia are wiling to warranty their air conditioner for as long as Chevy Is their engine or transmission. That says a lot
 
rolling_Thunder said:
As for everything else being "foreign" - it's a global economy boys. What is worse? Buying a Toyota that is made in Texas of buying a Ford built in Mexico? I personally would buy the Toyota as it Employs Americans... the money goes to Japan sure - but they are investing in the US with factories and the like. Ford and GM employ Canadians and Mexicans to build vehicles and invest your money in infrastructure in Canada and Mexico... That's how I look at it anyway.
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You realize that Toyota has three plants in Canada as well though, as well as the first Lexus production outside of Japan.
 
It impossible for the American auto industry to compete with Korean, Asian cars that are government backed / operated.. I will not by a German car the leak fluids like crazy, plastics fall apart, interiors smell like a crayon factory, ELECTRICAL problems.. we just spent 1400 on a ignition switch on my sons Benz over CLK 320 with 72 k miles. Ridiculous to even purchase it is BS! He had a BMW 528i before that, money pit 101 leaked all over at 105k miles and drank oil like a fish... jap stuff is better than German and it all sucks. I buy what works well and I can get parts for — Chrysler , mine have been very good to us .. trucks all are pushing 4-500 k on them and 300 is pushing 200 with maintenance and preventive maint too.. Very reliable. I roll over when I hear someone say German car is good— good luck that’s all I will say ..
I thank the jeep owners for supporting my job making the high strength steel in there!
I also believe in American made , yep it’s a sketchy thing to say about Chrysler , but GM and Ford are now international companies too.. I also believe in supporting friends and keeping my money from going over seas. My kid thought euro cars were better, till he couldn’t drive them and dad finally couldn’t fix them anymore due to electrical programming issues.
 
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1967coronet440 said:
With value on most people’s minds I wonder how these American auto makers stay competitive when they’re throwing out power train warranties that are only 5 year 60k miles while the foreign companies are handing out 10 year 100knmile warranties. If you think about it VW, Hyundai and Kia are wiling to warranty their air conditioner for as long as Chevy Is their engine or transmission. That says a lot
Click to expand...
South Koreans are the new Germans....
 
F4R/T said:
It impossible for the American auto industry to compete with Korean, Asian cars that are government backed / operated.. I will not by a German car the leak fluids like crazy, plastics fall apart, interiors smell like a crayon factory, ELECTRICAL problems.. we just spent 1400 on a ignition switch on my sons Benz over CLK 320 with 72 k miles. Ridiculous to even purchase it is BS! He had a BMW 528i before that, money pit 101 leaked all over at 105k miles and drank oil like a fish... jap stuff is better than German and it all sucks. I buy what works well and I can get parts for — Chrysler , mine have been very good to us .. trucks all are pushing 4-500 k on them and 300 is pushing 200 with maintenance and preventive maint too.. Very reliable. I roll over when I hear someone say German car is good— good luck that’s all I will say ..
I thank the jeep owners for supporting my job making the high strength steel in there!
I also believe in American made , yep it’s a sketchy thing to say about Chrysler , but GM and Ford are now international companies too.. I also believe in supporting friends and keeping my money from going over seas. My kid thought euro cars were better, till he couldn’t drive them and dad finally couldn’t fix them anymore due to electrical programming issues.
Click to expand...
So what economy car does Chrysler offer??? My brother has the Dart and has had nothing but problems with the transmission. We have a Town & County, a RAM and the Charger but when it came to an eco car the American brands had nothing that interested me. I did some research before buying it, even checked parts availability and pricing... Whatever issues you experienced doesn't appear to be the case with these.
 
Michael_ said:
I somewhat doubt that a bmw mini is much more reliable?

But i pretty much gave up on modern cars anyway... (Not that i was ever really into them, though...)

If i needed something relatively small and light on gas i would consider a 69 camaro with a 6 banger or if it has to be even smaller an amc pacer.
Click to expand...

A Feather Duster would be a good choice. I had one once and it was a great car.
 
That’s the problem, mopar offers NO reliable daily drivers,they were all rebranded/ Rebodied Fiats.. including the little baby Jeeps. Euro cars always have problems from fluid leaks to weird electrical , their resale is horrible for what you pay and parts are insane unless you buy knockoffs. I’ve worked on all of them most of my career euro was the worst. They are fine when new but get past a few years and interiors fall apart , electronics, fluid leaks. The one thing I will say the bodies rot slower than domestic and the paint seems more durable. I’m not telling anyone what to buy just what I see and have dealt with.. and I’m not sugar coating it. BMW is horrible for all the plastic parts in the cooling system... Pick your battles get rid of them before the warranty runs out.
 
Photon440 said:
You realize that Toyota has three plants in Canada as well though, as well as the first Lexus production outside of Japan.
Click to expand...

I am aware - I suppose I was trying to make a point about the lesser of two evils. I'd support a company who employs Americans over where their company headquarters is located. Toyota has world-wide production because of their reliability and known products. You see way more Toyotas around the world than you do GM or Ford.
 
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