Foreign car or domestic? Reputation isn't the only factor By Aviya Kushner • Bankrate.com
Mechanics, consumers and car analysts all tick off the same names when asked for the most reliable cars: Honda and Toyota. But, they add, not all imports are so impressive. Some models from luxury brands such as Mercedes and Audi are turning in below-average reliability numbers, according to new data from J.D. Power and Associates, the independent research firm. And complaints are popping up in car magazines from luxury buyers who feel disappointed. Meanwhile, some budget imports continue to turn in beautiful performances year after year. "The Japanese Big Three have been at the top of the dependability charts since 1990," says Joe Ivers, partner and executive director of quality and customer satisfaction at J.D. Power and Associates in Detroit. "Toyota, Honda and Nissan tend to do very well, and there's very little difference from one to the next," Ivers says. "In the luxury category, Lexus is the best with 163 repair incidents per 100 cars, and Infiniti is next with 174 per 100." But upper-end Buicks and Cadillacs perform well, too, and American cars overall have improved, Ivers says. Consumer data tends to back up the theory that Japanese cars are the favorites. Edmunds.com tracks the "best cars" according to consumers and the site's editors. Consumers, selecting the best cars in a variety of categories, chose an import in 28 of 29 categories, from budget to luxury. Only the Chevy Corvette won its class.
thats surprises me about Audi, I got a 1980 Audi A4, and that thing has 300,000+ miles on it, and it still runs great. Only problem it has is a part of the front axle (which only costs like $80) that has had to be replaced. Lol, the thing is going to rust out before it gives out
German made cars (except for Porsche and to a lesser extent, BMW) tend to do poorly for reliability these days. Cars such as Honda/Acura, Lexus/Toyota and Infiniti do really well. After them, high-end American makes round out the top cars (Lincoln, Cadillac and Buick). So some American makes do well, you just have to spend a lot to get good value.
Sure, Toyota is great. They build a very nice, reliable, safe, cheap car. Corrolas, Camry's, etc.
But, when you compare that to a highly tuned, luxury car or super car, they require lots of upkeep to keep them running in top shape.
many leading european brands (mercedes, porsche, lamborghini, ferrari, etc.) have turned into power wars. in efforts to be "top of the line" and "cutting edge" some reliablity will naturally be sacrificed. that is the downfall of having the best...its hard to have the best of everything.
that said, ditto on upkeep. peformance vehicles are like glass...they're very fragile. you need to keep everything in top shape in order for them to perform on the top level.
just my opinion..but since when did nissan become reliable? a few years ago nissan was contemplating bankruptcy because they couldnt produce an adequate car. just recently has nissans fortunes been reversed where they are very competitive and enjoying a renaissance.
in my opinion..its too early to tell if nissan is truly as reliable as honda/acura and toyota/lexus.
while bmw and mbz are battling against each other or something, theyre building up problems. Whats up with the new 3 series transmission problems? Whats up with the electric problems with 7 series? When ppl pay more for GERMAN, they expect to drive luxury. a luxury shouldnt break down like economy. they are made/build strong. 7 series just has too much electronic problems. they put too much electric shits in there man. the mbz that still keeps its quality is the E class. thats why ppl are switching to japanese, they get more than they pay for. instead of buying a bmw, they buy a lexus or infiniti which is exact same performance and cheaper in value.
I'll repeat this post just because it looks like it could find a lot of reader's here. My buddy had a 91 Lexus LS400. He sold it to his coke-head boss with 375,000 miles on it. I saw the car when it said 325,000 miles. Supposedly that car had 425,000 miles when his boss sold it. That thing shifted great and to my surprise, never had any mechanical problems. Gotta love Toyota built cars.
CelicaHobby.com is an independent Toyota Celica enthusiast website. CelicaHobby.com is not sponsored by or affiliated with Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. in any way. The Toyota and Celica names and logos are trademarks owned by Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.