I bought a brand-new car - '07 Hyundai Elantra GLS

[9volt]

So basically your trying to tell us that all fords suck? Remove your head from your *** for a moment and sniff breathable air. Much better isn't it? Mustang GT's are VERY reliable. The F series of trucks have decent reliability not perfect, however they give an excellent ride especially for a truck. The interior design is great, and designed for comfort, as well as space. They are affordably priced and handle beautifully. And they have muscle. Only reason I don't want one is the gas milage. Grand marquis are also reliable cars.

Ok, I can't prove to you that Fords aren't as reliable as many other makes, though I know they historically have been rated lower on reliability ratings than many Japanese makes.

I can say that a few years ago i was buying a truck and it came down to a Ford or a Tundra. Aside from the documented (I believe it) better reliability of the Toyota, this is why I didn't get a Ford, even though the F150s were alot cheaper.

F150
http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=7

Tundra
http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=5


The 04+ F150s are better on the crash ratings, but you've got blue blinders on if you don't realize there are companies out there putting out better cars than Ford.

 

[9volt]

And exactly how many cars have you owned and driven? I take it you have years of experience with all of cars and trucks on the market to form this educated opinion?

FWIW I've owned 32 different cars. New and used. The American (including Ford) and German cars were noticeably less reliable than the Japanese. I had better luck with a French car (Renault) than I did with my American cars.

Is that an educated opinion?

To pull this back on topic, the beater 87 Hyundai was probably the worst car I've owned. When it's head gasket blew we took my 81 Bronco with a huge brush bar and smashed the hell out of the Hyundai. I have the pics to prove it

 

[Danbo]

And exactly how many cars have you owned and driven? I take it you have years of experience with all of cars and trucks on the market to form this educated opinion? Before you start attacking people, you might want to learn more and speak less, because your naive ignorance is showing. Why don't you do your own research, and see what kind of resale values and reliability ratings Ford has. You might be surprised, but then again, you'll probably just be in denial.

Even before reading your other thread which stated your age, I would have guessed you to be a teenager who hasn't yet had ANY experience with cars (and no, playing racing video games or reading magazines doesn't count). I'm guessing your just echoing the anti-import sentiment of your parents and/or friends, without ever bothering to learn the real facts. Honestly, you can defend Ford all you want, convince yourself that Ford is still the top of the line in automakers, that all other cars are crap and every car magazine that doesnt' agree with you is biased. Nobody is gonig to dissuade you. At 17, you know it all, and anyone that doesn't have the same opinion as you has their head up their ***.

Thank you, for so eloquently stating what was on my mind. I'm sure my response would've been a lot more abrupt and crude.

FWIW, I'm 48 years old and have owned and driven lots of cars. Several Fords, too. Nowadays, I do my research and buy the cars that are the most reliable. For my money, that's been either Honda or Toyota.

 

[MorePower]

-paraphrase-

I can no longer sit back and allow Communist infiltration, Communist indoctrination, Communist subversion and the international Communist conspiracy to sap and impurify all of our precious bodily fluids.

-end paraphrase-

someone name that movie.

 

[BIGIRON]

Dr Strangelove.

 

[stephenmadpotato]

And exactly how many cars have you owned and driven? I take it you have years of experience with all of cars and trucks on the market to form this educated opinion? Before you start attacking people, you might want to learn more and speak less, because your naive ignorance is showing. Why don't you do your own research, and see what kind of resale values and reliability ratings Ford has. You might be surprised, but then again, you'll probably just be in denial.

Even before reading your other thread which stated your age, I would have guessed you to be a teenager who hasn't yet had ANY experience with cars (and no, playing racing video games or reading magazines doesn't count). I'm guessing your just echoing the anti-import sentiment of your parents and/or friends, without ever bothering to learn the real facts. Honestly, you can defend Ford all you want, convince yourself that Ford is still the top of the line in automakers, that all other cars are crap and every car magazine that doesnt' agree with you is biased. Nobody is gonig to dissuade you. At 17, you know it all, and anyone that doesn't have the same opinion as you has their head up their ***.

You don't have to own millions of cars to read consumer reports and such, and to understand how these things actually work. I have an extended knowledge of how the combustion engine works and cars. I can tell if a car engine is of good quality. If you really think that reading magazines doesn't count then what does? You contradict yourself:

Why don't you do your own research, and see what kind of resale values and reliability ratings Ford has.

It is mainly magazines and websites that have ratings? Unless, you wanted me to go around asking people how they like their car. Because that is just plain stupidity. I would rather trust a magazine like Consumer Reports, which is completely unbiased and trustworthy. They state clearly in their review of the Ford Fusion that reliability is Excellent (highest achievable rating)
Don't use my age as a defense against my opinions, you will just make yourself sound foolish. I came up with the "anti-import" theory on my own. I made a conscious, educated decision. It makes perfect sense, the economy in America is going downhill, if American companies get buisness then money is flowing into America, making us gain money. I agree with my dad, an extremely intelligent and convincing person on most things, only because he is right, not because he is my father. He has the respect of pretty much anyone he meets as soon as you start any kind of conversation with him. At the age of 10 years old I rebuilt a carburetor on my dirtbike without asking anyone a single question. Don't even try to lecture me on "reading" things, because I spend about 10-12 hours a week just "researching" about how things work. Quit trying to discredit your opponent before you even hear their full point of view, again you will sound foolish.

 

[InTheDark]

Ahh, isn't the internet great? Any teenager with a magazine subscription can become an internet guru on topics they've "researched". One of the funniest thing to read is two teenagers on a car forum arguing over which is a better car, each with a magazine article or website to support their opinions. What's really funny is that they all truly believe 100% that they know what they're talking about, and they have proof in writing to back them up, all the while having never actually driven any of the cars in question. And if one of them does happen to take a car for a test drive around the block, watch out. They're now "qualified" to give their opinions on performance and handling, using phrases like tossable, understeer and oversteer, and so forth.

I already know it's pointless to continue arguing, but what the heck, I'm bored right now. I'm still wondering if you've actually DRIVEN any cars. I'd really like to know how you can tell a car engine is of good quality. By the way it looks? How it tastes? That's some special talent.

Also, I'd like to know how, (to plaugiarize a term I heard) in your "Nickelodeon" economics, does your theory hold up in a global economy?
Shall we ask the 30,000 Ford employees who were layed off and whose jobs were outsourced to Mexico and Canada? What about the Toyota or Hyundai employees at their new US plants? I guess supporting an American (sounding) company is better than actually supporting American workers? Billy Ford congratulates you, he can now continue to vacation all over the world, but I bet a lot of ex-Ford employees probably aren't so happy.
And not to confuse the issue, but in your other topic, how does buying a used car IN AMERICA have any effect on the trade deficit with foreign countries? You aren't planning on importing an "American POS" from overseas are you?

And I can assume that I was right when I said your father probably shares your feelings on this issue? It's great that you have respect for him, that's about all I have to say.

I should probably keep quiet now, I know I look foolish going up against this 16 year old automotive wizard. The ironic thing is, I have nothing against American car companies. I currently own a domestic made vehicle, and in my family, we've probably owned more domestic vehicles than imports. Will I ever buy another one? Probably, if I ever see something I like, but right now nothing fits my needs. I believe 100% in supporting America, but not by blind patriotism and government legislation. If anything, that behavior inherently contradicts the American idea of free trade and capitalism. I would love to buy American made products, but not because they're made in the U.S. but because they're the best available. Sympathy purchases dont' help anyone.

[Edit] I just wanted to ask, since you mentioned the Ford Fusion. Do you know where the Fusion is manufactured? Where do you think the money's flowing from the purchase of that car?

To the original poster, I forgot to say congrats on your new purchase. You've made a good decision. I believe Hyundai has already caught up to Honda in terms of reliability, it's a good thing you purchased before their prices caught up as well.

 

[9volt]

I have an extended knowledge of how the combustion engine works and cars. I can tell if a car engine is of good quality.

Can you explain how to tell if a car engine is of good quality? I'd like to be able to do this too.

What about Ford engines makes them more reliable than other engines?

The Fusion is manufactured in Mexico. Do you think that contributed to its excellent reliability rating?

 

[orionlion82]

Can you explain how to tell if a car engine is of good quality? I'd like to be able to do this too.

What about Ford engines makes them more reliable than other engines?

The Fusion is manufactured in Mexico. Do you think that contributed to its excellent reliability rating?

the fusion and the D23/D20 engines are made by evil metric robots in mexico in the old focus plant that once made the ZX3. the focus sedans were allways made in wayne as with hthe wagon and maybe the 5 door. (yall i dunno im not that in depth and all)

you do make the odd point that the fusion factory/old focus ZX3 (Hatchback/SVT ONLY) factory is reputed to be better than the wayne plant.

and ive heard many great things about the fusion.

duratec/d23 Fusion 2.3 engines are very very quietly rumored to be 150,000mile engines from the drawing board if i remember right.
its not official information because the dude that made 125,000 miles would sue... but hey.

guess what? guess who loosley copied the rear independant suspension design of the focus? the germans - what did they put it on? the jetta.

now thats a vote of confidence in american engineering if i ever saw one.

 

[Lightmeup]

I think those Elantras are great cars for the money. I know a few people who own them, and they all have had great things to say about them. However, the one downside I have heard is that the 100K warranty apparently comes with some hefty maintenance bills if you want to keep it in warranty. I have heard of dealers refusing to honor warranty claims because the owner did the work himself, missed a scheduled maintenance appointment, etc. Keep good records of all work done on the car to cover your ***.

 

[Monocrom]

I live in a working-class neighborhood. Ironically, I see some pretty expensive models parked outside my window. (Since my neighborhood doesn't have drug dealers hanging out on the streets, I doubt they all belong to such folks).

There are certain older cars I see all the time. With the exception of one 2-door, large, Mercury Cougar; all of the older cars are either Toyota Camry or Honda Accord. The older versions seem to outlast cars built just 5 years ago. Buying American sounds great. But the Big Three gave up on the car market years ago. They just handed it over to Japan. Choosing to concentrate on truck and SUV sales. But now, Japan has an eye on that market as well. The only time I'd ever advocate buying an American car is if you can truly get a good deal on one. Possibly a slow seller that's just taking up space on dealer's lot. Besides, dealers get hotter models if they can move less-popular ones.

My car is a 98' Ford Escort. Works reliably. Bought it used in 2000. Last 4 years, haven't driven it much since I no longer use it for getting to work. The AC gave out last week. Strange rattling sound coming from the car for about a year. Would like a new car, but hard to justify the expense on something that's not a daily commuter.

 

[orionlion82]

I live in a working-class neighborhood. Ironically, I see some pretty expensive models parked outside my window. (Since my neighborhood doesn't have drug dealers hanging out on the streets, I doubt they all belong to such folks).

There are certain older cars I see all the time. With the exception of one 2-door, large, Mercury Cougar; all of the older cars are either Toyota Camry or Honda Accord. The older versions seem to outlast cars built just 5 years ago. Buying American sounds great. But the Big Three gave up on the car market years ago. They just handed it over to Japan. Choosing to concentrate on truck and SUV sales. But now, Japan has an eye on that market as well. The only time I'd ever advocate buying an American car is if you can truly get a good deal on one. Possibly a slow seller that's just taking up space on dealer's lot. Besides, dealers get hotter models if they can move less-popular ones.

My car is a 98' Ford Escort. Works reliably. Bought it used in 2000. Last 4 years, haven't driven it much since I no longer use it for getting to work. The AC gave out last week. Strange rattling sound coming from the car for about a year. Would like a new car, but hard to justify the expense on something that's not a daily commuter.

man those old escort engines i think are the lima/pinto engines.
theyve been around forever and any mechanic has seen em and can work on em.

what about something from overseas?
you gotta wait for weeks while the repair books get shipped over (probly poorly translated and all)

do you want your mechanic in uncharted waters?

 

[Monocrom]

Do you want your mechanic in uncharted waters?

I seriously doubt if it would be a problem to find a mechanic in America who has worked on a Toyota or Honda.

 

[chamenos]

FWIW, The most popular fleet car used by the taxi companies in Singapore used to be the Toyota Crown, which has begun to be replaced by the Hyundai Sonata in the last year or so. Seems to me reliability would be paramount for a such an application, so I think that's a good indicator of Hyundai's current QC and reliability.