USA cars vs Foreign cars !! (Ford/Mercury vs Toyota/Honda)

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Y

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I know some people mentioned that
Foregin cars especially Toyota and Honda
tend to last long time over 300,000 mileages...

But, what about Ford & Mercury cars such
as Ford Focus and Mercury Milan ?

I wonder if Ford and Mercury cars last longer
than Toyota and Honda cars ?

P.S. I am NOT talking about Pickup trucks...
I am talking about small or medium size cars only !!!
 
I had my medium Ford Escort, it blow out when it was 105,000 mileages.

I had to buy used Toyota, Camry 2003. I love it every moment due to good engineer and smooth running.

I don't like Ford or Chev.
 
I haven't heard of a med or small Ford/Mecury going for more than 200k miles without needing a engine transplant or rebuild.

I have heard of Honda and Toyotas going that far no problem.

I guess it depends on the car and the owner's care of the car.

Tell me if there's a Ford Escort, Focus etc. or Mecury sort of model that has gone more than 200k miles without engine transplant or repair in someone's experience.

I had a 1983 Honda Civic wagon with over 200k miles on orginal engine, but I totalled it anyways.

My friend has a 1996 Toyota Tercel with 220k miles on it, but has replaced engine/trans since I see word marks come from junkyard or engine rebuild shop. He bought the car really cheap but runs pretty good though.
 
The main thing in determining the life of a vehicle is the maintainance. If you take care of the car, it should last a very long time. If you follow the service manual very closely, you should have good, long life.
With that said, there seems to be a different train of thoughtor philosophy with cars and who made them. At least with the older cars anyway. The older japanese cars were designed to run smoothly and dependably for a long time. But once the started to have problems, they should be scrapped. They are dependable for years, but once they start to have problems, get rid of them. Older American cars were designed a little differently. They were designed to have certain parts that will need to be replaced throughout the life of the vehicle.
Example. A 70s or 80s Chevy was designed to run smoothly for the first 100k miles. Shortly after that, it is expected to have to replace the alternator, starter, timing belt. Shortly after that, you will need to replace tie rods and some suspension parts. As long as you look at the car as these parts being wear and tears items, it should keep you happy for years.
As I started, the main thing to having a hiogh mileage, happy, dependable car is the quality of maintainance. Do what the manual says, when it says to do it. We all know about the obvious stuff like oil changes, but its the small stuff that you need to think about.
 
Yeah I agree about keep up with the
car maintenance taking good care of the car...

However I heard from a number of people who
did NOT take care of Toyotas at all they still have
these Toyotas almost forever !!!

Hmm, Is it better to have Toyota with 4 cylinders
or 6 cylinders ? Why ?
 
I still do NOT really understand about
these codes such as Toyota Camry XLE,
Toyota Camry LE and Toyota Camry CE

Whats the difference ?
 
Its just a "editon" U see, LE really refers to Limited Editon, These have alot to do with what it comes with (features, design, etc).

Those vehicles with Limited editon and *IF* proved to be realiable is going to hold value alot longer!

I did thought of Honda, but more of leaning on my dream vehicle... Its Jeep Wrangler! Yes, I am looking for that right now, hopefully find one soon! I have had good experience with Jeep Cherokee, and STILL have it. I have nightmare with GM already and I lost my loyality to GM, I had loyality to GM because in 80's they were damn dependable but not in 90's its the worst! Anyway, the reason why I decided not to go for Honda is that I would need vehicle during winter and would have use motorcycle for summer, so it is pointless having Honda car for winter, and that Jeep makes more sense (Can handle snow better).

Y said:
I still do NOT really understand about
these codes such as Toyota Camry XLE,
Toyota Camry LE and Toyota Camry CE

Whats the difference ?
Click to expand...
 
Diehard, be careful. Jeep products have the same ignition lock cylinder as moct chrysler, dodge and plymouth. If someone breaks the vent window on a cherokee, they can get it started with a butter knife in about 10 seconds. Chryslers and Jeeps are VERY easy to steal. Even easier thatn the mid 70s-mid 90s GMs.
 
Hmm, which is better to have Toyota with 4 cylinders
or 6 cylinders ? Why ?
 
Sure, mine was stolen back then. I really don't care about this part. I really want is damn realiablity and that is all I care. Insurance would cover you if you got loaded insurance package and if this gets stolen, they'd take care of this, but if engine or tranny falls apart, they (Insurance) dont give damn, and that is what I am stuck with, three times with GM! Never again!

Lillys dad said:
Diehard, be careful. Jeep products have the same ignition lock cylinder as moct chrysler, dodge and plymouth. If someone breaks the vent window on a cherokee, they can get it started with a butter knife in about 10 seconds. Chryslers and Jeeps are VERY easy to steal. Even easier thatn the mid 70s-mid 90s GMs.
Click to expand...
 
This is too generic question,,, Toyota WHAT? If it is cute compact car, then 4 cylinder would be better, if it is mid size sedan or truck then 6 to balance the power and weight. DOn't want small engine to push heavier vehicle.

Y said:
Hmm, which is better to have Toyota with 4 cylinders
or 6 cylinders ? Why ?
Click to expand...
 
Lillys dad said:
Diehard, be careful. Jeep products have the same ignition lock cylinder as moct chrysler, dodge and plymouth. If someone breaks the vent window on a cherokee, they can get it started with a butter knife in about 10 seconds. Chryslers and Jeeps are VERY easy to steal. Even easier thatn the mid 70s-mid 90s GMs.
Click to expand...
Maybe that's why my 1995 second-hand Jeep Cherokee came with a "secret" ignition button that the previous owner added under the dash. I have to turn the ignition key, and then push the button to start my car. No problem; I just have to remember to show other people where it is if they use my car. Otherwise, it doesn't start. :P
 
Honda can't go in snow, eh? Did you forget that Honda do have SUVs and trucks? They have been making them since mid 90's. Subarus do pretty well in snow also, of course you have to be a good driver in snow. 4wd doesn't do the job all by itself, a good driver helps. I saw some 4wd vehicles get stuck in snow. They probably weren't using the right tires for snow traction.

I did thought of Honda, but more of leaning on my dream vehicle... Its Jeep Wrangler! Yes, I am looking for that right now, hopefully find one soon! I have had good experience with Jeep Cherokee, and STILL have it. I have nightmare with GM already and I lost my loyality to GM, I had loyality to GM because in 80's they were damn dependable but not in 90's its the worst! Anyway, the reason why I decided not to go for Honda is that I would need vehicle during winter and would have use motorcycle for summer, so it is pointless having Honda car for winter, and that Jeep makes more sense (Can handle snow better).
Click to expand...
 
diehardbiker said:
This is too generic question,,, Toyota WHAT? If it is cute compact car, then 4 cylinder would be better, if it is mid size sedan or truck then 6 to balance the power and weight. DOn't want small engine to push heavier vehicle.
Click to expand...

OIC. Now I finally understand your point that
people should buy V6 cars ONLY if they need
to pull something else to keep the balance
with power and weight. Ok...

Someone else told me that people should also
buy V6 Cars ONLY if they also tend to have
long distance travels Right ?
 
One of the best "snow cars" I ever owned was an 81 honda civic 1300cc, with a 5 speed stick. Awesome car. I loved driving past 4x4s stuck in the snow on side of the road. The issue with 4x4 is simple. 4 wheel drive does not mean four wheel stop. Drive according to road conditions, and give yourself plenty of room to stop, and you can do some amazing stuff in snow with front wheel drive or four wheel drive.
 
me and my ex had 1990 ford escort thatlasted her 250,000 miles before selling it- rebult the transmission at 140,000 miles.. we only replaced the brakes and one alternator.. didnt relpaced others..it was orginial enigne. a 1.9 workhorse..
 
It's pretty much why Fords and Chevs are struggling with the sales in last 10 years due to Toyotas, Hondas, and other foreign car sales booming because they run better and longer with less problems they proved to be dependence. Speaking of smart buying....

My sister once had a 1984 Toyota Collora LE (right spelling?) and ran it over 225k miles with few slight problems. My dad has owned 3 Toyota Camrys and all ran very well but he traded for newer about every 3-4 years. Now he has a smaller Toyota, I forgot what its name was but something starts with a S.. Both loved it. I liked it, too... drove them a few times before.. awesome vehicles Toyota produced and still do, I assume.

I own a Jeep Grand Cherokee and did hear that Jeeps are in fact one of easiest vehicle to steal but still has it since more than 4 years, however. Its look is very attractive unlike many Cherokkes you see out there which is rather bit surprise that it wasn't stolen. It has an blazing-loud alarm system. Guess it goes with chances lol. Its starter went down two days ago and will pick it up tmw.

I rather go for some European cars but it's costly. Maybe out of a chance in the future I could buy a BMW someday. I do love trucks and Mustangs, too so I don't mind them.
 
National Insurance Crime Bureau’s (NICB) 2005 list of America’s most stolen vehicles:

1. 1991 Honda Accord
2. 1995 Honda Civic
3. 1989 Toyota Camry
4. 1994 Dodge Caravan
5. 1994 Nissan Sentra
6. 1997 Ford F150 Series
7. 1990 Acura Integra
8. 1986 Toyota Pickup
9. 1993 Saturn SL
10. 2004 Dodge Ram Pickup
 
No Jeeps in this list either. :dunno:

Most Stolen Cars, 2005
Rank Year, make, model
1. 2001 BMW M
2. 1998 Acura Integra
3. 2004 Mercury Marauder
4. 1999 Acura Integra
5. 1995 Acura Integra
6. 2002 Audi S4
7. 1996 Acura Integra
8. 1997 Acura Integra
9. 2001 Acura Integra
10. 2000 Jaguar XJR
11. 1994 Acura Integra
12. 2005 Suzuki Aerio
NOTE: The most stolen vehicle report is based on total losses identified as stolen and not recovered. CCC does not include temporary auto-related thefts such as “joy-rides” or theft of car items such as stereos.
Source: CCC Information Services, Inc.
 
I never said it was was of the most stolen cars. I said it was easy to steal. I find those lists funny anyway. They do not take into consideration regional trends in stolen autos. The trends of stolen chrysler products are funny. Dodge has built their minivans and ram truck in st.louis for years. And oddly enough, chryslers are stolen around here left and right. Same as detroit, chryslers are stolen 24/7 there. When I say "Chrysler" I amreffering to jeep products also. They are owned by chrysler and use the same ignition parts in the steering column.
When I worked in the ghetto, I once recovered 3 stolen chryslers and chased 2 more in 1 day. Thats 5 in 8 hours! from just 1 cop.
 
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