Asian brands dominate reliability list; Ford Motor is best domestic

[tammywammy]

DETROIT -- Most Ford Motor Co. vehicles now show average or better reliability, Consumer Reports' 2008 car reliability survey said, although Japanese carmakers still hold their lead in the study's rankings of 34 brands.

No Ford Motor brand has cracked the survey's top 10 list of predicted reliable makes, but the automaker's steady improvement in the rankings over recent years backs Ford executives' oft-stated desire to meet or exceed the quality of Asian automakers.

"Ford's three nameplates -- Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury -- lead the domestic automakers and continue to pull away from the rest of Detroit," the report said.

Ford Motor is "extremely close to Toyota and Honda in terms of reliability," said David Champion, head of the magazine's auto-testing division, at today's meeting here of the Automotive Press Association. Ford's models with below-average reliability are older, truck-based models such as the Ford F-150, Explorer and Explorer Sport Trac and the Mercury Mountaineer V-8, he said.

The survey ranked Scion, Acura, Honda and Toyota highest on its list of brands predicted to produce reliable models in 2009. The top 10 were all Asian brands.

Kia joined the top 10 with the greatest improvement in the survey, finishing 10th and gaining 12 places on the list compared with last year. Sister brand Hyundai moved up seven spots to finish eighth in the rankings.

Chrysler, Saturn and Land Rover ranked last on the 2009 predicted reliability list. The Chrysler brand showed the steepest decline in the rankings, losing 13 spots. Saturn was next, dropping 10 places.

-snip-

http://www.auto1688.com/news/2008/31272.htm

[ACTION BASTARD]

1. I wouldn't touch a Ford for all

the tea in China. I got a 9yr old Chevy blazer that will probably be the last American (made in Mexico/Canada) that I'll probably ever own.

[grammysandie]

2. My 1995 Honda Civic

is the only car I ever bought brand-new and is hands down the best car I've ever owned. Besides routine maintenance, in thirteen years it's needed only a repair to the air conditioner and new brakes.

I swore I'd drive it until the wheels fell off, and it's just about there, so I'm fixin' to trade it in on a new Civic. I won't consider anything else.

Hubby's 1997 Ford, on the other hand, has always been a piece of shit.

[tammywammy]

3. From the article

It seems that it was the larger trucks that had the most problems. I've personally never owned a Ford, but my dad has the little Ford Ranger and he's never had any problems with it.

[PJPhreak]

4. This has been

My only car for Fourteen years,185,600 miles,all kinds of wore out and overdriven (I keep the Duct Tape Co.in business) But you will have to pry my cold dead fingers off the steering wheel before I EVER sold my 'Yota!!!!!!!!



Edit: This is considered by most auto Techs to be THE worst (The 85-86 "Nummi") Corolla made by Toyota....If this is a bad one I wonder how long a "Good" one would last? This thing just won't die!!!!

[SheilaT]

5. About three and a half years ago

my Subaru was in an accident, and I thought it might be totalled, so I immediately started looking for a replacement car. I fell in love with the Honda Civic, and was actually disappointed when my insurance company decided they'd pay to fix my Subaru.

Since then, I've been responsible for the purchase of eight (yes eight!) Honda Civics or Accords within my family, and most recently on behalf of a friend. They are wonderful, reliable cars, and the trunk space in a Civic is remarkable.

[Glenda]

6. I've only ever bought Fords or Mercurys

My current one seems better than usual, so maybe their reliability has improved

[Toucano]

7. Uh Oh! Better not tell Drainbamaged

Is that his name? The GM fanatic?

[ogneopasno]

8. I got 200K out of my 2001 Focus wagon, and just bought a new Taurus last year,

and I love it. Our 2001 F-350 diesel runs like new; we also just bought a 2008 Focus and pull down 36-40 mpg on it. They're union made in the USA. In my book, there's no reason to buy a foreign car.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

9. Our '91 Tercel and '93 Toyota 4x4 pickup will probably outlive us. Unbreakable.

The Tercel cost $5000 new. The 4x4 $13,000 new.

Other than upkeep, we've probably put less than $1000 in repairs.