Were American cars ever good?

[Ian Gills]

Which ones and when?

I wouldn't touch one now for love or money.

But I am guessing if you guys can make a damn good pump (Zoeller), seat (Toto - I wouldn't want to use one as a toilet though) and a valve (Apollo) then it shouldn't have been too much of a stretch to make a good car.

What went wrong?

[FloridaOrange]

Fords are great cars Ian. Even your counterparts across the pond drive them. I'm on my fifth one, though the latest is the oldest. The '04 mustang was awesome, just changed the oil and put gas in. All the latest (99 and on) modular motors are great.

What do you think is a good car? Toyota's and Honda's were better for reliability but not anymore. When they were better they lacked severly in other departments, (interior, suspension).

My sister just got rid of her Audi, it's common that after 60-80k miles they develope problems that become cost prohibitive to keep. Are jags still English made? They are really crappy once the warranty runs out.

Get a new Stang....that will change your mind. It might even put some pep in your step.

What do you drive?

[jimbo]

We all know what MG stands for ( My God what's wrong with it now!)

[Rich B]

English built cars were some of the most unreliable vehicles I ever worked on back in the mid 60's. Most mechanics didn't like to touch them and there were a few specialty shops that sprang up in my area that worked on them. The sports cars that were popular at the time were some of the worst. Underpowered, poor handling, electrical issues constantly. Triumphs, MG's and and Jaguars were also pretty poor for reliability.

American cars were way better. The Japanese and German built cars eventually easily surpassed all others for reliability. Many cars built today are really good from everyone.....Ford seems to be the leader right now in American quality.....I am a GM man......

[Ian Gills]

I drive a Toyota because I adore the reliability and can live without a quality interior.

I agree that British cars, for the most part, were rubbish.

But there is something about American cars I just do not trust. I could live with a Ford but the rest look a little too light on their loafers for me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjzpx_jUUA0

[FloridaOrange]

But there is something about American cars I just do not trust.....

Are you afraid the car is going to boot you out and not let you back in?

[Ian Gills]

They're just a bit socially conservative in terms of the handling and fiscally liberal in terms of the fuel consumption.

[FloridaOrange]

I really like my sister's V6 Solara but I'd take a V6 Sport Edition Ford Fusion over it anyday of the week.

[Ian Gills]

It's all the V this and V that I don't like about heavy American cars.

Just look at this European Ford for instance, which you might buy for your seventeen year old or even your wife.

http://www.fordeumicrosites.com/en-g...sst/flash.html

A five cyclinder, 2.5 liter engine but with a turbo so you can rag it way past 6000rpm.

That's a real car.

[FloridaOrange]

Hell, I'd rock that as a daily driver. Ford is supposed to be offering almost all there cars with 1 size smaller motor but with a turbo. I'm all for that.

For fun (weekend car) though you absolutely cannot go wrong with a V8, preferably all aluminum.

You guys across the pond would love bigger cars.....that is if your roads weren't so damn tiny. The european guys who bring mustangs/vettes/callengers over there get a lot of attention.

I'd actually love to to have the Ford AU. car lineup available here.

[Ian Gills]

I have never driven anything with more than 4 cylinders in it.

Question: if one of your cylinders on a V8 stops firing, because a spark plug has gone for example, do you notice it?

[FloridaOrange]

Yes, but less so than if it only had 4 cylinders.
As far as V8's sucking gas, it depends on the situation. The mustang I took up to GA got 31mpg on the highway.
My somewhat built Mach1 got 25+ on a run to the other side of the state.

[Scuba_Dave]

Insurance companies charge more for turbo's & anything like that
Also more for sports cars & cars that are stolen the most
I have a '05 Ford F150, before that a 1999 Isuzu SUV (great deal)

[Ian Gills]

Insurance companies seem to charge me more period.

Can I get some advice please.

I came to America 4 years ago and have been driving here that long. They would not consider my driving record in other countries because America is just odd like that.

Anyway, since I have been driving here I have had no accidents and not even a ticket in that time.

For the first few years I would change my policy every six months to get my insurance premiums down. For the past year or two I have stuck with the same company.

But unlike elsewhere where I have lived, my premiums keep going up slightly every six months when I stay with the same company, even though my record is clean and they should go down.

Should I stay with the same company or become a rate whore once again?

How does it work in the US? Will loyalty be repaid?

I'm paying $800 every six months for an old Toyota.

[FloridaOrange]

Do you have multiple car coverage, or can you have car coverage with the same company that provides your homeowner's insurance?

I pay $190...........................a year for the F150 . I'm covered if I decide to plow someone pretty well except they won't fix my truck.

Even before the pickemup, the Mustang wasn't too bad. As Dave mentioned, insurance costs more if you have a car that is high on the list of stolen cars. The other thing to consider is if you have a car which is high cost to repair (cost for parts and such).

Just get a Mustang Ian....you won't regret it, and none of that wussy V6 crap either.