Japanese brands dominate list of top cars in U.S.

Waterbury Republican-American ^ | March 2, 2006 | Dee-Ann Durbin (A.P.)

[cashion]

I meant GMC...

Gotcha. My former truck was an '89 GMC S15 (pre-Sonoma), and I currently drive an '01 Sonoma. My brother also drives an '01, and my dad has a '91 as his "beater". Dad's former truck was an '88 S15, and he also has a '99 GMC Sierra. I guess you could say we love our GMC trucks! 8)

[oxlongm]

The whole communist manifesto? No. But the idea that one group of people deserves to be paid without needing to earn it -- that's common to both ways of thinking.

If all organizations that rate cars put the Japanese makers at or near near the top, and consumers in general consider the used ones more valuable on the resale market... it could be that the whole world is biased, but that seems pretty unlikely. More logical to conclude that Toyota and Honda earned their good reputations the hard way and are reaping the benefits now. A few anecdotes of badly made Japanese cars doesn't change that.

Detroit's narrowed the gap in quality lately, but they have too many decades of neglect to overcome, and people's perceptions aren't going to change overnight.

Even though Japanese and European cars have kept getting more popular, the U.S. economy has had a better combination of economic growth and low unemployment. It may be because as a whole, we demand quality for our dollar and don't let bad money drive out good. Most of our industries compete very well this way. Our carmakers are coming around to the idea, slowly.

[xzins]

I was driving all over today in the old Sonoma. Great engine. Great suspension and frame. Gotta fix the body a bit, but I use it for everything from firewood to furniture to mulch.

[brainstem223]

I wouldnt have a puke looking thing like that in the cememtary parked next to my grave!

[gogogodzilla]

Bah! The Caterham 7 is the car for me.

0-60 in 3.1 seconds.

[gogogodzilla]

Volkswagen...

What does that acronym stand for?

[Tailback]

From what I know of the American automotive industry there are very serious problems they can't seem to unlearn.

That's because most of the engineers, designers, and senior executives have been there forever and won't be leaving voluntarily. Look at Dodge since Daimler took over, great designs, selling well, a fresh image. GM needs a serious cleaning out of the top people and they need a completely fresh approach. My brand new Toyota Tacoma double cab TRD Sport is being delivered to my doorstep Friday by the internet sales manager from Broadway Toyota of Portland.

[When do we get liberated?]

Thats a shame, you could have had a Silverado.

[Tailback]

Volkswagen... What does that acronym stand for?

What does Volksagen mean? Peoples car. Adolf Hitler and Dr. Ferdinand Porsche teamed up and designed what we call the beetle. What's your point?

[Tailback]

Thats a shame, you could have had a Silverado.

Why would I want a Silverado? I need good gas mileage so the Tacoma V6 is perfect. The Tacoma has a much higher resale value so in 10 years I'll have a lot more in trade in value. Toyota has a much higher reliability rating than Chevy. (the last Chevy I had was a complete piece of junk) If I was looking to tow something I'd get a Dodge w/cummins diesel.

[gogogodzilla]

The original post had acronyms made up for various automakers... like these:

So I was wondering what V.O.L.K.S.W.A.G.E.N. would stand for in the same light.

No
Intelligent
Service
Station
Accepts
Nissans

Cracked
Head
Every
Valve
Rattles
Oil
Leaks
Every
Time

Something
An
A$$hat would
Buy

Poor
Old
Numbnut
Thinks
It's
A
Cadillac

[Tailback]

RE #171

Ah, I didn't understand your question, sorry.

[VeniVidiVici]

Toyota does build reliable, completely boring and uninspiring cars.

Sometimes you can even take a corner without the car wallowing all over the place - as long as you're going under 20mph.

Soccer moms give them a two-thumbs up!!

[When do we get liberated?]

You are incorrect in the resale value department. I appraise trades at an independent used car dealership every day. Check the mileage stats on your truck. a truck or SUV gets crappy mileage because it pushes alot of air. Not for the motor size. When Toyota compares mileage to other companies they stipulate a 4.10 axle in the Chevy and all Toyota Tacomas come with a 3.92 rear axle. A Silverado with a V-8 and a 3.08 axle will do better than the 4.10 equipped model and still hav more cojones that the Toy Motor
Steve
(Former Toyota salesman)