Well, I bought a safe (5-star crash test rating), economical (32 mpg highway) Ford sedan almost 9 years ago for under $20k, about $3000 less than a comparably equipped Toyota or Honda would have cost. Still no mechanical problems (though I get a slight feeling the days on the mass airflow sensor ($45) are numbered). Since then, Honda's prices have jumped, Toyota has stayed steady, and the new Ford replacing mine has a lower sticker price than mine had 8 years ago.
Hey Eraser,
I've been thinking of getting a Ford Expedition, I'm NO FAN of fords, i actually hate them. The only reason i've been thinking of getting one is because the resale value sinks like a rock, the Expedition has been out for a while and so by now they have got to have the bugs worked out.
If i get a used late model onei can get it dirt cheap and drive the hell out of it like i do my current car, a salvaged subaru which i've put close to 75,000 miles on it with NO Problems,
i believe in getting my moneys worth out of my car. My current car has been driven very hard and is jap it is foreign after all and maybe is why it's held out, i've been wanting for it to die and thats why i've driven it so hard, (try over 100mph high speed mountain driving, fast take offs, and just pound on that gas pedal) So i don't care if the price of gas is over 3.00 gallon)
I'm not trying to brag but the big 3 should learn a lesson from the japs, a car that's got over 70,000 on it and i still haven't changed the brakepads (i've got all the maintenance reciepts).
This is the only thing that has kept me from getting a newer american car, ( i do own a american truck i never drive, so i'm not bashing american).
I am really leaning to a Ford Expedition though, reasons being: Safety-Big car-, comfort. The jap car is just too small and uncomfortable, and since i'm getting old, i want something where i can relax and have an automatic car.
I hope the expedition works out when i get one, the other car i'm considering is the Chevy Tahoe.