POLL: Are you done with domestic brands or will you give them a second chance?

I hear ya!
One of the two reasons I don't currently own anything newer than 20 years old, the other reason being that they are too expensive for me to afford right now. I hate all of the computerized crap. I have three vehicles of my own, a 91 4runner, a 94 4runner, and a 96 Tacoma. I love that I can pop the hood and see everything right in front of me. No crazy computer crap, and there aren't plastic covers on everything.

 

If you want to REALLY feel like a man, you don't chop down a tree, you CHEW down a tree! NOM NOM NOM!

 

I'm really diggin' my '16, but to reiterate. .... ya can't work on it, and the options, drive by wire off road, hell, where am I going to be when there's a tech glitch that needs to be interfaced with a million dollar analytics machine?
My defense to buying this truck is its a pillow of a toy, fun to drive, frankly I DON'T want to work on it, and it will see me through the rest of my years.

I still get to tinker with my '68 TLC which I've owned for 46 years.
All is satisfactory.

 

My fiance has a 2007 Chevy Cobalt, and between 75k and 100k miles, it's had front struts, rear shocks, inner and outer tie rods, lower control arms (twice), LF wheel bearing and CV axle, transmission cooler lines, rear o2 sensor, and a clockspring to correct an intermittent airbag light. Fuck that car. It still needs a steering shaft to correct a rattle/vibration.

Meanwhile I was bombing around in a 1998 Camry with 310k miles on it, had zero interior rattles, everything worked on it properly, and was smooth/quiet as glass.

My friends who turn wrenches at GM have shown me pictures of some vehicles that came in that are an awful turn off. I've worked at a Ford dealership, and aside from a Mustang, I'd never own one. And Dodge is Dodge so that rules that out. I've worked at Honda too, and I've seen problems over there, as well as at Toyota. With my personal experiences, I think I'll keep buying Toyota until they do me wrong, if they do me wrong.

 

Mmm! That'll help with digestion!

 

All vehicles are like that now, and they aren't as complicated as people make them out to be.

 

Yes, I KNOW this is comparing Apples to Oranges, but, anyone else remember when you could open the hood, and see THIS??




Or This???

 

I HATE COBALTS
THEY SHOULD DIE
My dad has an 07 Cobalt, with the 2.2l, named the Buzz Bomb. (It's got a fart can on it, so you can hear it before you see it.)
It's been through every front end part at least once, some things (such as tie rods) up to three times. Barely has 100k on it, and also been through 4 clutches and a gear box rebuild. Admittedly though, the clutches last longer now, because it's Dad driving instead of my sister- she can't drive. The clip on the clutch line likes to pop off because the channel it sits in is too shallow. We also have the airbag light issue. Replaced the seat, and that took care of it (sensor is in seat) but now it's back. That car is just about the biggest turd I've ever had the misfortune to drive.
Edit: Oh, we also had the bad ignition issue. Lucky that we did not die.

 

Sometimes progress is good.

My 2.7 is very similar in output to the 5.0 4 barrel my 1984 camaro had. Both are 4spd auto.

But agreed not being able to work on them is a bitch

 

Hey Skrain Love that A model 4 shot here the one I'm working on now
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OH and I forgot to add, a timing chain tensioner on ours. We can't wait to get rid of it, and will be looking to replace it with either a Highlander or Lexus RX350 when the time is right, and depending upon which dealership I'm working at.

 

Never say never

 

I'd agree with this, because as a teenager, I was a die hard bowtie guy and owned several different 80's square chevy trucks and loved em. I scoffed at imports. Then I got a job working on imports and was impressed, then bought one, and then another, and then another, and haven't looked back.

 

I recently ordered a MT DCSB TRD OR after a few months of research. In my younger days I was in the narrow minded militant buy American camp. I thought that the sun rose and set on the Chevrolet Bow Tie. Back in the early 2000's I found myself in the need for a commuter car as I was driving 120 miles per day to work. My in-laws offered me their 91 CRX for a good price so I reluctantly bought it. I picked it up with 120k miles on it and proceeded to run it up to 250K miles with nothing more than a clutch change (did it myself in about 6 hours it was that easy). Every domestic vehicle I had previously bought new cost me more in repairs than that little Honda did in the total ownership costs included buying it in the first place. Ever since then I told myself I would never buy another new or late model domestic. I still have and love my '93 K3500 that my Dad drove new off the lot and use it to pull my car hauler but my current DD is an Acura RSX that with 127k miles is tighter than most new vehicles I have driven. I likely will buy another domestic vehicle in the future but it will be a toy from the '20s to the '60s. I will never again buy another late model domestic. I have been burnt by blown head gaskets, scattered transmissions, and electrical gremlins too many times. I understand that the quality is better now but it will take a generation or two to get back any trust or to pry hard earned money from me. I know all vehicles have issues, that is part of ownership, but my friends, family, and myself have had far fewer repairs on Japanese vehicles.
My Dad was the same way, but he just bought a 2016 6-speed Subaru Forester to replace his Fiat/Jeep SUV.
My son already prays at the Temple of VTEC (and asks me daily for the Acura).

 

Hmm, I wonder what the 5.9 Dakota is going for

I Sold my 91 4runner (22re 5speed 4x4) a few years ago, 310,000 miles. Loved that truck.

 

You can go to Edmunds.com, click on the appraise a used car section, and work your way through to find out. it's really easy.

 

I have some really expensive dental work sooo..........oh shit here I go again.

 

Fortunately, we have not had that issue. The engine itself seems to be fine, I will give it that. Zero oil leaked or burned. That's probably the only good thing I can say about that car.

 

And it's probably still on the road!
Both of mine have the 3.0, aka, the Head Gasket Engine. Not that I mind. I've only known one person (in real life) to have a HG blow on one of these, and the truck had like 350k on it.

 

Yup nothing leaked or burned here. You likely have a timing chain tensioner problem... On a cold start, do you have a loud rattling noise that goes away after 2-3 seconds?

The 2.2 ecotec motor is well known for having timing chain issues... they came out with a revised tensioner for the later model cobalts, like 09/10 that won't allow oil pressure to bleed off so easily causing slack in the chain on cold start up. One too many cold start ups and your chain can jump time, break, or your tensioner/guides can fall apart inside the timing cover.