[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Ford vs Chevy vs Chrysler (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 5/1/2008 2:37:28 PM EDT
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I haven't seen one of those topics for a while, so here it is. I've been driving Ford models for last decade or so, and recently I decided to look into some other American makes. Nothing against European or Asian cars, I'm a huge fan of BMW and Porsche, but I just like the American makes better for everyday use. Any thoughts to motivate me on other makes or to stay with Ford is appreciated. |
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What kind of vehicle are you looking for? Car? truck? sports car? Right now Pontiac has two great vehicles out that a lot of people don't consider-- the Solstice GXP, and the G8 GT. If you're looking for a roadster, check out the Solstice, and if you want a 4 door sedan, definitely give the G8 a hard look. Both are outstanding vehicles, ESPECIALLY for the price. Chevy trucks are great. I regret not shopping Chevy before buying my F-150. The Malibu is a great family car, though not a performance machine by any stretch. |
My 05 stang kicks ass.  The 1968 F100 I had before it was a good 'ol truck. The 1965 Galaxie 500 I had before that was REALLY cool. Got me around without any fuss. My folks have a 96 Explorer that's problematic (Aren't they all?), but has a new motor, tranny and transfer case now. It's good to go.  My brother has a 96 Contour that's dead nuts reliable and trouble free (180,000+). 4 out of 5 ain't bad.  To be honest, I tend to have really good luck with everything I buy. I just sold a 2000 Dodge Neon with 186,000 miles on the clock, that never had a major problem. The WORST problem it ever had was a leaking CV shaft seal that cost me $110 in parts and labor to fix. That's it. I took piss poor care of that thing, too. I had a 1985 Toyota van that died after the rear end decided it didn't want to hold oil anymore...at 350,000+ miles. No shit. If the body didn't look like shit, and the rear end wasn't so expensive, I might have kept it going. Buy what you want, because in my opinion, they're all pretty nice. For me, it comes down to parts availability and price, ease of maintenance and diagnostic info, and community/enthusiast support (it's easier to chase down a weird problem on a Jeep than it is a Kia). |
you see, that argument is rife with bullshit and fail, because all the design, engineering, R&D, testing, development, and initial production-- you know, the high dollar, high investment type work-- is all done here, and then the low skill, low intensity monkey skill manufacturing stuff is then sent to another country (mexico, or canada) to be done. The exact opposite is true for Toyota and the other Jap automakers who have factories over here. All profits for GM vehicles (well, if/when GM ever gets back into the black) go here, while profits on Jap vehicles go back to Japan. When you buy American, you're still buying an American product, even if final assembly isn't here. |
It's a global economy, and I couldn't give two shits either way. My vehicles are "domestic", but it's not for any Rah-Rah Go America! reasons. I just like 'em, is all. |
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it depends on what and what year today's chryslers, for the most part sucks fords and chevys, well they rule w/ the trucks, but some are "better" than others (including yr and make)--example, i think that the F250/350 (w/ diesel) is tops, but the older Zs are the best 1500s--workability, durability, and longevity wise on a side note, the f-150s are a PITA to work on  i'm not a fan of the current line of either though cars...well, the several yr older fords--ALL of em suck, and most of the chevys too; the best one imo of the day were the monte carlos (the recent ones suck), cameros, and the taurus crystler still sucked today...well, the impala is good for what it offers; the new crossover ford taurus x sucks ass |
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Honestly, it really comes down to individual models. There isn't one manufacturer that doesn't have a problematic vehicle in the lineup, somewhere. Now you can say something like "Well, manufacturer A has fewer problems than manufacturer B", but so what? The good vehicle from manufacturer B is still a better choice than the bad model from A - even if it's an anomaly in the lineup. It gets even more stupid when people start making blanket domestic/foreign comparisons. It's retarded. |
True. Ive been mostly GM and Mopar all my life. I like Dodge trucks first and foremost, but I can honestly say I dont like ANY of the new trucks looks.....at all. The larger (1 ton and up)Fords are probably a little more stout for hauling and towing.....but I dont have a wrecker service  I have an 04 Ram and dont think it looks nearly as pretty as my old 96 Ram.  Im not crazy of any of the new engines either.Ive also driven alot of different rental cars in the past ten years and pretty much hated them all.  For luxury I always liked Lincolns and had 4 of them. Caddys never did it for me and Chrysler never had a luxury vehicle I wouldnt just consider a winter bomber. All the big three had impressive 60s-70s muscle but Im a die hard Mopar fan with Ford a semi-distant second.While I can appreciate a sweet Nova or Chevelle....they just dont get me all excited like a rare GTX or a Cyclone Spoiler. My (realistic) most desired find would be a mint low mile loaded 90 Ramcharger 4WD with a 360. and if $$ and gas wernt a concern Id pay a garage to put an 08 Hemi and running gear in an old mint Ramcharger and be a happy camper. |
Slight Hijack, but have you ever had the opportunity to use AutoEnginuity (OBDII PC-based diagnostics)? I know you have a Ford VMM/IDS/coffee maker at your disposal, but I thought I'd ask. |
I have not personally, but a friend of mine that runs an independent shop in town uses one and raves about it. |
I've pretty much has my mind made up that I'm going to buy one (after briefly considering Autotap), and this sort of cinches it. I've read nothing but good things about it. I've got a thread on it: www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=704723 |
Only Chevy makes a sports car.
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We should start a Jeep torx fastener support group.  Get it over with and drill it out. In time, my YJ won't have any Torx fasteners left. I had to drill almost all of them out when I replaced my windshield frame recently. They've been replaced with standard hex fasteners. |
Rear track bar. Too large plus no room for drill Just gave her a second bath in PB blaster hope this will do her.If i strip it the welder is coming out  /end hijack |
he's out at the secret moonbase stumping for Ron Paul |
Even better........lets hear your FACTS !! |
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Ill never touch a Ford product again after the problems with my Explorer and other peoples similar encounters. GM has adopted alot of Toyotas process's to damn near a T in the last few years. Cant wait to get a G8, G8 GXP, or C6 soon. Ford and Chrysler however havent adopted or have mangled Toyotas process. |
| I've bought new, a Z-28, an S-10, Jeep Cheroke el Grande, Dodge Magnum and a Dodge Ram since 1994. All were or are pleasingly reliable. I drove the S-10 virtually every day for 12 years; it never stranded me once. The whole time I owned it, the pistons sounded like they were swapping holes at idle (2.2L I4 notorious for this), but with 180,000 miles on it, it used a quart of oil about every 8000 miles. I changed the oil in it every year whether it needed it or not, using synthetic oil. |
No. I don't want to play anymore. You're mean. I'm telling. My truck is actually an International. |
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Every Ford I've driven has had shitty breaks, not sure if it's a coincidence, but other than that they arn't bad cars/trucks. I've never had a problem with any GM vehicle right now. Most of the people I encounter have never even driven or owned a GM/Ford vehicle, they just do so because of other people's bad experiences...And i've found other people's bad experiences are often caused from not doing basic maintenance on time.. As for the Toyota Toy Truck remark..It's somewhat true..After watching: Suspension, Rear Gate, Frame, and Crash Tests, the Toyota doesn't come anywhere close to Ford or Chevy. |
Thems tha breaks!  The BRAKES on my F250 SD work great
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A CORNBINDER !!!  I had a 79 scout and it was a HELL of a good truck !! |
I had to change the front pads on my '95 S-10 about every 15000 miles, however, the rotors were not turned in 180,000 miles. The '00 Jeep GC on the other hand would warp the front rotors in about 20,000 miles. They could be turned once and would last about 10,000 miles after that. I think I put four sets of front rotors on it in 6 years. |
Chrysler is notorious for shitty rotors. |
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I think ANY vehicle will treat you well so long as you take care of it well. We have 2 Chevies now and a GMC and they all are great. The Chevys are a 2005 TrailBlazer with 30K and it just got a new water pump. The other Chevy is a 2006 Silverado with 10K and no problems. The GMC is a 2004 Sierra with 80K(ish) miles and no issues. Couldn't say the same about our Ford or Chrysler stuff. But that's my opinion, worth what you paid for it, and your mileage MAY vary. |
In most cases the calipers they used where producing too much clamping pressure and cracking, warping rotors. They recalled many of them so you may wanna look into that if you own one. Free calipers can never hurt! .
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Thanks for the input, and I agree, I looked up all the options from Pontiac, but haven't driven one yet. They have learned a lot from Daimler-Benz. And I agree again that the price is right unlike the European makes. I'm actually looking for two different models, the truck or SUV for me, and the shiny little thing for the wife, we'll be driving both depending on the need. The Solstice GXP is certainly a work of beauty. I've driven a Touring 300 company car, and I have driven the Benz a lot, I didn't feel any difference. I'll be buying the new one/s by the end of the summer, until then I'm going to have fun with some test drives. |