are american cars really unrealiable?

Question

i want a muscle car...but is it really woth it buying one

Answer 1

I think almost every car out there right now is a high quality vehicle. I have owned American, Japanese and British cars. Currently I have a 2006 Cadillac CTS. The reason I bought this car is price. With the current incentives that are on American cars they are definitely worth a look. I don't keep my cars long, so I lease, and I couldn't care less if a car needs repairs at 100,000 or 150,000. If you take care of your car and do the recommended maintenance, you'll have good luck no matter what it is. If something breaks, that is why they come with warranties. Now when you say American muscle you have to mean either a Mustang, GTO, or Corvette. If you're looking at used you can include Trans Am and Camaro. From personal experience, the Mustang GT, Corvette, and Mustang Cobra's are worth every penny, and never left me stranded. When you look at American muscle its more an emotional purchase than fiscal, if that was the case, you wouldn't entertain a V-8 vehcile that carries 2-4 people.

Answer 2

A new one or the genuine article? (60's - early '70's). All modern American built cars are very reliable, despite what many dorks will try to tell you. The American car industry hit rock bottom and started to dig in the mid-70's when practically everything they produced rusted, gagged, sputtered, broke and leaked. But Americans tend to vote with their wallets rather than their heart so it forced the industry to shape-up, (something the execs never thought they would do for some reason). Now there isn't a real dog in the entire big three lineup though most body designs are bland and unspired. The older muscle cars of the sixties were fast, beautiful and had a genuine soul that has seldom been recreated since. The flip side is the cars were crude, under engineered, downright fatal in a crash and consumed fuel like you owned a personal refinery in your backyard. All car people love the muscle cars of America but owning one can be a test of faith. Meaning you will probably lose yours after about six months. People have short memories -- like radiator boilovers, (hardly ever happens now but we all carried spare water in our trunks then), flooded engines (electronic fuel injection cured this problem), boat-like handling and brakes that can best be described as theoretical, (now all cars have disc brakes, rack & pinion steering, etc). The closest you can come to the muscle car experience today is the new Shelby Mustang but the new Camaro and Dodge Challengers are due to start production any time now. If you are truly a car nut then you owe it to yourself to own a muscle car at least once in your lifetime.

Answer 3

Since you ask specifically for reliability of pre-owned cars, may i refer you to the most recent J.D. Power & assoc. study, rather than each individual "Yamster" opinion ?
The most recentl study was of 2003 vehicles that had been on the road for 3 years. This study lists 37 manufacturers in order of the least problems to the most problems .
I'll list in their order
1 Lexus
2 mercury
3 buick
4 cadillac
5 toyota
6 acura
7 honda
8 jaguar
9 bmw
10 infinity
11 lincoln
12 ford
13 oldsmobile
<<<<<<<<< 14 chrysler
15pontiac
16 subaru
17 gmc
18 mercedes-benz
19 chevrolet
20 nissan
21 mazda
22 porsche
23 hyandai
24 dodge
25 mitsubishi
26 jeep
27 volvo
28 audi
29 mini
30 isuzu
31 saturn
32 volkswagon
33 hummer
>>>>>>>>>>>>not reliable
34 kia
35 suzuki
36 saab
37 land rover

So as you can see you can get a reliable pre-owned American car as well as an import... and some of the most undependable vehicles fall into 'popular' opinion.


just a suggestion , but based on facts rather than 'popular opinion'

Answer 4

In the 70's, yes they weren't much - more than a couple of tones of scrap crap.

Today, the big three utilize extensive engineering for durability and quality. Some imports have good quality & durability standards but they do not support the North American manufacturing infrastructure.

If you can, talk to someone involved in automotive parts manufacturing. You will be pleasantly surprised to learn about the extensive engineering and quality control that goes into a car. It's just too bad their advertising doesn't reflect that!

PS: Check out the new 206 Dodge Charger R/T! (see the link below).

Answer 5

yes, they are the best as far as I am concerned. i had a Chevy that lasted 267,000 miles with very few problems or repairs. I had a pontiac firebird that I loved and never had in the shop ( it was stolen ) and now I drive a mustang convertible that is very dependable, I have not ever had a problem with it and I love it and drive alot. I commute 45 minutes to work and I live in ;the country so I drive to go anywhere. I will only buy American.

I always have a pickup truck and a muscle car, love them both

Answer 6

I have a 91 Ford Ghia that has stand for the worst and I mean worst! Up to this date it keeps running as if there nothing happen. For me that's a muscle car not those fancy hell-engine-never-drive-pass-the-driveway things.

Answer 7

Every car with a computer is unreliable and don't hold value. Buy an old car and keep the body looking good. drive it till the motor falls out and buy another motor you will save thousands of dollars in payments and finance charges of replacing vehicles every 3 or 4 years. Like putting money in the bank

Answer 8

relies upon on what style of motor vehicle or truck you're searching for. maximum Toyota's and Honda's offered contained in the US are made contained in the US, so throw the business subject matters (problem about no longer assisting American businesses) out the window. My own determination is a overseas sedan (Accord, Corolla, Spectra, etc.) for the stunning gas mileage, engine sturdiness, and time-honored resale fee is extra efficient than maximum relatives contributors fashions. if you're searching for a truck then do a range of of study into different fashions and p.c.. one you want. you'll maximum in all danger opt for a ford or Chevy (they seem the most common selections). keep in ideas opt for something you want you'll force it daily for numerous years yet to come back, so it ought to in superb condition what you opt for in a motor vehicle maximum of all.

Answer 9

I don't think American cars are unreliable. My mom has a Ford tAURUS and it seems fine. OTher than the breaks. FOrd makes bad breaks. You have to change the pads alot. It gets fair gas mileage though.

Answer 10

nope, most cars nowadays are pretty reliable. back in the nader days, yes it was. they built it to break down at a certain point. but to do that now would be really stupid. the right question is which manufacturer has most reliable cars. thats pretty obvious in any survey.get your mustang, charger, gto..they're all backed with 36k mile warranty at least.