2007 Ford Edge (awesome CUV)

[aloofman]

Funny that Consumer Reports ( http://www.cnn.com/2006/AUTOS/carreviews/03/01/cr_reliability/index.html ) says something a bit different in their rankings. All I know is that my father had a Jeep Wrangler and Dodge Dakota and they were in shop constantly. From leakages to freaking transaxle breakage on a regular pavement road going at regular city limit speed. And most of my family and friends drives Japanese vehicles from Toyota to Honda to Mitsubishi and no major problems except for usual oil changes and wear and tear parts such as timing belts or alternators.

Keep in mind that those JD rankings are based on initial quality surveys, so it's a measure of how many cars have issues in the first few months, NOT how well they hold up over the long term.

 

[blitzkrieg79]

Keep in mind that those JD rankings are based on initial quality surveys, so it's a measure of how many cars have issues in the first few months, NOT how well they hold up over the long term.

But that is the main reason why American cars are known for their unreliability. Usually in the first year everything goes smooth, but once you hit the magic 50-60K miles number everything starts to fall apart big time. American cars are not durable (I would guess that is because of poor/cheap build materials). Besides, what is the definition of initial quality and long term? Quality is quality, when I buy a car I want at least 4 years out of it without any major problems. Besides, if there is a problem at the beginning the warranty will cover it anyway. Most Japanese manufacturers offer 5-6 year warranties, most American companies offer 3 years. And as we know, car repairs especially in US can get very expensive.

 

[aloofman]

But that is the main reason why American cars are known for their unreliability. Usually in the first year everything goes smooth, but once you hit the magic 50-60K miles number everything starts to fall apart big time. American cars are not durable (I would guess that is because of poor/cheap build materials). Besides, what is the definition of initial quality and long term? Quality is quality, when I buy a car I want at least 4 years out of it without any major problems. Besides, if there is a problem at the beginning the warranty will cover it anyway. Most Japanese manufacturers offer 5-6 year warranties, most American companies offer 3 years. And as we know, car repairs especially in US can get very expensive.

That was my point, that American makes ranking high on initial quality is not particularly meaningful when it comes to reliability. Long-term quality is a much better indicator. Short-term surveys can be skewed by new car launches that encounter problems, which is common among all makers.

I disagree about Japanese makers offering longer warranties. Except for Hyundai (recently), the Japanese makers haven't offered longer warranties than American makers because they don't have to. Long factory warranties are mostly a marketing gimmick.

 

[cyberddot]

mileage....

Who gives a rats azz about another funking CUV that gets crappy mpg? I can't believe I've been driving a vehicle that gets high 52mpg+ on the average, it has LOTS of space, but the American public keeps sniffing around cool vehicles as if mileage doesn't make THAT big a difference.
Hell...the car that I'm driving got a 10hp bump which dropped the mileage the year after I bought mine. 90hp just wasn't enough...passing over the Oregon cascades at 100mph on a steep incline just isn't enough for some people, especially if you have to drive a station wagon to save on fuel. Can't wait for US manufacturers to catch up.

Yea! for alternative fuels without a dime spent on modifications!

​

 

[KC9AIC]

I'm not sure what to say, considering that I'm for reducing conspicuous consumption, live in Japan, and love tiny vehicles, like the Suzuki Wagon R (which leaves me a lot of headroom, though I'm 188cm/6'2" tall).

I also live very close to a Ford dealership in ???? and love Ford vehicles.

But to stay on topic, I like the looks of the Ford Edge, though I think it's probably overpowered, as few people really need 265 horsepower.

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

But to stay on topic, I like the looks of the Ford Edge, though I think it's probably overpowered, as few people really need 265 horsepower.

I agree, but specs sell. Never mind that my Subaru Baja standard 4 banger has plenty of power to keep up, even here in the DC area, many friends said that I should have waited for the Turbo Baja. Some said the same thing about my '96 Camery 2dr with the standard 4.

 

[Keebler]

still a ford though

you get what you buy...still a ford.....