GM has 120 days to live, Ford 7 months.

[jeffy.dee-lux]

I own a Ford but the reliability of most models is poor except the trucks. Would I buy a Ford again, Nope, not unless it was an F-150.

that's not true anymore, look at an up to date quality survey such as Consumer Reports or JD Powers. Ford cars are well above industry average in terms of quality.

Ford currently also builds some of Americas most fuel efficient vehicles.
Ford's reputation (GM's too) lags far behind their actual product, which is really too bad.

 

[danny_w]

that's not true anymore, look at an up to date quality survey such as Consumer Reports or JD Powers. Ford cars are well above industry average in terms of quality.

Ford currently also builds some of Americas most fuel efficient vehicles.
Ford's reputation (GM's too) lags far behind their actual product, which is really too bad.

I agree that the American car manufacturers have made tremendous progress in quality lately, in some cases out performing Toyota in the last 2-3 years, but they ahve 2 major jurdles to overcome:

1) Reputation for poor quality junk that continues to haunt them, and
2) A dealer network that, for the most part, refuses to embrace modern sales concepts.

The 2nd issue to me will be even harder to overcome than the 1st. Even if I wanted a new American car I shudder at the mere thought of having to deal with a dealer network that is still stuck in the 50's. I just hate dealing with high-pressure car salesmen that want to make a guessing game out of the real price of the car. To me the difference in how car dealerships are run is the biggest difference between American and foreign makes.

EDIT: I have made it a rule to not play the game. When I first walk into the showroom I ask for the best cash price that they can give me, and tell them up front that if they are too high I will walk out. I have actually had several dealers quote the window sticker price, and I waled out and let their jaws dropping.

 

[quagmire]

I agree that the American car manufacturers have made tremendous progress in quality lately, in some cases out performing Toyota in the last 2-3 years, but they ahve 2 major jurdles to overcome:

1) Reputation for poor quality junk that continues to haunt them, and
2) A dealer network that, for the most part, refuses to embrace modern sales concepts.

The 2nd issue to me will be even harder to overcome than the 1st. Even if I wanted a new American car I shudder at the mere thought of having to deal with a dealer network that is still stuck in the 50's. I just hate dealing with high-pressure car salesmen that want to make a guessing game out of the real price of the car. To me the difference in how car dealerships are run is the biggest difference between American and foreign makes.

EDIT: I have made it a rule to not play the game. When I first walk into the showroom I ask for the best cash price that they can give me, and tell them up front that if they are too high I will walk out. I have actually had several dealers quote the window sticker price, and I waled out and let their jaws dropping.

That is why I love Saturn so much. The buying process was painless and as simple as, " Sign here please" because of no haggling.

When I buy something non-Saturn I will look for dealers that pay salary and no commission as those tend to be low pressure as well.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

I agree that the American car manufacturers have made tremendous progress in quality lately, in some cases out performing Toyota in the last 2-3 years, but they ahve 2 major jurdles to overcome:

1) Reputation for poor quality junk that continues to haunt them, and
2) A dealer network that, for the most part, refuses to embrace modern sales concepts.

The 2nd issue to me will be even harder to overcome than the 1st. Even if I wanted a new American car I shudder at the mere thought of having to deal with a dealer network that is still stuck in the 50's. I just hate dealing with high-pressure car salesmen that want to make a guessing game out of the real price of the car. To me the difference in how car dealerships are run is the biggest difference between American and foreign makes.

EDIT: I have made it a rule to not play the game. When I first walk into the showroom I ask for the best cash price that they can give me, and tell them up front that if they are too high I will walk out. I have actually had several dealers quote the window sticker price, and I waled out and let their jaws dropping.

man that is the reason I am going to miss the supplier discount I would of gotten though my father. No haggling price below what you could haggle for. It is a price set in stone by the manufacture.

But I have found it varies from dealer to dealer. I have seen some honda dealers behave like the american dealers you described. Very high pressured compared to the one 4-5 miles down the road that was much more layed back.