hotshot

My neighbors have a 97 Subaru Forrester that has over 350,000 miles on it without any issues. My dad had a Saturn Relay that broke down 3 times in 53,000 miles. Maybe it's just us but we've had nothing but bad luck with American cars.

I'm driving an 06 Subaru STI with about 32,000 miles on it, and even with all the abuse I've managed to put it through, it runs like I bought it yesterday.

Cubdriver

It's definitely hit-and-miss with American built cars and trucks. The 1996 Ford Ranger I had prior to my troubleprone Buick sedan went some 150,000 miles before I sold it, and it never gave any trouble. I think it needed a $15 electrical sensor at one point to keep the check-engine light off. It was a great little truck in every way. I would buy another one in a heartbeat, except I think they discontinued the model or they are going to.

JayDee

Keep the Oil changed, on schedule!!! Do basic maintenance, and if it is anything serious, take it to a good garage.

My family has had Chevies, for as long as I can remember. WE have one, that is an 88, Big Orange and mean... But been running hard and strong. The odometer is way on up there... My dads last truck had over 180k on it, sold it to a family friend, and it is still running fine. same with my Mom's 98 blazer... Was used as the primary family car since it was bought new, 200k + when it was traded in, and still running like a champ...

Moral of the story. Take care of it, and treat it right, it will take care of you.

I have a mazda pickup, and it has 135k on it, and guess what still moving on...

FlyingPirate

I have a 2007 honda civic. AWESOME car!

SpyGlass

Great hearing all of your responses. Since I've wanted something new in the driveway for about a year, I found this post interesting. Almost pulled the "new car" trigger in July with the gas situation. Two things have always stopped me; having a car payment, and the long loving relationship for my current ride that leaves my girlfriend jealous (yeah I get attached to inanimate objects). While it would be nice to have something nice and shiny, I have a 96 GMC truck which is still going strong with 189,000 miles on it. It's never left me stranded, cheap to fix and maintain, the only thing I can complain about is its thirst at the pump (which is way cheaper considering new car premiums and payments). I've owned foriegn cars too, while the internal mechanics of both of the imports were always good, when they visited the shop it was always for some small electrical problem that left it dead on the road, and impossible for me to diagnose. My truck is simple and easy. Anyways, I would buy American once I could bring myself around to visiting a dealership in the future ...

BTW, anyone ever notice how the imports usually have warped rotors every 60k miles or so, always bothered me

Pilotpip

My jeep has 240,000 on it, doing just fine. My dad's ford truck was just traded in with just under 300,000.

I never had trouble getting parts for an AMC CJ-5. Parts availability doesn't really drop if the model was made in large numbers. Aftermarket manufacturers know there's a demand for them.

In recent years there's been a big improvement in reliability from the big three. I wouldn't be afraid to buy a new car and I have every intention of buying a new truck a few months after I get recalled.

Cubdriver

I could see buying American this time and it does appear the quality has come up a bit recently, mostly at Ford but all the manufacturers have reliable models if you know what to choose and do your homework on repair history. But so far I have not seen any deep discounts. You would think with the impending bankruptcies they would offer some, but I haven't seen any. I would want to see something I like at about $500 over invoice with 0% financing for 48 months. Deep discount and financing... yes, but I thought they were going out of business. We were supposed to be taking a chance on them not existing in another year. This should translate into deep discounts.

ryan1234

Had an '87 BMW 325e with 340,000 miles on it when I let her go... only thing I replaced was a radiator. Original everything... although the control arm bearings started wearing down....

American cars seem to have defects designed into them.... parts made to last for the warranty and that's it. American trucks seem to be a different beast...well made...however overall American has gone up...

talk about bad... how about English cars... wow... they're bad! Maybe not an old LR Defender.. but everything else

Mitragorz

My 2005 Chevy Silverado just turned 54,000, and runs and looks as good as it did the day I drove it off the lot with 22 miles.

My 1993 Ford Bronco had 115,000 before I hit a tree
My second 1993 Bronco Had 105,000 when I sold it.
My father's 1999 Ford F-350 Super Duty had 235,000 when he sold it for $12,000

So I don't know what you're talking about

hotshot

Those are all trucks/SUVs that are designed a bit tougher. I probably should have said I won't buy any American cars until they're more reliable. Of the three GM cars my family has owned, none lasted past 60,000 miles with the recommended maintenence, oil changes, etc.