A Mechanic friend in the UK once told my if you buying a Japanese car and your not limited by money, go for a Toyota everytime. After that in Descending order its Nissan, Mitsubishi then Mazda. This has always held true for me but its different in the US where bigger engines are fitted.
Top of the range models may well be different
Ford owns Mazda...I lost faith in that brand with that factoid.
Chrysler Owned Mitsubishi until last month...
I believe, but am not positive, but I think GM has been engaged in a joint venture with Toyota for some time now...but don't quote me on that.
In the main stream brands there are few that would be called bad - bad models may be, but most brands these days are well sorted. It comes down to budget, what you want and the kind of support you have for the vehicle in your area.
In the US, Honda has quite a standing with the "Accura" brand. As with most Hondas they are well designed and well engineered with good quality construction and finish. But against their competition, Honda has tended to provided less comfortable cabins unless you go way up in the model range.
Mazda should not be underestimated. Their 3 series (especially with the 2.3ltr engine) and their 6 series (especially the trubo sports model) are very good machines can be quite engaging at the sports end of their model range. I do not share NR's concerns with the Ford involvement. Ford have been careful to keep the strengths of each brand in place, and have attempted to draw on these more globally (with varying success). For example, Jags improved dramatically in terms of reliability after the Ford take over. Volvo, another Ford brand, is also producing more engaging vehicles now that Ford liberated it from its Conservative mid life crisis.
Toyotas are generally well constructed and assembled with good finish levels for the money. They are renown world wide for being boring as hell but a good, capable and reliable cars. If you want something special in a Toyota go for the Lexus brand (dollars permitting), but only if you want a car that virtually drives itself!
Nissan's are generally well engineered and do produce some well regarded vehicles at the performance end of the market. But they do not match Toyota for build quality, reliability and finish and they seem to show their age in terms for wear more readily than Toyota.
Mitsubishi... not my favorite unless you are talking very specific models. Build quality does not seem to be up to Toyota's standard and they do seem to age quicker than Toyotas.
Joined: 29 Apr 2005 Posts: 2728 Location: southern utah, usa
Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 3:12 pm Post subject:
. wrote:
In the main stream brands there are few that would be called bad - bad models may be, but most brands these days are well sorted. It comes down to budget, what you want and the kind of support you have for the vehicle in your area.
In the US, Honda has quite a standing with the "Accura" brand. As with most Hondas they are well designed and well engineered with good quality construction and finish. But against their competition, Honda has tended to provided less comfortable cabins unless you go way up in the model range.
Mazda should not be underestimated. Their 3 series (especially with the 2.3ltr engine) and their 6 series (especially the trubo sports model) are very good machines can be quite engaging at the sports end of their model range. I do not share NR's concerns with the Ford involvement. Ford have been careful to keep the strengths of each brand in place, and have attempted to draw on these more globally (with varying success). For example, Jags improved dramatically in terms of reliability after the Ford take over. Volvo, another Ford brand, is also producing more engaging vehicles now that Ford liberated it from its Conservative mid life crisis.
Toyotas are generally well constructed and assembled with good finish levels for the money. They are renown world wide for being boring as hell but a good, capable and reliable cars. If you want something special in a Toyota go for the Lexus brand (dollars permitting), but only if you want a car that virtually drives itself!
Nissan's are generally well engineered and do produce some well regarded vehicles at the performance end of the market. But they do not match Toyota for build quality, reliability and finish and they seem to show their age in terms for wear more readily than Toyota.
Mitsubishi... not my favorite unless you are talking very specific models. Build quality does not seem to be up to Toyota's standard and they do seem to age quicker than Toyotas.
And then there is Subaru, which is in a quality class all by itself (I have yet to meet a Subaru owner that wouldn't buy another one, when and if their present one goes belly up). Suzuki SUVs are nice too.
And then there is Subaru, which is in a quality class all by itself (I have yet to meet a Subaru owner that wouldn't buy another one, when and if their present one goes belly up).
Yes, you are dead right, Subaru produce very good vehicles.
They are one of those oddities in the Japanese car industry. They didn't follow the bland crowd, choosing to "evolve" within their own niche. They are very well regarded for reliability, engineering, appointment levels and the quality of construction. That so many old models survive as unkillable transport speaks for itself. They had a poor name for performance until the WRX came along. Now even the Liberty and Outback (with V6) and later model Forresters (with the larger engine or the Turbo GT) give not cause for complaint. The only quibble I've ever had with them is cabin comfort on long trips, but that can be a subjective thing.
For some reason they don't seem to have a following in North America and have limited backup there. In Australia its not done to say a bad word about the manqué where they have been imported since the 60s. And in Europe I believe they are recognised as a quality Japanese maker that actually has "character".
Hi! Well I dont think a nissan or a toyota is reliable 2 b quite honest with u I think you should go 4 a Vauxhall car. I know what your thinkin oh no but trust me a Zafira is a rite choice but the bigger the better i always say u mite not have much members in your family but when it comes down 2 parties n stuff like that you'll b happy u bought it in the first place.
I'd go for the toyota, have owned three, but be aware that the dealers. at least in the UK, are nowhere near as good as they were a decade ago. The same can also be said of honda dealers.
Joined: 29 Apr 2005 Posts: 2728 Location: southern utah, usa
Posted: Wed May 14, 2008 3:57 pm Post subject:
If I was out to buy a new car, at the moment, given the limited selection of fuel-efficient models that are available here in the US, it would be down to a choice of 2:
The Kia Rio, if I had limited funds (which I do, unfortunately); or
The Mini Cooper, which is in a class all by itself.
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