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Old 15-10-2007, 09:52 PM   #1
csv8
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Exclamation BUICK Quality TIED With LEXUS !!!!

The last few years have been rough ones for Detroit automakers, as they have seen their market share erode in the face of competition from their Asian and European rivals. Some of the reason is a more fragmented auto industry, with more and more models coming down the pipeline every year, offering shoppers a much larger set of options. But another part of the problem has been a perception among car buyers -- whether accurate or not -- that the U.S. automakers are lagging when it comes to quality and dependability. Ultimately, would-be domestic buyers look at rival import vehicles instead.


Top Five Most Dependable Brands*
1. Buick
2. Lexus
3. Cadillac
4. Mercury
5. Honda

Based on J.D. Power & Associates 2007 Vehicle Dependability Study, problems per 100 vehicles

In that context, Detroit carmakers should be thrilled about the results of the 2007 Vehicle Dependability Study conducted by J.D. Power and Associates. For the first time in 12 years, a brand -- an American brand, no less -- tied with Lexus for the highest ranking in long-term dependability.

That brand is Buick, which obviously augers well for General Motors and its other nameplates. But, just as significant for the domestic auto industry is the fact that three of the five top spots are American brands. Following top-ranked Buick and Lexus were, in order, Cadillac, Honda and Mercury.

The study was based on responses from more than 53,000 original owners of 2004 model-year vehicles, and was conducted from January through April of this year. It measured the number of problems reported by these owners. Lexus and Buick each posted a "top score" of 145 problems per 100 vehicles.

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Old 15-10-2007, 10:22 PM   #2
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Ford owned Mercury at no 4. Seems like both GM and Ford are lifting their game.
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Old 15-10-2007, 11:01 PM   #3
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Rigged perhaps? unless american cars have come a mega long way since i was last out there in 2004, thats total crap. Our hire cars, were a pontiac grand prix, and a Buick LeSabre, and they were both rubbish, the pontiac's glovebox fell out after the 3rd day, and the buick's door trims were about ready to fall off.
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Old 15-10-2007, 11:50 PM   #4
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And rental cars are a great gauge of quality :rolleyes:
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Old 15-10-2007, 11:53 PM   #5
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The Grand prix was less than 6 months old when we got it. And the LeSabre was about 9 months old. If they are rooted after that time period, there not exactly well built.
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Old 16-10-2007, 12:02 AM   #6
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I've heard some very nasty things about the build quality of american cars. Makes our local cars seem like 'insert well build car name here'.
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Old 16-10-2007, 12:08 AM   #7
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I work with rental cars and 6 months is a long time :


Good comparison of Ford quality vs Toyota

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWjTbiYo3x0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRfE_XAk2mE
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Old 16-10-2007, 12:49 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by XR6 Martin
I work with rental cars and 6 months is a long time :


Good comparison of Ford quality vs Toyota

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWjTbiYo3x0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRfE_XAk2mE
Toyota Tundra is an american built truck, not a real good gauge of the rest of Toyota's fleet sorta comparing a US vehicle with another US vehicle.

Not to mention that the Lexus cars have topped the J&D Power surveys for 12 years straight.

http://www.jdpower.com/corporate/new...spx?ID=2006133
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Old 16-10-2007, 12:15 PM   #9
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That Tundra is a softy. Whoever engineered it should be shot. The flex was plainly visible as soon as the support was pulled away, let alone when the 275 pound load was released.
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Old 16-10-2007, 04:23 PM   #10
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[QUOTE=Dave_au]

Not to mention that the Lexus cars have topped the J&D Power surveys for 12 years straight.

After buying the wife a little IS200 to run around in i have to agree its a great car . Steers brakes and handles well , needs some more poke , but will do her fine .
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Old 16-10-2007, 04:55 PM   #11
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Americans build there cars to last 5-10 years. No american car has good build quality. Just ask Jeremy from Top Gear hahaha
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Old 16-10-2007, 07:30 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Josh_XC
Americans build there cars to last 5-10 years.
That's what I was thinking. How can you do an accurate survey when 2 years is a long time to keep a car in the USA? Do they just go "Well my car has leather and woodgrain and a sunroof and plastic left right and centre. The quality is very impressive!"
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Old 16-10-2007, 10:57 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Josh_XC
Americans build there cars to last 5-10 years. No american car has good build quality. Just ask Jeremy from Top Gear hahaha
Their are plenty of old American cars still going strong. A Englishman ( Jeremy ) bagging cars from other countries. I thought the English build the uglyist most unreliable cars.
I've hired many cars over there and have drovearound the whole country and Canada and have never had any problems with their cars as far as reliability or build quality as their about par with our domestic cars don't forget the camry and other makes are on their roads the only complaint I have is their power steering is lighter.
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Old 17-10-2007, 12:02 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by buickman
Their are plenty of old American cars still going strong. A Englishman ( Jeremy ) bagging cars from other countries. I thought the English build the uglyist most unreliable cars.
I've hired many cars over there and have drovearound the whole country and Canada and have never had any problems with their cars as far as reliability or build quality as their about par with our domestic cars don't forget the camry and other makes are on their roads the only complaint I have is their power steering is lighter.
The italians or russians have to build the most unreliable cars. And of course there are plently of old yank cars still going, thats from a time when they made the cars the way they were supposed to be made.
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Old 17-10-2007, 12:43 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mongoose
The italians or russians have to build the most unreliable cars.
i can attest to that, well the italian part anyway! LOL

my mates Alfa GTV (1982) has the craziest wiring i have ever seen. he cant run more than 2 electrical things at once.

so thats stereo + wipers or wipers + lights or lights + stereo lol

even his ducati motorcycles are crazy. its a joke lol
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Old 17-10-2007, 05:19 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HLC
i can attest to that, well the italian part anyway! LOL

my mates Alfa GTV (1982) has the craziest wiring i have ever seen. he cant run more than 2 electrical things at once.

so thats stereo + wipers or wipers + lights or lights + stereo lol

even his ducati motorcycles are crazy. its a joke lol
That's what I've always thought!!! What good is the "flair", "passion" and "soul" nonsense when the car won't even work properly! Maybe if they devoted more of the above to building thier cars right rather than styling it, they might end up with 1/2 a decent car for a change!
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Old 17-10-2007, 05:30 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ken2903
I've heard some very nasty things about the build quality of american cars. Makes our local cars seem like 'insert well build car name here'.
It hurts me to say this,but in a independent study conducted American Vehichles where considered to be of better quality then that
Of Australian.
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Old 17-10-2007, 07:56 PM   #18
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Toyota, reliable?
GM US stuff, reliable?
Honda, reliable?

Oh right, one of those US surveys that has no bearing on real life...
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Old 17-10-2007, 08:00 PM   #19
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Good to see Ford and GM improving.

As for Italian cars, yes they went through a bad patch in the 70 and 80's.
Seem to be ok now.
As sales show.
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Old 17-10-2007, 08:06 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mongoose
The italians or russians have to build the most unreliable cars. And of course there are plently of old yank cars still going, thats from a time when they made the cars the way they were supposed to be made.
Russian cars, unreliable? What alternate dimension do you come from?

They may suck as driver's cars, be ugly, have no saftey features... or features at all... but they're indestructable.
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