My grandfather was a Ford mechanic for 42 years; started back in the early 1930’s. My family drove all Ford cars and trucks up until the folks bought an Olds in ‘78. We even owned a Pinto Runabout and a PInto Wagon, at one time.
I’ve only had two cars that aren’t Ford models: a Saturn L1 Sedan, and my current ride, a Chevy Lumina. It’s not that I’ve had anything against buying a Chevy or a Dodge, just that what I have came along at the right time for the right money.
We had a 69 Torino GT with a 2bbl 351 Windsor under the hood backed up by a C6 automatic transmission. The wheels were the same 15-inch “GT” wheels that appeared on the Mach 1 Mustangs.
I’ve pretty much had one of everything. I’ve come to the conclusion that american cars are better than people give them credit for. And they are certainly better deals, the dealerships are more willing to negotiate.
I will say one thing for honda though, their motors will outlast anything else comparable on the road. I’ve been a fan of honda since my first honda motorcycle, a 1964 honda sport. Its’ too bad the rest of the car falls apart and that parts are such a ripoff.
Chevy pickups from the eighties and nineties are outstanding. You can’t ask for a cheaper motor to maintain than a 350chevy. Fuel consumption is a different matter though. I think ford’s big old six banger that they discontinued in the early nineties was slightly better than the 350chevy, although less powerful. But they started to get rare about 1990 and ford’s pickup quality started slipping around 1980. Another wonderful six banger...the cummins 5.9L.