[eraser2005]

I still say CR can't properly distinguish the difference between the top models and average models, but this throws a wrench into many people's arguments...

[eraser2005]

Ping!

[Strategerist]

The real story is what garbage European cars are.

[dinoparty]

All I know is that I own a Toyota Camary with about 125,000 miles, and the ONLY thing I've ever had to do is replace tires and get the oil changed. Still runs like a charm. Honest.

We also own a Camrey with about 125,000, and we put about 1,000 into various "upkeep" items last year, and that's it...ever. Mechanic says the car is probably now good for another 100,000.

[sittnick]

There are a number of problems with "life-style nazi's reports" on car reliability. Those who buy more expensive or upscale cars have a different expectation of reliability than those who buy economy cars. Also, these surveys show nothing about long-term reliability.

[doodad]

Go figure. They hated the Camaro with a passion and my 96 runs right along at the track and work on Monday. Most dependable car I have ever owned short of a stripped 85 Nissan truck named Dusty that just would not die. At age 16 and 200k he blew a head gasket and I sold him to my mechanic due to a valuation of about $500 if working. It is still running.

[antiRepublicrat]

American cars are continuing to improve in reliability, however, according to Consumer Reports' surveys.

Finally our auto industry got the message. Competition is good.

[Spktyr]

Notice that Ford also had a number of models in the "LEAST reliable cars" list, too.

I'm on record as saying that the Fusion appears to be a good car and is selling well. If Ford would only can the idiot who won't trumpet the fact that it's come in ahead of Camry and Accord in both enthusiast magazine comparisons *and* CR, they would sell even more.

Of the remaining lineup: The 500 is a joke, and someone needs to put the Crown Vic out of it's misery.

[VOA]

The Ford Fusion midsized car and its Mercury Milan sibling scored
big in Consumer Reports' annual new car reliability survey, just
beating out the industry's quality standard-bearers, the Honda
Accord V6 and Toyota Camry V6.

Well, when I have a lot of friends with Fusions and Milans with
150K and no major repairs, I'll think about Ford again.

But that means it'll be about 3-5 years before I'll consider a Ford.
If they are still in business.

[Alberta's Child]

I was listening to a car repair show on the radio a few weeks ago, and the host described the Ford Fusion as the best car he's worked on in this model year. The guy was talking about this from a mechanic's standpoint, so it doesn't necessarily match what you'll see in Consumer Reports.

Surprisingly . . . he gave the Toyota Camry high marks for its reliability but abysmal marks for its "maintainability."

I was also surprised to hear how highly he thought of Hyundai cars for the latter.

[Spktyr]

Oh, by the way, the Fusion is NOT made in the USA by the UAW, which explains why it's actually got decent build quality.

The Fusion (and its corporate twins, the Milan and MKZ) are made in Ford's Hermosillo Stamping & Assembly plant in Hermosillo, Mexico.

It's also not on a domestically-designed Ford platform, but on a modified version of the *Mazda* CD3 platform. The four cylinder base engine is a *Mazda* engine.

So much for it being an "American" car.

[bmwcyle]

1999 127,000 miles and still going strong.

[Alberta's Child]

Blue Oval ping!

[KarlInOhio]

I still say CR can't properly distinguish the difference between the top models and average models, but this throws a wrench into many people's arguments...

I think that attitude is one of the problems of American cars. You mustn't make a Chevy as good of quality as a Cadillac. I was very worried that Honda, Toyota and Nissan would follow that model when they brought out the Accura, Lexus and Infiniti. Fortunately they haven't fallen into that trap.

I think that's one reason why American trucks don't seem to have this problem - they don't have quite the stratification of name plates within a company.

[fhlh]

Ferd Fusion = Mazda 6....

[billhilly]

Reliability is usualy not known until a vehicle has been on the road for a few years. How can one new car be more reliable than another new car?

Just asking.

[UCANSEE2]

I am a Chevy man.

But, I used to have an 83 Toyota Celica GT.

Everything (driver controls) was where it should be. Very intuitive.

I had to replace the engine because I ran it too low on oil.

Easiest thing I ever did. You opened the glove box, removed a panel,and unplugged the wiring harness from the computer. Unbolted the engine mounts, hoses, fuel line, clutch linkage, starter wires, and jerked the engine out.
Put the new one in, reconnected everything, and it started on the third try. Ran like a top, didn't have to adjust a thing.

It was a stick, and with just a couple of sandbags in the rear, it went anywhere. I went offroading with it.
In one of the worst ice storms we had, I was running around, and went up this long hill. I passed by a jeep (4wd) that was off in the ditch. He asked me how I was able to keep going. (and my tires were almost bare).

And it could haul more than you would think. I put a Snapper riding mower in it, and closed the rear hatch.

What a sports car. If only the body had lasted longer. The engine was still good to go.

[GBA]

1998 Toyota Tacoma 4WD w/supercharger. 131K miles with basic maintenance only.

Built in America by Americans for Americans.

[DemforBush]

Only had to replace the hamster wheel under the hood once in the last 30 years. ;)

[MonroeDNA]

I will never buy a vehicle assembled by the UAW. Never.

Toyota, in my opinion, is the best value for the money.

[Professional Engineer]

'97 Explorer

175K and no backflips over the left rear tire.