Which car companies will you not buy a car from?

[BLP11520]

Reasons?

[MrOracle]

I would not touch a GM or Stellantis (the parent company of Chrysler/Dodge/Ram/Jeep) vehicle, nor anything made by the Volkswagon Group, nor Hyundai/Kia. Hell, I wouldn't buy anything German - not because they aren't excellent cars when everything is running right, but because they're almost never fully working, and they aren't made to last like they once were (WAY too many major parts made of plastic in the engine bay, for example, and WAY too many computer modules).

I would buy a Tesla, a Toyota, a Honda, and I would reluctantly buy specific Ford truck products (and avoid others like the plague).

My main vehicle right now is an old Ford cargo van, but it many ways it's better than a new one. Mine has the old 4.7L 2-valve V8, which doesn't get great gas mileage, but is incredibly reliable, incredibly simple to fix, and will last practically forever. Newer trucks and vans of this size usually come with the 5.4L 3-valve engine, which is a hunk of crap. Like a number of engines from the early 2000s, the oil passageways are far too small, and these engines quickly get clogged up, especially if you do oil changes as the manufacturer specifies (every 4500-5000 miles, which is not nearly often enough for this engine). And what happens is that when things get clogged, vital parts don't get any oil, and so bearings wear out, and you start having cam phaser issues, and by the time you notice any symptoms, you're looking at a full engine replacement to the tune of at least $9000. The world is awash with super cheap Ford trucks, vans, and SUVs with 100,000 or even less miles on their 5.4L 3-valve V8, because the owners found out that to keep them going, they need a new engine - at the minimum. Few of these vehicles have enough value left in them to justify the swap, so they get junked.

GM, Stellantis, and VW/Audi have similar problems with certain engines for the same reason - a new engine design with too-small oil passages that clog up and kill the engine. And even if you get a new engine, that new engine still has exactly the same flaw that killed the original engine! Because these manufacturers never FIX these problems - they just kick the can down the road and delay.

This is why it is SO critical to do LOTS of research before buying a car. I really only gave one main example, but there are lots of big problems from lots of car companies. You need to compare similar vehicles from a number of manufacturers and find out. And in my opinion NEVER buy a vehicle until that generation reaches its 3rd year, and buy used if you can. Nothing depreciates as fast as a new car - buying new is like flushing huge amounts of cash down the toilet.

[BLP11520]

Ok then

[Adventurer23]

I'm more of a used car buyer who keeps a vehicle for as long as possible, but there are lots of brands I'd never buy...

Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Hummer, Ford, Lincoln, Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, Jeep, BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen, Audi, Volvo, Mini, Land Rover, Jaguar, Alpha Romeo, Maserati, Porsche, Tesla, Nissan, Infinity, Mitsubishi, Hyundai, Kia and Genesis.

All of these brands have been shown to be consistently unreliable and not consistent from model to model, or from redesign to redesign. Many of these companies have also had a much higher incident of safety and durability defects, and major recalls as well.

As far as Hyundai and Kia in particular, they're the "best of a bad lot", but I still would never own one because their engines are garbage and they've had an inordinate amount of recalls in recent years.

Tesla is also a huge NOPE for me. From battery fires and locks that won't open in the event of an electrical disturbance (potentially trapping you inside during the need for an emergency exit), they are a dangerous and needlessly stupid design. Also, despite the luxury and social status image they portray, they also have crappy build quality. But worst of all is the fact that you can never have a Tesla serviced by any non-dealership garage, and you, as an owner, cannot order parts or have access to codes to fix your car yourself, which raises huge right to repair issues. Essentially, you do not own your own car and you are completely beholden to Tesla. Tesla has complete autonomy over your ability to service it any way you choose, and in many cases they have even refused service to their owners, and have even refused service or repair after transfer of ownership. But on top of all of that, even if none of those issues existed with Teslas, I will NEVER buy a car from the company's owner, Elon Muskrat, who can shove a Tesla up his own backside.

The only brands I would ever consider are Toyota, Honda, and perhaps some models of Subaru or Mazda. Lexus (made by Toyota) and Acura (made by Honda) are also better than average reliability-wise, but they're usually outside of my budget, insurance costs are much higher, parts are more expensive, repairs tend to be more dealer-dependent, and they require premium fuel.

But ultimately, I am more of a Toyota person. They are generally more reliable than Hondas and parts tend to be cheaper on average. Regardless, Toyota and Honda products tend to be more reliable and trouble free than other brands over the long haul, and that is an important factor for me. Both on a financial and hassle standpoint.

[Adventurer23]

Thanks for the MHO.

[jshm2]

Any American "car" company.

The shit they produce has been getting worse over the years, if it was even possible. But worse than that, some manufacturers have started cheating a bit, and using cheaper Ford engines in their cars. Mazda being a prime example.

It may be a Mazda shell, but the engine is made by Ford.

[smilelots]

I’m a Chevy guy I like Toyotas never on the Dodge did have a Ford wants that car was a good one I try to do a lot of research before I purchase something the more info you have the more you can make an informed decision especially when things cost so much

[BLP11520]

Right 😄

[SaoirseS]

I don’t know anyone including my husband who’s ever had good experience with Jeeps so I wouldn’t buy one. But I have nothing against Fiat-Chrysler, the company who makes them.

[BLP11520]

Ok cool

[smilelots]

I have a few friends that have jeeps and they’ve had nothing but problems but I’m sure there’s a good one out there somewhere

[exitseven]

Any vehicle that is not made in America is not allowed in my driveway. I have only owned GM, Ford or International Harvester. I believe in supporting my own economy.

[DryGermanGuy]

A lot of manufacturers have vehicle production plants in the United States. Every X5 for the North American market is produced in Spartanburg, SC.

[exitseven]

@DryGermanGuy most of foreign plants take the Japanese car, put rhe hubcaps on it and then say it was made in USA. Besides, the money just goes overseas and not back into the US economy.

[DryGermanGuy]

I have checked the available information about the German plants and they are complete manufacturing chains, including painting. Reassembling CKD-kits is something that Western brands were/are doing in Asian countries to circumvent their import taxes. Since the United States does not have these steep protection taxes, this sort of manufacturing would make not much sense.
Can you point me to any brand/plant where this verifiably happened or is is just conjecture?

[exitseven]

@DryGermanGuy I used to do business with the company that was the distributor for Toyota for the New England area. The ship would pull up at the dock and they would drive the cars off the boat, they were covered in sand and seagull turds so they had two car washes set up and drive them through before they went to the dealers. The cars would drive off without hub caps and maybe other missing trim. These were installed at the dealer. They could claim they were made in USA. I used to sell shoes from a local manufacturer. They started importing the shoes from China and when they got here they put the shoelaces in. They said made in USA.

[JackCarter]

I will never buy anything from Rolls Royce

Cause I can't afford them anyways LOL

[BLP11520]

Me either or Lamborghini easier to say Ford🤣🤣

[DryGermanGuy]

Anything Chinese. Awful quality, awful political system.

[Robertjo16]

Agreed

[iron_ninjs]

Probably an Alpha. Everyone I know that has one, has a problem with it. Either the ignition, the battery, or something to do with the electrics.

[Staximus]

If I'm going to buy a newer car, I will only buy Honda or Toyota. European and American cars are engineered by idiots for the last 20 years.

[Adventurer23]

I'd say for the last almost 30 years. Ever since the mid 90s when the auto industry changed to OBD2 systems, Euro cars have been consistently garbage. Even before that they were never truly great, but there were some models by Volvo in particular, and even some by Mercedes and Audi that were very durable and relatively reliable (-ish) cars. Today, I wouldn't give you a single nickel for one of those atrocious headaches.

[Staximus]

@Adventurer23 my friend was a bmw mechanic and quit because of all the stupid shit they kept putting on the outside of their engines.

[Adventurer23]

@Staximus Yeah, that's been an ever-increasing issue across all brands for years, but the Euro brands really seem to have taken it to a whole other level. It's not just all the crap they put on engines these days, it's also the lack of space around the engine to even be able to work on it due to how tight the engine bays of modern cars are. Also, it's insane how illogically laid out modern engines are these days too, which can make even the most simplest job like changing the spark plugs an hours-long job now, instead of a few minutes. Not to mention how module-ized and computerized everything has become, so instead of just replacing one smaller part, you have to replace an entire module, or several parts just to solve an issue now. Not only that, companies are also beginning to make completely sealed transmissions that cannot be opened for service, or even be topped up with new transmission fluid! And even the smallest fender bender can cost thousands of dollars now. It's insanity. The way they design everything now only causes consumers to buy more parts, and become more and more dealer/garage/labour dependent, just so they can sell more parts and service. It's so wrong.

[jamesgoldman]

I'd buy anything where there's money to be made because I can't drive

[QuietRunner]

BYD or anything Chinese. It might be good, but I'm not supporting the CCP

[BLP11520]

Right

[Robertjo16]

Im a Ford girl. Just that simple

[LiamJHayden]

None

[BLP11520]

Ok thanks

[jimmy2]

Electric car