Is one brand of car really better than the other???
- Thread starter andy2485
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Mike Phillips
Active member
- Dec 5, 2022
- 51,004
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Yes.
Classic Chevy trucks are the best.
Now that this discussion is settled and we've all come to a concensus I might as well close this thread.
:laughing:
Classic Chevy trucks are the best.
Now that this discussion is settled and we've all come to a concensus I might as well close this thread.
:laughing:
FUNX650
New member
- Dec 1, 2010
- 21,057
- 1
Better? Not really, IMO.
Nowadays...
With the competition for automotive sales being
between probably more than 50 manufacturers,
(that offer well over 300 different vehicles), there
really is no place for vehicles that are poorly
designed and built.
Bob
swanicyouth
New member
- Mar 3, 2011
- 9,388
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Well, this can be a debate nobody can win.
However, I will tell you if you have to work on your own cars there is a huge difference.
I've owned multiple BMWs and are quite familiar with working on them. Compared to my Nissan, it's a huge difference.
1. Fasteners are of better quality. This is significant for me. Bolts don't strip and oxidize as easy.
2. Parts are machined better, fit better, and are generally more robust.
3. You can take an air box of a BMW 100 times and put it back and it will fit perfectly every time. Nissan - Not so much.
4. Exhausts on a BMW hardly ever rust through. Manifolds don't crack. Nissan - exhaust May last 100k if your lucky.
Etc...
However, I will tell you if you have to work on your own cars there is a huge difference.
I've owned multiple BMWs and are quite familiar with working on them. Compared to my Nissan, it's a huge difference.
1. Fasteners are of better quality. This is significant for me. Bolts don't strip and oxidize as easy.
2. Parts are machined better, fit better, and are generally more robust.
3. You can take an air box of a BMW 100 times and put it back and it will fit perfectly every time. Nissan - Not so much.
4. Exhausts on a BMW hardly ever rust through. Manifolds don't crack. Nissan - exhaust May last 100k if your lucky.
Etc...
TTQ B4U
Well-known member
- Jan 20, 2016
- 5,504
- 70
Define your criteria for better.
I grew up in the car business with Olds, GMC and Caddy dealerships in the familiy. That said, look at my sig today.
I've owned and driven all kinds of cars. They all have issues and they all can be great. Really depends on how you define things. I love my German cars and they do things in some areas light years better than others but then they cost more to buy and maintain. Trade offs abound.
The main thing they all have in common is they run better when clean
ScottB
New member
- Mar 3, 2006
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Mass Production is just as its offered .... you can easily get a bad one, as easily as you can get a good one. Almost all brands use many different parts from many different manufacturers and need them to work together as if they were all built as one.
Like waxes, in the end an automobile is often personal preference. Having had family in the automobile business, what I would suggest is always buying a model or option group higher than you would settle for ... why ... its the single greatest complaint. (I should have gotten NAV , bigger wheels, sunroof...etc)
Like waxes, in the end an automobile is often personal preference. Having had family in the automobile business, what I would suggest is always buying a model or option group higher than you would settle for ... why ... its the single greatest complaint. (I should have gotten NAV , bigger wheels, sunroof...etc)
Jeremy1976
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- Apr 13, 2015
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Of course there are cars that are better than others. No different than there being better TV's than others. Better waxes and detailing supplies, better women (LOL), ect.
Research.
Research.
Real Riders
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- Jul 18, 2013
- 749
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I personally would only purchase a Honda, Toyota, or a Nissan.
Jeremy1976
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- Apr 13, 2015
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roguegeek
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- Jul 2, 2012
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Depends on what you mean by better, but I can tell you this. Having been in the automotive journalism industry for the last 16 years, I've been able to test and document over 8000 unique vehicles (yeah, I've been pretty lucky) and, without getting into too much detail, there are definitely manufactures that just create better overall vehicles. If you try to throw out blanket statements like "domestic vs import" or "Chevy vs Ford", you're going to be wrong. It's just not that simple. There are trends and patterns, but there's a whole lot of nuance as well and they can drastically change from model year to model year.
When someone asks me what car I should buy, I always ask the same questions back. What are you going to do with it? What's your budget?
When someone asks me what car I should buy, I always ask the same questions back. What are you going to do with it? What's your budget?
LEDetailing
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- Jan 5, 2016
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I've owned 3 Toyotas since 2008. I replaced one ignition coil on my 2006 Avalon. Other than that, I've spent zero on repairs. General maintenance, batteries, tires, brakes, not included. I'm not a huge fan of the styling of Toyotas but I love their reliability. Total of approximately 100,000 miles on the three Toyotas. All used with the lowest starting mileage at 56k.
oneheadlite
Well-known member
- Aug 20, 2015
- 1,791
- 94
Thread: subscribed.
There are a lot of great responses so far. As mentioned, big factors are- what are you going to do with it? How long are you going to keep it? Are you buying new or just how used?
I've been working on Audis for 15 years (started at a dealership) and have been at an independent BMW/Mini/Audi shop for 6. I also have friends with exposure to VW and Mercedes, so all I can speak about is the German stuff. That being said, I can tell you that they all tend to like a little attention about every 80k-100k miles (meaning it seems like they like a cash injection around then, and are good for another 80-100k). No one is necessarily better (though it pains me to say I can't really recommend Minis).
General recommendations I would make- if buying just out of warranty, a GOOD extended warranty isn't a bad idea. See if you can get maintenance records, and remember that sometimes "I followed the factory recommendations exactly" isn't a good thing. View attachment 49076 (Dear BMW: I've been working on your cars, they don't like going 20k between oil changes. At all...)
That being said, I still love them. The fit and finish hold together great, I love the driving dynamics and the interiors. Here in Minnesota, the German cars overall seem to hold up better as far as rust.
The last thing I'll throw out is that I think overall any of the much newer cars are likely going to be more expensive to maintain then they used to be. As an industry, everything is getting more complex (direct injection, turbos, tons of electronics). I'm honestly a little afraid of what the current batch of cars are going to be like on the road in 10 years (what do you mean my car needs $3k worth of work?!).
I am really curious to hear more people chime in with their experiences with the other makes.
John
There are a lot of great responses so far. As mentioned, big factors are- what are you going to do with it? How long are you going to keep it? Are you buying new or just how used?
I've been working on Audis for 15 years (started at a dealership) and have been at an independent BMW/Mini/Audi shop for 6. I also have friends with exposure to VW and Mercedes, so all I can speak about is the German stuff. That being said, I can tell you that they all tend to like a little attention about every 80k-100k miles (meaning it seems like they like a cash injection around then, and are good for another 80-100k). No one is necessarily better (though it pains me to say I can't really recommend Minis).
General recommendations I would make- if buying just out of warranty, a GOOD extended warranty isn't a bad idea. See if you can get maintenance records, and remember that sometimes "I followed the factory recommendations exactly" isn't a good thing. View attachment 49076 (Dear BMW: I've been working on your cars, they don't like going 20k between oil changes. At all...)
That being said, I still love them. The fit and finish hold together great, I love the driving dynamics and the interiors. Here in Minnesota, the German cars overall seem to hold up better as far as rust.
The last thing I'll throw out is that I think overall any of the much newer cars are likely going to be more expensive to maintain then they used to be. As an industry, everything is getting more complex (direct injection, turbos, tons of electronics). I'm honestly a little afraid of what the current batch of cars are going to be like on the road in 10 years (what do you mean my car needs $3k worth of work?!).
I am really curious to hear more people chime in with their experiences with the other makes.
John
rodneypierce
New member
- May 18, 2011
- 171
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I am an avid GM supporter, with that said, I now drive an E550 Mercedes. I can say with 100% certainty, there is no comparison between fit/finish/engineering.. The MB is light years ahead in every category. It has (thus far) been one of the most reliable vehicles I have owned. I have had it for 2 years now, and its got just under 90k on the clock. Car is a 2009.
oneheadlite
Well-known member
- Aug 20, 2015
- 1,791
- 94
Thinking about it, it's just like the huge variety of detailing products - Everyone will have their own preference, so you just find what you like and educate yourself on it. Poke around online and see what common problems are.
2 last suggestions for car buyers from a technicians perspective - If you're buying used, have a Prepurchase Inspection done. It may seem like a waste of money, but you'd be surprised how much it could save you. Also, buy slightly under budget to allow for little repairs to get the car up to snuff. Seen it too many times where somebody buys a ____ then can't afford to replace the water pump that went out a month later.
John
2 last suggestions for car buyers from a technicians perspective - If you're buying used, have a Prepurchase Inspection done. It may seem like a waste of money, but you'd be surprised how much it could save you. Also, buy slightly under budget to allow for little repairs to get the car up to snuff. Seen it too many times where somebody buys a ____ then can't afford to replace the water pump that went out a month later.
John