foreign versus American brands

[Bruski]

I have never owned a foreign brand vehicle (Toyota, Honda, etc) but I'm told they are more reliable. Do you agree ? If so what makes foreign vehicles less defect prone ? I own a Bonneville and a Blazer. Just had to get the Blazer's fuel pump and fuel "sender" replaced. My mechanic says he's done dozens of the senders ($400 part!!!) in the Blazers. Says they are known to rot. Last year I had to get the Bonneville's upper intake replaced. That present from GM costed me ~$600. This problem is/was a known issue in not just the Bonneville but other GM cars as well ( Lasabre, Lumina, Impala, etc). I once owned a Dodge Neon. Had to have a head gasket job done, not once, but twice. Every 60k it needed replacing. Another US brand known defect. Do foreign brand vehicles have defects such as these ?

I seem to recall US brand car makers in the early 90's pushing quality. And I believe they were making headway. In the late 90s and on it seems that they are regressing. Could this be because so many people lease now and that they are only concerned with quality for the first few years ?

I have always bought used domestic vehicles because they are so much cheaper than comparable foreign brands. For example, I bought my Blazer for $3300. It is a '95 with 108K. A similar foreign vehicle, say a Toyota 4Runner, with the similar milage and roughly the same age, I'd be looking in the 5-7K range, perhaps more. With that difference I'd have to incur a lot of problems on the Blazer to make up for the extra 2-3K. So I always wind up buying domestic and keeping my fingers crossed.

[BlazayBlazerious]

To expect ANY 10 year old vehicle with over 100k on it not to have problems is unrealistic.

[BlazerLT]

Originally Posted by Bruski

I have never owned a foreign brand vehicle (Toyota, Honda, etc) but I'm told they are more reliable. Do you agree ? If so what makes foreign vehicles less defect prone ? I own a Bonneville and a Blazer. Just had to get the Blazer's fuel pump and fuel "sender" replaced. My mechanic says he's done dozens of the senders ($400 part!!!) in the Blazers. Says they are known to rot. Last year I had to get the Bonneville's upper intake replaced. That present from GM costed me ~$600. This problem is/was a known issue in not just the Bonneville but other GM cars as well ( Lasabre, Lumina, Impala, etc). I once owned a Dodge Neon. Had to have a head gasket job done, not once, but twice. Every 60k it needed replacing. Another US brand known defect. Do foreign brand vehicles have defects such as these ?

Yes, they all have their problems.

The 400 price for a sending unit and pump replacement is pretty good actually.

Originally Posted by Bruski

I seem to recall US brand car makers in the early 90's pushing quality. And I believe they were making headway. In the late 90s and on it seems that they are regressing. Could this be because so many people lease now and that they are only concerned with quality for the first few years ?

This is completely wrong. No........

Originally Posted by Bruski

I have always bought used domestic vehicles because they are so much cheaper than comparable foreign brands. For example, I bought my Blazer for $3300. It is a '95 with 108K. A similar foreign vehicle, say a Toyota 4Runner, with the similar milage and roughly the same age, I'd be looking in the 5-7K range, perhaps more. With that difference I'd have to incur a lot of problems on the Blazer to make up for the extra 2-3K. So I always wind up buying domestic and keeping my fingers crossed.

You are plain out asking way to much from a 10 year old vehicle. Expecting any vehicle that old to be "problem free" is a sign that you desperately need a reality check.

ALL vehicles have problems and maintanence, this is life and is nothing to complain about.

[Phillip Cross]

It would take someone with engineering and manufacturing knowledge to tell you wheter the japanese factory process result in higher build quality and whether they are more efficient in assermbly and can afford somewhat higher quality parts.

Nevertheless, seems the Blazer may not be the best of the smaller SUVs from a reliability standpoint. I have owned two and many parts have failed before time. wiper controls, wheel hubs, door hinges, intake gaskets, oil cooler hoses, gas guage sending units, ingioton switch, injectors and more.

Maybe this board is not the best place to expect objective answer to this question. I can tell you though that when your truck needs fixin these are the guys to ask.

[muzzy1maniac]

You're going to have to take your chances if you're set on buying 10year old vehicles. Normally people are trying to unload them because they're either sick of dumping money into them or they're due for a major repair. If you want better reliability you should look for ones that are 5yrs or less with lower miles. If you stay on the track you're on you should invest in a good set of tools and hang out in the forums for a while.

[Bruski]

LT,

Where did I say anything about problem free expectations ? I am aware that parts are going to fail, especially as the vehicle ages. I expect the occasional water pump, fuel pump, starter, alternator, and other components to fail from time to time. What I'm really talking about is defects. I would consider the Neon head gasket a defect. Same for the Blazer fuel sender, and the upper intake in many GM sedans. When a mechanic tells you he has done dozens of a particular repair on a particular vehicle, that is a defect. I believe the problems I have described go beyond your normal "problems and maintenance"

[AlmostStock]

Hang out on the various foreign make forums and you'll see that they all have their particular problems, some more than others.

[scholzee]

I have to say the foreign brands are made better by evidence of inceasing market share and resale value and my experience. In 1996 I worked on 2 Honda Preludes in one year. The first a freinds that bent valves because the original timing belt broke at 120 k miles, recommended change should have been done at 80K. What impressed me was 1) valve cover cast aluminum with Oring gasket, no signs of leakage I reused Oring and still no leaks. Opposed to US stamped covers that bow with bolts ( even though I torgue to proper inch pounds) and junk cork and rubber gasket that get brittle and leak. 2) Thermostat Oring gasket, US finally catching on to that. Distributor that was keyed to camshaft so you could not get the firing order out of whack. Hose clamps are better quality, Battery clamps that you do not have to pry off I could go on and on. Now both these cars blew timing belts 40k or so after they should have been changed so I woul consider that neglect by the owner. I have never owned a foreign car but have seen first hand better brakes, stainless exhaust better controls and fit and finish way before the US cars do, these Hondas were early 90's. Do not bash me and every brand has some problems but facts are facts and I hate to admit it and certainly want things to change but they are building better quality in their cars and trucks than the USA.

[BlazerLT]

Originally Posted by Phillip Cross

It would take someone with engineering and manufacturing knowledge to tell you wheter the japanese factory process result in higher build quality and whether they are more efficient in assermbly and can afford somewhat higher quality parts.

Nevertheless, seems the Blazer may not be the best of the smaller SUVs from a reliability standpoint. I have owned two and many parts have failed before time. wiper controls, wheel hubs, door hinges, intake gaskets, oil cooler hoses, gas guage sending units, ingioton switch, injectors and more.

Maybe this board is not the best place to expect objective answer to this question. I can tell you though that when your truck needs fixin these are the guys to ask.

You want a nightmare, buy an exploder.

They have MANY more problems than our Blazers.

[BlazerLT]

Originally Posted by Bruski

LT,

Where did I say anything about problem free expectations ? I am aware that parts are going to fail, especially as the vehicle ages. I expect the occasional water pump, fuel pump, starter, alternator, and other components to fail from time to time. What I'm really talking about is defects. I would consider the Neon head gasket a defect. Same for the Blazer fuel sender, and the upper intake in many GM sedans. When a mechanic tells you he has done dozens of a particular repair on a particular vehicle, that is a defect. I believe the problems I have described go beyond your normal "problems and maintenance"

I never said you said that, but theat was the general impression of your first post.

All vehicles have their hangups and problems.

You have to understand that 1995 was the first year of the second generation of Blazers and esentially, they did a good job with it.

Toyotas and Hondas have there fair share of problems too.

Hondas have IAC and idle problems, some Toyotas are way underpowered until the later 90s and the 3.0L in the 4 runner is a gutless pig. Trust me, my friend owns one. Nice truck, but it has to work hard and is geared really low to compensate for the lack or torque and power.

Another thing to recognize is that maybe the imports are more reliable breakdown wise, but when one happens, boy oh boy is it expensive. US$250 -300 alternator when I can pick one up for $100 or a little more etc.....

I am not posting to bash you or to be a fan boy, but you just have to see every year, model and make whether domestic or foreign have their pros and drawbacks.

This is a fact of life.

I see as many people complaining about their 4Runner than I see people upset with their Blazer.

Also, note that there one HELLUVA lot more Blazers sold than 4runners so you can see why you might hear more about their problems due to pure numbers.

[xtrememeasures10]

Originally Posted by BlazerLT

You want a nightmare, buy an exploder.

They have MANY more problems than our Blazers.

Lol never heard it called that blazer. but great name for it. Those cars are junk. My opinion is all fords are junk though.

I have a 97 s10 w/ 108k and ive replaced quite a few things. Dont be complaining about it like blazer said its a fact of life. Ive done the valve cover gasket a couple times now. headgasket once, water pump once, serpentine belt once, not to mention all the transmission crap. If you dont want Maintainance then dont own a car. You think your car is running your wallet dry, you couldnt even begin to think about all the things i replace on the airliners you fly on. Parts dont last forever. so dont expect them too. Learn to do it yourself and it will be no big huge deal.

[whyme]

maybe the imports have a reliabilaty advantage,BUT when they break(and they all do) you will pay more for parts and labor.

[dmbrisket 51]

whyme is exactly right, my honda will run "longer" problem free, but when something goes, does it ever go, right now its down needing a head gasket, 110 bucks for the gasket kit, bought seperately, 140 bought as the kit, without bolts, bolts are another 30 or so either way... when something isnt right on my truck, its usually a pcv valve or spark plugs or wires

[diddy0071]

Foreign makers have better 4 cylinder engines. but when it comes to 6 and 8 cylinders, USA-A-OK!

as for those "Foreign" makers, sorry to say that they are all made in the USA nowadays. Rarely will you find a car made in another country. My brother has a toyota, and my other brother a cadillac, and my other a mitsubishi. The toyota has given minimal problems. The cadillac deville (93) is a P.O.S. it's hardly ever running, and the mitsubishi has no problems yet, but here is the thing:

the toyota owner takes care of his car and does regular check ups. It's a 1997.

The Cadillac owner has messed up every single car he's had. They always mess up with him. He just doesn't know how to take care of his cars.

and the mitsubishi owner, babies his car, and rarely drives it. He'd rather walk than to put a single mile on his car. he only uses it on weekends. (the mitsubishi lancer is a 2002)

I use my Blazer for everything, but I take care of it. and as long as you take care of your vehicle, then you shouldn't have that many problems. If you treat it like a P.O.S. then it's going to act like a P.O.S.

(Seriously, the cadillac owner changed the oil 1 time the past year, and he put at least 10000 miles on that poor car!!)