Buying a New Car....

[tashier]

I was in auto manufacturing at Toyota for the last five years. We built the Toyota Tacomas, Corollas and Pontiac Vibes all in the same plant in Fremont, CA. Toyotas are really hard to beat, even if most of them here in the US are now built in the US. Hondas are also a very reliable car. I have an accord with 240K miles on it. My Toyota Tacoma has 110K and I haven't touched anything but the timing belt. My new Chevy Suburban has been in the shop 3 times for squeeking belts and pulsing brake rotors.

Hyundai is no longer the company they used to be. They are one of the largest competitors in initial quality in the world right now.

My Vote would be: Toyota & Honda

[tashier]

Originally Posted by frankandmaura

Combie...to be honest...Kia and Hyundai are 2 of the best made vehicles on the market right now. The South Korean's have got it down! This is no joke...I have a good friend that works on Hyundai's all day long and recommends them over any car out there, including Honda and Toyota.

I can't speak for Suzuki

I wouldn't recommend them OVER a Toyota or Honda just yet, they will still need some good quality years under their belt to say that. When people start saying they have a Hyundai or a Kia with 250K miles on it and it's running great, then maybe.

[Little Luey]

Originally Posted by tashier

Hyundai is no longer the company they used to be. They are one of the largest competitors in initial quality in the world right now.

I agree, hyundai is closing the gap very fast. Even Kia has some good looking SUV now, they are not the original Sportage of a few years back.

Hey Tashier, what were you doing at the assembly plant?

I work in quality control and always wanted to visit and learn about the Toyota systems.

[frankandmaura]

Originally Posted by Casey

I dont agree I had a Kia and it was a piece of junk dont get me started the records show Honda and toyota lead all the other imports by far Kias and Hyundais only sell because they are cheap cars and you can tell when you own one for a while and there so called 100,000 warranty does not cover lots of things like relays etc.

I will agree with you that the older Kia's (my friend had one and it was JUNK, but that was at least 5 years ago) and Hyundai's were junk...but trust me...they have made huge gains in performance and quality. No warranty is great, but it says something when a company is willing to give you 10 years/100,000 miles even if it is only drive train. Also, they are not overly cheap...a Hyundai Santa Fe is around $26k now...

One last thing...a friend of mine is a dealer, they have Pontiac, Buick, Cadillac, Subaru, Chrysler, Jeep, Saturn, Kia, Suzuki and GMC...his wife drives the big Kia (not sure what the name is), but she says it is the quietest, most comfortable car she has ever been in.

[tashier]

Originally Posted by Little Luey

I agree, hyundai is closing the gap very fast. Even Kia has some good looking SUV now, they are not the original Sportage of a few years back.

Hey Tashier, what were you doing at the assembly plant?

I work in quality control and always wanted to visit and learn about the Toyota systems.

I did robot and controller programming in the welding department. If you ever see commercials that have all the robots welding cars, that's what I was programming.

I worked at the NUMMI (New United Motor Manufacturing Incorporated) plant in Fremont, CA. It is a joint venture between Toyota and GM. There are free tours daily if you are ever in the area. Toyota also now has a plant in Texas. These are probably the 2 closest plants to you.

[frankandmaura]

Originally Posted by tashier

I wouldn't recommend them OVER a Toyota or Honda just yet, they will still need some good quality years under their belt to say that. When people start saying they have a Hyundai or a Kia with 250K miles on it and it's running great, then maybe.

Agreed...but they are a little more affordable than Honda and Toyota right now and their warranty blows Honda and Toyota out of the water...

I worked for a company where we all had Honda's (company cars)...I'll tell you one thing...service is not cheap!

[tashier]

Originally Posted by frankandmaura

I worked for a company where we all had Honda's (company cars)...I'll tell you one thing...service is not cheap!

Last I knew, Toyota had the 10 year 100K warranty too, haven't checked lately.

I've always done all my own service on my vehicles 'cept warranty work. Timing belts, brakes, clutches, everything. Luckily they don't need it often if ever.

[frankandmaura]

Toyota and Honda are pretty much the same...

Basic: 36 months/36,000 miles (all components other than normal wear and maintenance items).

Powertrain: 60 months/60,000 miles (engine, transmission/transaxle, front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, seatbelts and airbags).

[Hendersonracing]

How about the New Dodge Nitro I drove it last night home and WOWO they are really Nice $22,000 4x4 auto....hard to beat.

[frankandmaura]

Is it 4X4? Looks like a Jeeper! Good deal!

[Hendersonracing]

yes 4x4 and they come in 4x2 for around $19,000 they are really nice they have the same tranny as the new maxima with the autoshift..

[frankandmaura]

How big is the engine? I guess I could look online...

[Casey]

The thing is with a Honda and Toyota you dont need a warranty they hardly ever break,Kias and Hyundai all the time paint sucks ,chrome handles fade relays go out drums rust on the brakes while the Santa Fe sits on the lot,you wont see that on a Honda.

[tashier]

Originally Posted by Hendersonracing

How about the New Dodge Nitro I drove it last night home and WOWO they are really Nice $22,000 4x4 auto....hard to beat.

Boy, I have a tough time with Dodges. Sorry Joe, I know you work for Chrysler but that's been my experience.

[Hendersonracing]

Originally Posted by tashier

Boy, I have a tough time with Dodges. Sorry Joe, I know you work for Chrysler but that's been my experience.

Thats Ok....I understand...but in Chryslers defense They have came a long way...But we also offer Nissan Chevrolet GMC Cadillac Pontiac and buick and soon Subaru!

I like Lexus myself they have a great looking car...mY BROTHER builds Toyotas in Georgetown Ky They have a great product as well....what I would do is try to find the best deals!!! I prefer short term lease you get the incentives and the special programs that the factory offers JMO

BUT LOOK FOR THE DEALS!!!