What are some VALID reasons why my next new car (most likely a compact) shouldn't be a Toyota or Honda?

as others have observed, Toyota has started to have reliability problems - several models are no longer recommended by Consumer Reports, based on reliability reports from members. Toyota got ambitious trying to become the biggest automaker, cut corners in both design and QA, and here we are. I would not buy a new Toyota for a couple of years, they'll probably figure it out by then.

Honda afaik is still fairly reliable, but they no longer enjoy the ability to build quality cars for less than US automakers. Hence the cheaply-built new Hondas, also not as well designed as they used to be.

CR notes the Ford Fusion is more reliable than the Accord now..

That said, I have a 2009 Honda Fit, which is a fine little car - lots of room, great mpg, fun to drive, nothing but oilchanges in 50k.

If Ford had made a fuel-efficient hatchback when I was shopping for the Fit, I'd have bought that maybe.

It isn't me as much as your co-workers, friends, family, people driving around you etc.

Go ahead & drive around in a Prius, Fit, Yaris etc & see if people take you seriously.

Should get toyota, honda or subaru.

Do not get an american car. Why should you subsidize some crackhead in Detroit or pay for some rednecks bass boat? Subaru, honda and toyota make the best cars for the money, and they are socially responsible.

Van wrote:

It isn't me as much as your co-workers, friends, family, people driving around you etc.

Go ahead & drive around in a Prius, Fit, Yaris etc & see if people take you seriously.

Your friends and family wouldn't take you seriously based on your car?

German ferngineering wrote:

Not a single person I know with a VW has been happy with its reliability. As said about the BMWs above, "German engineering" is a myth.

You've obviously never used a Stihl chainsaw.

Toyotas and Hondas are overpriced.

Sp!kes wrote:

A Hyundai is better than both... Looks better than both... And the warrantee is waaaay better than both.

+1

I have a 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe. Unbelievable value for the money. Haven't had a single thing go worng with it in 3+ years. Build quality is really good.

In general, both Hyundai and Kia have really stepped up their game and are producing great looking, very reliable cars with much better value than either Honda or Toyota. Those that disagree simply haven't driven one lately.

Do yourself a favor and at least check out the new Hyundai Elantra before making any final decision.

I've got a 2012 Yaris L and it's a great little car so far.

go with a Subaru if you live in a place where it snows. I've got a 13yo outback with 193,000+ on it and it still drives like a dream.

"RE: What are some VALID reasons why my next new car (most likely a compact) shouldn't be a Toyota or Honda?"

Because Tesla S's are available?

S's?

xnet wrote:

Also, I should point out that, from what I've told, if I buy a Toyota a fair amount of my money goes to Japan, whether or not the car was actually built in the U.S. That doesn't concern me.

It may not concern you that all that money goes to Japan, but it concerns me. It also concerns me that it doesn't concern you and millions of other Americans. If everyone thought like you then this country might as well shut down and surrender to the rest of the world.

Japan has extremely one sided import/export laws. Do the research. What the USA should do is have a reciprocal trade agreement with Japan. Let them write the rules, but it's going to be the same BOTH WAYS. What's good for you will be good for us. How do you like it, Japan? You will suddenly see a lot less cars being imported from Japan, and maybe a few American cars sold in Japan.

Before you buy foreign, give some American cars a shot. At least check out the prices and test drive them. For example, I've heard good things about the new Dodge Dart, which goes for about $5000 less than the cars you're looking at.

Most of the money Japan has made had been re-invested in East Asia and China for the past 140 years. The economic miracles of China and the Asian Tigers are a result of the policies of the Meiji leaders of 1880s Japan.

Before you buy foreign, give some American cars a shot. At least check out the prices and test drive them. For example, I've heard good things about the new Dodge Dart, which goes for about $5000 less than the cars you're looking at.

No way. Not me. I have a Honda and would reccommend only Toyota or Honda to any person.

in my experience, mazdas are terrible, unreliable cars, always in the shop, but I have no experience with the 3 and 6, which are well reviewed. toyotas in the 80s/90s and hondas in the 90s/00s have been exceptional cars. subarus aren't bad either. our subaru outback 2001 has 208,000 miles and has had few major problems thus far.

Free Advice wrote:

It may not concern you that all that money goes to Japan, but it concerns me. It also concerns me that it doesn't concern you and millions of other Americans.

It concerns me that you feel that way. Concerning the money going to Japan, remember that many of these cars are built in the US. This is because the Japanese auto makers are concerned with transportation costs. Have you seen those auto transport ships? If so,you'd be concerned too!

worst poster wrote:

xnet wrote:

Thank you. I can honestly say that I'm not looking for a "fun to drive" car. I want a bulletproof car that will get me from A to B with no frills. But I want it to last for 10-15 years.

Id just shoot myself if it ever came to that. If I am going to drop 20K on something....it damn well better be something I *want* not something "no frills to get me from point A to B".

Now, nothing wrong with Honda or Toyota but if you are going to lay down the $$ for a new car, buy something that excites you or is in someway useful.

Even a RAV4 or crv over a corolla or civic would be *something*.

If I ever buy a Camry, civic, etc..it means I hate life and please put me out of my misery.

Weird post. "drop 20k" for a car 20k is as basement price. So no one is using the word "drop" when paying 20k for a car. Also rav4 and crv are the pure definition of no frills point a to b.