2nd

I was thinking of just saving the cash...and getting the Ford Fusion...2012 is looking mighty fine.

I just wanted to find a reliable car..and I miss my Caprice I had from the HP years ago.

[Edited on March 6, 2012 at 2:12 AM. Reason : g]

3/6/2012 2:11:51 AM

Quote :

" Is it lost on people that the chassis and suspension of the Charger was engineered by Mercedes Benz?"

Yep i think i mentioned it already... mercedes yes.. but not modern mercedes. But the rest of the car is still Chrysler crap (engine tranny electronics). I mean how often does a control arm break? Even a Chrysler one

From what i understand the front suspension is as recent as an 06 (98-06) S class and the rear is 95-02 E-class

[Edited on March 6, 2012 at 9:00 AM. Reason : .]

3/6/2012 8:55:25 AM

Quote :

" Yep i think i mentioned it already... mercedes yes.. but not modern mercedes"

60s Mercedes >>> 2000's Ford

3/6/2012 9:14:41 AM

there is something to be said for simplicity though...

People knock the solid rear axle but one setup right with a watts link etc will handle 95% of the mid-turn g force of a irs setup perfect with perfect camber... and be able to put down 115% of the power on the way out of the turn (thanks to the tires being flat on the road instead of /-------\)

3/6/2012 10:05:05 AM

Quote :

"I just wanted to find a reliable car..and I miss my Caprice I had from the HP years ago."

Once again, stop looking at American cars if your biggest thing is reliability.

Get a used Accord/Civic or a Camry.

Shopping GM or Chrysler for something "reliable" is almost laughable.

3/6/2012 4:09:55 PM

^ used cars are only as reliable as their last owner.
I have a lot of friends that have experienced a lot more issues hondas and toyotas than i have ever w/jeeps/Chryslers. they hold up great for old people who drive to/from work but most vehicles are easily capable of that.

[Edited on March 6, 2012 at 6:09 PM. Reason : .]

3/6/2012 5:45:08 PM

anectodal evidence...

3/6/2012 6:08:50 PM

http://businesscenter.jdpower.com/news/pressrelease.aspx?id=2010034

looks like the imports are mixed in pretty good with the domestics. the premium price you pay for a used imports and their perceived reliability would off sets the price of repairs if they were needed.For that reason If you keep cars a few years then sell it i'd say get an import otherwise no reason not to buy domestic.

3/6/2012 6:43:22 PM

^so it's a 3-year "study?" Take that mess to 150,000 miles and see who's on top

3/6/2012 7:51:04 PM

^^are you talking about reliability or price? i mean we can connect it....used honda IS more expensive because it IS more reliable. it certainly isn't more expensive because of its features or comfort.

3/7/2012 12:03:02 AM

The problem with assessing the reliability of a company like Ford is you're lumping the Escorts and the Contours in with the F-150s and the Crown Vics. Sure, Honda and Toyota have better across-the-board reliability, but for a single model, I would put the CV up there in the comparison. Proven technology + bulletproof 4.6 SOHC V8 + body-on-frame construction is pretty tough to beat. The transmission is really the only weak link.

3/7/2012 12:58:39 AM

agreed, that crown vic is more reliable than hordes of garbage out there, but bad transmission is a big $ repair especially on a used car worth say... $5k! almost like saying, nothing is wrong with pinto except it explodes when you rear end it. well, then it is a big deal.

3/7/2012 4:02:57 AM

Purchased new in 95.

3/7/2012 7:32:06 AM

^ was that the batch that were painted backwards?

3/7/2012 7:51:32 AM

Quote :

"Proven technology + bulletproof 4.6 SOHC V8 + body-on-frame construction is pretty tough to beat. The transmission is really the only weak link."

Well there's that, and the vastly inferior interior design and materials. I realize the man's on a budget but that doesn't mean you have to deal with a Fisher Price interior.

3/7/2012 9:09:30 AM

Quote :

"agreed, that crown vic is more reliable than hordes of garbage out there, but bad transmission is a big $ repair especially on a used car worth say... $5k! almost like saying, nothing is wrong with pinto except it explodes when you rear end it. well, then it is a big deal. "

Eh, yes and no. It's not guaranteed to fail, just a possibility. And really anything with an automatic you're taking that chance once it gets above 150K.

Quote :

"Well there's that, and the vastly inferior interior design and materials. I realize the man's on a budget but that doesn't mean you have to deal with a Fisher Price interior."

Are the materials on the Charger that much better? Sure, the design looks dated, but the ergonomics of it aren't that bad and the seats are quite comfortable. Radio is a bit of a reach.

3/7/2012 10:03:53 AM

99.9% of the population doesn't know or care that MB had a hand in the Charger design, and if I were MB i'd be embarrased. Just becuse they helped with some chassis tweaks doesn't make it a good car, or even better than a crown vic for DD use.

3/7/2012 10:43:57 AM

Another interesting statistic, the majority of charger owners are minoritys.

3/7/2012 10:50:05 AM

^hahahaha

FWIW, I know of several people with Hondas that have had tons of problems with them. YMMV.

3/7/2012 10:54:55 AM

^^^^my comment was purely a domestic versus Japanese car type of comment.

3/7/2012 12:51:15 PM

Cheap + reliable. The only answer is a 4 cyl Camry.

3/7/2012 12:56:37 PM

Quote :

" was that the batch that were painted backwards? "

Yes

3/7/2012 7:37:44 PM

Quote :

"I would put the CV up there in the comparison. Proven technology + bulletproof 4.6 SOHC V8 + body-on-frame construction is pretty tough to beat. The transmission is really the only weak link."

Was this a serious post?

"Oh the CV is more reliable, the only problem is the transmission though, which is one of the most important parts of the car. Oh, and one of the most expensive to replace. Other than that they are better and more reliable!"

3/8/2012 12:28:53 AM

Quote :

" Well there's that, and the vastly inferior interior design and materials. I realize the man's on a budget but that doesn't mean you have to deal with a Fisher Price interior."

You do realize these are Leo cars do the interior will blow on both. Something like blood stain resistant vinyl with special seats for cop belts and people with cuffs on right ??

3/8/2012 6:07:34 AM

Quote :

"^^^^my comment was purely a domestic versus Japanese car type of comment."

3/8/2012 8:37:24 AM

Has anyone been there (the Raleigh location) and know whether or not they have any of their old XJ's or Tahoes for sale?

3/9/2012 10:18:31 AM