Consumer Reports Reliability Rating
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 937
Likes: 3
From: Austin Texas
Originally Posted by S2K
You have to consider the number of people who are employed by these foreign auto makers in the US as well. Of course the company itself is not in the US (hence foreign auto) but they do bring dollars and jobs to the US.
The S2000 is actually not made in the US. It is only made in Japan. Frankly, this does not make me feel the least bit unpatriotic. I buy what I believe is the best and let competition run from there. I think it's unpatriotic to buy something inferior just to support the "home team". No one improves that way. I am not saying people here are doing that with the Vette; I am just making a general statement.
I laughed at this only because I was on the flip side of the coin. I haven't owned a domestic car in 20 some years. It wasn't so much for image (although I thought most domestic models were very low cal) but more because I always found foreign makes substantially better in all aspects. The Vette was image though and the image I had of it was definitely not pretty. This has lasted until the C6 which has dramatically changed my perspective.
Vettes are everywhere as are other American sports cars. I said the same with the S2000 although not because it wasn't in high demand, but because they produced it in such limited quantities. The same will not be said of the Vette.
The S2000 is actually not made in the US. It is only made in Japan. Frankly, this does not make me feel the least bit unpatriotic. I buy what I believe is the best and let competition run from there. I think it's unpatriotic to buy something inferior just to support the "home team". No one improves that way. I am not saying people here are doing that with the Vette; I am just making a general statement.
I laughed at this only because I was on the flip side of the coin. I haven't owned a domestic car in 20 some years. It wasn't so much for image (although I thought most domestic models were very low cal) but more because I always found foreign makes substantially better in all aspects. The Vette was image though and the image I had of it was definitely not pretty. This has lasted until the C6 which has dramatically changed my perspective.
Vettes are everywhere as are other American sports cars. I said the same with the S2000 although not because it wasn't in high demand, but because they produced it in such limited quantities. The same will not be said of the Vette.
And I realize that I could have jumped ship like you in the 80's and early 90’s when American cars were more inferior to foreign... BUT I DIDN"T. If I and others like me would have bailed from domestic I doubt that you would have had the opportunity to post to this forum today and be given the opportunity to consider buying a C6 BECAUSE THE C6 WOULD NOT EXIST.
Since I am sure that this mild debate would continue without end I will graciously give you that last word if you choose.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,130
Likes: 5
From: Seattle WA
Originally Posted by richbell
I appreciate that everyone has an opinion. I have heard the same comments from foreign car drivers many times before. I'm sorry I don't get “fogged� into thinking that I'm supporting American jobs by buying foreign cars. That is what they have marketed hard to get you and others to think.
And I realize that I could have jumped ship like you in the 80's and early 90’s when American cars were more inferior to foreign... BUT I DIDN"T. If I and others like me would have bailed from domestic I doubt that you would have had the opportunity to post to this forum today and be given the opportunity to consider buying a C6 BECAUSE THE C6 WOULD NOT EXIST.
The C6 would likely not exist without healthy competition both foreign and domestic. You really think we'd have the advancements we do if everyone blindly purchased domestic models just because they are made here? Where is the incentive? Where is the competition? Limited choice is un-American.
Take a walk around your apartment or house. You might be shocked how many items you have that aren't "made in the USA". I hope that doesn't keep you awake at night.
Since I am sure that this mild debate would continue without end I will graciously give you that last word if you choose.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 265
Likes: 9
From: Gilbert Arizona
Depends On The Driver
Part of the reason Corvette has a worse than average reliability rating is the kind of people who drive a high performance sports car. When you drive a bit harder than the average Toyota jockey, you tend to break stuff more often than they do.
And, of course, being fair you have to accept the fact that Detroiot still hasn't figured out how to make cars as reliable as the Japanese.
All that being said, my '97 and '02 Corvettes have had minimal problems: a couple of stereo speakers on the '97 and a manual trans on the '02, which was replaced under warranty in just a few days after it blew at 2,500 miles. Something about a misaligned shaft.
But, when you put your foot to the wood and feel that V8 generate gobs and gobs of power and torque, WHO CARES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And, of course, being fair you have to accept the fact that Detroiot still hasn't figured out how to make cars as reliable as the Japanese.
All that being said, my '97 and '02 Corvettes have had minimal problems: a couple of stereo speakers on the '97 and a manual trans on the '02, which was replaced under warranty in just a few days after it blew at 2,500 miles. Something about a misaligned shaft.
But, when you put your foot to the wood and feel that V8 generate gobs and gobs of power and torque, WHO CARES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,711
Likes: 90
From: Hillsdale NJ
Originally Posted by S2K
Vettes are everywhere as are other American sports cars. I said the same with the S2000 although not because it wasn't in high demand, but because they produced it in such limited quantities. The same will not be said of the Vette.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,130
Likes: 5
From: Seattle WA
Originally Posted by Jay_Davis
I don't know where you live, but around here there are S2000's all over the place. They seem to grow on trees. I can't look in my rear view mirror without seeing one!
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,711
Likes: 90
From: Hillsdale NJ
Originally Posted by S2K
The car has been out for five years now so inventories have built, but compared to other production cars the numbers are very very low. I think they made more 350z's in the first year than several years of the S2K. Again, given that it's made in only one factory, and the factory is in Japan, the numbers are kept down.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 67,942
Likes: 1
St. Jude Donor '12
2012 Election Contest Winner
Originally Posted by loyalsince72
Part of the reason Corvette has a worse than average reliability rating is the kind of people who drive a high performance sports car. When you drive a bit harder than the average Toyota jockey, you tend to break stuff more often than they do.
s:
s:
I totally disagree with that statement. All the stuff that went wrong on my car - e.g. horn, window motor, CL, leaky differential, power steering leaks, oil pressure sensor, steering sensor, had nothing to do with my driving. Crappy assembly and engineering - that was it.
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Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,711
Likes: 90
From: Hillsdale NJ
One other factor to remember in terms of reliability: the mechanic. If you've got a questionable (talent/experience wise, not due to bad intentions) mechanic, one problem will lead to the next because new problems will be caused everytime something is taken apart and put back together. These problems don't have to be obvious either, many of them you won't even notice until much later on and you'll never realize they were connected.
