TheLastStarFighter said:
You're LOL'ing at me saying domestic reliability is on par with foreign brands, but the only real lol is that you're using antecdotal evidence to say what lasts longer. I go by market research and publications like Consumer Reports or JD Power. My folks gave me a Dodge Intrepid that lasted past 350k kms, but that doesn't really say anything about expected reliability for someone else. Reliability also varies wildly by model, so an S-Class may be great but an E-Class terible, an Intrepid fine but a Neon a shit box and so on.
I would agree if you were saying past models had poor build quality. The Montana you mentioned being an example. But if you look at brands like Ford or Hyundai - which was once abysmal - new cars that you buy today are quite possibly every bit as good as a Toyota or Honda. Or at least close. Certain brands like Lexus, Lincoln, Buick and Porche stand out while models from Land Rover and some others are quite poor, but most of the mass-market is similar.
More on topic though, are you considering model changes? Since you're a couple years away, the new Mustang will launch with IRS and new look, and the Challenger will also be new. I plan to give them a good look over. Personally, I love the 335 convertible so it's a front runner for me even though like you said, it's about to be replaced by the 435 next year, and I can't/won't afford it completely new right now. I also like the Lexus IS350C. I like the Genesis but don't like the image enough. I'm also debating a used SL-class, but it would require going older than I would like and no back seat is an issue.
If you like small and light I think the BRZ seems like a great fit, or the new 2-series. BRZ's are less pretentous, but they do seem to be cop magnets.
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Oh yes, I've looked up statistics on American cars too, read JD Power on reliability reports, and read anohter book called lemonaide which specifically talks about maintenance issues of cars. American cars supposedly get on average 120,000 miles (200,000km), while Japanese cars typically last 200,000 miles (330,000km) from what I've read.
Yes, I know reliability depends on models, for instance Benz SUV's suck, but sedans are good. Anyway I doubt that modern Fords are as good as modern Honda's/Toyota's. A friend has a 2009 Fusion AND a 2007 Accord, and the Fusion with less milage already has more problems. If you look at consumer reports, American cars are still pretty far behind the Japanese. Ford is ok, I did say that, but Crysler are still just as bad as they've always been, and Chevy is only a little better.
The reason I mention cases I know in real life, is because they are relfective of consumer reports. When Lemonaide for instance gives an average score, that means that around 200km that component (engine, transmission, etc) will start to give problems. Most American cars, even Ford, still typically return average values, where Japanese deliver Good-Excellent scores. BMW is somewhere inbetween with excellent engines/tranny's and average accessory's.
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On topic, good point about the new Mustang! The new one looks amazing via concept photos. I think I will consider that now, like I said I'm not particularly against Ford, I think they are OK. LOL, but not Dodge, never Dodge, I know too many horror story's of control arms just breaking, and tires falling off at speed. A friend of mine has a 2012 Crysler 300, and already big problems, I don't know why you defend a company like this.
I really like the BMW 335 too, I might just get a 2013 model, it would look old, but the 3 coupe is a great car. I'm not too interested in the 2/4 with electric steering, and rumored to come in auto only. Lexus and the SL are auto only, and the Hyndai Genesis Coupe is over-priced IMO, and too small in the back (yes a BRZ is bigger in the back).
You have given me, a very good alternate 
The new Mustang looks sweet.
