Extremely reliable and well-engineered car for the masses. Excellent market focus and superb assembly have made this THE best selling car in North America for many years running.
We love it when people come into the $hop with a "competitive" American car complaining about low power and a smoky exhaust (worn rings, destroyed valve seals, and myriad other malfunctions) at only 60,000 miles, saying "I saved $1,500 and bought this (insert name of Ford, GM or Chrysler product in same market segment)
instead of a Honda Accord."
Of course, over the "life" of their American car they will pay me many thousands more than they saved on the initial purchase price. Life is good!
Crappy
American cars that TRY to match the reliability of a Honda Accord?...well, keep buying them, America.
American cars that break down a lot keep my $hop and my six employees afloat with plenty of work! :-)
If it weren't for
American cars, I'd be a two-man shop doing only preventative maintenance (oil and trans fluid changes, a/c checks, spark plug changes once every 100,000 miles, yada yada).
Customer: "My warranty just expired on this Dodge Stratus, and it won't run."
Mechanic: "The PCM failed completely. I can get a used PCM from a salvage yard for the same model year for only $250.00"
Customer: "A used one? This car is only 3 years old. Did
the other guy wreck his Stratus?"
Mechanic: "No...he did regular oil changes, but his engine seized at 43,000 miles due to sludge buildup from poor Chrysler design of the oiling system. Oh, a new PCM from Chrysler is over $400.00, but no warranty since Chrysler doesn't warrant their OEM
electrical parts."
Customer: "Maybe I'll get a Ford Focus..."
Mechanic: "Sure, why not." (Me smiling at a customer for life; if he bought a Honda Accord, we wouldn't be having this
conversation)
