Are bad cars going extinct?

[bjl584]

Are bad cars going extinct? | Fox News

As automakers continue to compete for market share, quality and reliability are now standard. The era of the clunker car is coming to an end.

[kork13]

Are bad cars going extinct? | Fox News

As automakers continue to compete for market share, quality and reliability are now standard. The era of the clunker car is coming to an end.

I've seen a similar article on WSJ.com... It's great that overall, long-term quality is improving. The only problem is that instead of driving the current leaders (Japan's makers) to cut its pricing to maintain a competitive edge, the competition makers (US, Korea, etc.) are raising prices to match the Japanese quality premium.

[MonkeyMama]

So true.

I've noticed this for a while. In the 1990s we bought Japanese and expected reliable cars that lasted a couple of decades. In the new Century we bought American and expect the same. Prices were still on the cheaper side for American, but quality had improved substantially.

Maybe next time we car shop the prices will have been equalized. I suppose we are already seeing that - to buy the same Ford today is considerably more expensive than when we last bought in 2002.

I think personally the Japanese auto makers had a REALLY good run though on brand loyalty from their high quality in the 80s and 90s. One of our cars we bought 10 years ago and I Didn't see the point to pay the Japanese premium then. & even today, most people I know wouldn't look at anything but a Toyota or a Honda. IF costs are similar, I'd choose a Toyota.

[bjl584]

I was watching a documentary on GM a while back. It was focusing mostly on the bankruptcy and the bailouts, but there was also a part of the show talking about how far along quality has come at GM in the past couple decades. There was a gentleman talking with the reporter about how sometimes in the early in mid 80's cars would roll of the lines missing parts. Other cars would have major flaws and defects but they would move them out the door anyway. He said that GM got too arrogant and wasn't taking the "Japanese Threat" seriously. They certainly have come a long way with their automobiles.