Honda cars less dependable than Toyotas?

I'm not sure I would include Ford in that list since Alan Mulally took
over there as CEO. He was a big believer of Toyota production methods
and quality control when he was the head of Boeing's commercial airlines
division. He implemented those methods there before leaving for Ford and
that made a lot of difference at Boeing. I expect the same thing at
Ford. Of course it takes some time before the old Ford culture changes
accordingly.

 

For me it was about wash in the dependability category betwen Toyota and
Honda cars I kept for a long time. My main beef with Honda is that it is
harder to do basic maintenance or repair jobs by a do-it-yourselfer than
with Toyota. For instance I can't even do my own oil change on my Accord
due to accessibility issues. Also, Honda repairs seem to be a bit more
expensive than Toyota's.

I totally agree with that.

I don't know about that but everybody seems to agree about the high road
noise in Hondas.

Yes, Hondas seem to be on the top of the list of most stolen cars.
That's reflected in the insurance rates.

Same here.

 

I know some Fords are supposedly scoring high in reliability, almost on par
with Toyota and Honda. But these models (e.g. Fusion) haven't been around
long enough to judge true long-term reliability. Wait a few more years and
let's see how they hold up then.

 

I had the last model of 280Z before they switched to the 280ZX. I never
had a problem with the thermotime switch, though on both my 1976 and
1978 model 280Z there were U-joint failures.

Pat

 

Ford is more popular in Europe than in US.

 

I put Koni's on mine -- sure improved the handling. I can see why on U
joints given the IRS system used which was quite different from the ZX.

 

I bought a 2010 Sienna several months ago and one of the factors was
road noise at highway speeds. IMHO, Sienna is limo-like whereas
Odyssey is noisy and rougher riding. That's a poor trade-off for
marginally better handling in my book. (My Sienna came with simply
awful tires. I'll probably put on a set of Michelin HydroEdge tires;
that should improve handling a bit.)

 

I'd buy any Honda sight unseen. But they do tend to have a lot of road
noise. Now that I'm almost deaf anyway, doesn't make much difference.

Wifey has the new 2009 CRV and loves it. Great price and appointments
compared to the competitors.

I bought a 2010 Sienna several months ago and one of the factors was
road noise at highway speeds. IMHO, Sienna is limo-like whereas
Odyssey is noisy and rougher riding. That's a poor trade-off for
marginally better handling in my book. (My Sienna came with simply
awful tires. I'll probably put on a set of Michelin HydroEdge tires;
that should improve handling a bit.)

 

How does a person like you or me determine something like this?

 

Huh? What model Honda (ans/or Acura)? I owned an 88' Acura Integra sedan
and own an '03 Accord sedan. Have done oil changes on both from the get
go (inc. oil filters), also change brake pads, cabin & air filters, etc.
Getting harder for me since I'm 68 and have Parkinson's Disease, but I
allow longer.

 

I'm not sure I understand the question. He was talking about his own
personal experience. You're asking how you make evaluations of your
personal experience. If you don't know that, you've got much more
serious problems than what car to drive.


RFT!!!
Dave Kelsen

 

I agree. I have an 03 sedan and an 04 coupe. No problem changing the
oil, and I'm a very large person, although only in my 50's.


RFT!!!
Dave Kelsen

 

'94 Accord.

 

Is your Accord 4 or 6 cylinder? My 1995 accord with a 4 cylinder is not
easy at all on replacing the oil filter, but I have managed it twice.

By comparison, the filter on the 1994 Camry is on the front of the
engine with space all around it.
That is the easiest car oil filter I have accessed during my lifetime.

 

Four cylinders, and the oil filter is sqeezed in the back at the
firewall. I think it can only be accessed from below.

 

I've found a more detailed report on that survey and that indicates long
term reliability, after 3 years of ownership. Here is the link:

<http://blog.marketplace.nwsource.com/nwautos/2010/03/porsche_and_cadillac_tops_in_dependability_study_ford_debuts_new_police_car.html>

 

How does one decide on the "safest" car ever, the driver is such a
*huge* variable? 1 fewer crash / 100,000 passenger miles, ...? OP did
say "safest car he ever drove" and I assume he didn't crash them to
gather safety data.

<not intended as a smart ass query, BTW, I'm curious how a person
reaches such a conclusion>

 

Thanks, Dave, big guy here, too, ... that's why God made hydraulic jacks
which lift the car well off the ground. Also why I pull the R/F wheel to
change the oil & filter - more room. After some experience I change the
oil filter from a sitting position.

 

Is that noticeably different? I have no experience with the 199x models.

 

Perhaps he'll drive you. But I must point out that the driver is not a
variable in this scenario. The driver stays the same.


RFT!!!
Dave Kelsen