Posted by Agent Skelly Taku does bring up a good point; you DO see more domestics on the used market than foreign makes. And to go even further, I conjecture you do see more domestics on their 3rd owner through used sales than a foriegn car. Personally myself, I demand that a car must be able to last 100,000 miles without any major issues.

let me bring this up... Since I have owned both Chevy Lumina's and several Cavaliers, do you notice HOW MANY ARE RUNNING AROUND STILL? And even on hole in the wall indy lots, they command ridiculous money, even with miles on them.
Peruse a want ad digest and see what a 97, 98, 99+ Cavalier is commanding used, even in excess of 100,000 miles. And have you ever noticed how there are even OLDER Cavaliers, Berettas, Luminas, Corsicas, even CELEBRIITIES running around, some in excess of 220,000 miles? Why do these cars get such a bad rap when they obviously go the distance mechanically. Believe me, if a car can last 200,000 miles up here, then anywhere else in the country should pull 300,000 with ease.

Ditto with a Lumina. Even with 150,000+ miles, a 95-2000 Lumina/Monte Carlo still commands $2000, even in so-so condition.

And those are just GM models.
Chrysler FWD models do not command dollars like this, neither do Fords. A Contour you cannot GIVE away. An Escort/ZX2 goes fairly cheap and Taurus' are a dime a dozen because of their terrible transmissions, fruity electrical systems and the fact that the optional 3.8L V6 was a notorious head gasket eater.

It's because those cars aren't that great when it comes to the things most people see, but they're tanks when it comes to reliability.

Most imports seem to be owned longer than domestics. I think that has more to do with people that buy domestics tend to buy into the old thought of a car with over 50,000 miles is useless. Not true, as we all know, but that's something I see a lot. Trading in a 3 year old town car just to get one with fewer miles. Doesn't make sense to most of us, but I don't have any problem buying a 3 year old car that's worth half of a new one, especially if it's under 50,000 miles.

Lately, I've been looking more at domestics. A 3 year old domestic is worth less than a 5 year old Honda Civic, but is going to be every bit as reliable. My wife and I both like the PT Cruiser GT, and I think that may be our next vehicle purchase. At 3 years old, they're worth about $5000, while a 1998 Civic goes for that much, and has less character. The handling dynamics of that PT feel good, too.

Posted by wannabeotaku It's because those cars aren't that great when it comes to the things most people see, but they're tanks when it comes to reliability. Most imports seem to be owned longer than domestics. I think that has more to do with people that buy domestics tend to buy into the old thought of a car with over 50,000 miles is useless. Not true, as we all know, but that's something I see a lot. Trading in a 3 year old town car just to get one with fewer miles. Doesn't make sense to most of us, but I don't have any problem buying a 3 year old car that's worth half of a new one, especially if it's under 50,000 miles. Lately, I've been looking more at domestics. A 3 year old domestic is worth less than a 5 year old Honda Civic, but is going to be every bit as reliable. My wife and I both like the PT Cruiser GT, and I think that may be our next vehicle purchase. At 3 years old, they're worth about $5000, while a 1998 Civic goes for that much, and has less character. The handling dynamics of that PT feel good, too.

The PT Cruiser was based on the Neon chassis which, as much as I hate to admit it, was pretty rugged. The SOHC engines sucked, however, but that does not apply to your model.

Posted by Samurai The PT Cruiser was based on the Neon chassis which, as much as I hate to admit it, was pretty rugged. The SOHC engines sucked, however, but that does not apply to your model.

That's because the SOHC engine was a last minute change due to the slow development rate of the "4-stroke" engine it was intended to have. Though I've driven the Neon and thought it was a pretty decent engine; it certainly did 0-60 faster than the Escort & Civic at the time.

And the PT Cruiser shares more than the Neon chassis; I want to say the same exact A/C system and other things as the Neon set the standard for the lowest cost car to make while providing high quality.

Posted by Samurai A Contour you cannot GIVE away.

Ugh. Contour. I just threw up in my mouth a little.

Posted by bandi Ugh. Contour. I just threw up in my mouth a little.

the irony of that is that I have been told that the European version, the Mondeo, was actually a pretty good car. Sometimes I wonder what gets lost in the translation?

Apparently the Focus is a great car in Europe, too... where in North America, anybody who actually paid for their Focus got fucked.

Posted by bandi Apparently the Focus is a great car in Europe, too... where in North America, anybody who actually paid for their Focus got fucked.

Because we have the Mark I and they have the Mark II. The Mark III apparently will the same in both markets and its ABOUT TIME! I bet you if Ford sold the Mark II at the same time here, it would of saved the company.

Posted by Samurai the irony of that is that I have been told that the European version, the Mondeo, was actually a pretty good car. Sometimes I wonder what gets lost in the translation?

The story worsens though.... in that Jaguar built the X series.... using the Contour platform and an all but off the rack for drivetrain and motor! OOPS