FORGET VW. Is There REALLY Any Automaker That YOU Actually Trust?

The media really seems to be licking its chops over the dieselgate scandal and how it seemingly gets worse on a daily basis. They continue to pile on the stories and advancing the narrative.

We get it. Volkswagen was a company that lied to the regulators, and even worse, its loyal consumers. And, boy, they're going to pay for that one — VW's owners are some of the most loyal. Who knows if they'll survive the latest.

But, as we've been chewing on the latest coming straight from Germany, there's something that we think needs to be asked.

Is there REALLY any automaker that you actually trust?

Over the years just about every major car builder has had its share of humble pie in form of a scandal. Some have kept their noses cleaner than others but just think:

- Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) accepting federal funds in a "bailout"
- General Motors (GM) and its respective ignition switch recalls and alleged delay to issue them
- Ford and the whole Firestone tire debacle
- Audigate with the 5000 that seemed to "run away"
- Toyota and its respective issues that seemed to have its vehicles' accelerators stuck

So, what say you, Spies?

jameswisrik - 9/30/2015 7:23:02 AM

0 Boost

Easy... Benz , Acura , Lexus for luxury!

Toyota , Honda, Ford...for normal brands!

Socalcarnut - 9/30/2015 7:37:25 AM

+2 Boost

I am not a Subaru guy...but Subaru has an extremely loyal following, the brand doing very well, they never seem to boast about sales results, and as far as I can remember they seem to keep their nose clean.

TomM - 9/30/2015 7:47:06 AM

+1 Boost

The real answer is in knowing WHAT to trust. For example - do not buy a car in its first year if you can avoid it - it will be recalled more than later ones. Over the years - GM Hydramatic Transmissions have - except for their first year - been the best automatics - and I would prefer them to others. THere is Little Difference between brands of Synthetic Oil - and store brands are often made by a well known maker and still meet the same standards - so use synthetic oil from Wal-mart(In MY area is is made by Quaker State) or others. Changing that oil more than every 5000 miles is more than enough for most vehicles. I do not car what mechanical device you buy - but every one that has metal to metal contact has normal wear - metal that goes into the oil in Engines and Transmission - many of which use Solenoids (Magnetic Switches) to operate - so change your Automatic Transmission Fluid regularly - at least every 30,000 miles - WITH the filter - as well as the Other filters in the car. DO NOT wait 100.000 miles to change your spark plugs - they may seize in the engine and you might never get them out. There are still plenty of hinges and other places on a car where a shot of white Grease is needed every so often - and anyone can use a spray can for that. While the engine will compensate for a clogging air filter - it will be more efficient with a new one every 1-12,000 miles.

IE - if you actually take care of your car in a proactive basis - your car will likely last longer (Accidents aside). However - at that point - ANY of the major manufacturers make car designed to minimize their warranty costs - so they will last decently. Some have problems (Chrysler has always had Transmission problems) - in specific areas. For and everyday car - I would choose Ford or GM - for Luxury almost all of the true LUXURY(Not the smaller cars they make with are sport sedans) cars are pretty good - remembering that the more gizmos and gadgets - the more that there is to go wrong - so High priced cars always were LESS reliable than the basic Chevy or Ford. And today - 200,000 miles is probably how long they will last if taken care of - Driven responsibly - and without major repairs that would require you to make a decision to junk the car.

mre30 - 9/30/2015 10:45:23 AM

+2 Boost

I trust Mercedes Benz and Mercedes Benz alone!