WHICH Automaker Has Earned YOUR Loyalty? WHY?

AS an Automatic transmission rebuilder as a second job and business - I have a great advantage of being able to do my own very complex repairs if needed. Before the Front wheel drive revolution - General Motors was the company. THeir Transmissions led the industry - and the Small Block Chevy Engine - in its various versions - was as reliable as it comes - but easy to fix as well. At that time - Fords rusted out - and Chrysler was always behind the times. WHen FWD first came to the US manufacturers - the Chrysler transmissions were terrible - and Fords were not much better. THe THM125 had a problem with a bushing that could be solved from the OUTSIDE with an aftermarket fix - and it lasted long enough. (no-at that time I would have NOT considered a foreign make)

However - about that time - the 70's - GM made several really bad decisions - and their engines were old and the kept with them - especially the Buick V6 too long- letting in the Foreign makes. The Downsizing of the full size to FWD was a disaster - the cars had all sorts of problems. Ford's Panther based cars tok over as the reliable US cars - and they could make it to 400,000 with little effort. Chrysler came out with a 4 speed AUTO that was WORSE than the very bad three speed. SO Ford was correct then.

Today - I have the advantage of having made a lot of money that I never expected. That 450sel 6.9 was simply something beyond everything else -hooked me On Mercedes. I am accustomed to them -and know how to deal with problems with them. My 600 that I have now is a great car. However - If I did not have the money I do have - I would probably be back with GM. I do not like the heavily turbo-engines that Ford has - even though their Transmissions are largely GM co-designs. Ford cars tended to be smaller than the rest of the competition - which is no good for me at my size. In Fact - I would put Chrysler over Ford - as the 300 is better than anything Ford has.

But the CT6 - although to visually compelling - has some really compelling engineering in its platform. THE GM can LEAD the whole industry on producing a largish car - that weighs less than most mid size - yet still offers the Luxury ride and good handling is not really matched anywhere else. THe GM V-6 (and I admit the Chrysler one too) are reliable - and the Non-Turbo 3.6 has Plenty of power for a 3700 pound car. Now - what they need is a STYLIST like Bill Mitchell back in charge - but I can look past that.

Good points, Tom.

Art & Science needs to go!

Indeed. There is something to be said about the Yugoslavian Driving Machine. I actually drove one once and thought there was something wrong with it, but was assured it was in good condition. Even so, $100 did not leave my pocket that day.

I don't consider myself to be loyal to any one brand. We have three different brands in the carport (Kia, Lexus, and Cadillac) and others in the bunker.

I think I would base my choice on my opinion of the dealer. If the service department treats a person with respect and is diligent and honest, then I would go back to that dealer.

If I were a civilian (i.e. not someone from a dealer), Dodge, Ram, Chrysler, Jeep, Fiat, Alfa-Romeo, Maserati, Mitsubishi, Honda, and Mazda would be off my list due to abysmal dealer reputation. On my list would be anything from Ford, GM, Hyundai, VW/Audi/Porsche due to stellar customer service.

I agree with Matt (shock!). My dealer experience has much more to do with my loyalty than the car itself. I've been in VW for years, mainly to the way my dealer takes care of me after the sale. When I couldn't find a Tiguan I wanted last fall, the same dealer sells Subaru. I now drive an Outback that I like quite a bit.

Often times one owner can pollute quite a few dealerships. One owner locally has Dodge, Ram, Chrysler, Jeep, Fiat, Alfa-Romeo, Maserati, Mitsubishi, Kia, and is hiding under the surface at Honda. The owner's attitude is fcuk (sic) the customer. The Acura franchise got pulled from them.

VW/Audi great customer experience?

Hm, perhaps I've been going to the wrong dealers in the NJ area. VW/Audi are atrocious around here...

The local VW/Audi/Porsche dealer has an excellent reputation for customer service. Their issue is VW being stingy on approving warranty work and taking forever to pay the dealer for the work done.

As an example, a friend was looking at two CPO Audis. An A4 2.0T and an A6 3.0T. He went with the A4 and then a week later really wanted the A6. No problem. They offered him the same % off marked price on the A6 that he agreed to on the A4. He said yes. Off he went.

Loyalty? To a car brand? I get whatever vehicle suits me at the time.

I agree; however, for example, my family and I have been partial to BMW for many years.

I will stick with Toyota. 5 of them in the immediate family. We are well looked after by the local dealer. Have been for nearly 3 decades. Tried a BMW and it sort of fell apart at 7 years old. A Corolla and my 4Runner blew past that marker with zero issues. A drama free life has its privileges. If I was to splurge again I would get a Lexus GX460 and drive it like a Grandma as it and the 4Runner are not dynamic vehicles.

Why the antiquated GX?

You're right, they're not dynamically fantastic but they are "strong like bull."

For the price there are simply better choices that are "strong like bull" and which are not virtually unsafe at any speed.

@MD- For the V8, and the interior. I just drive to the train station and back so not a big deal for me. 15 minutes each way when I need to see clients downtown. To and from the forest for mounting biking / skiing. Room for an XL dog airport crate is also important. The obvious choice would be an Acura MDX (staying midsize). I have driven one before. The width feels like I am driving a Yukon which I rented once.

@CC I could show you an accident avoidance maneuver in any of the GX's competitors and you'd be amazed at how controlled they are. The same move in the GX would terrify you. The high center of gravity and the chassis that dates back largely to 1996 make it tipsy and unruly.

I don’t know if you would call it loyalty but BMW sure earned my respect while I was stationed in Germany in the mid 80s. I ran an 1802 flat out for over three years on many an autobahn. I can’t think of many american or Japanese cars that could have done that back then. I also had a 3.0 CSL that was more a weekend driver that I regret letting go when I came back to the states. Prior to my tour in Germany I was exclusively an American car fanatic, having a 1971 (I think) Dodge truck with a 360 in it and Chevy Z/28. Over the years we have had a lot of different cars but always known entities and we always had a BMW or two in the garage. Lately I feel more adventurous and got an Evoque for the wife and we may get a Giulia for her next car. The Evoque has been quite reliable and fun to drive so maybe that has influenced me a bit.

Like the rest of us on here, I'm a total car nut. I've had just about every car. And like people have said on here, I buy what I like and is current at the time-EXCEPT for my daily driver. I've owned 11 BMW's since 2000. But as of today, I am done with BMW. Now, my current M760 is probably the best car I've ever owned, even when compared to my 2015 Bentley Continental GTC V8S. I like it better than my '18 Panamara Turbo. The quality of materials, effortless power, and stellar ride makes it incredible. But it looks just like a $50k 5 Series. I am so tired of the way BMW's look that I won't buy another one. I hate the tech on a Mercedes, so the longest I've kept a MB was a GLS63, and that was 28 days. I hated it.

Cadillac has a strong following with older Americans. But I would bet the Mercedes has the most loyal following due to name recognition.