Yes Mercedes tend to have plenty of problems, but they're generally related to bugs and failures in their new untested state of the art features; not physical build quality or material quality issues (well, at least definitely not in their higher end cars).


ppppsst... "Acceptable"

 

A lot of Mercedes owners were complaining in Autoweek about the perceived cheapness of the materials in the new SL when it was introduced--which is not exactly a low end car.

And Car & Drivel has commented a few times about big gaps and poor hood fits in Mercedes products.

It's not just the electronics.

 

Car & Drivel. I like that one!

 

I have felt that Toyota interiors were cheap for years. I think the recent honda's are pretty bad too. I recently rented a Honda Odyssey and it had several non matching pieces of trim, poor glovebox fit and other fit and finish blemishes.

 

I didn't care for the interior on the old body style, but the new one that just came out a few months back is really damn nice IMO.

 

You guys should go over to Allpar and read about the problems that Mercedes is having. It isn't just electonics, but also with fit and finish.

 

Don't worry... I'm sure all of the main stream media will accept it like the hope diamond.

We all know they're in, and have been in, the Toyota induced DENIAL for a few years now.

 

1. The fact remains that the Highlander Hybrid is pretty lousy excuse for a vehicle - as are most Hybrids.

2. The Highlander isn't all that great to begin with. Here's one "crossover" that's far less desirable than the Siena minivan!

3. I do think that stability control should have been standard equipment on the Avalon.

4. The Avalon is far from perfect, but at least it's far better than any of GM's competitive models. Hopefully, Toyota's upcoming new Camry will build upon the Avalon's good points (the 280hp engine!) and wring out most of the bugs.

 

Do you realize that most people these days laugh at anything you write?

Tell me about Nissan/Infiniti's current lineup... I'd like to see if you have anything negative to say about those.

Let me guess... the Sienna is crap compared to the Quest, right?
Nevermind that every major editorial publication and most owner reviews disagree with you.

I appreciate every brand for what they offer incliding GM, Nissan, Toyota, Honda, etc.

You on the other hand have the most amazing ability of selective listening and selective reasoning I've ever seen on this board - and that's saying a lot.

Idiot.

 

I got one for my wife (non-hype-rid). We checked out the Sienna too but we happened to like the Highlander better since it was a little smaller (we only have 1 child).

I think it's a great car for its intended purpose. Decent gas, it can actually merge, it's not a house on wheels, the baby seat is at a level that's nice and accessible, roomy, comfortable, keeps its value very well... Great car!

Now for me - no way in hell. It's 100% appliance and I can't stand that stuff.

 

Hurts when the shoe is (finally) on the other foot, eh?

 

If anybody needed a dose of domestic bias, it is them.


Ironically, while I have an admitted domestic bias, I prefer Nissans in terms of foreign makes as I had a good experience w/ the ex wife's Sentra.


Simple car, and reliable for quite a while. Heck, the factory battery made it 5 years, which is way more than I can say for the Camaro.

And, her battery did not leak when it went bad the way the Camaro's did, and the '02 Saturn we had.

The finacee's '01 Ranger Edge has been a wonderful vehicle so far. In ~ 65K so far we have replaced the front pads, a set of tires, and the airbag light comes on randomly - but, no flaws in terms of mechanical or drive, and the fit & finish is quite nice.

No map pockets, though.

At any rate, I am glad to see that someone can trash the imports as hard as the domestics typically get it.


Britt

 

By the way Threxx, I don't know what you were looking for but I searched all of about 10 seconds to find his complaints about the Equinox's "cheap feeling" dash and switch pieces, although he generally liked it...

http://www.freep.com/money/autorevie...e_20050707.htm

 

Wow, a p!ssing contest with Threxx versus Redzed. I'm looking forward to this one

 

It has been going on for several threads now. Redzed doesn't like ANYTHING outside of Nissan, period. That has become beyond obvious. It's annoying.

As much as I may seem like the local Toyota fanboy, I have a strong appreciation for Nissans as well (typically their older models, but that's just a personal preference), Chevys etc. It's just that Toyota's voice is the most lacking here so that's what I have chosen to pick up on in recent times. Do a search back and you can find me hyping up Nissans, Hondas, Mercedes, Chevy, Ford, etc. I just tend to fill in the gaps as I think that makes things more interesting.

And yes, on average I do prefer Toyota, but again, I like a bit of everything - as is evidenced by my desire to buy a used C5 or new C6 and/or GMT-900 Silverado sometime in the next year or so.