Most reliable amongst the Big Three

sujaylahiri · 27th August 2007, 08:29

Taking into account the general consensus that American cars are unreliable due to various factors discussed many times in this forum, which company out of GM, Ford and Chrysler Corporation do you think makes the most reliable cars these days? You can also give reasons for your choice. Take into account all factors, in the past and present.

My opinion is that Chrysler makes the most reliable cars out of the big 3 as they were working with Daimler Benz for a significant amount of time and the German connection might have helped. Although most of their cars in the late 90's had severe transmission issues. Also on a lighter note, one of the fleet operators here once told me that FORD stands for Fix or Repair Daily.

Superleggera · 27th August 2007, 19:33

I second you Sujay,Chrysler makes the most reliable cars out of the big 3.

ananthkamath · 27th August 2007, 21:27

Based on warranty cost data I'd say GM is the best followed by Ford. Chrysler is obviously the last.

Where I could be wrong is if warranty cost data is not an accurate measure of reliability.

deepakvrao · 27th August 2007, 21:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by sujaylahiri

Taking into account the general consensus that American cars are unreliable due to various factors discussed many times in this forum, which company out of GM, Ford and Chrysler Corporation do you think makes the most reliable cars these days? You can also give reasons for your choice. Take into account all factors, in the past and present.

My opinion is that Chrysler makes the most reliable cars out of the big 3 as they were working with Daimler Benz for a significant amount of time and the German connection might have helped. Although most of their cars in the late 90's had severe transmission issues. Also on a lighter note, one of the fleet operators here once told me that FORD stands for Fix or Repair Daily.

That reasoning may be wrong as reports have shown that Diamler cars have dropped in the satisfaction ratings - maybe its the other way around?

1100D · 27th August 2007, 21:41

By that count Ford has got Mazda connection. Association with Daimler Benz did not improve Chrysler as much as it deteriorated Daimler Benz.

deepakvrao · 27th August 2007, 21:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1100D

By that count Ford has got Mazda connection. Association with Daimler Benz did not improve Chrysler as much as it deteriorated Daimler Benz.

My point exactly.................

Jaggu · 27th August 2007, 21:59

Chrysler seemed better off when you look from a global perspective. please note that my knowledge is very limited and superficial.

theMAG · 27th August 2007, 23:16

Interesting topic. Apparently a Chevrolet is the most reliable while a Cadillac is the least reliable of American marques.

Note: Pl read the reliability index explanation of that page

Superleggera · 27th August 2007, 23:33

The index shows Ford is more reliable than Toyota?

Samurai · 27th August 2007, 23:45

The body style of Chrysler definitely improved after the German connection, don't know about the quality.

I had a new 1998 Chevy Malibu for 2.5 years, it was an excellent car for the money. Had very small niggles, but was taken care of by the service ASAP. I paid $400 in advance for the GM Smartcare service. I didn't pay single for service/repair in the entire ownership of the car. I voted for GM.

reignofchaos · 28th August 2007, 20:02

Well I drove a rented 2006 Chrysler Sebring recently. It was a rather nice car to drive... beautiful free revving engine and looked nice too. However the body panels were rattling all over the place. Not something I'd want my car to have.

cheap_deal · 28th August 2007, 22:13

well i had a Jeep Cherokee which did 300,000+ miles. other than changing a few parts due to wear and tear there was no mechanical problems, apart from the ac failing at around 250,000 miles.
so a +1 for Chrysler

tsk1979 · 28th August 2007, 22:15

As for Chrysler, they made mercedes bad quality, not the other way round. So I guess its GM followed by ford and in the end comes the Chryslers.

sujaylahiri · 28th August 2007, 22:27

Maybe you guys are right about Chrysler. But I just loved their styling (Intrepid, Charger, 300, Concorde, Crossfire etc.) so I might have been a bit biased towards them.

highwayblaze · 29th August 2007, 00:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by sujaylahiri

But I just loved their styling (Intrepid, Charger, 300, Concorde, Crossfire etc.) so I might have been a bit biased towards them.

......Until u saw the new 2007 Chrysler Sebring and could'nt take it anymore

View Poll Results: Which is the most reliable amongst the Big Three?
General Motors	12	42.86%
Chrysler Corporation	5	17.86%
Ford Motor Company	11	39.29%
Voters: 28. You may not vote on this poll

27th August 2007, 08:29	#1
sujaylahiri BHPian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North America Posts: 960 Thanked: 6 Times View My Garage	Most reliable amongst the Big Three Taking into account the general consensus that American cars are unreliable due to various factors discussed many times in this forum, which company out of GM, Ford and Chrysler Corporation do you think makes the most reliable cars these days? You can also give reasons for your choice. Take into account all factors, in the past and present. My opinion is that Chrysler makes the most reliable cars out of the big 3 as they were working with Daimler Benz for a significant amount of time and the German connection might have helped. Although most of their cars in the late 90's had severe transmission issues. Also on a lighter note, one of the fleet operators here once told me that FORD stands for Fix or Repair Daily.
	() Thanks

27th August 2007, 19:33	#2
Superleggera BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Kannur/Boston Posts: 533 Thanked: 819 Times View My Garage	I second you Sujay,Chrysler makes the most reliable cars out of the big 3.
	() Thanks

27th August 2007, 21:27	#3
ananthkamath Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mangalore Posts: 1,209 Thanked: 82 Times View My Garage	Based on warranty cost data I'd say GM is the best followed by Ford. Chrysler is obviously the last. Where I could be wrong is if warranty cost data is not an accurate measure of reliability.
	() Thanks

27th August 2007, 21:41	#5
1100D Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Calcutta Posts: 4,390 Thanked: 4,117 Times View My Garage	By that count Ford has got Mazda connection. Association with Daimler Benz did not improve Chrysler as much as it deteriorated Daimler Benz.
	() Thanks

27th August 2007, 21:59	#7
Jaggu Team-BHP Support Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 20,374 Thanked: 17,306 Times	Chrysler seemed better off when you look from a global perspective. please note that my knowledge is very limited and superficial.
	() Thanks

27th August 2007, 23:16	#8
theMAG Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Avon, CT Posts: 7,196 Thanked: 1,821 Times View My Garage	Interesting topic. Apparently a Chevrolet is the most reliable while a Cadillac is the least reliable of American marques. Note: Pl read the reliability index explanation of that page
	() Thanks

27th August 2007, 23:33	#9
Superleggera BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Kannur/Boston Posts: 533 Thanked: 819 Times View My Garage	The index shows Ford is more reliable than Toyota?
	() Thanks

27th August 2007, 23:45	#10
Samurai Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bangalore/Udupi Posts: 26,006 Thanked: 49,959 Times View My Garage	The body style of Chrysler definitely improved after the German connection, don't know about the quality. I had a new 1998 Chevy Malibu for 2.5 years, it was an excellent car for the money. Had very small niggles, but was taken care of by the service ASAP. I paid $400 in advance for the GM Smartcare service. I didn't pay single for service/repair in the entire ownership of the car. I voted for GM.
	() Thanks

28th August 2007, 20:02	#11
reignofchaos Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,558 Thanked: 2,527 Times View My Garage	Well I drove a rented 2006 Chrysler Sebring recently. It was a rather nice car to drive... beautiful free revving engine and looked nice too. However the body panels were rattling all over the place. Not something I'd want my car to have.
	() Thanks

28th August 2007, 22:13	#12
cheap_deal BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: unknown Posts: 465 Thanked: 8 Times	well i had a Jeep Cherokee which did 300,000+ miles. other than changing a few parts due to wear and tear there was no mechanical problems, apart from the ac failing at around 250,000 miles. so a +1 for Chrysler
	() Thanks

28th August 2007, 22:15	#13
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,688 Thanked: 23,489 Times View My Garage	As for Chrysler, they made mercedes bad quality, not the other way round. So I guess its GM followed by ford and in the end comes the Chryslers.
	() Thanks

28th August 2007, 22:27	#14
sujaylahiri BHPian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North America Posts: 960 Thanked: 6 Times View My Garage	Maybe you guys are right about Chrysler. But I just loved their styling (Intrepid, Charger, 300, Concorde, Crossfire etc.) so I might have been a bit biased towards them.
	() Thanks