Of course you see more posts from people having trouble. Happens on the 9 car brand/model forums I've monitored daily on 3 continents for about 8 years. People whose cars are working are out making a living, driving the kids, Xmas shopping, etc. Always beware the biased sample. I'm shopping for a cruise and a washing machine. If I believed all the problems posted, there are no quality products in either category. Yet I also know competitors pay folks to post negative pieces to skew the competitors ratings. One guy got caught posting over 240. Sad thing is they are still posted. And, as for folks who post unprompted "my car is better than your car" posts in another brands forum, ever think they have a bit of a problem with self esteem? I choose to post here a list of the things I liked (19) and those I didn't (26). No car is perfect. Neither is one car right for everyone. I like my v.
My wife test drove the Volt and the C Max Energi. She preferred the C Max's visibility, but preferred the Volt's maneuverability. Felt that responsiveness was about the same. It was 6 to 1/2 doz. To be honest I think the Volt won on looks.
Well i had a toyota Rav 4 which started giving out blue smoke at about a 105,000 miles. Dont think Toyota is that high quality any more. My Prius V is only 19 month old(22k miles) and already can hear multiple creaks from the passenger and rear door panels, not to mention the sticky brake sound. The plastic looks dated. And this is a garaged vehicle. A few years ago, I would have never imagined stepping into any american car manufacturer's dealership. But it seems things have changed. Both for Toyota and Ford. Only time will tell. Meanwhile I am enjoying the 59mpg's without drivin like grandma ( no offense grandma!)
It's true that these forums are going to be skewed to lots of problems. I haven't posted that my carpet is good, my door handles work, my taillights are functioning fine. I only posted about the glitches that make me unhappy. I can count those on one hand. Actually, I can count those on just 4 fingers and one of the 4 is getting fixed today. There are 100 other things I didn't post about because those are ok.
Definitely take a look at Ford. They look really stylish. Also look at how the shiny plastic between the windows outside scratches just by rubbing the pad of your finger on it. They use this on every car and I saw it scratched on virtually every car I look at. Also, look at the glossy "piano finish" (dealer's words) inside, especially the scratches you'll find just from test drivers, and ask yourself how that extremely glossy bust cheap plastic Sony radio is going to hold up the 1000's of times you touch it and the 1 time you rub a cloth across it to dust it. (They have a cheaper matte finish radio, which you could consider instead if you go Ford) The glossy bits are going to be scratched to pieces in 6 months. Best vehicle I had for looking good after a decade was the Chevy SUV I just traded in. Lots of vinyl and rubberized surfaces inside and out. Very basic. Not much to mess up. Nothing glossy at all. Basic cloth seats looked great after 10 years. Function over style. Not sure how you can keep your car from looking dated. That's part of the psychology of how they keep you buying a new car. Change just enough so you think your perfectly good car is old and get you to trade it on a new one.
Good points. Shiny new iphone will scratch if you dont get a case! Thats the best quality out there! The debate on form vs function is a long one and there will always be the ones who prefer one over the other.. I've had 3 japanese and 2 german cars..They all scratched and paint chipped and rubber parts peeled. The germans were expensive to repair and maintain. The japanese not so much. But they did chip and scratch..They have all had their pros and cons. This is our first American build vehicle . After all that has happened in the auto word, and the innovations and work that has gone in, I do think it deserves a chance. Whether it holds up, time will tell!
Even if you don't want to buy one, the C-Max is great news because it will spur Toyota to compete harder. For years, Toyota owned the hybrid market, and now they're finally being challenged by other car makers. The C-Max is a very worthy first effort from Ford, even with its flaws that one expects to see from a new model. I hope both companies will improve their products and lower their prices, and we consumers will reap the benefits.
I'm on my 3d Prius (one per generation) and this may my son and I went halfies on a Ford Fusion Energi - and then drove 7000 miles across the country in it this August. The Hedgehog (aka Son) has the Fusion stabled now in Louisville Kentucky and continues to just love it after seven months - it's his fourth car since he was a teenager a while ago - well, "half a car " . Absolutely no problems. As I wrote in a related post some time back, had the 2013 Fusion Energi been available in early 2012 when I bought my PiP(A), I'd have likely gone for the Fusion instead. These new Fords are pretty damn good. Here's to market competition!
3000 miles avg mpg 82.5! Average daily commute of 50 miles , 60% of which is freeway. Been charging daily and the EV miles have gone up from 18 to about 21. Puts my Prius V to shame. Its at 25400 avg mpg is 40.5!