US cars - PITA?

[MRCL]

I'm seriously considering buying an US car (Mustang GT caught my attention).
European cars are 90% fugly, and american cars 90% beauty. ANYWAY, I read a bit about imported US cars, and I read a lot about those cars can be a pita, I know getting spare parts in my country will be hard but thats just minor if the car does not break down every week or so. So I wanted to ask:
Are those US cars really that fragile? I mean they look like unkillable, but I'd like to hear some experiences. :)

PS: The Mustang I consider is of a newer generaton (2006 afaik), but I also consider older cars, thats why I'm asking.

[FordGT90Concept]

282 reviews for you: http://www.edmunds.com/ford/mustang/2006/consumerreview.html :)

[MRCL]

282 reviews for you: http://www.edmunds.com/ford/mustang/2006/consumerreview.html :)

Thats exactly what I mean. On the first page everybody said the build quality is not really good, thats what I'm concerned about.

[1Kurgan1]

By build quality they mean the interior creeks and such, it's a Mustang, cheap speed, it's going to be noisy. If your buying something that new, reliability isn't something you should have to worry about for quiet a few years, but a Mustang GT would be a good choice. Are they really not sold over there? If not thats not too big of a deal as the 4.6L comes in many different vehicles, so some research and replacement parts shouldn't be too hard to source, but beyond that the 4.6L's are a reliable motor.

[MRCL]

By build quality they mean the interior creeks and such, it's a Mustang, cheap speed, it's going to be noisy. If your buying something that new, reliability isn't something you should have to worry about for quiet a few years, but a Mustang GT would be a good choice. Are they really not sold over there? If not thats not too big of a deal as the 4.6L comes in many different vehicles, so some research and replacement parts shouldn't be too hard to source, but beyond that the 4.6L's are a reliable motor.

American cars are sold here via special garages, they have to import the car. And if they are out of spare parts, they need to import that, too most of the time. And waiting for a vital spare part for more than a week which is highly likely is not what I want, since I need a car to be able to go to work.

The GT is not THE car I want, its just A car I want, if theres another, better one its no big deal. I'm just unsure if it would be a wise choice.

[1Kurgan1]

Well going for any common "muscle car" isn't a bad choice. Even if it isn't the GT you want. I would say the same for a 4th Gen Camaro/Firebird, G8, or the GTO also as they all use the LS family engines which come in just about anything. Just don't chump out and get a V6 Stang or F-Body, that is unless it's a brand new Camaro, then its forgivable.

You are looking at some pretty new cars though, I wouldn't worry about it. Worst case scenarios is, it starts breaking 5 - 7 years from now and you sell it, if they are all imported I imagine they hold resale value pretty well. But as with any of these cars, except maybe the G8 or GTO (unless your really picky) they will be very cheapo interiors. That doesn't mean they won't be nice looking, but they will creak, they will moan. My friend owns a 93 Camaro, yes it's an older car now, but it's been a gently owned car and only has 85k on it and he has a few spots where he has put paper between the plastics to stop them from making some annoying noises. When you are driving a muscle car its power > everything else, something you might have to get use to. But what will help you adapt is putting down the big right pedal and listening to the awesome V8 :)

I'm surprised that the Mustang wouldn't be sold over there though as thats Fords icon car. Whats their flagship performance car over there? The Focus ST?

[erocker]

I'm seriously considering buying an US car (Mustang GT caught my attention).
European cars are 90% fugly, and american cars 90% beauty. ANYWAY, I read a bit about imported US cars, and I read a lot about those cars can be a pita, I know getting spare parts in my country will be hard but thats just minor if the car does not break down every week or so. So I wanted to ask:
Are those US cars really that fragile? I mean they look like unkillable, but I'd like to hear some experiences. :)

PS: The Mustang I consider is of a newer generaton (2006 afaik), but I also consider older cars, thats why I'm asking.

My thoughts exactly. American cars aren't fragile (well, some of them are) but yes parts can be difficult to find and expensive if you are in a different country. The key is finding a good reseller, distributor, etc. for parts.

[MRCL]

I'm surprised that the Mustang wouldn't be sold over there though as thats Fords icon car. Whats their flagship performance car over there? The Focus ST?

On the interior, I don't mind some ghetto modding (lol). But I'm tired of driving a relatively boring car.

Yeah yeah Focus ST... I had such a toy in front of me once, uphill, the driver obviously wanted to show off. But it dawned to him (I hope) that its not always the car but the driver that matters. We didn't actually race, but I never lost any distance to him. Thats 300 PS awesome carriage vs. 100 PS shitty front wheel drive. My car is a gokart lol.

I don't know why Ford doesn't sell their US lineup officially here.

My thoughts exactly. American cars aren't fragile (well, some of them are) but yes parts can be difficult to find and expensive if you are in a different country. The key is finding a good reseller, distributor, etc. for parts.

Mmmh thats true. I have to look around real good. There is actually a distributor in my area, however his shop and the cars he displays don't make a good impression.

[Wile E]

If you buy a GTO, It's just a rebadged Holden Monaro. Parts would probably be fairly easy to come by.

Mustang would be a fine choice as well. But, as far as that is conerned, I wouldn't use a specially imported car as a daily driver. Even tho they are reliable, you never know what can happen, so if you do end up needing a part, you pretty much screwed youself.

If you do buy a specially imported car, keep your current car as a daily driver, and just use the Mustang on weekends, or on nice days.

[MRCL]

If you buy a GTO, It's just a rebadged Holden Monaro. Parts would probably be fairly easy to come by.

Mustang would be a fine choice as well. But, as far as that is conerned, I wouldn't use a specially imported car as a daily driver. Even tho they are reliable, you never know what can happen, so if you do end up needing a part, you pretty much screwed youself.

If you do buy a specially imported car, keep your current car as a daily driver, and just use the Mustang on weekends, or on nice days.

Well thats the problem, my current car won't last that long anymore, so I would need a car for daily use, yes.

[erocker]

How do the ladies like Mustangs in Switzerland?

[1Kurgan1]

Like Wile E mentioned, there are a ton of muscle cars that Australia currently makes, they are the new 70's US/Detroit and it makes me jealous. Not sure if those cars are sold there or not. But Ford seems to only offer one "muscle car" over there just like they always have here (why only 1?) and thats the Falcon. Holden (GM) has the Commodore (G8) which comes with either the Supercharged 3.8L V6, 5.0L V8, or a 5.7L V8 (LS1). And then of coarse the Monaro ( GTO).

[MRCL]

How do the ladies like Mustangs in Switzerland?

You don't see a Mustang that often, so chicks digg them. Thats some serious pro on the pro/contra list.

By the way, dis the Mustang I am thinking about.

http://www.autoscout24.ch/AS24Web/Detail.aspx?from=list&wl=1&lng=ger&id=5995761&qs=from%3dDefault%26make%3d30%26modellike%3dmustan g%2bgt%26cur%3dCHF%26zipcountry%3dCH%26total%3d34% 26eftotal%3d34&page=1&row=3

I can't afford fancy Fastbacks.

Edit: Also an issue is the driving on snow. I read reviews of owners of that car, and they all said you can forget driving on snow or ice more or less. Some stated that with excellent tires it works.
Is it really that hard to drive on snow with RWD? I know how to drive on snow and ice, but this issue would be a reason not to buy that car.

[FordGT90Concept]

http://www.autoscout24.ch/AS24Web/Detail.aspx?from=list&wl=1&lng=ger&id=5995761&qs=from%3dDefault%26make%3d30%26modellike%3dmustan g%2bgt%26cur%3dCHF%26zipcountry%3dCH%26total%3d34% 26eftotal%3d34&page=1&row=3

I can't afford fancy Fastbacks.
That's a 2000 4.6L V8...
http://www.edmunds.com/ford/mustang/2000/consumerreview.html


Edit: Also an issue is the driving on snow. I read reviews of owners of that car, and they all said you can forget driving on snow or ice more or less. Some stated that with excellent tires it works.
Is it really that hard to drive on snow with RWD? I know how to drive on snow and ice, but this issue would be a reason not to buy that car.
The tail end will want to try to get in front of you. If you're good, you can catch the slip as it happens, let off the gas, and the front tires will straighten you out. If you are driving up a lot of hills, not a good idea. If it is mostly flat, it could be challenging to drive but not impossible.

[MRCL]

Yeh, lots of turns and hills in this country. I actually let go the Mustang idea. Its not wise. Not a car for daily use, not in this country. Sad... but I appreciate your input, you were all very helpful :)

[btarunr]

After nearly 30 years of Japanese/Korean domination, GM and Ford came back into the Indian market. I can tell you that out of the sheer want for change, people are buying GM (Chevy brand) and Ford like hot cakes. I think GM India is its most profitable overseas venture at the moment. Ford is doing decent in the US $10k~$25k segment.

What people like most about American cars is that they're sturdy, and have excellent aftersales support.

[FordGT90Concept]

Good thing GMs are selling overseas--I think they're still doing poorly here (lack of consumer confidence in them). Ford, on the other hand, has apparently turned a profit (http://money.cnn.com/2009/07/23/news/companies/ford_results/index.htm) this last quarter. :eek:

[Wile E]

I actually prefer rwd over fwd in the snow. Of course awd is still the best.

[T3hPwn3r3r]

On the interior, I don't mind some ghetto modding (lol). But I'm tired of driving a relatively boring car.

Yeah yeah Focus ST... I had such a toy in front of me once, uphill, the driver obviously wanted to show off. But it dawned to him (I hope) that its not always the car but the driver that matters. We didn't actually race, but I never lost any distance to him. Thats 300 PS awesome carriage vs. 100 PS shitty front wheel drive. My car is a gokart lol.

I don't know why Ford doesn't sell their US lineup officially here.




I think the European Focus (our Mazda3) is MUCH better than the US Spec Focus

[1Kurgan1]

I think the European Focus (our Mazda3) is MUCH better than the US Spec Focus

It always has been, I haven't paid a ton of attention to them lately, so I'm not sure if the new platform is US side yet. But it had been in Europe for years, they even changed the bodystyle over here and kept it on the old platform, very confusing.

[T3hPwn3r3r]

Also, to OP - look at the AWD Ford Fusion! It's brilliant and excellent for all weather.