I love my Nissan Rogue-fully-loaded AWD. Bought a 3-year lease turn-in (as I usually do). You get a car that looks and smells band-new at a little more than half the cost of new. Let someone pay the depreciation!
Honestly, has anyone here ever had a bad Toyota or Honda?
The Volt isn’t exactly a bargain car. >>>>>>>
They’re not too bad, not really. I lease mine. I qualified for $2800 worth of rebates so that voided the necessity of a down payment = driving-it-off-the-lot-depreciation. My monthly bill is $400. I am very happy with that. Also, the gas purchase savings, especially back when it was near $4 a gallon, I was quite happy with that! And then, after 39 months, it becomes someone else’s worry. (I like leasing and always having a new/newish dependable vehicle). I am retired and by the time I turn this one in, dh will be retired so we probably will downsize to just one vehicle such as his top of the line Jeep Grand Cherokee.
When it comes to cars, so many factors come into play, that the choice is very personal. I felt so stupid when several years ago I was suddenly upgraded to a red Mustang convertible when I rented a car in Florida – it was soooo not me. But, amazingly, it worked for a short trip, and I enjoyed driving it. Yet, would never even consider buying it at the Northeast where I leave. I drive my cars for about 7 years, depending on extended warranty, so I never pay for repairs. But I look for value, versatility, style, driving performance, and good handling on ice and snow, since I drive to work every day on curvy and hilly roads. And for some reason, I am very averse to certain car brands, including many very popular and high-rated models; this is not very rational, but I would never even consider those, just does not feel right for me (and I did test drive many of those). Right now I drive Audi allroad, and loving it - it’s a very well rounded car for many needs and lifestyles. My husband drives MDX, and we also use it for long road trips. MDX has amazing performance, it was painful for me to admit that it handles as good, if not even better, than my car (even though I have chosen both of them). For non-luxury cars, I think that subaru and honda are the best, we owned both brands for many years.
My BIL tends to get cars with a perceived prestige ( Not BMW of Mercedes ) and always has problems. My sister, his wife drives Toyotas. His current car isn’t particularly comfortable to drive in and spends a lot of time in the shop , but the name is attractive to him 
The last time I shopped for a car 4 years ago, I found that many non-luxury brands with decent options cost about the same as entry level luxury brands with similar options, often from the same car makers. But the powertrain for the luxury cars is better. I just don’t understand their pricing policy. I personally would never consider BMW of Mercedes, partially because of the perceived prestige (although I do drive audi - as I said, not very rational ). I really like subaru, except for their design, otherwise I would be driving wrx now. Subaru crosstrek looks very attractive to me, and it’s priced very well, but I never did a test drive.
Let’s say a similarly equipped Camry V6 vs. a Lexus ES300. Powertrain on the two are practically identical with the Lexus getting some more standard gizmos or comforts that supposed makes it a luxury car. Cost probably not that much difference, though the Lexus may be a couple of grand more. Where the difference will be down the road will be in the service cost if you use the respective dealer service departments. Somebody has to be paying for the nice Lexus customer service, lounges, loaner cars, etc. compared to the Toyota service department. I’ve never got bitten by the luxury bug and to me it’s just a waste of good money I can use elsewhere.
I once bought a brand new Honda Accord which spent more time in the shop than everything I’d owned before it -combined. The second neediest thing I’ve owned was a nearly new Toyota Tacoma. By contrast we bought a Saab in 2010 that has been perfect, and owned a Mini for a couple years that also was perfect.
Based on those experiences I quit worrying about projected reliability so much.
It’s like I told a salesman who kept pushing a homely sedan, life’s too short for a nasty car.
Our Toyota dealership is happy to service Lexus cars, both new and off warranty. 
That’s exactly how I feel. Reliability and safety are paramount, followed closely by size and configuration. I also want a car which isn’t going to cost me a fortune to buy or maintain. To me, a car is transportation, nothing more.
I went to the used Lexus dealership, because they had an Acura with 300 miles on it. Yep, the owner didn’t like it, so sold it in a few weeks. But I got a better deal on a used Lexus. They do offer great service.
Car is now 9 years old, so I am reading this thread with interest.
At this moment, a 2004, 2007 and 2016 Toyota Highlander reside in our garage.
Nuf said. :))
I’ve always lusted after the Highlander!
The requirements keep changing in different stages of life. Right now I am looking for a reliable commuter car which gives good mileage. I like the Toyota’s and the Honda’s and am leaning towards them.
I had a bad Honda…it was a civic hatchback …I think it was a 1978 or 1979. The transmission failed after less than two years. It was a manual transmission. I got on one morning and it could not be put in first gear or reverse. For some reason I bought an extended warranty, the transmission was replaced…but the car also overheated, had thermostat issues, had an alternator replaced…all in the 3 years I owned it. I really hated that car. It was always in the shop for something.
I was hit by another driver and the car was totaled. I was never so happy to wreck a car. Bought a Toyota Tercel to replace it. Stayed away from Hondas for about 10 years…then got two Accords…used.
Wasn’t there a later model honda civic that had a manual choke that always made the car stall out ? I think I took one for a test drive at a used car dealer and the man talked me out of it
@VaBluebird, yes, I had a bad Toyota. never a bad Honda, and we have had at least 6 Hondas.
I loved my 2003 honda pilot (which we still own), but our service department was awful - maybe just my luck. They could never accommodate my work schedule, and service and repairs took forever to schedule and to complete. And several times I had to bring the car back for the same job. Plus, they are far away from my home. Never again - I have a better way to spend my Saturdays. One of the reasons I drive audi is truly amazing service. They always give me the next day appointment at my preferred time, and when I drop off the car on the way to work, I get a shiny new loaner. The entire exchange takes less then 5 minutes, but, if I prefer, they can pick up the car from my home, or give me a ride back home. When I pick up my car the next morning, it is cleaned and washed. Everyone from mechanics to service reps are extremely competent, polite and efficient. I almost look forward to the next appointment. I’ve used them for years, and they never failed me, they totally deserve the highest possible ratings they ask for. But I agree that labor and parts are ridiculously expensive, and I would never keep the car without full extended warranty - I don’t like any surprises or unexpected costs.
It really depends on the dealership! As I said earlier, the nearest Lexus dealer employs a constellation of certified a-holes, and the service is manned by a bunch of incompetent goons. The dealer that is just a tad less convenient to get to is great! Toyota dealers mirror this pattern, too. So we take our cars to the Toyota dealership that is a bit further away from the house. They have not yet managed to screw anything up.
^^ I agree, and I think it’s smart to choose car models based on experience with local dealership. I wonder whether our local honda dealers are so bad because they are overwhelmed. The waiting room is always full, sometimes there is no place to sit down. I had to wait for a long time to speak to the rep. And calling them is also a challenge. But why would they improve if they get the same customers anyway? Once you buy the car, there is no choice.