The Ford Fiesta is another Euro designed vehicle, been quite a good little car over there for several years. I just wish that we could get some of those cool cars that UK/Euro drivers get; like the Focus RS(or whatever the Mazdaspeed sister car is). I’m sure a 70mpg diesel car would make several people look towards diesel cars.
To put it simply, yes, Hondas and Toyotas are every bit as safe on highways and country roads full of deer as any other make & model of comparable size. Visit the following site of you’re concerned about crash safety.
And they’re a lot less expensive to own than what you’re used to. Your mechanic can afford to refuse to work on domestic cars. The vehicles that you and your cohort group like keep him plenty busy and allow him to keep up his boat payments.
Most all cars today are very good in both mileage and safety. While there are differences, I suggest that today's cars are about as good as you are going to get and most all of todays cars are very good.
The weak link in the chain is the driver.
Let me say that again rephrased The driver has far greater effect on the safety and fuel usage than the car.I think your mechanic is a bit misguided and there are plenty of cars that could fit the bill. Keep in mind that when it comes to used cars there is no “best” one. It all depends on how it was driven and maintained so the badge on the rear is irrelevant.
As to the deer issue, the only way you can be halfway safe in that area is with a 1 ton truck with a 'Roo bar on the front and even that is not a 100% certainty.
In deer prone areas it’s best to just slow down, keep the eyes wide open, and spend the extra time getting where you’re going.
eb88, you need a new mechanic. Who is in charge here, anyway? You’re the customer, and he is supposed to work for you
Oh come on. Lots of mechanics specialize. There are plenty of American-only mechanics out there too (and plenty of brand-specific ones to boot). If the shop doesn’t feel like buying two of every tool, they pretty much have to specialize in one or the other.
I’ve seen mechanics who specialize on VW or Saab or some other specialty vehicle…
Never seen a mechanic that will ONLY work on foreign…or ONLY domestic…25 years ago…you could find plenty of Domestic or Foreign car specialists…but I have seen one in years…
What does this mechanic when he comes across an Isuzu with the GM 2.8l V6???
I can think of 4 shops off the top of my head in small towns near where I live that still only work on either American or import.
VDCdriver:
Your best bet is to go to a large news stand (like Barnes & Noble), and pick up a copy of the Consumer Reports Used Car Buyer’s Guide. This publication lists every make and model of passenger car that was sold in the US over the past 10 years or so, and includes information like safety ratings, frequency-of-repair ratings (I’m sure that you want something less expensive to keep running than that Volvo!), mpg info, and everything else that you might want to know before you start visiting used car lots.
i’d second VDC’s advice here. i also recommend CR publications to all my friends who want to tap my store of automotive knowledge.
the most helpful section is the Frequency-of-repair charts. followed by the “Used cars to avoid” and “Recommended used cars” sections.
from the former, you will see from the relative numbers of red and black “dots” which brands and models you’ll want to focus on, and avoid. the latter will steer you toward specific models and years.
“I can think of 4 shops off the top of my head in small towns near where I live that still only work on either American or import.”
That’s what they say they do but still shop from the same “parts bin”. Each is trying to make you feel exclusive and suckering the unknowing into that frame of mind. It’s good business practice but less than honest description of the work they do.
Shadowfax, if your mechanic is telling you what cars to buy and what cars not to buy, and you are actually thinking of buying a particular car to make your mechanic happy, the tail is wagging the dog. The OP should shop for the car he/she likes, and has the features and reliability desired.
Do you let your dentist select the items you buy at the grocery store, or select the items you order off the menu at your favorite restaurant? If my dentist said, “I don’t take patients who eat red meat.” I would say “good riddance.” How about a doctor who says, “I am a cardiologist, but I only take male patients.” How would that fly if your wife needed a cardiologist?
Oh boy, here I go with the analogies.