Bias against a particular make - L'escargot
Are you biased against a particular make of car (in your price range), and do you have definitive proof that your bias is justified, or (as I suspect) are you just being irrational?
Bias against a particular make - jase1
I have a bias against VW (Seat and Skoda are cheaper and very similar), and Peugeot (same reason with Citroen).

I do have a bias against French cars in general, based on anecdotal and survey information.

As for Vauxhalls, I just don't like them for some reason...... totally irrational.
Bias against a particular make - Optimist
Skodas.

I know they're now well regarded but I sat in the new Fabia and thought the interior design and trim was dismal and the exterior design slightly less good than something Postman Pat might drive.

So....rational.
Bias against a particular make - Big Bad Dave
VWs particularly the Passat.

You know all those dreary, tedious threads and comments about BMWs and BMW drivers that pop up on this forum - in my neck of the woods I would replace BMW with Passat.
Bias against a particular make - Bagpuss
I don't like Peugeots. I had a 104ZS followed by a 305 many years ago and they had advantages, especially driveability, which made up for their many disadvantages. The modern ones just seem pointless, especially the 308.

I'm also not mad keen on Renaults. I drove a Laguna once and was surprised to find it was actually very nice, with supple suspension and a quiet(!) diesel engine. The problem is if I were looking for a mid sized car, I would have to go a long way down the list before thinking "I know, I'll buy a Laguna".

In case this sounds like a rant about French cars, I'll round it off with my bias against Audi. I don't know what it is, I just can't warm to them. Maybe it dates from the styling change which resulted in the classic, understated B5 version of the A4 mutating into the aggressive, angry looking B6 and B7. Maybe I just can't understand the attraction of fighting torque steer in a FWD Audi when you can get a RWD BMW or Merc for similar money. Nice day running lights, though.
Bias against a particular make - Tornadorot
just can't understand the attraction of fighting torque steer in a FWD Audi when you
can get a RWD BMW or Merc for similar money. Nice day running lights though.


I've never driven a "big" Audi, but I wouldn't have thought you'd get much torque steer from a longitudinally-engined FWD car? Can anyone confirm or deny this?
Bias against a particular make - gordonbennet
I'm biased against makes i consider unreliable long term, and thats a lot.

I quite like Vauxhalls even though i've only owned one, ventora, but along with many other modern cars i can't abide the acres of black plastic with the obligatory imitation plastic centre panel, and on Vaux's you can't get away from it regardless of how high spec you go.
Many others the same too, i blame Jase for highlighting the Vauxhalls so there..;)
Bias against a particular make - OldSock
Of the 20 or so cars I've owned over the years, not one has been Japanese. Irrational? Maybe - but whilst a case could be made for their alleged mechanical reliability, I've yet to drive one which has even a soupçon of 'character'. Maybe trying to assign such human traits to a mechanical contrivance is futile, but that's the way it is for me...
Bias against a particular make - Pugugly
None really. As someone once said here - its not what you drive its the way that you drive it.
Bias against a particular make - Dr_Duffy
Ford.
Massive problems with a 2006 Mondeo TDCI (purchased new). Over-complex and flawed engine design, totally incompetant dealers and 'customer service' that was beyond a joke. Sold at considerable loss.
Bias against a particular make - Andrew-T
>Ford.<

I have had an almost irrational prejudice against Fords since the 60s, when they mostly made 'cheap' cars with the metal stretched over the maximum volume, and more than a little pseudo-American styling. Also they were built not far from here, which meant the local scallies often had master keys.

I know things are different now, but until I have an unpleasant experience I shall stick with Pugs.
Bias against a particular make - Alby Back
Renault Espace........

tic, shudder, tic, tic, slaver.........

:-(
Bias against a particular make - Alanovich
24 cars in and I've had neither a Vauxhall, nor anything with a non-European badge (I include Ford in the Euro badge category). I fully expect never to own a Vauxhall, but after many years I am finally putting Japanese and Korean cars on my "possibles" list. Whether this will turn into a purchase or not is another question, I can still feel my irriational instinct for European badges swelling up in my chest.
Bias against a particular make - runboy
I have time for Eastern makes, be it Toyota to Hyundai.

Not happy about French or Italian makes.

Never had much time for Ford or Vauxhall as I prefer to go for cars that are not that mainstream (despite the fact the new Mondeo and Insignia get very good reviews and are no doubt better than my current motor in some ways).

I can't understand the hype about BMW. Reading the latest review about the new 3 series 330D thingy, the tyres, seats and suspension are built for someone with the backside of steel, such is the harsh ride. Dashboards look so plain.

The rest of the German makes.....MB I would entertain, Audi I wouldn't touch with a barge pole and fistfuls of money being thrust at me, but that is due to personal experience of appaling build quality of their new cars.

Ultiamtely I think the question comes down to styling (sometimes over quality), circumstances (it can be difficult to sometimes find the car you want with the things you want it to do-you need to cobble two makes together in your mind to get what you want) and costs over quality (value for money). I look at some cars and wonder how they can charge so much for so little.
Bias against a particular make - Falkirk Bairn
France, French men/women and French cars......................

I think that sums matters up

PS
Not keen on Italian cars..............

and then there are the English - not the cars just the English

Only joking!
Bias against a particular make - Optimist
What about the auld alliance, FB?



Bias against a particular make - Pugugly
I think that disappeared when Scotland had its own credit crunch and was forced into an Act of Union.
Bias against a particular make - nick
MINIs. I'm amazed they can charge so much for them. To me they are styled like a toy, the interior particularly wouldn't look out of place in a nursery. A triumph of marketing.

Modern French cars. Some are nicely styled but I've heard of too many quality and reliability issues from people I know. I love older ones though, Citroen CX particularly, despite the ones I've owned giving me grey hair because of the electrics.

BMWs and most Porsches leave me cold. Not sure why, totally irrational.

Vauxhalls. Yawn.

Bias against a particular make - andyfr
SsangYong. I just can't see anything I like about any of their models. The Rodius has to be the most hideous looking modern vehicle there is.
Bias against a particular make - Alby Back
I'm quietly pleased that so many people seem to have an irrational bias against Fords and Vauxhalls etc. This makes them cheaper to buy for those of us who seem to get on with them quite well.

The other advantage in driving such cars is that women find you less attractive and this saves an awful lot of hassle on a daily basis.

Edited by Humph Backbridge on 29/10/2008 at 10:25

Bias against a particular make - gordonbennet
The other advantage in driving such cars is that women find you less attractive and
this saves an awful lot of hassle on a daily basis.


Well i must have the looks of a camel then, i drive neither and i certainly don't beat em off with a stick..;)
Bias against a particular make - Alby Back
Well, I guess we all have our different crosses to bear GB......

" go on shoo...I've told you once....I have a Mondeo and a Signum......go on......get......shoo !!"


Edit - and then I woke up........

;-)

Edited by Humph Backbridge on 29/10/2008 at 10:37

Bias against a particular make - stunorthants26
My bias is i think justified because I worked in the trade for many years so have spent an awful lot of time in an awful lot of different cars.

I find Audi and VW loathsome on account of the quality advantage their respective brands used to have having now been reduced to virtually nothing along with their reliability, but still charge silly prices. On the flip side, I do like Skoda and Seat so its not a VAG issue, but cynical branding.

I dont like Renault/Peugeot because every french car ive had has been unreliable and those I came across in the trade were generally highly disliked by mechanics and salespersons since their restoration costs were often far higher than jap cars which rarely needed anything more than a tire and never came back for warranty work.
I do however like Citroen because they do try to sell interesting cars atleast.

I now have a deep dislike for Nissan because their cars seem to have lost that reliability. I know someone with an X-trail and another with a Qashqai, both of which are comically bad. Renault is like a cancer in reliability terms clearly.

My bias is now always towards japanese/far eastern cars, if not for their cutting edge interiors, but just for their excellent engineering and reliability in teh main.
Bias against a particular make - jase1
Agreed Stu.

My mantra has always been: cheap and reliable. The daft thing is, Vauxhalls should thus be right up my street, but I just can't bring myself to like them. Irritating really.

Any far-eastern car is fine by me, be it a Honda or a Proton. Have a lot of respect for the newer Fords, and will probably end up with one in the fullness of time. They seem to have that magic mix -- good to drive, cheap and reliable, which is a rare commodity. Problem being that, other than the Mondeo, they ain't quite cheap enough.... But the newer Mondeo is a definite for the list eventually.

Citroens as well. I've been *this* far from buying a Citroen twice now (a ZX and a Xsara). When the C5 inevitably sinks like a stone value-wise, who knows.

Totally agree about Nissan -- the newer cars are horrible. Renault, you are EVIL.
Bias against a particular make - L'escargot
My mantra has always been: cheap and reliable.


Opel Mantra?

;-)
Bias against a particular make - DP
With VW, and particularly Audi, I can't get the impression out of my head that they're Skodas and Seats with nicer trim and vastly inflated prices. The least reliable car I've ever owned was also a 4yr old, low mileage VW, so I guess there is some personal influence here.

Other than that I try to keep an open mind. I thought Renaults were iffy until I put my prejudices aside and bought one, and as such would own another tomorrow.

I think the facts are that If you bought five cars tomorrow from each of the mainstream manufacturers, the significant majority of them would give no significant problems over a typical three year ownership period.
Bias against a particular make - andyfr
Renault used to be good and we have had quite a few of them, but with each generation the quality has gone down. The last Clio we changed for a new Citroen C3, BIG MISTAKE, it made the Clio seem like a premium vehicle.
Bias against a particular make - Lud
None at all.

I like vehicles.
Bias against a particular make - apm
I've owned cars from (counts in head..) 11 manufacturers, and most countries (UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Japan). My ownership experience plus what I've heard leads me to the following irrationality:

Not mad keen on modern Fords (had a mk1 XR2; feel they're a bit dull; I do like anything pre 1984). Vauxhalls feel like Fords but less exciting even (first car was a Viva HC). Irrational prejudice about French (rust; had a Renault 18) and Italian (reliability; had a Fiat Uno). I like Volvos (before they got bought by Ford; had a 940S) and Saabs (before they got bought by GM; not had one). I like Japanese, except Nissan (now tainted by Renault; have had Toyota and Mazda). I like SEAT (had an Ibiza and Leon) and Skoda but not Audi & VW (I like older VW though; had a 1971 beetle, polo mk1, Golf mk2 and Corrado). Quite like mercs (not had one), but can't see the fuss about BMW (wife had an E46 coupe). Ambivalent re Korean etc, not really had any experience, but warming to the more recent ones. I like jaguar (except the X-type, which feels like a Mondeo in a posh frock; not had one).

Makes no sense to me even! But there you go. The whole point of prejudice is that it's irrational.

For the record, I drive an 04 Avensis and ride a Yamaha Fazer 600. Both Japanese.

Cheers,

Alex.
Bias against a particular make - oilrag
There is a list of things I don`t like. Lack of galvanising and plastic pulleys, would be just an example out of a list of about 50 things...;)

But bias against a particular make.. no.
Bias against a particular make - Happy Blue!
Vauxhall. Had to drive company pool cars in the 1980s/1990s and the gearboxes were always shot to pieces. Can't stand the interior of the Vectra - a slab of vertical shiny plastic.

Chrysler - why buy one - what's the point - just to show off how little money you have but want to show off anyway?

Otherwise I'll have anything that suits my needs and pocket.
Bias against a particular make - Andrew-T
>If you bought five cars tomorrow from each of the mainstream manufacturers, the significant majority of them would give no significant problems <

Come on, DP - what is a 'significant' majority out of five? 3? 4? If you had said 500, that might be significant. :-)
Bias against a particular make - Victorbox
Any Ford. Since the 60's / 70's when fleet managers bought them however good or bad they were.
Bias against a particular make - Alby Back
It must be one of those blonde v brunette v redhead things Victorbox. I like Fords and have never been a big fan of Vauxhalls. I even bought a Vauxhall earlier this year because I told myself I was being stupid having a prejudice against them.

Still not sure if I like it. It does everything it's supposed to but in the manner of a cheese sandwich. It provides transport at the same level that a cheese sandwich provides sustenance. Perfectly acceptable if that's what you want. Fords just seem to have a bit more pickle on.

Think I'll go and have a cup of tea before I confuse myself.......

;-)

Edited by Humph Backbridge on 29/10/2008 at 16:07

Bias against a particular make - Pendlebury
I'm pretty much with stu and jase.
I am biased against most european brands although if pushed I may buy a Ford.
I am mystified why people pay large sums of their own money on the VAG brands, but I also respect the fact that it is their choice.
I have done allot of benchmarking across different industries looking at the how companies are run and what processes they operate.
The companies that always come out best are the Japanese and JCB also impressed me hugely.
What I like about the Japs is that they rarely deviate from cars that they think deliver durability and reliability for the customer. They will not cover a handle in a fine layer of rubber because it looks good for the first year but will sooner take a hit from a motoring journalist as they prefer to make something durable. The journalists are learning as even they talk about perceived quality now rather than actual quality.
The companies I most admire are Honda and Toyota. Toyota are a very misunderstood organisation. They get some stick for the Prius but people need to understand why they did and when it was conceived and why. The other thing of course is that the Toyota production system is copied by every other car maker - even the top end stuff like Astons and Bentley, so they must be doing something correct. Toyota even allow competitors into their factories to learn. Something a western company could never understand. They know of course that people can try and copy it but few really understand how to implement it to the same standard. I like Honda as they stay true to engineering a product that will also last. Again this is not really understood in a world where cars get changed after 2-3 years.
Bias against a particular make - Harleyman
Citroen. Had a BX which was a pile of junk, my ex had a Saxo which must have been the ultimate in cheap, tinny and nasty. Oddly enough the C1 does appeal, but I understand that it's basically Toyota running gear.

Never had much time for Renaults either, although in the early 80's I worked for the main dealer in Notttingham and had a 16 TS, loved it but it rotted worse than a Cortina.

Didn't like Jap till I had an Avensis as a company car, I think that prejudice was more received wisdom than experience, although in the 80's the Japanese didn't have a good name for styling. I agree with Pendlebury's comments about Toyota; worked at Burnaston briefly (as a chef!) and it's a real eye-opener.

Bias against a particular make - 1400ted
Don't like Ford or Vauxhall. Wouldn't have a BMW since I was involved in their rescue service in the 80s and 90s. Have recovered VWs back to dealer on first day out with bits dropping off. Love Renaults ,just sold my Scenic auto cos had to buy bigger for caravan. Never missed a beat in 7 yrs and still looked fresh. Got a Renault F6C Fougonnette 36 yrs old and runs like a dream. If you want big luxury , forget Merc,Jag, etc...get a Vel Satis ...if you can find one. Pal got one, says best car he ever had ! If you like retro, reliable and small auto, look at a Pao. Micra in old clothes !
Bring back Polski Fiat, all is forgiven.
Ted
Bias against a particular make - andyfr
>>...get a Vel Satis ...if you can find one.

Well as they say "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" and it would have to be.
Bias against a particular make - gmac
Didn't like Jap ... although in the 80's the Japanese didn't have
a good name for styling.


When did they get a good name for styling ?
Japanese cars, in my mind, have always been a case of taking what others have done and make it better but styling has definitely been left on the back burner.
Never had a Japanese/Oriental car due to the styling. I'm sure I have missed out on some very fine machinery - Mazda Xedos was about as close as I came to going Japanese.
For some reason I have no problem with Peugeot but Citroen's I have steered clear of due to their quirks which scare me more than the prospect of running an Alfa (I had the pleasure!?! of driving a pool car BX 1.7 TD for a couple of years).
The only two makes I would avoid in future after previous experience would be Audi - dealers were useless and SAAB - too expensive to service for what was essentially a Cavalier V6 underneath. One of the best cars I ever owned was a Mk2 Golf but having read others expereince of VW dealers since, maybe they have had the benefit of Audi training.
Bias against a particular make - Rattle
Rover - I believe they could have been a good brand but they made too many poor excuses of a car. e.g The Rover 100 when Renaults 4 star NCAP clio was on sale.

The K series head gasket problem should have been solved in the early 90's not 12 years later. I also believe they were well over priced for what they were especialy the Rover 100 you could have got a Punto for that money which where much much better cars.

I am not a huge fan of Japaneese cars as the older ones were not very safe, I am liking a lot of the new Hondas, but ironicaly the ones that appeal to me are the ones that don't seem that reliable.

I don't get VW, like others here I like SEAT/Skoda and don't mind VAG products, I just don't see how VW is supposed to be a premium brand compared to say Ford.

I like Peuguets I know a few people with them and swear by them, they have never had any trouble with them. They are all really well cared for though.

.*********

BMW - I hae mixed feelings about, the sporty ones seem to be driven by too many drug dealers but the more luxery ones seem like nice cars they just need to fix the infamous indicator stalk fault.

FSO - Why? Just buy a Lada or a Skoda instead.

Proton - The original MPI and personas had a place in the market, but their new stuff is too pricey the budget far east stuff has improved so much (Kia etc) Protons just seem like over priced dribble now.
Bias against a particular make - uk_in_usa
Are you biased against a particular make of car (in your price range) and do
you have definitive proof that your bias is justified or (as I suspect) are you
just being irrational?


I have a bias against Citroens due to an appalling experience I had with one which basically fell apart

I also look askance at the smaller Lexuses. I had an ES300 which I think was way overpriced for what it was.

it's irrational because a lot of people on HJ love their Citroens and tell you about the starship miles they get, and over here, everybody and his brother seems to drive an ES300.
Bias against a particular make - mrmender
Im local pub of almost 30 years there is a little snug known as mechanics corner.
Most nights there are at least two blokes in the trade. From a mate who owns his own repair bussness employing 5 mechanics, another runs the family van hire/ car repair bussnes, Another runs a one man band repair garage in rural Anglesey, various other involved in the trade come and go.
One common theam when asked what car to go for is............. stay clear of French & Italian
So with all this years of experience i tend to go along with that
Bias against a particular make - Bagpuss
I also look askance at the smaller Lexuses. I had an ES300 which I think
was way overpriced for what it was.


The ES300 is the one that looks like a poshed up Toyota Camry if memory serves correctly. Neither of them look like Toyota bothered spending much time on styling. Mind you, if you look at the competition from Detroit I guess they probably didn't have to.
Bias against a particular make - L'escargot
My view is that, for a given era, cars are basically only as good as the calibre of the design, development, and planning engineers, and their management. A brand which is good in one era can be bad in another as employees come and go.

Edited by L'escargot on 30/10/2008 at 07:11

Bias against a particular make - cheddar
This thread has slipped past me.

Suzuki - comes from motorbikes, they were so poorly finished in the late 70s / early 80's compared with, Honda, Yamaha etc and still are in comparison (though Hondas have gone downhill recently in that respect). Also the tippy little Suzuki jeep things (name escapes me) were just dangerous.

Nissan - doing back to the mid 70's Datsun Bluebirds etc they have always seemed to have so few redeeming features, while some say Renault's involvment has been negative it seems to me that recent Nissans have been more characterful.

Peugeot - only because they went from being leaders with the 205, 405 to producing poor cars 307, 607 again with few redeeming features and ugly cars, 407, 308, on the up now though.

Daewoo - mid to late 90's, for trying to tell people that a re hashed 80's era Astra was a sensible and safe alternative to a contemporary Golf, Astra or Escort yet alone a Civic or Focus.
Bias against a particular make - LiverpaulH
French cars, mainly due to ownership experiences of friends, who have had massive reliability issues, a new 307 spending more time in the garage than on the road. A new laguna (previous model) a friend owned for just 6 months and required a turbo, gearbox and then wouldn't start (electronics IIRC) meaning he got rid at a huge loss. My aunts' last two renaults falling apart as she drove along (both scenics), citroen saxo rescued three times for another friend.

Having owned many Fords and Vauxhalls in the past I wouldn't buy another Vauxhall since the Vectra, which was imo awful compared to the mondeo and other cars in the same sector, vauxhall really weren't up to the mark in driving enjoyment and car quality. I do like the look of the insignia but would struggle to justify even trying one now thanks to the mediocre vauxhalls of the late 90's early 00's. My mondeo st tdci 2005 estate is fast becoming the best car I've driven and owned, 85,000 and utterly reliable and huge estate capacity, so my bias against other makes is likely to increase until I get persuaded otherwise.

Finally I love the design flair of Alfa's & TVR's but would never buy one as I've heard so much about reliability issues, which I suppose is bias and unfounded from personal experience.
Bias against a particular make - Rattle
My experience of french cars is that they are extremely reliable. If they are driven lots of motorway miles and well cared for they seem to be able to take the milleage very very well.

The smaller simpler french cars are by far the best, by my mate has a 206 GTI and the only thing in the 40,000 miles he has done since onwership that has gone wrong was a faulty injector which cost £100 inc labour to repair.
Bias against a particular make - glowplug
If I was biased against a car or manufacturer I think it would mainly be the image I have of them that put me off rather than the actual product. If I like a vehicle then I like for what it is not what reputation it has with others but that said for general repairs I do them myself where possible.

I started with BL then went to Ford for a few cars then to BL again, Fiat for one then back to BL then Vauxhall then Rover and now been driving French since my 405. I like the hydraulic ride comfort so the last 4 cars have been Citroens (1 Xantia, 2x XMs 1x C5). The wifes Polo has convinced me they ain't what they used to be!

Steve.
Bias against a particular make - boxsterboy
I have an aversion to Far Eastern and American cars, because to me they are nothing more charismatic than fridges. I've driven Hondas, Toyotas, etc. but they just do nothing for me.

I prefer a bit of character and history in my cars, hence my preference for European cars. I also generally prefer the styling of European cars. I find French cars to be perfectly acceptable, and like Citroens (own 3 at present!)
Bias against a particular make - quizman
I've never liked Vauxhalls, since owning a Viva. Rusty when delivered.
I now dislike Fords after owning a Focus TDCI, a poor car compared with a **** TDI Match!
I once had an Alfa, never again.
I will never buy a Japanese car after the way they treated my uncle.
No to Korean cars, they eat dogs over there.
Citroen, the only car I have ever had that failed it's first MOT.
Peugeot not bad, my son had a good 306 and a 309.
I've never had a BMW or a Merc, I can't afford the image.
Big Bad Dave is absolutely wrong, the car he mentions is the best I have owned in 42 years of motoring. A wonderful car the ** ****** TDI SE.
Bias against a particular make - Sofa Spud
Subaru - especially Imprezzas - especially noisy Imprezzas.
Bias against a particular make - Harleyman
especially noisy Imprezzas.


you mean they actually made a QUIET one? ;-)

I agree, they look like jelly moulds on steroids.

Oh, and I nearly forgot... FIAT Multipla. The ugliest car ever built.

Edited by Harleyman on 30/10/2008 at 22:15

Bias against a particular make - boxsterboy
Citroen the only car I have ever had that failed it's first MOT.


Portuguese-built 2CV with a rusty floor/chassis, by any chance? I acquired a 2CV for parts a few years back that had suffered this fate. It was re-chassised under warranty by Citroen!
Bias against a particular make - quizman
Not a 2CV, boxterboy, it was a ZX, it failed on suspention bushes. It always needed something doing at MOT time, but I quite liked the car. Good handling, comfy ride and good on fuel, it was a diesel my first!
Bias against a particular make - boxsterboy
quizman, I too had a ZX 1.9D - in the early 90s. Nice cars, as you say. Mum had one too which only recently died after 15 years on the road.
Bias against a particular make - Big Bad Dave
"Big Bad Dave is absolutely wrong"

Bound to happen sooner or later.
Bias against a particular make - cheddar
I now dislike Fords after owning a Focus TDCI a poor car compared with a
**** TDI Match!

.......
the best I have owned in 42 years of motoring. A wonderful car the ** ****** TDI SE. >>


There is no accounting for taste! If the **** was/is a MkIV then the Focus is much, much more refined as well as being much better to drive, and if the **** was/is a MkV even a 7 year old Focus TDCi would be much more refined and at the very least as good to drive.

Bias against a particular make - Alby Back
I suspect you are climbing a greasy pole Cheddar. Once someone has negative feelings for a brand it is very difficult to win them back. A bit like trying to change the allegiance of a football fan. Evidence and logic go out of the equation.

Sadly, you get the "my dad had a dodgy Cortina in 1975 therefore Mondeos are rubbish" attitude. No evidence, no logic, but a real enough problem for the brand and in the mind of the consumer a real enough reason not to buy.

I admit to some guilt myself. I would find it very hard to spend my money on a Renault because of a bad experience and no matter how many people tried to reassure me that I was being over cautious I would, irrationally perhaps, almost certainly choose to ignore them.

Some marketing Guru once said that it can take years to gain customer loyalty and moments to lose it. Or something like that.

Car purchases are still as much heart as head led, and while ever that remains the case prejudice and bias will still play a major part in the process.

My experience with Ford has been extremely positive. Others say their's hasn't. I shall continue to buy them. They probably won't. So the world is.
Bias against a particular make - quizman
>>>There is no accounting for taste!

I've just had some Cathederal Cheddar for lunch, so you can see I've got good taste.

The **** TDI is a Mk5 diesel 105bhp. It is in a different hemisphere than the Focus Mk1 TDCI 115bhp that we once owned.
This is not a badge snob thing, I have owned many Fords. The ** has not put a foot wrong so far. The Focus needed a chip upgrade, a new spring on the front and finally the DMF went kaput, I could not get over 40 mpg.

The ** **** TDI Match goes faster, is more economical, stops better and is just better.

Maybe I was unlucky with the Focus, maybe I was unlucky with the Escort D reg car I owned which rusted away in front of my eyes.

I agree with the posters who say that one problem will put folk off for life, I know Vauxhalls are good cars, but I just hate them.
Bias against a particular make - Peter S
I have a real, and probably irrational, aversion to Fords and have never owned one. When I was younger I had a succession of small Fiats, Citroens and Renaults, all of which were fun to drive, cheap but tinny and, on the whole, reliable. I never once yearned for a Fiesta ;-)

Once I got a bit older I moved into the world of company cars, but even then I avoided Ford. Given that, at the time ('94) it was a choice between the much derided Escort and an Astra I think the Astra was the right choice :-)

After that I only droved Fords as hire cars, albeit fairly requently, and nothing I drove made me want one. I had the then new Focus in on hire for 12 weeks in early '99 while waiting for 'my' car to be delivered, and honestly couldn't see what the fuss was about. It had a plasticky interior, uncomfortable seats, clangy doors and an engine (1.8) that sounded like it was lubricated with sand. Sure it handled OK, but as an every day car it was just average IMO. I much preferred the Astras of the period to use for long journeys.

Coincidentally we have a new ('58 plate) Focus hire car at the moment as my partners A3 is in the bodyshop. Again, as with the orginal Focus, it doesn't feel like anything special to me. It's a 1.6 (as is the A3), so is underpowered, though it handles OK.

However though I think the list price is on a par with that of the A3 they feel leagues apart in terms of quality; the quality of the paintwork, the feel of the interior trim, the panel fit, just about everything. I fully accept that this isn't really a definition of quality, but it's what I see and feel and touch every time I use a car, so it's important to me. And though the A3 is hardly a paragon of quality itself it does at least feel like every detal has been though about, if you know what I mean.

I am surprised how big it is though; or to be more precise how tall it is. The boot floor is ridiculously high though, making the boot small, and again the seats are uncomfortable (not helped by plastic/vinyl inserts in the seat backs)

So, I still don't like Fords :-) Irrational: I don't think so, but I'm sure other do!!

Peter
Bias against a particular make - legacylad
I have an aversion to Renaults!
Aeons ago I had a 5TS, followed by a 5 Gordini. At a similar time my uncle had a new R20.Lots & lots of problems with all 3. Lord knows why I bought the Gordini. Even though it was decades ago I will still not buy another Renault. Completely irrational I know....
I have not had a French car since...my father had problems with his Simca 1100, and 1501 estate.
Bias against a particular make - Buster Cambelt
Yes, I would not touch anything by Volvo or Toyota with the proverbial barge pole. In my opinion both are trading on past reputations and urban myths and, locally at least, both have demonstrated incompetence and abysmal customer service.

Bias against a particular make - jase1
I reckon that, often, the best manufacturers to go for are the ones with something to prove.

I think it is fair to say that Toyota, VW and Volvo are to some extent living on past glories, and this can lead to complacency.

On the other hand, makers like Hyundai are desperately trying to build themselves up as the Korean Honda and as a result are (a) more likely to build a bit of quality into critical parts, and (b) more likely to support their product properly.

To a large extent, the same could well be said of current Renaults -- they've been battered in terms of sales of late, largely due to the horrible reputation they built up in the early 2000s. Very possible that their current cars are overengineered to compensate.

Not sure how much truth there is in the theory, but it has to be said that most reliability issues seem to be down to perfectly good designs compromised by cost-cutting.
Bias against a particular make - Rattle
I still goe back to my friends Clio Dynamique, I checked the oil for her the other day and it looked clean and it was right to the max mark, it has been 10k since the oil change. The engine still sounds and runs like a brand new car, it has dow done 55k.

The only build quality niggle is the passanger electric window sounds noisy.

That said I would never buy a large Renault and if I had a Renault I will keep a large supply of coil packs in case I brake down :D
Bias against a particular make - glowplug
I guess it's a case of once bitten twice for most people, which makes sense to me at least even if I don't think that way about vehicles or almost anything mechanical come to think of it. I expect things to go wrong...
Bias against a particular make - 1400ted
if I had a Renault I will keep a large supply of coil packs in case I brake down :D

Never needed a coil in 7 yrs with my Scenic. At least, if one fails, you can still drive it.
Plenty available on Ebay cheap.
Ted