Commuter vehicle (non-FJ)

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Permalink Reply by Steve Hope on April 28, 2017 at 7:05pm

Try consumer reports.

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Permalink Reply by Jeremy Luabena on April 28, 2017 at 8:02pm

I've done quite a bit of research through various websites and forums. I'm always weary when it comes to dealing with dealerships though for no real personal experiences but just that I've always been told to never really trust a salesman. Everything looks pretty good. Just looking for another opinion

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Permalink Reply by Steve Hope on April 30, 2017 at 1:28pm

Consumer Reports are independant. Anyway dig up the old Top Gear show were they reviewed it I think Clarkson loved it. Or was it Hammond? yeah, Hammond, he could fit in it.

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Permalink Reply by Jeremy Luabena on April 30, 2017 at 4:08pm

i saw the top gear clip and they did love it. There wasn't any doubt I was going to like the car it was mostly about reliability. I was worried I'd pay for it only for it to break down shortly after. Talked to a mechanic who was sort of familiar with fiats and he said first that he was biased towards American cars (now owned by Chrysler) and they typically have problems around 80k which I think is a normal time to have an issue with any brand...

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Permalink Reply by Steve Hope on May 2, 2017 at 6:54pm

 ///that he was biased towards American cars/// probably cos that keeps him working!!

I don't know anyone who would say either Fiat or Chrysler cars are reliable, we have had both and would never give glowing reports. Nor recommendations. Fiat actually now own Chrysler. Sergio Marchionne is an Italian-Canadian executive who is currently the CEO of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, the Chairman of CNH Industrial and the CEO of Ferrari.

Dont expect your Fiat 500 to be a Ferrari though.

Having problems at 80k is more indicative of a 1960's American car. My father in law would put that number at 40k for American vehicles of the 1950's. I would say 100k for a 1990's American car, see the trend, but compare that to a 1990's Japanese car. Then look at reliability numbers between American cars and Japanese cars CURRENTLY. Read Consumer Reports to get the info. 

Sorry , I know very off topic for FJ Cruiser site but be careful what you buy by doing your homework.

Good Luck

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Permalink Reply by Jeremy Luabena on May 8, 2017 at 5:42pm

Very off topic for an FJ site but there wasn't a sub forum for off topic discussions.
I ended up not buying the car in the end. I just forgives I could go for total beater commuter vehicle and use the money that would have been spent on upgrades for the FJ. I thank you for your input, I think it was good info for anyone who might have read it. Like I said now that I'm not spending a bunch of money on a new car I'm gonna do what I can to really dial in the rear end of the FJ before I start messing with the front. On to the next thread...

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