That’s not true anymore, at least among people who own ten year old German cars and those who work on them. The good german car thing evaporated around 2000, reputation is catching up finally.
I work for German car manufactorer, so my opinion might be biased, but I hate this job so it might balance things.
My experience is that German cars sucks now, but every single other car sucks more.
The truth these days is that damn near every car has reasons why you shouldnt buy it.
The Germans are still fraudulently trading on their rep from the 80s, the French are always being different just for the fucking hell of it wether the customer likes it or not, the Italians love needing bespoke tools for simple jobs, everything British is now chinese or german, the Americans would be burned at the stake for suggesting the next model be smaller, Japans “reliability” rep is mostly being upheld by Toyota and Honda who charge accordingly, China is coming along in leaps and bounds but still cant figure out “supply chain logistics” for spare parts and Korea just keeps dropping the fucking ball over dumb simple shit.
People ask me all the time “What do you think about CAR” and Ive honestly resorted to “If you like it, buy it. Ive known people with reliable Fiats and unreliable Toyotas. The only unhappy people are the ones who bought a car they didnt WANT.”
Wish I could update my 10yo vw golf (which has served me very well) for something not electric. I know, I know, but I’m renting a flat, with a parking space, and only way to charge an electric would be on the street overnight, which is very inconvenient as well as damaging
Edit: but what I meant is you don’t know what you’re talking about
Great, go do the brakes with standard tools, oh wait, you have to use a special “triple square” tool instead of having a standard hex bolt like every other car. And on and on with the bullshit.
I am guessing you are from America. I am aware of the figures in terms of reliability, and Japanese manufacturers do a clean sweep in that area, and have done for decades. If that is your only metric, then you may be correct. German cars require religiously regular servicing, and will go wrong if this doesn’t happen fastidiously.
The US market get given a different range from many manufacturers. The VW range is objectively quite toned down in style and build quality. I presume because they would piss all over the domestic market if they didn’t.
Get into a hyundai or a Nissan in Europe and the difference in build quality, materials, aesthetic design and textures are worlds apart.
I have had a range of cars over the 30 years I have been driving, and this is my experience in the UK.
When you are forced to buy a car just to maintain a job or not be run over on your way to get groceries on the transportation “infrastructure” provided by American cities, reliability for a car does make the top of the list.
European car manufacturers largely suck ass, I’d rather buy a Hyundai or a damn Nissan than some French or German piece of crap.
I’d buy a European car before a Hyundai/Kia.
German cars are highly regarded around the world.
Now Italian cars…
That’s not true anymore, at least among people who own ten year old German cars and those who work on them. The good german car thing evaporated around 2000, reputation is catching up finally.
I work for German car manufactorer, so my opinion might be biased, but I hate this job so it might balance things.
My experience is that German cars sucks now, but every single other car sucks more.
The truth these days is that damn near every car has reasons why you shouldnt buy it.
The Germans are still fraudulently trading on their rep from the 80s, the French are always being different just for the fucking hell of it wether the customer likes it or not, the Italians love needing bespoke tools for simple jobs, everything British is now chinese or german, the Americans would be burned at the stake for suggesting the next model be smaller, Japans “reliability” rep is mostly being upheld by Toyota and Honda who charge accordingly, China is coming along in leaps and bounds but still cant figure out “supply chain logistics” for spare parts and Korea just keeps dropping the fucking ball over dumb simple shit.
People ask me all the time “What do you think about CAR” and Ive honestly resorted to “If you like it, buy it. Ive known people with reliable Fiats and unreliable Toyotas. The only unhappy people are the ones who bought a car they didnt WANT.”
Magneti Mirelli 😬
Wish I could update my 10yo vw golf (which has served me very well) for something not electric. I know, I know, but I’m renting a flat, with a parking space, and only way to charge an electric would be on the street overnight, which is very inconvenient as well as damaging
Edit: but what I meant is you don’t know what you’re talking about
Great, go do the brakes with standard tools, oh wait, you have to use a special “triple square” tool instead of having a standard hex bolt like every other car. And on and on with the bullshit.
It takes me places though. I’m not a mechanic 🤷♂️
It still increases the cost of ownership and issues with reliability.
I am guessing you are from America. I am aware of the figures in terms of reliability, and Japanese manufacturers do a clean sweep in that area, and have done for decades. If that is your only metric, then you may be correct. German cars require religiously regular servicing, and will go wrong if this doesn’t happen fastidiously.
The US market get given a different range from many manufacturers. The VW range is objectively quite toned down in style and build quality. I presume because they would piss all over the domestic market if they didn’t.
Get into a hyundai or a Nissan in Europe and the difference in build quality, materials, aesthetic design and textures are worlds apart.
I have had a range of cars over the 30 years I have been driving, and this is my experience in the UK.
When you are forced to buy a car just to maintain a job or not be run over on your way to get groceries on the transportation “infrastructure” provided by American cities, reliability for a car does make the top of the list.
I did not see it that way. When you say it like that I guess that would change my perspective a little too.
Europeans use cars from all car manufacturers. Hardly seen are Chinese brands.
Soooo, yah know.