Toyota (again).

IMO foreign makes reputation as "better" is irrational. it not like the honda/toyota/kia what ever dealer doesn't have service bays. When the narrative in the magazines say that everything foreign is of better quality because they like the way it "drives" or handles or style of driving, is completely bogus subjective points. I don't think i have ever read a decent ***objective*** review. Objective metrics like Initial quality is also generally crap unless its WAY past the norm. Who cares if 10 per 1000k v 15 per 1000 units had to have some warranty work. its called a warranty for a reason. AND you have no idea about what the issues where. Was it deadly issue, or something simple like flaking lettering when I pressure washed it too close. What REALLY matters is repair after warranty... So reputation and quality can also be defined as better PR handling... at least until the wheels come off. Having worked at a dealership, you should SEE the crap that gets charged to "warranty" for pr/sales reasons, when it was actually dumb user. I wont even get into defect metrics of QC...

The point "Quality" is subjective to whoever is defining it by THEIR own expectation. Even "objective" quality is subjective due to the definitions and methodology used to report it. and no its NOT ever an apples to apples comparison. To ME i want a report of frequent repairs/costs for parts for 125K miles -250k miles. Do those smug foreign swooning reporters list those metrics? nope, new cars pay for advertising! Is it still a quality vehicle if i have a wheel bearing start growling after 189K miles? Generally Yes! i can live with that expectation..

Would i put my wife in a Honda/Toyota/Kia minivan with 130K miles? Heck no.

Ok fine i'll concede that i **may** have good luck with cars because all the issues where shaken out before it got to me.... So Quality to me is strictly cost/ benefit.

Disclaimer: I'm a software testing/QC/systems engineer type. I have only ever bought 1 brand new car, a 2003 Chrysler. I don't own anything with less than 130K miles, i haven't EVER owned a car with <100K miles except for that new 2003 Chrysler. I commute 37K miles per year in a car with 189K miles.