Why does Ford have a bad name?

[rbohm]

ford has had some bad cars in the past, the edsel for example, and those bad cars taint the average persons view of ford quality. the other thing is not just ford but all domestic automakers have the reputation of having problem cars. i once asked a person why he wouldnt buy an american ever again, and his reply was of the crappy way the cars are made and the problems he had with them. i asked him to give specifics, and he said he had a starter, alternator, ignition switch, and a couple of other items replaced in the first two years he owned his ford and he considered those to be major problems. when i asked what he problems he had with his toyota he said he had the alternator, starter, ignition switch and ac ouple of other items replaced in a two year period but he considered those minor problems. when i asked him what the difference was, he said the toyota was more reliable than the ford. no amount of debate could change his mind(what little of it there was). it just goes to show that people are stupid no matter how intelligent they seem to be.