Best Overall "Major" Car Company

[Refefer]

Before I start, let me define some things:

"Best Overall" - This includes best in all categories, not just sports/super cars.

"Major" - Since GM owns Saab, you can use Saab to support of your argument for that GM is the best company, for example.

This is retroactive btw, so despite Jaguar not being owned by Ford in the 60's, those cars are still game.

Now, at risk of being flamed off the board, I'm gonna say Ford is the best overall company and this is why:

Every day car

They've got the best "every day" cars out there, thanks to Mazda. The Mazda 3 is a blast to drive when loaded with the 160 bhp engine. They've also got an excellent sedan with the 6 series. Mazdas also refuse to break down no matter how much you abuse them and also get great mileage (My first car, a 95 protege, was in 6 crashes thanks to my sister, 3 of them major and STILL ran without a hitch. My mpg on long trips was usually in the mid 40's, manual transmission)

The Mazda3 is now gaining a large aftermarket and consequently i'm seeing more people to the rice hell out of.

Mazda sells well in both America an Japan (I'm not sure about Europe)

...and for Europe we got the Ford Focus. Good car, popular as hell, decent mpg and crash test.

Low-end Sports Car (Under $40k)

We've got a couple of here:

Let's get the obvious ones out of the way straight up:

Mustang V6/GT/Cobra - Good engine, good looks (IMO), and a hell of a lot of history. Most American boy's dream car in highschool, especially with the muscle car appeal. Best sound from their engines IMO also.

Mazda Miata - Small, sporty, convertible, and cheap. I would never drive one, but I know plenty who would.

Mazda RX-8 - The only acceptible 4-door sporty car. Good handling, looks good, etc.

Performance Cars

Ford Focus - I add this here because of it's rally abilities. It's a dominant factor in in such races, thus deserves a spot under performance cars.

For "European" appeal, we've got the DB9... need I say more? Refined, fast as hell, and beautiful.

Ford GT - Also beautiful, awesome performance, but not as fast as...

Jaguar XJ220 - Not the fastest street legal car in the world anymore, but still ridiculously speedy. Handling, breaking, power... it's got it all

Luxury cars

Can you say Jaguar XJ-series? Luxurious, prestigious, and perfect for those who have much more money than I do.


History

I don't think anyone can argue that Ford doesn't have an impressive history, dating back to the turn of the 20th century.

Jaguar also has a decent history, going back to around the 50's and has definate pedigree.

Racing wise they've had a fair amount of success, as anyone who has ever heard of the GT40 and knows anything about the Le Mans has to give it props for 4 years of 1st place victories (66,67,68,69)

Iconically, Ford boasts several cars with history also:

Shelby Fastbacks - While not strictly a Ford company, it's Ford VINs they stick on the new models, so I'm gonna count it.

GT - Already Explained

1957 Jaguar Roadster - YES. Luxury car anyone? Also is very beautiful.
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Alright, I'm done...

What you got for me?

[skituner]

btw the ford gt is way faster than the db9

[findleybeast]

really hard question. something to think about. I can't decide... particularly since a lot of the groups include companies i really dislike....

[SilviaEvo]

Nissan?
Normal-Altima, Maxima, Primera
Luxury-Infiniti Q45, I35, G20
Sports-Nissan 350Z, Skyline, 300ZX, Datsun Z, Infiniti M45, Infiniti G35
SUV-Murano (dont like it but it works), Pathfinder, FX, QX56, QX4

[ferrarif1fan89]

why isnt bmw on this?

[graywolf624]

Nissan? Normal-Altima, Maxima, Primera Luxury-Infiniti Q45, I35, G20 Sports-Nissan 350Z, Skyline, 300ZX, Datsun Z, Infiniti M45, Infiniti G35 SUV-Murano (dont like it but it works), Pathfinder, FX, QX56, QX4

You consider renault a good company?

[Refefer]

Grr, I knew I was missing some... too many compaines.

[graywolf624]

From a purely financial stand point.. Toyota.. they have the highest profit margins.. but there cars seem to lack soul..

From best overall.. Gotta be gm.. they have the most variety, and thus the best overal. Most sales as a result.

Cars in all ranges that gm has some kinda hand in.. financial or otherwise.. that I would consider exceptional:
Caddilac CTS-V, Corvette, STS-V, WRX/Wrx sti(25 percent stake), Pontiac GTO/Monaro, Vauxhall VX770.


History:
Theyve raced and won in so many groups its hard to list them all. The only one I dont recall them in is f1.

Size does matter in the long run..

That isnt to say that on an individual marque or car bases there arent better, just that overall gm has the most variety simply because of its size.

[ZfrkS62]

Originally Posted by graywolf624 Nissan? Normal-Altima, Maxima, Primera Luxury-Infiniti Q45, I35, G20 Sports-Nissan 350Z, Skyline, 300ZX, Datsun Z, Infiniti M45, Infiniti G35 SUV-Murano (dont like it but it works), Pathfinder, FX, QX56, QX4 You consider renault a good company?

Renault doesn't mean shit in the states gray Nissan has been a fairly good company. They've had their missses, but in terms of decently priced performance, they're hard to beat.

1. BMW
2. Nissan (strictly for the Z)
3. everyone else except Mercedes

100. Mercedes

[SilviaEvo]

Originally Posted by ZfrkS62 Originally Posted by graywolf624 Nissan? Normal-Altima, Maxima, Primera Luxury-Infiniti Q45, I35, G20 Sports-Nissan 350Z, Skyline, 300ZX, Datsun Z, Infiniti M45, Infiniti G35 SUV-Murano (dont like it but it works), Pathfinder, FX, QX56, QX4 You consider renault a good company? Renault doesn't mean shit in the states gray Nissan has been a fairly good company. They've had their missses, but in terms of decently priced performance, they're hard to beat. 1. BMW 2. Nissan (strictly for the Z) 3. everyone else except Mercedes 100. Mercedes

Renault is pretty good. Clio V6 is awesome just ask Thamar. BMW is great but too expensive. Thats why i chose Nissan Motor Corp. Subaru is good too. Nissan or Subaru.

[vexor]

I voted for Daimler Chrysler.... well mainly because of Mercedes-Benz

Best low-end sports car - Dodge SRT/4, kick ass pocket rocket
Performance car - SLR, enough said
Luxury car- Chrysler 300C, really big even for me and I'm 6'3". The Maybachs are also very, very nice luxury cars.
History - Mercedes did very good in past races.

as for Every day car, I actually don't know what to say.... I guess Mercedes C class.

[ferrarif1fan89]

^^^is the 300c really a luxury car? i thought it was priced as a mid-sized sedan. but as far as luxury cars go, my favorite is the audi a8. BTW, i voted for renault, because i think they own nissan.or atleast a part of it.

[vexor]

^^^ yeah I would agree with you, it is more of a mid-size sedan but I've sat in one and it was HUGE. I had all the leg room and head room that I needed.

[dingo]

Refefer, polls usually go in the 'Polls' section

[possessed_beaver]

Audi?

i voted honda, always had a soft spot for em!