Usually, when you bring up Ford and Chevy in the same breath, you are invoking the longtime feud between truck owners over which General Motors ‘make’ is the better of the two. Even ion their sports cars, there is a longstanding rivalry that evokes the Hatfields and McCoys-- and often from the same quarters.
Instead of stoking the fire of that feud, today, we’re looking at the virtues of both. At Larry’s Independent Service in Mission Viejo, California, we see plenty of Fords and Chevys for repair. And although we service all manner of cars at our shop, we haven’t seen a significant factor to claim one type is better than the other, nor can we say if they are better (or worse) than the Japanese, Asian, or European models we also service. All cars have their virtues and failings… we’re here to extol the virtues of Ford and Chevy!
These cars are so similar though-- dark mirrors of each other-- that it’s hard not to compare and contrast them, as we break down the notable characteristics of each.
Some Ford models-- like the Focus and the Taurus-- are still built in the U.S. The majority of the automotive industry took their work from Detroit and into Mexico when NAFTA was signed. So it greatly depends on the model as to whether or not these cars are ‘American Made’. Chevy has plants all over the U.S. where different models are built, so if it’s important to you to buy American, there’s good news: you can still manage that.
Ford cars are comfortable fits. They are easy cars to drive. Their parts are comparatively less expensive than foreign parts. Once you have driven in one Ford sedan or compact, you’ve driven in most of them-- they tend to follow a logic between their models that is easy to understand. The amenities, like the music system, the air conditioning, and chair settings, are usually very intuitive and easy to master.
Chevy cars and trucks are similar, with a few notable differences. They tend to have more stylized cabins that must be explored to understand. The air vents have a tendency to wrap around the dashboard in a way that can be hard to get used to. But once you know your way around a Chevy, though, they are comfortable and clever cars to drive. And there’s a lot to be said for earning that familiarity.
Chevrolet cars tend to be very good on performance, and are notably reliable. Ford cars tend to offer good performance and be reliable, too, but this is an area that Chevy cars-- and especially their trucks-- really stand out. Ford trucks tend to be a little cheaper than Chevys, as well as being a little more fuel efficient. But some of the Chevy models, like the Malibu, are cheaper than their Ford counterpart (the Fusion) but have just as much performance to offer.
Both brands have a lot to offer drivers in terms of performance at a good cost. They may not be truly American anymore, but these American brands still have considerable market bite.
What do you think of Chevys and Fords as brands? Let us know when you’re in next for service, we’d love to hear your thoughts. Also, you might want to make a stop in soon, as the fires around California have created lots of ash in the air. Be aware that your car’s cabin and engine air filters will need to be changed sooner than expected, due to the ashes clogging them up.
If you haven’t replaced the air filters in your cabin and engine yet, bring your car into Larry’s Independent Service in Mission Viejo, and let our auto mechanics take good care of your car. You can click on this embedded link to schedule an appointment. Or feel free to call us at (949) 238-6633. We’re located at 25721 Taladro Circle Unit A, Mission Viejo, CA 92691, and we're open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM.