Stereotypically, Japanese cars are supposed to be 'built better' and 'last longer'. I've had a 1999 Dodge Dakota (V6, 5 speed), a 2002 Toyota Camry, a 2004 Toyota Tacoma Prerunner, and a 2010 Ram 1500. The two Dodges have given me far fewer issues (and the Dakota averaged around 21mpg for me...