Toyota Quality - Page 4

We just traded my wife's '97 Avalon with 197k for a 2008 Avalon. The most expensive repair I ever made to the '97 was the timing belt/water pump replacement every 80k miles. I drive a '99 Tacoma with 163k miles. I just had to replace the right front ball joint. $300+, my largest expense yet. From my experience Toyota is a very well built, reliable cost efficient vehicle. I love em'.

Hmmm, Mazda is usually down the reliability food chain for Japanese makers.  Still it's not a Suzuki, so....

I guarantee my parents would have thrown out my old Sidekick already and bought one for my sister if it had!

Meh, FF Focus w/o AWD.  I don't care if it's Martian let alone European.  I'm never going back to FF again

The only 2011 Ford I'd be interested in is an F-150.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pigmode 

The only 2011 Ford I'd be interested in is an F-150.

Raptor Supercrew for me.  That's next, guaranteed.  Can't decide whether to keep my Subaru or not if I get a Raptor.  Running out of space.  >.<  Wish I could load it up in the back of the Raptor.

I will likely wait for the last model year of this Raptor as I do w/ all my car models.  Always buy late production runs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anaxilus 

Raptor Supercrew for me.  That's next, guaranteed.  Can't decide whether to keep my Subaru or not if I get a Raptor.  Running out of space.  >.<  Wish I could load it up in the back of the Raptor.

 

I will likely wait for the last model year of this Raptor as I do w/ all my car models.  Always buy late production runs.

 

 Niiice. I find it *very* hard to give up the secure (safe) feeling I get in a truck. What is the thought behind late production?

Quote:

Originally Posted by pigmode 

 

 Niiice. I find it *very* hard to give up the secure (safe) feeling I get in a truck. What is the thought behind late production?

With Toyota, they would continuously refine the product as various recalls and TSB's showed up.  By the time you came to end of lifecycle most, if not all, of the bugs were worked out.  I assume many manufacturers do the same or should and that Toyota still does.  I know they used to.  

If you have access to TSBs like MOD and All Data you can see this by looking at the last model year compared to the first and middle years.  Last I checked many moons ago, of all the manufacturers Toyota used to have the least recalls and TSBs by a good amount, even compared to Honda.  I mean sparse.  Cynics will say they were covering up to protect their mythology.  My working vehicles disagree.  

I'm glad all this recall stuff happened, Toyota is just going to raise the bar again IMO.

*The problem with trucks is they aren't required to pass the same crash safety standards because the domestic car makers lobbied it would crush their truck margins.  So be wary anyway.   

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anaxilus 

*The problem with trucks is they aren't required to pass the same crash safety standards because the domestic car makers lobbied it would crush their truck margins.  So be wary anyway.   

 

That's a good point. Otoh height and weight can be a factor in how the force of impact is distributed. Situational awareness on the highway is increased, for sure.

Big Toyota fan here.  My 2003 Sienna Mini-van just hit 180,000 km. and aside from a problem with my ignition key last year, I haven't had to do anything to it except regular maintenance.  Still has the original battery even.  My 1993 Camry stationwagon had 240,000 km on it and was also problem free when I sold it after 5 years.  Not sure about the newest models however.  One problem I did have with my Camry and I've noticed it in new Toyota cars as well, is the seats have no lumbar support and hurt my lower back.  This isn't a problem with the mini-van seats however as they are more like chairs.  I've heard good things about the new Fords as well.

My family has never had luck with Toyota, but we have had a Honda make it 200k miles strong, and several Volvos push well past 300k miles before being replaced by newer models. I currently drive my mom's old 2000 S80 that has 350k miles on it (alot, I know), and it is running in perfect mechanical condition. I am a firm believer that any car can be strong and reliable if you service when reccommended by the manufacturer. My father had a couple BMW's a while back (a brand "known" to have mechanical issues) and he never had a problem, while some of his friends had nightmares when they were overdue (some severely overdue) for service.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rise To The Top 

I am a firm believer that any car can be strong and reliable if you service when reccommended by the manufacturer. 

I disagree.  Many makes and models have inherent electrical and mechanical flaws for a number of reasons.  No amount of maintenance can turn a toad into a prince.  I've always pushed my Toyotas hard, I'm no shrinking violet on the street. 

My sentiments on Volvo are they seem to keep running because all the drivers I see are over 60 and drive 20mph under the speed limit at all times.  Basically identical to most Corvette and 911 owners in Southern California.  Just my street impressions.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anaxilus 

I disagree.  Many makes and models have inherent electrical and mechanical flaws for a number of reasons.  No amount of maintenance can turn a toad into a prince.  I've always pushed my Toyotas hard, I'm no shrinking violet on the street. 

 

My sentiments on Volvo are they seem to keep running because all the drivers I see are over 60 and drive 20mph under the speed limit at all times.  Basically identical to most Corvette and 911 owners in Southern California.  Just my street impressions.

The car that was handed down to me was used as a daily driver for 80 miles of commuting a day, usually being driven 15-20 over. I drive it just as hard, if not harder. Around here the 20 below drivers drive Caddies and Oldsmobiles.