29th Aug 2010, 12:41

I find it very hard to believe that an experienced highway patrolman does not know the difference between an accelerator and a brake. In fact, I can't conceive of anyone who drives a car not knowing the difference, and certainly not keeping the accelerator floored thinking it's the brake for miles? Please. Even a 6-year-old child couldn't make that sort of mistake.

30th Aug 2010, 16:47

As previously stated, the articles are there, and they are backed up by credible sources. This doesn't necessarily mean that every Toyota accident was driver error. It means that the incidents are most likely exaggerated.

11th Sep 2010, 13:42

"It means that the incidents are most likely exaggerated."

People getting killed is "exaggerated"?

12th Sep 2010, 21:36

"It means that the incidents are most likely exaggerated."

"People getting killed is "exaggerated"?"

Yes, "exaggerated." There is strong evidence that many accidents thought to be caused by Toyota are driver error, not auto defect. There are articles, backed up by credible sources, that state this claim. Fortunately, not everybody dies in an auto accident, at least the last time I checked.

24th Sep 2010, 17:40

Very true. Toyota was picked on because they were number 1.

25th Sep 2010, 10:26

It's standard practice for auto companies to hire lawyers and public relations people to help with damage control in cases such as Toyota's recall fiasco. The claim of "driver error" is always an easy out for the company.

To think that an experienced highway patrolman whose job involved extensive driving would confuse the accelerator pedal with the brake (for MILES) is patently ludicrous.

28th Sep 2010, 17:56

If Toyota's Echo was so great, why couldn't the company wait to replace it with the Yaris? The Aveo has been around since 2004, and is due to be refreshed again soon (2011 or '12). It has had a few problems in its first year, but has improved. The redesigned engine's timing belt setup is improved and the service interval is improved from 60,000 to 100,000 miles. I have one, and it hasn't given me too much trouble.

A few things I don't care for:

The tires are extremely cheap, and I cannot wait to replace them. The floormats are too big for such a small car. The back gate needs to be shut with a little force, or it'll be a pain to reopen.

Other than a few quirky details:

It hasn't ever left me stranded. It doesn't rattle, shake, or wobble. The Aveo is very comfortable, there is an abundance of visibility, is easy to drive, and it is fuel efficient. I don't regret my purchase. It may be a Daewoo, but it's my Daewoo, and I love my car.

29th Sep 2010, 19:26

"If Toyota's Echo was so great, why couldn't the company wait to replace it with the Yaris?"

Actually the Echo was the American version of the Yaris. We rented a Yaris in Aruba and it was actually an Echo. I think they phased out the Echo in order to make way for the more global Yaris.

30th Sep 2010, 22:57

The Echo did well everywhere, except the United States. In Canada, it sold so well that they brought in a hatchback version. It wasn't the Yaris, but a Canada only hatchback from 2004 to 2005. Americans didn't like the Echo. They never really embraced small cars until the outrageous gas prices.

The Echo was introduced in 2000, when gas was still relatively cheap. Also, it was considered ugly too many. It's tall and narrow, and has a centre mounted instrument panel. Toyota replaced it with the Yaris in 2006 everywhere. I think it was mainly due to ease global production. People may dump on it, but I think my Echo is a very good car. Toyota built the Echo properly from day one. You seem to be lucky with your Aveo. It's been on many top ten worst car lists since its inception.

30th Sep 2010, 23:26

I've stated this before, but I'll try again for the last time. I never said all accidents involving Toyotas were caused by driver error. I stated that many thought to be auto error were found to be caused by driver error. Therefore, the logical conclusion is that the number of acceleration accidents involving Toyotas thought to be caused by auto defect is EXAGGERATED.

I don't know who this highway patrolman is because I haven't read anything about him. If he was in a Toyota accident, then he probably knows what he is talking about in HIS particular accident. However, he is NOT the final authority on EVERY accident involving a Toyota. Did he investigate every Toyota acceleration accident? It's ludicrous to think he is the final authority in every accident. Also, the articles I read all had neutral sources to back up claims of exaggeration. These articles were not written by Toyota's lawyers. Once again, I never claimed all Toyota accidents were caused by driver error. I said the number is exaggerated. There is a difference. One highway patrolman's experience can't speak for every incident.

1st Oct 2010, 08:11

I just have to add that patrolmen are not Gods behind the wheel just because they drive every day. I have seen some of the worst examples of driving ability exhibited in patrol cars... two of which almost caused me to crash due to their inability, and they were state troopers, so they are always driving. To assume that any one person is automatically better because of their job is mistaken. Anyone, and I mean anyone, can get into a situation where they are unfamiliar with the controls of a car, and not realize that they are committing an error.

I had an accelerator issue once in someone else's car. I would have sworn I was standing on the brake, but the car would not stop. I ended up just jamming it into park as I wasn't going too fast, and then I realized I was pushing both pedals because the pedal spacing and placement was different than what I was used to driving. When it happens to you, it is quite different than you think it would be. It really is a freakish thing, and you think you are doing the right thing, but the car isn't reacting the way it should. It is scary to have that happen, and your reaction is to press the pedal harder and harder, thinking you are still doing the right thing. You don't have time to look down at your feet and see your mistake. If it never happened to me, I would think the "driver error" thing was bogus, but...

They really should have a specific pedal layout, including the spacing and size of the pedals, so each car is the same. It has always been an unsafe characteristic of different cars.

1st Oct 2010, 17:42

Some people will go to any length to explain away Toyota's many defects. Please, they had THREE Grand Jury subpoenas in one year for safety violations. I suppose that was all just in the imagination?

2nd Oct 2010, 22:32

I guess 'some people' includes the NHTSA. Google the words 'Someone Owes Toyota an Apology.' You'll find an article about the driver error question. There is more of them out there, too. I'm not an expert, but I believe the NHTSA is a neutral government agency. Also, I'm not one of those people going to any lengths to defend Toyota. I'm just stating facts.