22nd Oct 2010, 17:18

Just because a car is cheap, doesn't mean they are bad nor boring to drive. I own a 96 Tacoma basic 2Wd 5 speed truck with bench seats, crank windows, manual locks, and a brown interior. On the other hand, it's got a 2.4 liter 4 cylinder, which is quite a lot of power for a small truck. It's peppy and fun to drive. On top of that, it's got AC and a surprisingly good stereo system.

On top of that, the quality has been incredibly good. This was the first vehicle I bought new back in 1996. I take good care of it, change the oil every 3,000 miles, give it a coat of wax every 2 months, change the coolant every 50,000, and so on. 15 years and about 242,000 miles later, it's still going strong. Doesn't use a drop of oil or otherwise have any problems.

The best part of all is that I've saved a TON of money from not having to buy new cars every 4-5 years like most Americans. I make a six figure income, and could easily buy any number of expensive cars. Yet I'd rather retire sooner and buy my house for cash, which I could so now if I wanted to from saving money for the past 10+ years.

A car is a car is a car. If it runs economically and reliably, and gives you good service... then why spend lots of money? Then again, there's no right answer here. If someone wants to blow 60k on a car... good for them.

22nd Oct 2010, 17:54

Both Ford and GM are building far better cars than any Japanese car maker ever has. Just today I read that Recall King Toyota is recalling another 1.5 million (you read that right, MILLION) cars due to defective brakes. Also, Honda is ALSO recalling cars due to brake issues. No doubt die-hard import fans will scream "DRIVER ERROR" because the drivers don't throw open the door and drag their feet to stop the cars. Sean Kane of Safety Research and Strategies says "This speaks to me about the kind of research and quality issues we're seeing in Toyota." (USA Today, October 22, 2019) It says a lot to me too, and I won't be buying a Japanese car anytime soon.

23rd Oct 2010, 10:38

I love these type of posts. Just because Toyota is recalling a certain line of cars, does not mean that ALL of them have issues. If it were one in 10K, it would be a lot. Listen to media hype much?

I have not met anyone in person that has needed any of the recalled parts on their Toyota. I have also never talked to anyone who knows anyone that has a Toyota and needed anything done to it. This is such an overblown media circus, it is laughable. Toyota will be back on top, just like their luxury brand Lexus in a year or two when everyone forgets... again.... like all the recalls on every domestic brand there is and ever has been. Apparently you all have forgotten the past recalls on your favorite brands....

There are millions of cars involved in these recalls, because there are millions of them on the roads. When you sell the most cars, you have to recall the most cars. Every one has to be checked out, but again, that in no way means every one has issues. The way you go on about it, that is exactly what you think is going on.

Toyota still outperforms anything domestic, as far as my driving experiences with them and ownership experiences go.

23rd Oct 2010, 10:43

If you won't be buying a Japanese car anytime soon, then why are you posting your opinions on a Toyota thread??? Could you please stop posting the same stuff on here, and go over to a Chevy or Ford thread and rave about your experience with them? This is pointless posting that has more than dominated many of the threads on here, and it is tiring reading the same posts over and over.

Thanks in advance for your cooperation!

23rd Oct 2010, 15:14

Some post after selling a very poor experience with the model being reviewed, and don't want to see someone else suffer. I bought new GMs myself, and am pleased too.

23rd Oct 2010, 23:45

"Thanks in advance for your cooperation!"

Sorry, but I will keep defending American companies as long as erroneous statements continue to be posted by import buyers. Domestics are now better than Japanese imports in the opinion of most rating companies and reviewers. Stating otherwise will result in the necessary corrections.

24th Oct 2010, 08:59

"Domestics are now better than Japanese imports in the opinion of most rating companies and reviewers"

So J.D. Powers ratings of Lexus and Acura above every domestic manufacturer is false? Okay then... I guess you should stop quoting them then huh? That is, after all, the most quoted source on this forum!

24th Oct 2010, 14:05

17:18 I blew my money on a house and paid it off. The cars we are driving today are very nice and no guilt whatsover. My dad use to say you cannot pull a u-haul with a hearse. After you own everything, don't feel bad for what you worked for. Everybody thinks it's the dream to retire early. After you travel a bit, it's boring as hell. I would rather work at something I like, and if I want a great car or 2, go for it.

25th Oct 2010, 03:25

Did I just read about Acura a couple comments ago? Read Car Surveys reviewer comments on used cars on here about multiple trans replacements. My first trans went at 28000 mikes on mine. These cars are not cheap to buy or to own. Tires are high, brakes wore out quick, bulbs are even high. We switched to domestics.

25th Oct 2010, 09:05

People like this are why the domestic companies have produced decades of trash. These companies care little or nothing about the American public, which is why they got themselves into a position where they needed bailout money to survive. Ford didn't use any, but they secured the loans just the same.

Why people have latched onto these lame organizations as the great American companies is beyond me. Where have you all been for the decades that American companies sold out to Japanese manufacturing, and now Chinese manufacturing. What makes you think the auto business will be any different? Many of the other companies that shafted American workers are still thriving by selling their products here even though they are no longer produced here. Pioneer electronics comes to mind... There are tons just like them.

Now the auto businesses are exporting their jobs and factories as well. Of course Japan would have nothing to do with them because they already have their own car lines which are far superior. So they look to Canada and Mexico. They will continue to invest their profits into new factories and more outsourcing so they can increase their bottom line. As many of you patriots have admitted already, this is the only way they can survive. How long until they are the next "Pioneer" and are completely made in other countries and then just sold here?? Before you answer that, remember that 30 short years ago, no one would have ever thought we'd have been looking at nearly 100% imported electronics (among many other products we buy on a regular basis).