15th Apr 2008, 17:00
Well, comment 18:44 is not EXACTLY correct. If a domestic has ANY problem, it is called "domestic crap", "worthless garbage", etc. even if it is just a broken knob on the radio.
If an import vehicle has a major, life-threatening problem, such as the Tundra's defective brakes, steering, front suspension, stalling engines or bad air bags, the import owners just go "Oh, it's such a RARE occurrence it hardly warrants noting".
One of our friends has a Tundra that has been in the shop repeatedly for brake and front end problems. He also bought a 2007 Camry and has mentioned all sorts of problems with it. But if you ask him why he bought yet ANOTHER defective import, his response is "They are better." Even when I point out that our 6-year-old GM that has given him rides to the dealer to pick up his Tundra, has never had ONE problem in all those miles, he still will argue that imports are "better". I think a new definition of "better" needs to be used for import owners. If cars that break down more frequently are "better", that does NOT match my dictionary's definition of the word.
15th Apr 2008, 22:21
We've never once been stranded in an American vehicle, including some that had over 200,000 miles on them. In our entire married life my wife and I have both been stranded on the road twice. In both cases it was in a friend's Toyota that was still under warranty (two different friends and two different Toyotas).
16th Apr 2008, 11:30
"...my Tacoma only has 90,000 on it, and runs as well as day 1."
Great, and my 2002 Ford Explorer has only 94,000 miles on it, and runs flawlessly, with no repair ever. You are not proving your point, only expressing your belief that "Toyota is better."
16th Apr 2008, 15:23
22:21 I find it funny that people write in saying they've never been let down in a domestic but have more than once in Toyota's. If this happens, then it's an extremely rare situation that's the exception to the rule. It's just not the truth, plain and simple.
16th Apr 2008, 17:43
"GM lost more money last year than ever before,"
And yet GM sales were up. You fail to relate that GM's loss was due to worker buyouts, not poor sales.
16th Apr 2008, 18:06
The V6 Toyota owner may not realize that many full size truck owners prefer the V8 engine, stronger drivetrain, bed and towing capability as well as more interior room and far superior warranty.
In addition, the MPG is quite impressive on the open road with the newest V8 models. Maybe you never tow... maybe off road or cruise the interstates with little strain on the drivetrain. I know that the Toyota would not be up to the tasks I expect and would not be durable on various tow applications I do on an ongoing basis.
Taking out cost, as I do not buy that way, never going the cheapest... I buy function and capability, and the full size domestics have superior power, load and towing characteristics. If Toyota impresses me with more than I can currently attain, and have at least a 100,000 mile warranty as standard, I will check them out yet again next year.
The manufacturers are not staying in business by the way if everyone takes the logic I will; keep my vehicle 10-15 years and tack on 300,000 miles. I am a consumer that likes the newest technology, features, safety benefits and will buy ever 2-3 years because of design advances.
Import or domestic, I buy what has the best at the moment. Currently it is domestics. I run 50,000 miles tops and expect no issues up to that mileage. I have had issues with imports in as little as 30,000 miles. That is unacceptable.
17th Apr 2008, 06:05
Hello All:
I saw a few people mention GM's unfortunate losses last year. Yes, they were large. But, that as due to employee buy outs and union contract settlements - things Toyota never had/has to contend with.
GM's sales grew last year and were actually the second largest the company ever had.
15th Apr 2008, 16:48
05:43 There's nothing wrong with having the prerogative of buying a new vehicle every few years, or every five. However, some of us like to keep them a long time, and that is where buying a Toyota pays off.
I don't care who says what on this site or otherwise, the proof is in the ownership. And millions of people over the last decade or so, more every day, are switching to Toyota because we all know that they most often run to 250,000 or 300,000 or more with little or no trouble, and that the domestics do not. It's just that simple, and true.
I've owned domestics, of all makes. Generally, at about 80,000 or so, maybe 100,000, the mechanical troubles begin, and are often major. Every one I've owned has done this. Coincidence? I don't think so. Also not coincidence that all three of my Toyota's have never needed a single penny in repairs; only maintenance.
I wrote earlier about the Dakota I owned. Yes, I said it made it to 115,000 and ran well. However, I did mention that the troubles were beginning. It started to leak transmission fluid. I had to put a starter in it. Also, '95 Dakota's were well known for automatic transmission problems, which I avoided luckily to that point.
My Toyota's all breezed right by that mileage point and more with zero issues. The Ranger I owned gave me problems the first day I brought it home and never ceased to have them.
I'll admit that recent domestics are a lot better than the complete garbage they produced in the 80's and 90's, but they're still not up to par with any Toyota that's yet rolled off the line.
Domestic owners should realize that the Big 3 stepped it up only when they finally were forced to; when they started losing sales dramatically because people wised up finally and started switching to the imports. Claiming otherwise doesn't make it true.
This still happens. Again, GM lost more money last year than ever before, and Toyota has made more than ever. Those are facts, and they are inarguable.
I find it funny that the Big 3 now compare themselves to Toyota quality in their advertising. I just heard a Ford commercial yesterday that said, and I quote, "NOW as reliable as Toyota". SO... for all of you domestics owners that like to claim that the domestics are or were as reliable as a Toyota, FORD THEMSELVES admitted that they weren't, and the fact is that they still aren't. They just hope people will believe it. GM is even worse.
I've looked at new full size trucks, not to buy, because my Tacoma only has 90,000 on it, and runs as well as day 1. As a Toyota owner who maintains his vehicle by the book, I know I still have probably at least 200,000 or more miles to go before I even consider something new. The 3.4 liter v-6 in this truck is a far better engine than GM, Ford, or Dodge has ever produced.
The point is, if you like to believe that domestics are anywhere close to as well built as a Toyota, think again, because they most surely are not.