Question to Toyota owners?

[Steve S]

Originally Posted By: expat
No and Yes!
I did not buy a 2009 Matrix, I thought it to be of lesser quality that the previous model.
I DO think that Toyota quality has gone down hill for Decades!, the 1990 Toyota Pickup was not a patch on the previous 82 that I owned, when I got rid of the 90, I did not like any of the current 'new' models, so I ended up buying a Mint, very low mileage, 84 Extra Cab. After 2 years I am very,very happy with that purchase.
I hope when this all blows over Toyota will go back to making quality product once more.
THEN I will buy one.
I don't think Toyota will go back to building a quality product. Mr Toyota hasn't fallen on the knife for disgracing the name of Toyota . He is just like The American corporate disgrace.

 

[HankMcMauser]

Originally Posted By: 2003f7
Originally Posted By: L_Sludger
No, I haven't changed my mind about Toyota one bit. If anything, I'm more committed to Toyota than ever because they've been good for Kentucky and I'm not one to bite the hand that feeds the state with jobs and revenue.

But you live in Ohio?

not sure if you are aware but the greater cinci area is half in Kentucky the airport is in Ky.

 

[5sfe91]

Still love my Toyotas!!

Mine haven't let me down

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: Steve S
I don't think Toyota will go back to building a quality product. Mr Toyota hasn't fallen on the knife for disgracing the name of Toyota . He is just like The American corporate disgrace.

Dang. We were on a roll. How many posts did we hit?

 

[JHZR2]

I might, I may not. Our 94 previa is great, our 91 corolla was terrible. If we buy an suvish type of car, the lexus hybrid may be a good deal, especially compared to the highlander.

Needs and apparent quality will decide. I do NOT like the bulky center controls on most all toyotas these days.

The company that will get my dollar is the one that provides me with the car that I want, at the value I want. Right now toyota does not do it. If they did, runaway throttle or not, I might consider it.

 

[mechanicx]

What I wonder about the typical Toyota or Honda buyer is do they or at least will they now take a look at the competive/equivalent models from GM and Ford? I get the impression, and I've personally known several like this, that just make a forgone conclusion to buy either a Toyota or a Honda and never even looked at Ford or GM models to actually see if maybe there is something else out there they'd like better. And the few buyers that do many of them say they like their Fusion or Malibu and are surprised after buying one.

With Toyota and other import brands seeming to drop in quality and GM and Ford increasing quality, past models' quaility or lack of doesn't seem like a solid reason to go by with a new model now.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Originally Posted By: wwillson
Might this thread make it to 20 posts?!


So far the discussion/opinion is very civilized, no name calling and no brand bashing. This thread might make it to 100+ posts, I think.

 

[crinkles]

i have no issues with Toyota as long as they make vehicles that are reliable and good value for money. i do however expect that they (and every other manufacturer) have simple safety mechanisms and their cars are reasonably safe to modern standards.

for now i am bidign my time and waiting for the whole thing to play out. i will remain objective as much as i can to any car maker.

 

[Michael_P]

I have driven and worked on many Toyota's but have never owned one less an old FJ40. The only reason I'm glad this is happening to Toyota is maybe I'll finally be able to deal down on one. I knew it would take something like this for me to even have a remote chance at affording one.

 

[fsskier]

Now, I would rather that my throttle was not somehow stuck to the floor but....

Both our new Toyotas allow you to turn the key off to the first position without locking the steering column.

Both allow you to put them in neutral, especially our 5 speed Corolla.

Both have brakes that will slam the car to a stop even in gear. That assumes the driver does not repeatedly "test' and pump the brakes and lose the vacuum boost.

I have had two throttle return springs break - resulting in a floored throttle - in my driving career, one in my nearly new (at the time) BMW. I had the thing off and stopped within seconds.

My first failure was in a 41 Plymouth during my first year of driving. Still, power off and stop. Pliers fixed the spring - bent a new hook into the end of it, and away we go.

All 41 Plymouths probably had a couple pair of pliers in them!!

Not sure why these drivers spend so much time calling 911 instead of doing basic stuff like NEUTRAL??

Not defending sticking throttles or unintended acceleration.... the NHTSA gets lot of reports of this each year.

 

[Jonny Z]

Who cares about the brand. I will look for what I want, and assess the predicted reliability based on the best info I have at the moment, cost of ownership, then go from there. If I make a bad choice, I will have to live with the consequences, plain and simple.

Basing buying decision on brand is a prejudice, don't you think? Like your local sheriff deputies pulling you over simply for driving a red sports car, no?

While law enforcement is held to higher professional standards and should act without prejudice, buying prejudice is a personal choice that I respect.

But please, do not go out of your way to rub that prejudice in my face. I get it. You are a wise guy. You make prudent choices that I can't. Sorry to be so stupid and upset you.

 

[Popinski]

Originally Posted By: Jonny Z
Who cares about the brand. I will look for what I want, and assess the predicted reliability based on the best info I have at the moment, cost of ownership, then go from there. If I make a bad choice, I will have to live with the consequences, plain and simple.

Basing buying decision on brand is a prejudice, don't you think? Like your local sheriff deputies pulling you over simply for driving a red sports car, no?

While law enforcement is held to higher professional standards and should act without prejudice, buying prejudice is a personal choice that I respect.

But please, do not go out of your way to rub that prejudice in my face. I get it. You are a wise guy. You make prudent choices that I can't. Sorry to be so stupid and upset you.


Question...why are you on a forum where all of us car about different brands? Why not put any oil in your car? Heck, your car needs 5w30, just put any 5w30... why go on BITOG for information? Why even stat in your signature that you use Valvoline, own a Toyota that wears Michelins?

I'll change your signature for you:

2002 Sedan, 120k. 5w30 + Oil filter/ Gear Oil/ tires.

 

[robshelton]

Sister had a (then new) 94 Paseo, then a 92 Camry. Now driving a 06 Camry. Mom bought a 2000 Camry new and is still driving it, one of her sisters had a 94 Camry. Several extended family members have Camry's and Corollas. Close friend has 05 Corolla. My GF has 95 Camry. Check my sig for info on my 93 Camry.

Starting to see a pattern here?

While I'm not blindly brand-loyal, the current problems will be resolved and I will not hesitate to purchase another Toyota. All mfr's have recalls.

Maybe Toyota should send out a message stating how to turn off their cars should something go wrong... :-o Broken throttle return springs were once common, is a faulty component really that different now? Slow news days and hungry lawyers can make mountains of molehills quickly.

 

[grampi]

Most people, including those in the media, have blown this whole Toyota deal way out of proportion. A VERY SMALL NUMBER OF THEIR CARS HAVE ACTUALLY HAD PROBLEMS. If people revolted against every auto maker that ever had recalls, there would be none left to buy from. I would have no hesitation buying a new Toyota.

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
So far the discussion/opinion is very civilized, no name calling and no brand bashing. This thread might make it to 100+ posts, I think.

You missed Steve S's post a few above yours.

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: Popinski
Question...why are you on a forum where all of us car about different brands? Why not put any oil in your car? Heck, your car needs 5w30, just put any 5w30... why go on BITOG for information? Why even stat in your signature that you use Valvoline, own a Toyota that wears Michelins?

I'll change your signature for you:

2002 Sedan, 120k. 5w30 + Oil filter/ Gear Oil/ tires.

I don't know what site you're talking about, but that can't be BITOG. Some of us might care about brand, but "all of us" certainly do not.

 

[cchase]

Originally Posted By: grampi
Most people, including those in the media, have blown this whole Toyota deal way out of proportion. A VERY SMALL NUMBER OF THEIR CARS HAVE ACTUALLY HAD PROBLEMS. If people revolted against every auto maker that ever had recalls, there would be none left to buy from. I would have no hesitation buying a new Toyota.


As stated in previous threads, some people feel that the real problem here is Toyotas mis-handling of the situation more than the problem itself.

I can't stand Toyotas. I've always hated the interiors and I don't like the styling. The ones I've been in are bland to drive and underpowered. That aside, I don't think any of this would influence my decision to buy one or not to buy one.

 

[javacontour]

People tend to buy based on how something has treated them before.

If they have good experiences with a brand and can afford to stick with that brand, chances are, they will stay with it.

If they have bad experiences with a brand, they are more likely to shop other brands.

That's why any change, good or bad, takes a while.

GM didn't lose it's market share as the largest automaker over night. It took decades to go from over 50% of the domestic car market to about 20-25%.

It will take them decades to return to that sort of market share if ever.

Ditto for Toyota. It took decades to get to their percentage of domestic sales, and it will likely take decades to fall, if that's the direction they'll go.

I don't think anyone will know until 2015 to 2020 how this will eventually play out.

 

[Thermo1223]

Personally I will never own one, ever.

I am in no doubt that this current situation is in part to Toyota hiding the truth(which is deplorable) and the common idiocy found in today's drivers.

Like the guy in CA, how hard is it to hold the button down for 3 secs? He is simply an idiot and wants media attention.

Why? Well they lied to the general public and started a cover-up but more importantly they make boring, bland, washing machines.

There is not one exciting thing about ANY Toyota product. That said the short time I was in daily use of one it worked but I wouldn't buy the same model new. It was a '96 Tacoma and for what it was it worked great. The new Tacomas just seem to lose that utilitarian appeal I guess.

It was my father in-laws and was bought back last year at 150% of retail value because of the frame rust recall.

I would more happily own a Honda first since they have some inclination to make an exciting product. Except for the Ridgeline as that is an epic failure of a vehicle.

 

[Paul56]

I like Toyota vehicles... I had good success with one and not so good luck with another one.

I am drawn to Toyota because of the quality and reliability.

Given...

-the experience with my Camry
-the current troubles with Toyota vehicles

...I will not consider purchasing a Toyota until the dust settles on these issues.

In a situation like this there is always a certain amount of sensationalism by the media and others... and then there is what is really happening.