What new make/model is easiest to work on?
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Watch out for ex-rentals & leases. As somebody said in a different thread, there is very little motivation to do diligent maintenance on those cars. But, then, that’s not always true. You just need to evaluate the individual car being considered. There will be telltale signs either way.
Originally Posted By: john_pifer
Watch out for ex-rentals & leases. As somebody said in a different thread, there is very little motivation to do diligent maintenance on those cars. But, then, that’s not always true. You just need to evaluate the individual car being considered. There will be telltale signs either way.
Once again, very true!
You gotta know what you're looking for in a vehicle and what to look for in terms of issues/neglect. Most of my friends & family who own Camry's aren't any better. Barely remember when they've change the oil and never changed the ATF.
All are pushing 200K-250K and a couple with ~300K here in Western NY State. No rust to speak of even after 13-15 years old and brutaly salty winters. Manny still have most of their same original suspensions parts. Accord's are good but aren't this good! I've owned several of both!
I just find that Camry's are a very forgiving car. They may not be the best to drive in terms of dynamics however(unless that's your priority), they just go about their business without calling attention to themselves or much fuss. Camry's are the epitome of Toyota reliability along with 4Runners & Land Cruisers.
All(most) Toyota's are reliable but, ^^^those 3 are the best of the best!
Watch out for ex-rentals & leases. As somebody said in a different thread, there is very little motivation to do diligent maintenance on those cars. But, then, that’s not always true. You just need to evaluate the individual car being considered. There will be telltale signs either way.
Once again, very true!
You gotta know what you're looking for in a vehicle and what to look for in terms of issues/neglect. Most of my friends & family who own Camry's aren't any better. Barely remember when they've change the oil and never changed the ATF.
All are pushing 200K-250K and a couple with ~300K here in Western NY State. No rust to speak of even after 13-15 years old and brutaly salty winters. Manny still have most of their same original suspensions parts. Accord's are good but aren't this good! I've owned several of both!
I just find that Camry's are a very forgiving car. They may not be the best to drive in terms of dynamics however(unless that's your priority), they just go about their business without calling attention to themselves or much fuss. Camry's are the epitome of Toyota reliability along with 4Runners & Land Cruisers.
All(most) Toyota's are reliable but, ^^^those 3 are the best of the best!
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Heh heh. You're preaching to the choir Charbaby. My brother's '10 Tacoma is a specially ordered base model long cab. I-4, 5 spd manual, rollup windows 2wd. Does have AC. I don't know how hard the Camry is to fix. It hasn't broken yet
Originally Posted By: john_pifer
Watch out for ex-rentals & leases. As somebody said in a different thread, there is very little motivation to do diligent maintenance on those cars. But, then, that’s not always true. You just need to evaluate the individual car being considered. There will be telltale signs either way.
I think that's why Toyota went with free 2yr/25k maintenance on their cars. That way the drivers will take better care of the car. My neighbor leases Toyotas and on his last one he only had to do one oil change on his dime. Plus with the certified used cars they have a Carfax that shows some of the maintenance done at the dealership.
Watch out for ex-rentals & leases. As somebody said in a different thread, there is very little motivation to do diligent maintenance on those cars. But, then, that’s not always true. You just need to evaluate the individual car being considered. There will be telltale signs either way.
I think that's why Toyota went with free 2yr/25k maintenance on their cars. That way the drivers will take better care of the car. My neighbor leases Toyotas and on his last one he only had to do one oil change on his dime. Plus with the certified used cars they have a Carfax that shows some of the maintenance done at the dealership.
Originally Posted By: andyd
Heh heh. You're preaching to the choir Charbaby. My brother's '10 Tacoma is a specially ordered base model long cab. I-4, 5 spd manual, rollup windows 2wd. Does have AC. I don't know how hard the Camry is to fix. It hasn't broken yet
Certainly not going to win any awards for driving excitement (or impress any ladies, unless they're BITOG members, LOL), but it'll last forever as long as the frame doesn't rust out!
Heh heh. You're preaching to the choir Charbaby. My brother's '10 Tacoma is a specially ordered base model long cab. I-4, 5 spd manual, rollup windows 2wd. Does have AC. I don't know how hard the Camry is to fix. It hasn't broken yet
Certainly not going to win any awards for driving excitement (or impress any ladies, unless they're BITOG members, LOL), but it'll last forever as long as the frame doesn't rust out!
Originally Posted By: john_pifer
Originally Posted By: andyd
Heh heh. You're preaching to the choir Charbaby. My brother's '10 Tacoma is a specially ordered base model long cab. I-4, 5 spd manual, rollup windows 2wd. Does have AC. I don't know how hard the Camry is to fix. It hasn't broken yet
Certainly not going to win any awards for driving excitement (or impress any ladies, unless they're BITOG members, LOL), but it'll last forever as long as the frame doesn't rust out!
: D The body will rot first and that takes a long time in itself.
Originally Posted By: andyd
Heh heh. You're preaching to the choir Charbaby. My brother's '10 Tacoma is a specially ordered base model long cab. I-4, 5 spd manual, rollup windows 2wd. Does have AC. I don't know how hard the Camry is to fix. It hasn't broken yet
Certainly not going to win any awards for driving excitement (or impress any ladies, unless they're BITOG members, LOL), but it'll last forever as long as the frame doesn't rust out!
: D The body will rot first and that takes a long time in itself.
Originally Posted By: Char Baby
Originally Posted By: john_pifer
Originally Posted By: andyd
Heh heh. You're preaching to the choir Charbaby. My brother's '10 Tacoma is a specially ordered base model long cab. I-4, 5 spd manual, rollup windows 2wd. Does have AC. I don't know how hard the Camry is to fix. It hasn't broken yet
Certainly not going to win any awards for driving excitement (or impress any ladies, unless they're BITOG members, LOL), but it'll last forever as long as the frame doesn't rust out!
: D The body will rot first and that takes a long time in itself.
I’ll say this: Another plus with owning Toyota is the customer service. The service depts. do take care of their customers. Recently Toyota sent me a letter explaining that their frame supplier didn’t coat the frames properly, and to bring it in for inspection. If serious detrimental corrosion is found, they’ll replace the frame. And this is on a 10-year-old truck. I haven’t taken it in because I don’t live in the rust belt and, I’ve been under the truck this month and haven’t seen any serious rust. Surface oxidation, yes, mainly on the exhaust. Some minor surface rust on a couple of parts of the frame; mainly at joints & welds.
Originally Posted By: john_pifer
Originally Posted By: andyd
Heh heh. You're preaching to the choir Charbaby. My brother's '10 Tacoma is a specially ordered base model long cab. I-4, 5 spd manual, rollup windows 2wd. Does have AC. I don't know how hard the Camry is to fix. It hasn't broken yet
Certainly not going to win any awards for driving excitement (or impress any ladies, unless they're BITOG members, LOL), but it'll last forever as long as the frame doesn't rust out!
: D The body will rot first and that takes a long time in itself.
I’ll say this: Another plus with owning Toyota is the customer service. The service depts. do take care of their customers. Recently Toyota sent me a letter explaining that their frame supplier didn’t coat the frames properly, and to bring it in for inspection. If serious detrimental corrosion is found, they’ll replace the frame. And this is on a 10-year-old truck. I haven’t taken it in because I don’t live in the rust belt and, I’ve been under the truck this month and haven’t seen any serious rust. Surface oxidation, yes, mainly on the exhaust. Some minor surface rust on a couple of parts of the frame; mainly at joints & welds.
Is your's under a RECALL?
IMHO, if you're not having any issues, leave it alone!
Typically a recall will stay in effect as long as a vehicle is registered so, you can have it done just about anytime, anyway!
I live in the rust belt and I had a Factory RECALL on the rear subframe of a vehicle in which the dealer replaced for free(9 years later). I wasn't having any issues with my subframe but, I had them replace it anyway. Took them 2 weeks and the car never felt the same afterwards even after numerous alignments. But, I satisfied the recall and sold the car 2 years later.
IMHO, if you're not having any issues, leave it alone!
Typically a recall will stay in effect as long as a vehicle is registered so, you can have it done just about anytime, anyway!
I live in the rust belt and I had a Factory RECALL on the rear subframe of a vehicle in which the dealer replaced for free(9 years later). I wasn't having any issues with my subframe but, I had them replace it anyway. Took them 2 weeks and the car never felt the same afterwards even after numerous alignments. But, I satisfied the recall and sold the car 2 years later.
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Originally Posted By: Char Baby
Is your's under a RECALL?
IMHO, if you're not having any issues, leave it alone!
Typically a recall will stay in effect as long as a vehicle is registered so, you can have it done just about anytime, anyway!
I live in the rust belt and I had a Factory RECALL on the rear subframe of a vehicle in which the dealer replaced for free(9 years later). I wasn't having any issues with my subframe but, I had them replace it anyway. Took them 2 weeks and the car never felt the same afterwards even after numerous alignments. But, I satisfied the recall and sold the car 2 years later.
Yeah, believe me, I’ve thought about the numerous ways a dealership could screw up a job like that. I’d at least want to personally talk to the technicians who would be involved (I’m an aircraft mechanic myself), to be assured that they had done the job before (I wouldn’t want my truck being a guinea pig for someone to learn on) and knew what the [censored] they were doing.
Is your's under a RECALL?
IMHO, if you're not having any issues, leave it alone!
Typically a recall will stay in effect as long as a vehicle is registered so, you can have it done just about anytime, anyway!
I live in the rust belt and I had a Factory RECALL on the rear subframe of a vehicle in which the dealer replaced for free(9 years later). I wasn't having any issues with my subframe but, I had them replace it anyway. Took them 2 weeks and the car never felt the same afterwards even after numerous alignments. But, I satisfied the recall and sold the car 2 years later.
Yeah, believe me, I’ve thought about the numerous ways a dealership could screw up a job like that. I’d at least want to personally talk to the technicians who would be involved (I’m an aircraft mechanic myself), to be assured that they had done the job before (I wouldn’t want my truck being a guinea pig for someone to learn on) and knew what the [censored] they were doing.
Well I don't think that the tech(s) screwed anything up but the rear suspension just never felt as tight as it did before I brought it in for the RECALL.
I even hit every rear suspension bolt with my 600ftlb impact gun & nothing moved. So, IDK!
I even hit every rear suspension bolt with my 600ftlb impact gun & nothing moved. So, IDK!
Go look at a new Jetta with the 1.4T and pop the hood. Probably one of the easiest engine compartments I have ever seen. Even the starter would be a super easy DIY.
LOL @ people suggesting VW.
The point is NOT to have to work on it!
The point is NOT to have to work on it!
Originally Posted By: john_pifer
LOL @ people suggesting VW.
The point is NOT to have to work on it!
I guess the worlds largest vehicle manufacturer doesn't know how to make cars!
LOL @ people suggesting VW.
The point is NOT to have to work on it!
I guess the worlds largest vehicle manufacturer doesn't know how to make cars!
Originally Posted By: FordBroncoVWJeta
Originally Posted By: john_pifer
LOL @ people suggesting VW.
The point is NOT to have to work on it!
I guess the worlds largest vehicle manufacturer doesn't know how to make cars!
well, they kind of don't
Originally Posted By: john_pifer
LOL @ people suggesting VW.
The point is NOT to have to work on it!
I guess the worlds largest vehicle manufacturer doesn't know how to make cars!
well, they kind of don't
Originally Posted By: slacktide_bitog
Originally Posted By: FordBroncoVWJeta
Originally Posted By: john_pifer
LOL @ people suggesting VW.
The point is NOT to have to work on it!
I guess the worlds largest vehicle manufacturer doesn't know how to make cars!
well, they kind of don't
Don't make me shine my CEL in your face!
Originally Posted By: FordBroncoVWJeta
Originally Posted By: john_pifer
LOL @ people suggesting VW.
The point is NOT to have to work on it!
I guess the worlds largest vehicle manufacturer doesn't know how to make cars!
well, they kind of don't
Don't make me shine my CEL in your face!
Originally Posted By: john_pifer
LOL @ people suggesting VW.
The point is NOT to have to work on it!
It wouldn't be my first suggestion, but VW would be up there. One of the reasons would be that to be easy to work on, particularly for a novice, one should have ready access to a proper shop manual, and for VW/Audi, one can usually very readily obtain one.
If there is no FSM readily available (even for a charge), my interest level drops.
LOL @ people suggesting VW.
The point is NOT to have to work on it!
It wouldn't be my first suggestion, but VW would be up there. One of the reasons would be that to be easy to work on, particularly for a novice, one should have ready access to a proper shop manual, and for VW/Audi, one can usually very readily obtain one.
If there is no FSM readily available (even for a charge), my interest level drops.
Originally Posted By: john_pifer
LOL @ people suggesting VW.
The point is NOT to have to work on it!
My sister doesn't know anything about cars or working on them and she loves her 2013 Jetta.
LOL @ people suggesting VW.
The point is NOT to have to work on it!
My sister doesn't know anything about cars or working on them and she loves her 2013 Jetta.
Most 4 cylinder, FWD vehicles should be decent to work on. Once you get into transverse mounted V6 that's when things start to get complicated.
Originally Posted By: FordBroncoVWJeta
Originally Posted By: john_pifer
LOL @ people suggesting VW.
The point is NOT to have to work on it!
I guess the worlds largest vehicle manufacturer doesn't know how to make cars!
FordBroncoVWJeta, what speed does the '12 Jetta with the 2.0 do at 2000 rpm in top gear? I assume it's the 115HP 2.0. Auto or manual?
As for Camrys,
I had a 99 Camry 4cyl manual gearbox. It never left me stranded but I had all kinds of problems. That was a real bad generation of Camry. The Corolla in my sig is a much more reliable car and a better car regardless.
Originally Posted By: john_pifer
LOL @ people suggesting VW.
The point is NOT to have to work on it!
I guess the worlds largest vehicle manufacturer doesn't know how to make cars!
FordBroncoVWJeta, what speed does the '12 Jetta with the 2.0 do at 2000 rpm in top gear? I assume it's the 115HP 2.0. Auto or manual?
As for Camrys,
I had a 99 Camry 4cyl manual gearbox. It never left me stranded but I had all kinds of problems. That was a real bad generation of Camry. The Corolla in my sig is a much more reliable car and a better car regardless.
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