It was only a matter of time

[Builder]

I am a 'domestic' brand kind of guy on pickups and a Honda/Acura kind of guy on cars. I've purchased exactly 2 new Toyota vehicles in my life. One was bought back by Toyota via the Lemon Law after going through all sorts of heck with them. The other was bought back by the dealer as to avoid another costly and embarrassing arbitration process that would have again resulted in Toyota buying back another lemon.

I'm aware that Toyota must not build all Lemons or they'd be out of business. However, after having to deal with Toyota when I've had issues, I'll pass on Toyota, thank you. The earliest any of my Honda cars have had to be in the shop is when one Civic hit 180k miles and needed a head gasket. My domestic trucks have had some issues, but they have been handled promptly and I've been right back on the road. Besides, the Toyota trucks I've driven just don't feel nearly as substantial as the domestic counterparts. They are more like slightly beefed up cars rather than trucks. Besides, Toyota seemed to want to argue about absolutely everything and kept my vehicle for months at a time. There's something about that phrase "burn me twice...".

Man, I have to say Drago, after reading many of your posts, you've had your share of bad experience with equipment & cars.

I've owned dozens of pieces of business equipment (backhoes, TLB's trailers, high reaches, etc.) at least 25 trucks and 15 different personal cars and I've maybe had 2 or 3 less than satisfactory experiences.

 

[Builder]

I don't know about the Toyota pickups, but my wife and I just bought a new Highlander and a 4Runner in the past two months. I couldn't be any happier with both of them. I think the 4Runner is one of the best deals out there and they're loaded with some very nice features. The 4WD 4Runner is also a very capable off road vehicle with locking differentials, hill climb assist and downhill assist control.

The Highlander is also very nice, with a smoother ride. The rear doors on the Highlander are larger and open wider, making it more practical for hauling small kids in and out of car seats.

IMO, 2 months is hardly enough time to make any realistic evaluation of a vehicle.

 

[Dargo]

I've owned dozens of pieces of business equipment (backhoes, TLB's trailers, high reaches, etc.) at least 25 trucks and 15 different personal cars and I've maybe had 2 or 3 less than satisfactory experiences.

If you ask my wife, what you've owned would represent an average year for me. I currently own over 15 vehicles.

 

[skargo]

Toyoya just began a national recall on trucks with prematurely rusted-through frames.

Sounds a bit more serious than paint without shine to me.

Yeah, for trucks WAY out of warranty.
For the trucks affected, they are paying 150% of the KBB retail value

Too bad none of the domestics would ever step up like that I'd love for Dodge to sack up, and admit that a serious design flaw exists in their older trucks doors. I have a 1998.5 Ram with a cummins that I love. The doors are pure excrement though, and need to be replaced. I run a bodyshop and have seen MANY of them with the same issue.

I love all the Toyota hate from people who have little or no experience with them.
Last night, I bought my wife an 05' 4runner to replace her 1998 with 180K miles and ZERO problems or issues, besides regular maintenance.

I grew up a GM boy with my head stuck in the mud until my brother bought an old Toyota truck and the thing wouldn't die, with over 300K miles on it.

I Currently have a rock crawling Toyota, and the engine I just pulled out of it(for an LT1, more power) had well over 300K miles on it as well.

So again, yes they have more recalls, it's because they want to continue to be committed to excellence.

Too bad GM never learned how to run a business like them

 

[Builder]

If you ask my wife, what you've owned would represent an average year for me. I currently own over 15 vehicles.

That's great. What do you do with 15 personal vehicles?

 

[Builder]

Yeah, for trucks WAY out of warranty.
For the trucks affected, they are paying 150% of the KBB retail value

Too bad none of the domestics would ever step up like that I'd love for Dodge to sack up, and admit that a serious design flaw exists in their older trucks doors. I have a 1998.5 Ram with a cummins that I love. The doors are pure excrement though, and need to be replaced. I run a bodyshop and have seen MANY of them with the same issue.

I love all the Toyota hate from people who have little or no experience with them.
Last night, I bought my wife an 05' 4runner to replace her 1998 with 180K miles and ZERO problems or issues, besides regular maintenance.

I grew up a GM boy with my head stuck in the mud until my brother bought an old Toyota truck and the thing wouldn't die, with over 300K miles on it.

I Currently have a rock crawling Toyota, and the engine I just pulled out of it(for an LT1, more power) had well over 300K miles on it as well.

So again, yes they have more recalls, it's because they want to continue to be committed to excellence.

Too bad GM never learned how to run a business like them

I have owned a Toyota Landcruiser & a Nissan Pathfinder in the past and they really didn't impress me all that much. Pathfinder was really low on power, sucked down fuel. My old Toyota landcruiser burned so much oil, it needed an engine rebuild before 70,000 miles. I have a Volvo XC90 now and it has design flaws, too. Too many for a $52,000 car.

Going back to GM, probably for a Tahoe this fall. Great deals on large SUV's thanks to the tree huggers.



I guess everyone has different experiences.

 

[gsganzer]

IMO, 2 months is hardly enough time to make any realistic evaluation of a vehicle.

I wasn't clear:
My wife owned her previous Highlander for 6 years. It had 100K and never had a repair. We owned the previous 4Runner (2WD) for a year and put on 30K (no repairs) before we traded for the new 4Runner (4WD).

 

[Dargo]

That's great. What do you do with 15 personal vehicles?

You couldn't know the size of my family from my online posting. I'm somewhat quiet about exactly what all I own, how many are in my family and who all I take care of. My comment wasn't meant as an insult to you. I just don't give out too much personal information online. That's just the way I am. I have a different theory about posting my possessions in my signature line than some if you haven't noticed.

 

[Builder]

I wasn't clear:
My wife owned her previous Highlander for 6 years. It had 100K and never had a repair. We owned the previous 4Runner (2WD) for a year and put on 30K (no repairs) before we traded for the new 4Runner (4WD).

OK, much more clear now.

 

[MarkLeininger]

Can you please back up this statement with some hard facts??? I would love to see them.

Gary

Ford Explorer, killing people since 1991.