When I met my wife back 7-8 years ago, her whole family had Toyota's. Coming from a family that would rather walk 1000 miles vs. driving a foreign car, it was a bit of a clash to say the least. I chum around quite a bit with her brother and after many of trips through the forest, water and mud with my truck, he finally saw the light. My truck would continue to get beaten, beaten, beaten again and take it every bit of it like a truck should..His kept falling apart, once leaving us stranded 20 miles from any civilization. His truck is long gone...now drives a truck made with a sticker that say's "built in flint Michigan".
The father in law got a recall letter from toyota last year for his 2004 Tacoma. It was about the frame rails rotting out. He's not mechanically inclined so I went over there with an inspection mirror and flashlight and we started pulling splash shields. Found 4 through wall holes in his frame. One was almost 6 inches long. I told him don't drive it. It wasn't safe. Being stubborn he brought it to Toyaota. They said don't drive it, it wasn't safe..lol The vehicle was condemned and they gave him 150% blue book and credit toward another Toyota. I asked him why or why would buy another...but he did. Bought a highlander. 8 recalls later, 2 busted valves, cracked exhaust manifold, steering box leaks and several other trips to Toyota, he's asking himself the same question. The wifes sister just replaced her Rav4 with a Jeep Cherokee, after a second transmission shelled out on her in the middle of BFE South Dakota.
Last month I was pleased as pie to see the wife's 2004 Camry leave my garage finally. I called it the burn barrel because it was a traveling plume of smoke. This car was meticulously maintained and never missed an oil change. 88,000 miles and it was literally falling apart. Unfortunately I got the lovely pleasure of changing out the transaxle, water pump, heater control unit, 2 power window motors, AC Compressor and a multitude of others odds and ends. Even got a new computer in it courtesy of Toyota and a couple grand. Guy at Toyota parts chuckled when I came in for the second time for a power window motor. "Yeah, these go bad so often, their almost a consumable like the brake pads now a days..hahaha". Welllllllll, that's funny, my 1968 Dodge Coronet has the original power window motors in it. Hmmmm Guess they weren't considered a consumables back then.
So...wife wanted something to handle the snow...Drove a Durango, Jeep Cherokee, Explorer, Traverse, Cadillac SRX4 and a Toyota 4Runner (to keep her happy). I'm glad she drove the 4 runner. By the time we hoped out of the vehicle she couldn't even believe for herself how repulsed she was by the crappy ride, price, warranty, power and amenities. I liked the power of the durango, but she wasn't digging the size, more truck like handling or the uncomfortable seats (agree with her on that.) In the end it came down to comparing apples and oranges. By far, the Cadillac was the best all around. The handling and braking is unbelievable. Power is great and comfort/amenities..well, it's a Caddy. Had to buy one slightly used to afford, but that's what's in our garage now...Sorry Mopar gods.
So...after my novel..lol I have to definitely have to agree with egrand. I believe Toyota once built a quality vehicle, but that legacy has ended. There motto is quantity now and they even admitted it. All cars/brands have issues, but to the folks putting Toyota on a pedestal are living off a name and not the product anymore. Rant over!
