Journal damn_registrars's Journal: Now What I Don't Want Is Even Cheaper 10
Perhaps thanks in part to the accelerator issues, recalls, and other problems, I can now buy a used Toyota for very little money. Truck loads of used cars are arriving in town all the time. Meanwhile the dealers are almost paying people to take new ones off the lot.
My wife has around 10 coworkers who are former Toyota owners who recently purchased other vehicles in the past 1-2 years (none of those were necessarily related to the recall). And all of those people are pushing for us to buy a Toyota (as they know my wife and I are starting to look at replacing one of our current vehicles).
However I didn't want a Toyota before this problem came up. My anti-Toyota stance was primarily because I have never driven a Toyota that I found to be the least bit interesting (although random acceleration might solve that), and secondarily because I prefer to support American companies and American labor whenever the option is available and reasonable.
My wife has around 10 coworkers who are former Toyota owners who recently purchased other vehicles in the past 1-2 years (none of those were necessarily related to the recall). And all of those people are pushing for us to buy a Toyota (as they know my wife and I are starting to look at replacing one of our current vehicles).
However I didn't want a Toyota before this problem came up. My anti-Toyota stance was primarily because I have never driven a Toyota that I found to be the least bit interesting (although random acceleration might solve that), and secondarily because I prefer to support American companies and American labor whenever the option is available and reasonable.
Re: American Labor (Score:2)
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Many Toyotas are built in America with American workers
Also true with some Subarus, Hondas, BMWs, and even Hyundais.
And these days, a lot of "American" cars are built in Canada and Mexico
I consider Canadian-built cars to be American. The CAW is philosophically pretty close to the UAW. As I have pointed out before, one reason why we are seeing some manufacturing shift from the US to Canada is because the employer contribution to health care is much lower, hence an employee north of the border at the same wage can cost less to the employer.
Look before you buy!
Good advice. The American car I currently drive was built in Dearborn, Michigan (roughly
Re: (Score:2)
And Toyota, for the first time in their company history, is planning to close a factory. Which one? Why, it just so happens, the ONLY unionized factory they have in the US.
Fuck 'em.
okay (Score:1)
I believe I see your points.
I have liked both my Toyotas. I switched from the two Hondas I gave my brand loyalty to.
I like how low my repair bills are, and how long they last. I like their final resale value. I like their corporate committment to efficiency and choice like electric hybrids.
I give my loyalty to companies based on independent research. In the case of cars, I rely mainly upon Consumer Reports. I always buy used cars, so I get to review a good corpus of data.
On the issue of American versus
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In the case of cars, I rely mainly upon Consumer Reports
I don't know which class of car you are purchasing in currently, but if you are looking for a family sedan you should know that Consumer Reports did not conclude the Camry to be the best this year based on survey results. Nor did they chose their usual fallback of the Honda Accord. This year's top Family Sedan in reliability is the Ford Fusion.
choice like electric hybrids
Again I don't know what sized vehicle you want your hybrid to be. However the most recent Motor Trend test of hybrid family sedans did compare the hybrid version
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I drive a 2001 Camry, 4 door sedan. I am not in the market for another car. My hope is not to be, for at least a couple years.
When I look for one, I will likely get the updates and year over year experience of the Fusion, on the road.
I am glad to hear that America is back in the business of making excellent cars. I heard Ford is the best American car company at present.
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I drive a 2001 Camry, 4 door sedan. I am not in the market for another car. My hope is not to be, for at least a couple years.
I can tell you that my wife and I are not particularly enjoying being on the market for a new car at the moment. To make matters worse we may need to replace both vehicles which could really be uncomfortable. From my perspective the longer one can stay out of the market - preferably with a car that is paid off - the better. My aging American car has been paid off for a few years, and while it still runs fine it might not be appropriate anymore for my lifestyle.
I am glad to hear that America is back in the business of making excellent cars. I heard Ford is the best American car company at present.
Indeed, American car companies - especiall
Total Recall (Get your ass to Mars) (Score:2)
none of those were necessarily related to the recall
There was an item in this morning's news about Toyota. A fellow from San Diego took his Toyota in two weeks ago and was told it wasn't on the recall list. Yesterday he had the accelerator problem, and he couldn't get it shut off. The CHP helped him get the car stopped, he had to stand on the brakes and emergency brake while the cop slowed down in front of him. The Toyota got up to over 90 mph.
Ironically, today was the day Toyota scheduled to say that the p
Re: (Score:2)
There was an item in this morning's news about Toyota. A fellow from San Diego took his Toyota in two weeks ago and was told it wasn't on the recall list. Yesterday he had the accelerator problem, and he couldn't get it shut off. The CHP helped him get the car stopped, he had to stand on the brakes and emergency brake while the cop slowed down in front of him. The Toyota got up to over 90 mph.
I think I saw the same story, on CNN this morning. He had vanity plates from either Oregon or Washington state. It seemed to be phonetically trying to spell something like "Frugal Doctor". Apparently his frugality got the better of him this time...
Although I thought I heard before that while most of the Toyota fleet was having accelerator problems, the Prius was instead having brake issues...
You couldn't GIVE me a Toyota today, especially a Prius. Well, maybe you could give me one but I'd sell it, not drive it.
I think currently the used car lots are flooded with Toyotas, much in the same way that a few years ago they w
Good junk ahead (Score:1)
I wonder how hard it would be to get one just for a body then set out to see how many computer systems you could rip out and replace with conventional mechanical linkage, etc. Or another option, get a used prius and tear it down and repurpose the electric drive into a lighter vehicle, make a pure electric. (I am thinking for me an electric small tractor) Anyway, cheap stuff coming all over from those guys because of this problem. Anyway, that's why I like conventional diesel, I don't even want a turbo. Migh