14th Jan 2007, 11:16

I LOVE honest Toyota reviews. Having had friends who fell for the "Toyota is better" crap and got burned too, I feel for anyone who gets suckered into one of these rolling death traps. Let's see: Bad brakes, bad transmissions, bad AIR BAGS, bad paint, accelerators that stick on the floor...yeah, nothing like TOYOTA QUALITY!!

15th Jan 2007, 09:21

Yeah, good thing the domestic manufacturers make such safe and reliable models.

Let's see, Jeep Liberty had to be redesigned after its first year because the vehicle kept flipping over and killing/injuring its passengers. Fun Ford Explorer had design flaws that killed its occupants until it was rectified TWELVE years after it was introduced. Ford 500 has endless quality problems.

Shall I go on?

15th Jan 2007, 13:18

To the 10:13 guy: Overall point well made. Toyota is like most OEM and I don't find this issue mortally grievious to the whole of Toyota. He should be willing to try Toyota again. That said, I have 2 additional comments.

1) People, who love Toyota or really any OEM, routinely swear the OEM is the devil if they have a 1st time ownership such as this reviewer. I'd bet you would be saying similiar things if you decided to give Ford a chance and such happened to you. Let's try to empathize with others; we are, in fact, all humans.

2) People routinely put Toyota and Honda on an auto pedestal. If you read all the comments, it will not be too long before you get to a comment that says, in so many words, Should have bought a Toyota, they NEVER break down. Or Toyotas are the best autos ever. 'nough said! Or equivalent. These type of comments can end up doing more harm than good, such as the above review. Toyota, with the help of many "irrational" fans, is now more liable to harsher criticism because they are, in many circles, seen as the gods of autos. Toyota deserves a lot of credit for making great autos. They are NOT perfect and I think you can agree with that. Ford (all others) deserve a lot of credit too. I hope you are wise enough to agree with that too.

15th Jan 2007, 14:08

First thing if the Explorer is dangerous then what makes it dangerous? Second thing if they are so dangerous then why do they sell well? Third what quality control problems on the 500?

15th Jan 2007, 14:25

How such libelous misinformation such as the above statements can actually make it to print on this website, I'll never know.

15th Jan 2007, 14:34

1) The Explorer has a design defect with its track that causes it to flip over more than any other SUV and it severely affects handling. It was not fixed until its THIRD model generation. Like with the Pinto and others, internal engineers sent warnings to management that the car was unsafe and needed a redesign and, as usual with Ford, management put profits before people. More people have died or been injured in a Ford Explorer due to design defect than ANY other vehicle.

2) Americans believe any negative comments about American cars come from the liberal media and aren't to be believed. The Pinto, original Mustang (with its gas tank next to the rear bumper), GM pickups with side gas tanks, Bronco II, and many others also sold well.

3) Read reviews here about the 500. Fusion seems to be better built.

15th Jan 2007, 15:49

2000 Ford Focus: 20 recalls, 10 times to the shop, had to be towed at one point since the ignition simply disintegrated. Focus was sold for nearly 60% less than its original purchase price after less than three years. TWO Ford dealers it was serviced at closed up shop without warning.

2003 Scion xB: 1 minor problem related to Toyota (maintenance light came on when it wasn't supposed to), 1 problem related to radio made by Pioneer, not Toyota. The Scion's list price was $3k less than the Focus and had a great resale value when sold after three years, losing only 15% of its value. Three new Scion dealers near me were added in the time of ownership.

Now, where am I supposed to give credit?

15th Jan 2007, 18:36

People are complaining over a small Toyota sedan what does Ford Explorers, Liberties have anything to do with it? Is this going to open up into the Highlander discussion or are you avoiding the inevitable. You owe it to yourself to read the comments on Car Survey on the Highlander!

16th Jan 2007, 00:10

Really? How are the FACTS in any way libelous? Do you really think all those lawsuits over the Explorer and the fact that Chrysler ADMITTED its Liberty was flipping over due to design flaws just made up? Or does every car manufacturer suddenly change the design of their cars after one year of production?

18th Jan 2007, 20:33

Toyota does not issue recalls voluntarily, as domestic makers do.

99% of all domestic recalls are for non-safety related problems, whereas ALL Toyota recalls are for life-threatening MAJOR safety issues FORCED on them by law.

Comparing the number of recalls of domestics with Japanese cars (which are not held to the same recall standards) is pointless.

My 6-year-old Ford received a recall at 85,000 miles for a POSSIBLY defective ignition part. It had never given me any trouble, but Ford replaced it in 15 minutes at no charge.

Two years later, at 105,000 miles I got a recall on the same car for an interior trim part that MIGHT warp due to heat (it hadn't in 8 years and 105,000 miles, so I ignored that recall).

NO Japanese car, if recalled at all, will EVER be recalled after 3 years or 36,000 miles...PERIOD. After the warranty is out you are stuck with whatever defects the car has no matter how severe or life-threatening.

Just in the past year I have read reports of Toyota having MAJOR problems with brakes, air bags, sticking accelerators, peeling paint, faulty transmissions and massive engine failures before 36,000 miles (on the Corolla).

Now what was all the crap about how "superior" Toyota is??

28th Jan 2007, 21:21

I agree 2002 and 2004 were my last imports. I gave domestics a try so far I really like them.

29th Jan 2007, 12:54

Um, okay. Is it possible to stay on point folks? SUV comments, while possibly interesting, are for another forum.

I'll be in the market for another car within 6 months. I drive 70 miles round trip to work in central Wisconsin. 90% of my driving is on Interstates. I'm in my mid-fifties (i.e. don't give rat's you-know-what about ports, MP3 players, etc.) and want a car that's 1) reliable 2) fuel efficient - close to 30 mpg on the highway 3) safe 4) not going to rattle my hide or loosen my fillings 5) gives me a fighting chance on snow slick roads.

I was actually considering a Toyota (based on past experience, but now obviously having serious concerns) or a Mazda 3 5-door. I haven't driven anything yet, was in the process of culling out cars that didn't make the cut.

So, with this criteria, what should I consider - domestic or foreign I'll take all recommendations. By the way, I'm currently driving a '98 Audi A6 Quattro - before you say anything, it's actually been pretty reasonable considering the parts are apparently made by elves in the Black Forest.