28th Nov 2006, 22:24

I would love to know what these mysterious new advanced technologies are that Toyota uses that GM doesn't. Maybe you mean Onstar, which sends help in an emergency? Cause last time I checked, Toyota didn't utilize that, so exactly what are these awesome technologies Toyota uses? I would really like to know!

29th Nov 2006, 14:30

Toyota's as a whole are far more reliable than Ford. When Consumer reports said that Toyota and Honda were on top, which they really still do if you read closely, all of you Big 3 guys claimed that they were "biased" because you didn't want to accept the truth of the matter.

Now that they claim that "Ford is as reliable as Toyota", which is completely incorrect, you guys think that Consumer Reports are the best thing around.

Don't be so hypocritical. Toyota has historically issued their VERY few recalls very early on, and without hesitation. Chevrolet has mostly done just the opposite, issuing them only when they feel that it will do them damage financially NOT to issue the recall. And whether I am articulate or not, or not soft spoken enough for some people, does not change the fact that Toyota makes a better product than GM, Ford, Dodge, Nissan, Hyundai, Volkswagon, etc. There has been no case made by "domestic" owners to prove and fact. Just a lot of ranting and raving because pride won't allow them to accept the facts.

I posted the actual number of recalls by Ford, GM, and Toyota somewhere above. Even though the past year was by FAR Toyota's worst as far as recalls, they are still doing far, far better than the rest. And remember that they normally have far less recalls than this. Toyota, in it's worst year, runs rings around the rest. If you want the best, buy Toyota; if not, buy anything else.

29th Nov 2006, 17:35

To the November 28th poster, 16:58.

OnStar is a great idea in concept, but its execution leaves much to be desired. I made lunch reservations via OnStar and was quite specific as to location and town. When I arrived at the restaurant we discovered the OnStar person had made reservations in a town 30 miles away. Similar incidents have occurred, like when the OnStar person told me a restaurant I had been to the previous week did not exist.

As for your going to buy GM vehicles, that's your prerogative, but you really need to explain if GM is so superior to Toyota why is Toyota's market capitalization greater than GM, Ford, and DaimlerChrysler combined?

30th Nov 2006, 13:08

Here is a list of the recalls for all car manufacturers.

http://www.mycarstats.com/reports/recalls.aspx

As you can see, Kia and Volkswagen are actually issuing less than Toyota. I guess that means they are more reliable?

30th Nov 2006, 14:39

I do not drive a recall or a market survey I drive a car/truck. I care about driving... not everyone is driven strictly by dollar and cents. I would have missed some great driving vehicles following that philosophy...

30th Nov 2006, 15:33

No, Kia and Volkwagen are not as reliable. Yes, by their standards, Toyota is having a bad year for recalls. You need to look at the entire history of each automaker. Kia has not been around very long, and really do no sell enough vehicles to even be relevant to the discussion. Volkswagen isn't even worth mentioning, they have been plagued with problems in recent years. Let's look at GM, Ford, and Dodge: calculate how many vehicles have been sold in the last 20 years by each. Now, look at the total number of recalls issued in that 20 year span by each manufacturer. Divide the total number of vehicles sold by the total number of recalls for each, and that gives you the percentage of recalls issued by each manufacturer in a twenty year span. Toyota wins.

30th Nov 2006, 16:48

Toyota is like the size of watermelon; Kia and VW are like the size of peanut. So of course Toyota will have more recalls. In my opinion of VW, I do not think they recall them since all Volkswagens are lemons.

30th Nov 2006, 16:52

Not necessarily. Kia and VW are notorious for being unreliable so they just don't' issue as many recalls to avoid their cars looking bad. After all, unless they are sued by the government a recall is voluntary.

And then there are the "hidden" recalls which I think should be illegal. A manufacturer can issue them, but they are only "valid" if you ask for it. For example, the foglight in my 3 series BMW had condensation inside, it was not covered by warranty for whatever reason, and the dealer charged me $135 to fix it. Found out years later that this was actually a KNOWN problem and BMW issued a hidden recall that I had to ask for. Of course, the dealer won't tell you.

30th Nov 2006, 17:16

As had been pointed out before (alas, to no avail) the MORE recalls any one manufacturer issues, the MORE Concern that manufacturer has for the satisfaction of its customers. Practically all Japanese manufacturers refuse to issue recalls unless the problem could land them in legal trouble (i.e. KILL PEOPLE). Ford, on the other hand, has issued recalls for incredibly MINOR items such as defective ignition parts (on cars with over 80,000 miles on them) and plastic interior parts that could warp after long periods in the Sun (this on a car with 100,000+ miles on it). I challenge anyone to find even ONE recall issued by a Japanese manufacturer on a vehicle after 80,000 miles of use. Look at the items the recalls are FOR. Ford, GM and Chrysler issue recalls for VERY MINOR, non safety-related issues. My 2001 Dodge was recalled for a faulty pollution control canister that might effect my MILEAGE. That hardly has ANYTHING To do with safety. I'd be far more concerned about manufacturers that have FEW recalls. It shows a lack of concern for the buying public.

30th Nov 2006, 19:51

If you want a drivers or enthusiasts car check out the big 3. It is not pride... If someone handed me the keys to a Rolls Royce I would still probably not like how it drove or handled. But hey quality... resale seems to be the determining factor. I look at quality as quality of life...enjoyment, exhilaration, enthusiasm. I get many more times my investment this way, If percentages and some recalls matter more than being behind the wheel I guess I am missing what I buy vehicles for. Maybe it's simply the aesthetics, some power and very good handling that sway me everytime...