19th Jun 2008, 14:46

We've owned over 30 domestics and 3 imports. NONE of the domestics (from ALL 3 American companies) EVER had an engine or transmission failure. ALL THREE imports did. Sorry, the math there just DOES NOT add up to imports being better.

My former boss is currently still driving a Dodge truck he bought new in 1986. That's TWENTY-TWO YEARS AGO. It still runs great.

My former neighbor traded his 1986 F-150 last year. He bought it new and drove it for 21 years as a building contractor, so it DID get heavy use.

My family's company still uses a Chevy Silverado that my wife's dad bought new for personal use in 1982 and gave to the company when he bought a new F-150. That's a 25-year-old GM truck (officially an antique!!).

I could give MANY more examples. 25-year-old import trucks don't even EXIST!!

19th Jun 2008, 15:37

It's pretty funny to listen to these domestic truck owners claiming that a Chevy or a Dodge truck is as reliable or even half as good as any Toyota. Yeah right. Some people just can't accept the fact that the Japanese build better automobiles than we do here in the U.S.

Sometimes it hurts to accept the truth, but American auto manufacturers simply don't care enough to design, build, and sell cars and trucks that can match the quality of a Japanese product. Sorry if some people out there don't like that, but it's unfortunately true.

As an American, I don't like it either. I'd LOVE to buy a Ford and say that it was made in the U.S. and that it was a good vehicle. In fact, I did that for a number of years. But, I was proven wrong.

Fords, Chevy's, etc. aren't always built here, and for darn sure aren't a match in quality for a Toyota. Never were.

I, like millions of other Americans, chose to learn the hard way too. I bought Chevy's and Fords, but got tired of them breaking down all the time while I watch people I know who drove Toyota's just KEEP driving and never fix anything. Eventually I wised up, bit the bullet, and bought a Toyota. Best money I ever spent on an automobile, and I can say that for all 3 that I've owned. Never a single repair; I thought I'd just gotten lucky the first time, but the next two proved themselves to be flawless also.

So... you domestic guys are going to have to come up with something more than stories about Toyota's that you've seen broken down, or similar stories about your Dodge that ran for 400,000 miles with no trouble. Sure, it's possible, but if it's true, then it's a fluke and the complete opposite of the norm; which is that a Toyota will run flawlessly for 2 or 300,000 miles, and a domestic will not.

So, if telling those kinds of stories suits you, go ahead and keep telling them. It won't change the facts of the matter any.

19th Jun 2008, 21:38

21:45 what Toyota Truck do you own? Let's start with maybe just one comparison for openers... Ford F250 3/4 ton Diesel, and indicate the vast superiority of function, capability of the specific Toyota you own vs say this one model.

Saying all Ford, GM, Dodge encompasses a very broad comment. I would like to know what loads and superior towing your Toyota can perform vs. 3/4 -1 Ton plus pickups?

Can your truck carry and town more than a GM Silverado Duramax? How about a Ram?

Saying what is best, is what can do the most and tow, carry loads, not just some little compact truck bouncing around in the woods. Maybe an off road forum is for you.

20th Jun 2008, 15:13

21:38 You're skirting the issue here. Will a Chevy 3/4 ton truck tow more than my Tacoma? Of course it will; while it lasts. Too bad they're junk and don't last long.

I'm not talking about towing. I'm talking about build quality and reliability. And Toyota takes the prize there every time. If you need a half ton truck or anything smaller, Toyota builds the best ones by far. If you need something bigger, then I suppose you'll have to buy something else, because Toyota doesn't make them. If they did, they'd no doubt be better trucks than any Ford or Chevy of the same size, just like everything they now make already is.

20th Jun 2008, 16:51

"21:45 what Toyota Truck do you own? Let's start with maybe just one comparison for openers... Ford F250 3/4 ton Diesel, and indicate the vast superiority of function, capability of the specific Toyota you own vs say this one model."

I tell you what. You got out and buy one of those F250, F350 dually with a massive V8 engine and then tell us how superior you feel dumping $150 a fill up into the tank. I might very well be bouncing along in my small, 30MPG pickup, but you might very well not be driving period because it doesn't take long to make a person go broke these days keeping one of those "fully capable" pickup trucks running and full of gas. Trucks like those are going to be totally obsolete. Ford just announced today the delay of the new F150. This is the face of the future my friends.

20th Jun 2008, 22:54

Here is a fact: Toyota engines are failing on a widespread basis at low mileages (e.g., under 50,000). Take a look at all the complaints on Consumer Affairs:

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/toyota_engine.html

I drive domestics and/so have never had an engine fail or give me any serious trouble in my life. Like it or not, that is a fact. You unilaterally dismiss domestic owners' sharing of their positive experiences as a "stories" from your high horse, yet why should anybody believe a word you say? With all of Toyota's recent quality problems, the Consumer Affairs statistics being just one example, the actual facts of the matter do not bolster your opinion.

21st Jun 2008, 08:56

22:54 Still, you offer nothing. YOUR opinion of 'widespread' is nothing more than opinion. If you REALLY want to see widespread problems, look up Ford recalls, since they've had WAY more of them in the last 10 years than Toyota. And, just so you understand the difference, that IS an actual fact and not just my opinion.

Yeah, you can find complaints about Toyota's. Show me ANY product regardless of what it is and I will find you a bunch of people complaining about it somewhere online or otherwise. Some clown will complain about his 1990 Toyota truck blowing up at 345,000 miles because he neglected to ever change the timing belt/chain.

21st Jun 2008, 20:57

My question was not answered from the Toyota owner. Also do not have 6 wheels on my vehicle, does not cost $150 to fill, and diesel is more efficient than the gas V8. At some point how are you going to tow or carry equivalent loads in teeny trucks? Drive a 30-50 mpg car and then have a fully functional full size truck that is at least capable.

22nd Jun 2008, 05:55

"If you need a half ton truck or anything smaller, Toyota builds the best ones by far."

Are you referring to the Tacomas that Toyota is buying back because their frames are falling apart?