26th Jun 2008, 17:08

21:57 I've owned two Toyota trucks, and I'm not sure why you say the ride is back-breaking. I had no problem with it. Everyone knows they run practically forever, and make much better drivetrains than any domestic, so I guess you're left with attacking the SEATS??? in a Toyota?

Here's the deal: Toyota is on the way up because they sell good vehicles and always have. Deal with it. The Big 3 are not 'big' anymore and probably won't even be '3' for much longer.

Want to know what I just read on my homepage about a minute ago? Here's the headline: "GM posts worst loss in 53 years, experts say 'sell'." Why are they in that position? Because they sell junk and people are tired of it. Not a lot of people are buying trucks because of gas mileage.

Ford can't compete, we all know what troubles they've had. I'm dating someone working in a law firm that has handled some of Ford's many lawsuits, and with what I know that I probably shouldn't, you couldn't give me a Ford. In fact, they just recalled over 600,000 F-150's for some vacuum issue that could cause brake failure. Typical Ford.

Dodge... doesn't even count anymore in my book. Their recent attempts at economy cars are a complete joke, like the rest of their cars and SUV's, and, as a matter of opinion, I think they must have crazy people designing the bodies on everything they make. The Nitro? It looks completely ridiculous, just like a lot of vehicles they make now. Plus Dodge's well known reputation for gas guzzling cars and trucks. They aren't even in the picture anymore.

Toyota, Honda, Nissan, and even Hyundai are the way of the future. Because they make good vehicles. The first three I mentioned are undoubtedly tried and true reliable, and Hyundai is improving every year. I should know, I just bought one and can report that it's built more solidly than any domestic I ever owned. Maybe Toyota will buy GM when they finally go under and turn them into a reputable company by teaching them how to build something that lasts.

27th Jun 2008, 05:46

I read the 1979 Malibu comment that had its frame break in its 11th year of ownership. Sounds like a Dukes of Hazzard maneuver, or did you ever wash the undercarriage off with salt exposure and wet mud embedded in the frame. Even if you do not currently live in a salt belt, someone may have.

I owned a 1978 Monte Carlo, closest to the 1979, that I bought new and it was a great new car at the time. I put over 100,000 miles on it with no issues.

I wash my cars/trucks at least twice a week (black vehicles look nasty when dirty, but great when clean) and have never had a frame break. Why beat vehicles, what's the point?

I do see the advantages of a nice domestic V8 that has power and durability to haul and tow. I found the engines do not work as hard and have an easier life in a full size application. Please no more Tacomas; they are too small.

27th Jun 2008, 14:41

05:46 Just to clear things up, I owned the Malibu you asked about. There was no 'Dukes of Hazzard' maneuver. I fail to see how even if I HAD driven it that way, that it would have cause terminal rust.

And to answer your question, the car was immaculate. I clean and maintain my vehicles as well as anyone else you are ever going to speak to. It was spotless inside and out, as well as underneath. I just couldn't stop the rust.

The point is, this is Toyota's first frame rust issue. Don't pretend the domestics haven't had MANY. They have. The difference is, to my knowledge, the Big 3 have never had the guts to back up their product like Toyota did with my former Tacoma. You know as well as I do that Ford or Chevy never would have given me the deal that Toyota did; more like nothing at all.

27th Jun 2008, 15:14

So ask your girlfriend that works at the law firm if she has heard of Consumer Affairs... and Toyota sludging/air bags faults, braking and drivetrain issues. I wonder if you pick her up in a mud encrusted vehicle, but that's your issue as well.

I also have a very easy solution, especially if you live in the Midwest; it's called a garage. I have a 3 car garage; a bit unusual, but it's a newer home, and I have always had a garage. Preserves the vehicles and their finishes, and pays off at resale time. I also go through car washes and thoroughly keep my vehicles immaculate.

I would not worry about the big 3...they will no doubt re-shift and produce a large selection of fuel efficient models that have great styling and handling. If GM buys Toyota at some point... I wonder if you will buy a Ridgeline next.

27th Jun 2008, 15:20

"26th Jun 2008, 17:08.

Want to know what I just read on my homepage about a minute ago? Here's the headline: "GM posts worst loss in 53 years, experts say 'sell'." Why are they in that position? Because they sell junk and people are tired of it."

Sorry, but economic profitability has little to do with product quality. There have been a number of auto makers that made great products, but they just could not make money. Bantam Cars (who designed the original Jeep) ; Packard (luxury cars that exceeded Chrysler and were comparable to Cadillac) ; Cord (made the first front wheel drive, fuel injected car with hidden headlights, 50 years ahead of its time) ; Studebaker (made simple, dependable cars that are still on the road) ; Plymouth (made the iconic Barracuda and Roadrunner) ; Wisconsin Traction Company (made the first 4x4 vehicle). They all went bankrupt, and yet they all made good products. They went out of business because their good products cost too much to make, and they didn't sell enough of them.

27th Jun 2008, 17:04

When I first started reading the comments on this site some years ago, I really wasn't all concerned about imports or domestics. However after reading all the "We hate American industry, let's put people out of work" rants from import owners I can assure you I will never buy another import as long as I live.

27th Jun 2008, 18:51

17:08-

You think Nissan produces great vehicles? Look up the reliability ratings on the Armada and Titan some time, they are a joke. And then you run down Dodge? Guess who is supposed to produce the next line of Titan's in 2011? Let me spell it for you, DODGE. Go figure - The Titan will then finally be a good truck.

27th Jun 2008, 21:04

Here's how I see this domestic/foreign argument: let's assume somewhere there exists a mechanic; a very good one who somehow has never seen a Ford or a Toyota. Let's also assume that you've parked any 5 Fords/GM's/Chryslers next to any 5 Toyota's, and removed all markings of any kind that denote the brand of vehicle; and asked this mechanic to choose which one's were better built by crawling all over, under and through them: he or she would undoubtedly choose all 5 Toyota's.

Once you get past all the flag-waving red, white and blue domestic advertising, and look at the vehicles objectively, it is obvious to anyone who has a firm grasp of automotive mechanics that a Toyota is put together better than the rest. Period.