19th Nov 2008, 18:36

To 08:55. No, rentals are not always the "cheapest" models and it is a myth that they are somehow "abused" because they have multiple drivers.

I currently drive a 2001 GM car that is a former rental. It has every option except leather and a moon roof. It has alloy wheels, rear spoiler and every conceivable power option. It has been one of the most reliable cars we have ever owned.

My family has also owned a Buick and a Toyota that were former rental vehicles. The Buick was recently sold with 270,000+ totally trouble-free miles. The Toyota was sold with 100,000 mostly trouble-free miles.

What people fail to understand is that it is far better to have 1000 drivers who are generally business men or families on vacation than ONE lead-footed teenage driver.

Also, rental cars are meticulously serviced and checked after every rental. I am a mechanic and I highly recommend rental vehicles over privately owned vehicles.

20th Nov 2008, 09:50

To 18:36 - Dude, relax and take a deep breath.

The comment says: " Rentals are usually the cheapest version of every model, and they have not all had an easy life.

For what it's worth I've rented many Camrys and have come away pretty impressed."

Notice the word "usually" meaning that NOT all rentals are the cheapest model.

Also see that it says NOT ALL" rentals have had an easy life.

Nowhere is it stated that all rentals are the cheapest models, or that all rentals are abused.

It also states that in this writer's opinion the Camry's were impressive and they WERE rentals.

Let's face it - yes, most rental companies service their rentals regularly, however not all rental cars are treated with kid gloves by those who rent them. Just think of all of the different drivers they have had over their rental lifetime. Also take a look at the fleet of rental cars at a nearby rental office. Do you see scratches and dings on the body? I've seen scratches on the trunk lid, roof, etc. Indicating that some renters throw their luggage, brief cases etc. on top of the car, not worrying about possible damage. I doubt these careless nimrods would do the same thing to their personal cars.

Whenever I rent a car, I treat it with kid gloves, as I don't want to damage someone else's property. (I treat my vehicles the same way). However, I doubt that all rental car customers treat rentals that well.

20th Nov 2008, 10:35

Well, as 17:40 points out, a majority of the American public are still buying non-Japanese vehicles, and a vast majority of that group are buying American vehicles.

Regarding the Camry somehow making the best seller list, a majority of the American people probably elected a president or two you did not agree with based on what you believe are incorrect notions and misguided opinions of the agenda-driven press. Just because many people are doing something does not make it right.

Take a look at 15:18.

20th Nov 2008, 11:34

Oops, there goes the arguments from the Toyota fans who rented domestic vehicles and were displeased with them too, that is unless the usual Toyota double standard where any and all Toyota problems no matter how severe are excused, while domestic vehicle are nit picked to death still applies.

20th Nov 2008, 15:27

To the commenter who said this was a "double standard".

I wish you would read the entire comment - nowhere did I say that Imports were better than domestics.

In fact I said that there are good & bad in every make.

I'm not the one trying to turn this into an import vs. domestic argument.

In fact I'm saying that the argument itself is pointless.

20th Nov 2008, 15:46

15:18,

Did you look at the Chevy section on the Consumer site you keep bringing up? Well there's close to 150 complaints on the Malibu alone, and just as many for the bulk of their models listed there. In fact, one of the comments on that site was that a user "complained" that he felt like they were being "Unfair" to GM. Or it could just be that lots of people have problems with GM products. Needless to say, while there are cars and trucks from Toyota on that site, Ford and GM have the lion's share of complaints.

In any regard, GM and ford are toast. So you guys are going to have to get used to driving Toyotas and Hondas because they will be the only cars left.

20th Nov 2008, 17:26

11:34 makes the point perfectly. If the cigarette lighter in my Ford stops working at 400,000 miles, imports fans say it is "crap". If a Honda requires 4 transmissions in 80,000 miles and a Toyota needs 3 engines in 3 years they are still "reliable, better built cars".

20th Nov 2008, 18:54

I have rented numerous rentals on business trips often doing the luxury car upgrade, and they were not bottom bare bones models. Depending on where you travel, you can also rent sports cars, exotics even Harley Davidson's as well. I have driven former rental vehicles that were bought as company cars such as Crown Vics, Marquis and Lincolns and all were fine.

How about vehicles at dealerships that are not brand new from being demo cars, salemen, mgr cars? I suspect some are wrung out on many road tests.

I believe in a good test drive and maybe I drive each a bit more than the average road test customer. But I also have my checkbook in my back pocket and have my family drive and ride in each as well.

Fit and finish is good, but you need to drive them thoroughly and examine everything. On a full size truck such as on this review; the bed, towing is why you are buying this larger type vehicle. Then driving with best handling, head, shoulder, leg room, performance, power, amenities and then warranty.

It wasn't a Tundra after comparisons, utility and features-benefit observations we made.

20th Nov 2008, 20:45

15:18 Congratulations! You've succeeding in proving absolutely nothing. What you've done is list a bunch of comments probably made by Ford and GM fans.

I can still use as proof the opinions of every major automotive expert that works for every major automotive magazine I've ever read. Go to the newsstand. Buy any of them. Consumer Reports. JD Power. CNN studies. ALL of them rank Japanese automobiles as the HIGHEST quality. They take all the top spots, year and year. Or I can believe YOU and a bunch of anonymous people with absolutely no qualifications or facts.

21st Nov 2008, 11:48

Sorry for not being as clear as I should have been. I did read the entire comment and you are correct. I should have specified that I was referring to your comments about rental cars in general, which (I agree with you) are sometimes being mishandled, not that you were jumping into the import vs. domestic debate.

My point is that certain people will use that as a defense against me not liking the Camry's I rented, while completely ignoring that aspect things for the people who disliked the domestics they rented.

21st Nov 2008, 12:52

20:45.

OK then, applying your logic, I could say all of the complaints about domestic vehicles are from domestic car haters and this whole discussion is pointless?

Your entire argument seems to be that anything negative a person says about Toyota must be untrue, while anything negative a person says about a domestic vehicle is always true. Then, if there is any doubts of this, we can let the press can be the ultimate arbitrator and do our thinking on the matter for us.

I don't know what to say... Trying to reason with that seems pretty hopeless.

Regarding people's "qualifications" to make comments on this site, I think our experience and intuition as people the brains God gave us should be enough.

But if you must know, I also happen to be a practicing Engineer with a masters in Engineering, Graduate Certificate, and additional graduate work very close to a PhD. Among the systems I have personally designed and been involved in the design of have been automotive systems both electrical and mechanical in nature. Before going to school for engineering and working as an Engineer, I was a formally trained ASE certified auto mechanic, with a special concentration on electronics and engine-performance/drivability related concerns. In other words, I am quite up to date on the latest automotive technology and qualitative analysis of the subject, and do not whistle Dixie when I post to this site.

I would be most happy to have a friendly TECHNICAL debate on automotive technology here with you any time you want, if you are so concerned about people's "qualifications" who post to this site.

I think everyone's "qualifications" who post to this site are fine.