30th Dec 2008, 10:24

Those people working on Toyota assembly lines live in states that cost a lot less to live in than most of the GM and Ford factories. Additionally, the wages they pay them are significantly higher than the median wage for their respective areas. If you're living in Kentucky and getting paid over $20 an hour, that's pretty good living there. I know because I grew up in Tennessee and knew people who loved their jobs working at the Smyrna TN Nissan plant.

Lastly, once again, the warranty argument is moot. So what. Hyundai has a 100k warranty and have had it for years even when the cars they made were awful. I'd rather drive a car I know will last 200k+ with no problems versus having to take it to a shop and have it repaired frequently. Besides- it pays to see what's covered under that 100k warranty because if you read reviews from domestic vehicle owners here, half of them have problems that are for some reason not covered, leaving them with an unexpected repair bill on a car they thought was covered.

On the other hand, my Dad's Tundra got a crack in the exhaust manifold. No big deal, but Toyota replaced it free even though the truck was out of warranty and had 160,000 miles on it. Additionally, Toyota had an issue with older Tacomas where in severe salty or corrosive environments, the frame rails could rust. Though extremely rare, any truck found with this defect was bought back for double its value, no questions asked. That's for trucks that are over 10 years old. That is what you call standing behind your product and making customers happy. A 100k warranty doesn't mean anything if it isn't honored nor covers a product that's not well-made.

30th Dec 2008, 15:06

After having lunch with a friend who shared his anger and disgust after having two engine failures in two years in their Camry, I'd have to say Toyota wouldn't be my top choice even if they DID build good-looking and sporty vehicles (which they don't).

As for the Prius, it IS extremely expensive to repair and the batteries ARE outrageous. If you drive less than 10,000 miles a year you might get 5 years out of these cars, but I know people who have been faced with $3000+ repairs on these cars after three years, and of course Toyota has a very puny warranty, unlike any domestic, so they are stuck with the bills.

As for the comment about the cost of replacing the engine in a Cadillac, I don't know anyone who EVER HAS. We've never owned a Cadillac, but our Buick was sold at 277,000 miles with the original engine running flawlessly. You'll never see a Prius with THAT kind of mileage anywhere unless someone has replaced the electrics with a GM drive train.

The Tundra has been a disaster from day one. Everyone I know who bought a first generation Tundra has had several major issues with it. I don't know of one single person yet who has bought a SECOND Tundra. After getting burned once, everyone goes back to the solid F-150, Chevy Silverado or Dodge Ram.

At a recent Christmas party one friend who was a former Tundra owner showed up in shiny new Dodge Ram crew cab. He's tired of spending all his free time waiting on repairs on the Tundra.

30th Dec 2008, 15:45

I personally feel the Ford F Series currently is the best looking of all full size pickups. And I do not have one.

My most expensive domestic battery cost $92.00.

I drove the Cadillac and the Corvette on a track with GM Ride and Drive in the past. The Cadillac was a blast to drive as well. Boring rides lacking any decent styling exercise will never be parked in this household.

I also know someone with a Prius that cares zero about cars. Its just transportation for her and transportation only. I think that's a shame to not have any enthusiasm for what you own... just point and drive.

30th Dec 2008, 22:14

18:49 Well, regardless of whatever stories I might hear from Toyota employees, the fact is they are still building cars that embarrass the Big 3, as usual.

Ford, Chevy, and Dodge are so far behind in technology, and more importantly, philosophy, that it's a wonder that they didn't run out of customers and money long before now.

In 1993, (nearly 16 years ago) as a college student I owned a Toyota Tercel. It got around 38 to 42 miles per gallon and was beaten badly, by me. To this day, the Big 3 do not make a car that gets that kind of mileage or is even close to possessing the reliability and build quality that that car had (and has). Many people are still driving them. It cost me around $8000 dollars brand new.

Chevy's answer to that, 16 years later, is the Aveo, which still doesn't get even close to that kind of mileage with the same size engine. Far too little, and much too late.

Now, Chevy is trying to compare their piece of junk Cobalt to a Corolla or a Civic. As if it could even approach the well-earned status of either of those cars.

31st Dec 2008, 07:55

When one commenter notes they know a "ton" of people that think a specific vehicle is ugly and several neighbors all drive the exact same car, I question the validity of those comments. Sure it's possible but unlikely. I have yet to ever see several neighbors ever with the exact same vehicles. I guess they live on "Prius Street" next to the Yellow Brick Road.

I prefer direct first hand ownership remarks on specific vehicles. Maybe we can hear from some that live on "Tundra street". I see very few Tundras each morning at our local home center. A variety of new Ford F Series, Silverados and Rams loading up, pulling trailers as well. But I will keep a driveway watch to see how many new Tundras are in town.

31st Dec 2008, 11:06

I drove cheap in college, and over the years moved up and up. The advantage is knowing more than just the mere bottom line up of vehicle manufacturers. I can drive cheap as well with few amenities, no room and bar jarring rides and wondering if the vehicle will start up each and every time at 250,000 miles. I prefer not to.

I drive long distances in short order with my newer vehicles. I do not like to have my wife and daughter driving high mileage vehicles at night and on rural roads to our home. There are better components and safety features on new vehicles, like Onstar, and cell phones are fine to a point. Add non question mark worn brakes, shaky steering components, tires, timing belts, hoses etc that can fail unless you want to replace every single component.

High mileage aged components is a crap shoot. Sometimes you have to go out at night and I prefer to not economize on safety, both vehicle and personal safety today. There's also more than the gas gauge; it is reliability.

I do not own a Hyundai, my friend owns their SUV and speaks highly of it. I cannot believe people dismiss the puny Toyota warranty so readily. Is it that the manufacturer knows something more? If the warranty is not necessary or ever used, what has the mfr. have to lose? I agree with warranties... if it stinks or is not honored or runs out quickly. I can simply walk out and buy elsewhere. If that dealer does not want to back it up, I leave again.

The best import or domestic that has all the elements I want and best service gets my sale. I also do not hesitate to rub it in when the new car salesperson calls wanting another new sale... I think they thought my wife was gullible or just automatic, and she no longer owns new imports. We probably paid a few light bills over the years at the local dealership with ones we bought over the years. I guess one family does not matter too much anymore. I test domestics and imports and always will, and my memory stays fresh with the latest service experiences.