9th Apr 2020, 18:06
My mom had a 1998 Avalon. At the time it was a very nice car. Basically as close to getting a Lexus without the Lexus price. Basically a Japanese Buick. She handed it down to my brother who abused it horribly. Yet it never had issues and had over 300,000 miles when he sold it to a neighbor.
IMHO Toyota is one of the most conservative automakers in existence. They will keep the same engine designs for decades at a time without making many changes. Once a tried and true design is met they basically leave it alone. That's why they tend to run forever and ever. I own a 1996 Tacoma and the engine in it is hardly different from what is in the new Tacoma. The engine has never even had the valve covers off. It just goes and goes. One day I'll eventually get bored of it. I feel that lately they have been painfully slow to adopt newer technologies. Their most innovative product - the Prius - is not horribly different than what it was like when it was released over 20 years ago. They are VERY late to the EV game. Many of their engines in their trucks and SUVs get AWFUL fuel economy.
Yes - the interior quality has gotten worse. Their interiors these days remind me more of what GM's interiors were like in the 90's. Lots and lots of really unappealing looking, cheap feeling plastic. My Mom owns a newer Prius. The interior seriously squeaks and rattles way more than a new car should. The interior of my 9 year old Chevy Volt is way nicer.
8th Apr 2020, 18:23
Ever consider buying an older one with low miles? Maybe pay a premium vs others of the year it was built. I’ve found nice cars that were just an extra car. I like new, but if the new quality is so bad, it may be an option.