A story with a warning

[Karnak]

Never had a problem with Toyota financial before.  Paid my truck off, no issues.  Missed the first payment for my wife's car because the dealership didn't put the apartment number down and I was working nights, she days, both thinking the other had gotten the letter and paid it.  Called Toyota financial and explained, gave them the correct address, made the payment, no problems.

[Masherbrum]

Well, they certainly got some major press.

You're aware that the NTSB and NASA determined that there was no issue with the electronic controls, and the "black boxes" showed that virtually all of the drivers were stepping on the accelerators and not stepping on the brakes at the time of the accident? Toyota chose to not blame those customers, though, just like they took care of BlueJ1.

Anyway, what's your point? Are you saying that people should not buy Toyota products?

I'm talking about the most recent recall of Sienna's.    Also in my line of work, I have realized that the Camry is probably one of the most funny vehicles on the road.   It appears that Toyota's Door Handles leave much to be desired and they are dodging a recall on those.    

I don't care what people buy, but the days of "Lexus, Honda and Toyota are the best cars on the road" are over.   Most recently, the Fusion has kicked the Prius, Camry and Accord's arse in terms of quality and reliability.   So your broad statement regarding "American companies" was a tad bit off base.

[MiloMorai]

I don't care what people buy, but the days of "Lexus, Honda and Toyota are the best cars on the road" are over.   Most recently, the Fusion has kicked the Prius, Camry and Accord's arse in terms of quality and reliability.   So your broad statement regarding "American companies" was a tad bit off base.

Well the word hasn't got out.

Top 10
6 are Japanese
3 are Chev
1 is Ford

http://autos.aol.com/gallery/best-selling-sedans?ncid=webmail

[Rolex]

I'm talking about the most recent recall of Sienna's.    Also in my line of work, I have realized that the Camry is probably one of the most funny vehicles on the road.   It appears that Toyota's Door Handles leave much to be desired and they are dodging a recall on those.    

I don't care what people buy, but the days of "Lexus, Honda and Toyota are the best cars on the road" are over.   Most recently, the Fusion has kicked the Prius, Camry and Accord's arse in terms of quality and reliability.   So your broad statement regarding "American companies" was a tad bit off base.

BlueJ1 said, "But, after this I will be going back to something made stateside." Italics are mine.

I was pointing out that Toyota Financial and most US Toyota cars are "made stateside." Over 28,000 US employees working at nine manufacturing plants, dealers and Toyota Financial would probably appreciate it if people bought their cars. I also said it was sarcastic.

[Masherbrum]

Well the word hasn't got out.

Top 10
6 are Japanese
3 are Chev
1 is Ford

http://autos.aol.com/gallery/best-selling-sedans?ncid=webmail

According to AOL.    Post it again and it will be just as much of a non-factor.   

[PJ_Godzilla]

Yes, it's true, folks, Toyota makes Krap Kars and will treat you like a lackey. They'll bend you over without the courtesy of so much as a reacharound.

Actually, given that my wife is in the Keiretsu, I can tell you that Toyota routinely buries items as TSBs that rightfully should be recalls. I'm not sure how they get away with it but I'm aware of a couple of cases recently in which they spiked potential recalls on safety-critical parts by means of complimentary servicing on vehicle brought in on other matters. NHTSA says safety-related issues demand recalls.

In any case, what should be always clear is that I am here to help my AH friends find their way into any of our fine line of Ford/Lincol/Ford Truck vehicles. Believe me, it'll help your buying and service experience to have a friend in corporate. Often, I find that people are not aware of the processes we offer to ensure customer satisfaction (e.g., the service escalation process).

Anyway, feel free to PM me if you need help with a purchase or service issue. It's a courtesy I always extend to people I know.

And remember (this was not always true): Ford Good, Toyota Baaa-aa-aa-aa-ad.

Don't even get me started on what a POS the Tundra is.

[Penguin]

Yes, it's true, folks, Toyota makes Krap Kars and will treat you like a lackey. They'll bend you over without the courtesy of so much as a reacharound.

Actually, given that my wife is in the Keiretsu, I can tell you that Toyota routinely buries items as TSBs that rightfully should be recalls. I'm not sure how they get away with it but I'm aware of a couple of cases recently in which they spiked potential recalls on safety-critical parts by means of complimentary servicing on vehicle brought in on other matters. NHTSA says safety-related issues demand recalls.

In any case, what should be always clear is that I am here to help my AH friends find their way into any of our fine line of Ford/Lincol/Ford Truck vehicles. Believe me, it'll help your buying and service experience to have a friend in corporate. Often, I find that people are not aware of the processes we offer to ensure customer satisfaction (e.g., the service escalation process).

Anyway, feel free to PM me if you need help with a purchase or service issue. It's a courtesy I always extend to people I know.

And remember (this was not always true): Ford Good, Toyota Baaa-aa-aa-aa-ad.

Don't even get me started on what a POS the Tundra is.

What about Hyundai and their 100,000 mile powertrain warranty?  What about Nissan and their all-electric leaf?  What about Honda?  My mom has an Accord and the thing is built like a tank.  Over 100,000 miles on it and the only damage is to the exterior (big scrape on the front bumper).  It still pulls 29 mpg, only falling 3 mpg from the day it was purchased.

There's a lot to be said for import cars, i.e. BMW, Volkswagen, Mercedes Benz, Honda, Hyundai, and a myriad of high-end companies (Lotus, Ferrari, etc.).  They're good companies, and they all have their faults.  Just because it's US made doesn't make it any better- a piece of garbage from Germany is just as useless as a piece of garbage from Japan, China, or the US.

-Penguin 

[MiloMorai]

According to AOL.    Post it again and it will be just as much of a non-factor.   

The top selling vehicles are trucks, but the top selling cars are from Toyota.

Since you sluff of AOL, http://online.wsj.com/mdc/public/page/2_3022-autosales.html

[CAP1]

Never had a problem with Toyota financial before.  Paid my truck off, no issues.  Missed the first payment for my wife's car because the dealership didn't put the apartment number down and I was working nights, she days, both thinking the other had gotten the letter and paid it.  Called Toyota financial and explained, gave them the correct address, made the payment, no problems.

sounds like you're making an excuse. everything's computerized.....that couldn't have happened. 

[CAP1]

What about Hyundai and their 100,000 mile powertrain warranty?  What about Nissan and their all-electric leaf?  What about Honda?  My mom has an Accord and the thing is built like a tank.  Over 100,000 miles on it and the only damage is to the exterior (big scrape on the front bumper).  It still pulls 29 mpg, only falling 3 mpg from the day it was purchased.

There's a lot to be said for import cars, i.e. BMW, Volkswagen, Mercedes Benz, Honda, Hyundai, and a myriad of high-end companies (Lotus, Ferrari, etc.).  They're good companies, and they all have their faults.  Just because it's US made doesn't make it any better- a piece of garbage from Germany is just as useless as a piece of garbage from Japan, China, or the US.

-Penguin 

friend had a safari. gmc. went nearly 690k miles on it.

and there's this......a mercury, which is in fact a ford.
http://retrorenovation.com/2009/07/02/rachel-and-her-1964-comet-caliente-time-capsule/

[CAP1]

The top selling vehicles are trucks, but the top selling cars are from Toyota.

Since you sluff of AOL, http://online.wsj.com/mdc/public/page/2_3022-autosales.html

whose trucks?

[MiloMorai]

whose trucks?

You didn't read the link? Ford F150 #1 and Chev #2.

[CAP1]

You didn't read the link? Ford F150 #1 and Chev #2.

i knew the answer. i just wanted to make ya type it here. 

[Golfer]

Blah blah blah made in the USA blah blah blah...

So they didn't send an elite squad if Japanese happy ending specialists then?  Sorry BlueJ.

[PJ_Godzilla]

What about Hyundai and their 100,000 mile powertrain warranty?  What about Nissan and their all-electric leaf?  What about Honda?  My mom has an Accord and the thing is built like a tank.  Over 100,000 miles on it and the only damage is to the exterior (big scrape on the front bumper).  It still pulls 29 mpg, only falling 3 mpg from the day it was purchased.

There's a lot to be said for import cars, i.e. BMW, Volkswagen, Mercedes Benz, Honda, Hyundai, and a myriad of high-end companies (Lotus, Ferrari, etc.).  They're good companies, and they all have their faults.  Just because it's US made doesn't make it any better- a piece of garbage from Germany is just as useless as a piece of garbage from Japan, China, or the US.

-Penguin  

We weren't talking about those companies. There is much to recommend Honda's powertrains. Say I, they make the best low-displacement engines in the world - and I can back up my assertion with data. That's something I know you're not going to be able to do with regard to your general question about the ridiculous Nissan Leaf. I used to work in EVs. There's a fundamental drawback to carrying your own oxidizer that air-breathers do not share.

Tell me, how much would you be willing to pay for a vehicle that has less than hundred mile range between lengthy recharges, limited cargo space and performance, and dubious safety bonafides? Care to take a couple of weeks to drive cross-country? Two words w/r EVs: commercially infeasible. That'll obtain until there is a technological breakthrough in batteries. Volt gets around the limited range issue, at least, by going serial hybrid. Even so and even with a large subsidy, GM has only managed to crap out but a few: http://money.cnn.com/2011/02/01/autos/volt_vs_leaf_sales/index.htm

US-made, as a rule, I agree, says little. UAW, otoh, has become a bit of a badge of shame. However, and I won't say much here, if you look at the way we do production now, the UAW might just be "incentivized".

As for Hyundai, yes, they've been buying share. All my reports says that's what they're doing in both material cost and warranty terms. Th eonly mystery to me is how they're covering the shortfall.