davessrx
New member
I hate to tell ya guys this......I am a GM technician and I own 3 toyotas......1994 corolla possibly one of the best cars ever, 2002 RAV4 (wifes) and a 2002 Sequoia, which replace a total POS tahoe. I tell ya after my last Tahoe 124k.....engine, transmission, 4 sets of oil cooler lines, 4 fuel pumps in 6 months, fuel and brake lines, radiator, water pump, god the list goes on and on.....Bought it used at 70k had 3.5 years and stuck over 5 grand in it.....in JUST PARTS!!!!! Never again. The owner of the dealer I work for wondered why I bought another Toyota......see 70k......bought at 59k.....checked all records.....repairs= 1 recall for Balljoints (gm should do this to all s-10s and blazer's) and a stabalizer link which was due to prior accident but covered by warranty. Maybe the new Toyotas aren't as good but WE LOVE the ones we own.
Bakemono
New member
I personally dont think the newer Toyotas are as good as the older ones, but I still think they are better than most everything else on the market.
The problem is mostly that with Toyota's rapid growth, they have gotten a lot of non-Japanese people running their plants and those people often dont embrace the Toyota Way and dont have the same level of accountability and pride in their work that the Japanese had.
I do think that Ford, GM and Chrysler make very good vehicles, but I also think that in the long run you will spend less time fixing a Toyota and will have fewer problems with it than you would. Thats just my personal opinion though. You can take it for whatever its worth. I dont want to sound like Im ripping on what people spend their hard-earned money on.
The problem is mostly that with Toyota's rapid growth, they have gotten a lot of non-Japanese people running their plants and those people often dont embrace the Toyota Way and dont have the same level of accountability and pride in their work that the Japanese had.
I do think that Ford, GM and Chrysler make very good vehicles, but I also think that in the long run you will spend less time fixing a Toyota and will have fewer problems with it than you would. Thats just my personal opinion though. You can take it for whatever its worth. I dont want to sound like Im ripping on what people spend their hard-earned money on.
redsnake3
New member
Bakemono said:
i think you both are missing a big point, your on a yamaha site, made the same place as the toyota.
gbic1
New member
Owned 9 pintos. They were great cars. Now a Contour, that is a different story. Just sold a 93 F250 335k on original engine and trans. No major problems ever. Only got rid of it to buy 4 door version of same truck. All car makers have problems. I keep that cam sensor and I dont own a diesel. The guy I ride with has a 97 7.3 with 298K on it with one trans and never had the heads or oil pan off. One injector and still get 20 plus mpg. Just because some one got one and it is bad that they all are. My mom drives a Fusion and loves it . has had no problems. My neighbor bought one and traded it for Nissan, said it was to hard for his wife to steer.
Gorkon
New member
I'm looking to test drive the new Toyota pickup, I'm curious, though I doubt I'll buy one in the long run. Mostly because I need the diesel for pulling and you just can't find those kind of balls in a Toyota....yet. They are well made, but I don't believe that they make a real TRUCK yet.
After 30 years in the Canadian oilfield in northern Alberta, where more often than not there really isn't a road, where trucks are destroyed weekly; Chevies new diff has more traction, and the Dodges do have a good engine. But if I want to dish out serious abuse and make it home every time, without having to drive a tractor, uncle Henry's taking me home! G.
After 30 years in the Canadian oilfield in northern Alberta, where more often than not there really isn't a road, where trucks are destroyed weekly; Chevies new diff has more traction, and the Dodges do have a good engine. But if I want to dish out serious abuse and make it home every time, without having to drive a tractor, uncle Henry's taking me home! G.
horkn
New member
Bakemono (wasn't it octane before?), those new tacos are very good trucks. its a modified 03+ 4runner frame, with most using the 4.0 OHC motor. for a v6 that thing has some serious power. Had the v6 4runner had the all time 4wd like the v8, we might have gotten that. But, with a heavy ski nautique to tow, and several known years of hauling things, we went with the v8.
fwiw, all 4runners are still made in Japan, the Tacos are built in Ca somewhere, and the Tundras/ sequoias are built in the US as well, since there is no market for those in Asia.
My GF does have some trepidation about buying a yota made in america. But since we own 240lbs of dog (120, 90, and 40lbs) thatw e take basically everywhere with us, we want rear air conditioning, that the runner does not offer. I know the explorer does, and I think the trailblazer, but to keep in a yota, we would need a sequoia. The 1st gen sequoia was ok, but underpowered. Now that they will redo it and use the 5.7l v8 from the tundra, we shall see. I hear it will have rear IRS. I wish the new sequoia would keep the rear solid axle. Its hard enough for me to deal with onlky 1 solid axle, having none would throw me off LOL.
fwiw, all 4runners are still made in Japan, the Tacos are built in Ca somewhere, and the Tundras/ sequoias are built in the US as well, since there is no market for those in Asia.
My GF does have some trepidation about buying a yota made in america. But since we own 240lbs of dog (120, 90, and 40lbs) thatw e take basically everywhere with us, we want rear air conditioning, that the runner does not offer. I know the explorer does, and I think the trailblazer, but to keep in a yota, we would need a sequoia. The 1st gen sequoia was ok, but underpowered. Now that they will redo it and use the 5.7l v8 from the tundra, we shall see. I hear it will have rear IRS. I wish the new sequoia would keep the rear solid axle. Its hard enough for me to deal with onlky 1 solid axle, having none would throw me off LOL.
Bakemono
New member
Yup, it was. I requested a name change yesterday.horkn said:
The 4Runners are built in Toyota City, Japan (which is very close to Nagoya), the Tacomas are built in Fremont, California as well as Baja De California, Mexico and the Tundras and Sequoias are built in Texas and Indiana.
Id prefer a Japanese-made Toyota too, but I need a truck, so my options are kinda limited.
I work on these vehicles every day and by far the easyest truck to work on is the GM. And are the cheepest for replacement parts. I'v driven GM almost all my life and have never had any major issues. I'm suprised ford hasn't recalled all there 5.4's for broken or popped out spark plugs. Witch you have to remove with a special tool. If that doesn't work either remove the cab to get the head off, or remove the engine to get the head off. What a dumb *** design. I'll never own a ford. And if a costomer comes in for a tune up on a 5.4 there in for a big suprise when they get a 2000.00 bill for changing plugs. I did one and since then i send them all to the dealer. They sell the crap they can deal with it. U joints- same thing, you can't press them out they have to be cut out. Then a special tool is used to reem out the drive shaft for the replacement joint. I could go on and on but i'v vented enough. 
I have a 2004 HEMI DUANGO and have had NO TROUBLE (except a check engine light for a bad EGR valve) for 105,000 miles!!! I PULL 2 or 4 sleds and a RACECAR trailer that weighs around 8000 lbs like NOTHING!!!! I worked for a FORD dealer for 5 years and was BUSY EVERY DAY!!! I worked for Dodge for 1 year and had to get a job at FORD because it wasn't busyat the Dodge dealer!!! If you're looking for a new car or truck,,, go to the SERVICE department of the local dealer and LOOK AND SEE what is in the serviec department and FIGURE OUT WHAT'S NOT there and go buy yourself one.. I worked at FORD and saw a ZILLION AEROSTARS in the bays of the service department,,, therefore,, AEROSTARS were BREAKING all the time!!! Needless to say,,, I didn't get an aerostar!!! PAYING A LITTLE ATTENTION will really pay off when shopping for a new vehicle!!!
Isn't it BAD ENOUGH we are supporting JAPAN by buying YAMAHA snowmobiles????? WHATW WITH buying these JAPANESE cars???? What abou the UAW??????? doesn't anyone even CARE ANYMORE?????
ExpertXViper
New member
nosboy said:
Me working at a dealer, I can say this man brings excellent way of making new car/truck buying much easier on your pocket AND your life.
ExpertXViper
New member
nosboy said:
Nope thats part of the reason why this country is slowly going down the drain. We rely some much on other countries to do the work for us and not charge them any thing to bring it here.
-If its not made in the USA, they should be charged or taxed heavily to even let it in the US.
-If theres a US company that wants to out source to other country's to saved on labor cost, they should be charged or taxed heavily to do so.
But no more politics posts here, Ive said my peace.
One thing I love is that A/C and Poo came its MADE IN THE USA, but its more like assembled in the USA.
horkn
New member
aerostars were actually quite reliable.
My bro had 2 of them. one was good for no issues in 120k, until it was totalled, the other he literally jsut sold about 6 months ago. no issues besides the original auto tranny went at 200k. he threw the AOD i had in one of my 5.0 mustangs in it and never had any issues beside that.
chevy's may be easy to work, on, but that is a product of its design. If they were not easy to work on, nobody would ever buy one. LOL
as far as any chryslers being reliable, the reason they had to do the 10 yr 100k warranty no charge is due to all the issues they have. and that is only a powertrain warranty, it will not help you with all the electrical gremlins that will appear.
who would bring a newer ford to a chevy/ gm dealership for service?? I would never bringa yota toa ford dealer, nor a chevy to a yota dealer. you are looking to be bent over if you do that.
They all have their issues, some worse than others...
My bro had 2 of them. one was good for no issues in 120k, until it was totalled, the other he literally jsut sold about 6 months ago. no issues besides the original auto tranny went at 200k. he threw the AOD i had in one of my 5.0 mustangs in it and never had any issues beside that.
chevy's may be easy to work, on, but that is a product of its design. If they were not easy to work on, nobody would ever buy one. LOL
as far as any chryslers being reliable, the reason they had to do the 10 yr 100k warranty no charge is due to all the issues they have. and that is only a powertrain warranty, it will not help you with all the electrical gremlins that will appear.
who would bring a newer ford to a chevy/ gm dealership for service?? I would never bringa yota toa ford dealer, nor a chevy to a yota dealer. you are looking to be bent over if you do that.
They all have their issues, some worse than others...
ExpertXViper
New member
horkn said:
Alot more people than you think. Last week alone I order parts for 05 Pilot, 01 Sable, 06 Taurus, 01 Ranger and I work for a Chevy dealer. Plus 3 out of our 8 mech's are or were Ford cert., cause they worked at Ford dealership before where they work now. And for you to make a comment like this "you are looking to be bent over if you do that" shows me how ignorant and unaware you really are. I had my previous blue oval wrenched on by our "CHEVY" mech's before and and never had a issue with it when they were done.
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nosboy said:
I don't need to look at dealers to see who's buisy. I just look in my own shop to see whats in most of the time and for what repairs. I think most manufacturers make a descent product. Its always the ones that get no regular maintanence that are in the shop. No different than sleds. if your not up on regalar maintanence its going to leave you stuck. And yes i do feel guilty sometimes about owning a Yamaha. But whats the alternative?? And no i will never own an import as long as North America is producing good products.
I was a trans guy ( along with 2 other trans guys) at 2 FORD dealers here in Chicagoland.. the DODGE dealer had 1 trans a week if we were lucky and the AEROSTARS kept me working and getting 53-56 hour a week paychecks!!!! The A4LD was the ABSOLUTE WORST trans FORD ever came up with.. AFTER they figured out the STATOR SUPPORT seal problem with the aerostars, they had the governor rings BURNING THROUGH the case because of a MISSING ground strap that would let the current go right through the governor rings through the driveshaft to ground the starter!!!!! NEEDLESS to say,,,, we were SWAMPED in the early to mid 80's with AEROSTAR trannies.. (and YES,, they were all under 100,000 mile warranty's) in fact,,, JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING was under warranty in the eighties!!!!!
What about the 7.3?? LOL
All of this talk about buying American and support Americans makes perfect sence to me, BUT alot of you guys would be amazed to hear that the Big 3 will on occasion force our hand to have tooling made oversea's to cut costs. We are a full service Manufactering Tear 1 supplier to the Automotive Industry, and truth be told it has become common place to be asked to "either Program Manage overseas tooling builds in order to at least capture on shore production! or we will do it ourselves and source the final work to someone that will accept our terms".
Do not be too suprised to see in the near future our beloved Big 3 Automakers shipping in vehicles produced exclusivly overseas (China) from Company's they are already in the process of purchasing.
It has truely came down to the almighty dollor and it is a shame how it ever got this far.
All of this talk about buying American and support Americans makes perfect sence to me, BUT alot of you guys would be amazed to hear that the Big 3 will on occasion force our hand to have tooling made oversea's to cut costs. We are a full service Manufactering Tear 1 supplier to the Automotive Industry, and truth be told it has become common place to be asked to "either Program Manage overseas tooling builds in order to at least capture on shore production! or we will do it ourselves and source the final work to someone that will accept our terms".
Do not be too suprised to see in the near future our beloved Big 3 Automakers shipping in vehicles produced exclusivly overseas (China) from Company's they are already in the process of purchasing.
It has truely came down to the almighty dollor and it is a shame how it ever got this far.
ExpertXViper
New member
S.X. said:
LMFAO.......When I first saw this thread I was gunna mention it was bound to turn into something like this but of course I TRIED to keep my mouth shut but obviously that didnt work.
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Bakemono
New member
This past summer my brother and I put new u-joints on my '99 F-150 and we pressed them out with a balljoint press. I will agree with you that having to remove the cab to get the cylinder heads off its a very dumb design. My F-150 has the passenger-side headgasket oil leak that they all Triton engines had from '99-'02 and after finding out how much it would cost to fix the leak, I decided to just let it drip. I'll add 1/2 a quart of oil every 1500 miles before I spend $1500 to fix a minor issue on a truck that is only worth $3,000.justaviper said:I work on these vehicles every day and by far the easyest truck to work on is the GM. And are the cheepest for replacement parts. I'v driven GM almost all my life and have never had any major issues. I'm suprised ford hasn't recalled all there 5.4's for broken or popped out spark plugs. Witch you have to remove with a special tool. If that doesn't work either remove the cab to get the head off, or remove the engine to get the head off. What a dumb *** design. I'll never own a ford. And if a costomer comes in for a tune up on a 5.4 there in for a big suprise when they get a 2000.00 bill for changing plugs. I did one and since then i send them all to the dealer. They sell the crap they can deal with it. U joints- same thing, you can't press them out they have to be cut out. Then a special tool is used to reem out the drive shaft for the replacement joint. I could go on and on but i'v vented enough.
As with any brand, you will have people who love it and you will have people who hate it. Personally, I despise General Motors and would never own any of their products. Lets not kid ourselves here, GM (and every other automaker) has had their fair share of boneheaded designs over the years.
BTW, I want to thank everyone for keeping this thread polite and respectful with no bashing or fighting. It just goes to show you the kind of quality people that we have posting on this forum.
Bakemono
New member
I personally couldnt care less about the UAW. I buy what I feel is the best product. If that just happens to be the USA, cool, but for me its always been Japan.nosboy said:
The Japanese automakers are making a considerable investment in America, whereas the American automakers are making more and more of their vehicles in other countries and are using more and more foreign parts suppliers in an effort to reduce cost.
About half of the vehicles Toyota sells in America and made in America and a lot of the parts that make up those vehicles are made in America as well.
Just because we are Americans, that does not mean that we are obligated to buy American products (especially if they are inferior) and I greatly resent any attempt by anyone to try and guilt trip me into feeling bad about being loyal to foreign companies.
Just go drive a Toyota and a Honda and then go drive a Ford, Chevy and Chrysler and you will see why so many people are buying Japanese. No offense against anyone who chooses to be loyal to the American automakers, but thats just the way I see it.
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