Simple question, will you buy a Toyota in the future? - READ ONLY

53 messages,  Last post on Mar 22, 2012 at 6:47 PM

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What is this discussion about? Car Buying

#24 of 53 how about this question? by explorerx4

Jan 29, 2010 (4:49 pm)

would you feel comfortable buying a vehicle built before the various problems are fixed?

#25 of 53 My Toyota Concern by sharonkl

Jan 29, 2010 (5:08 pm)

I presently own a Toyota RAV4 and is my first experience with Toyota. I have had some issues with dealership service center which I found disturbing. Incidents were valid complaints, and definitely were Toyota fault issues, and I was not in any way a chronic complainer customer. Manager admitted they had not painted the door of my new fully paid in cash car, as I was told they were going to do. All they had done was attempt to buff out the scratches and then attempted to say it had been painted. So car door was painted. Next time I requested electrical to be checked, plus serviced. I received a call work was done. I enjoyed the customer shuttle service I was provided with. I commend them for this friendly service. Service center attempted to just make me go pay for service without me actually speaking with anyone. Whoops- not good! I requested to speak with someone about the service work and before paying. A now different service center person attempted to go over the work. I asked about the electrical check. He specifically said I did not request as not on work order. Another "whoops- not a customer friendly statement!" I asked to speak with the person who I initially spoke with, as I did request. Again he said "no I didn't, it's not on work order.:" Asked him to please page or call the person who took my order. He informed me he was on lunch break. I said well I did order electrical to be checked, and what could he do. He said I was being difficult. I said I am trying not to be. Please page or call for original person. Stated he could not do this. Asked to please speak with the manager. He stated he was the manager. I am not certain this is the real fact. Said please page or call for person who took my order. I did request elctrical work to be checked. This person was quite angry with me. But finally he did as I asked, since I was standing firm with my request. Original person finally called back, and yes, he said I had asked for check. Stated electrical just had to be reprogrammed. All had been taken care of. The person who had stated he was manager did not apologize. I just reviewed service work order, thanked him, and went to pay. Sadly for Toyota , I too am familiar with customer friendly service. I am a college educated medical professional with long work history of management experience.
 
My prior history of dealing with other auto manufacturers' service centers were always excellent - BMW, Ford. I find myself in position of being leary of service repair at this particular Toyota dealership.
 
Now the recall - I am alarmed at the questionable integrity of Toyota for a long known problem, and their attempts to avoid and/or delayed response/s. Toyota still does not have a fix, and if you research DHSTA, multiple safety sites, etc. Toyota was aware last fall they would have to correct. Now few months later, they do recall, and they still don't have fix, and no letters have been sent to owners. Toyota has not made any public media announcement/s to help combat/inform or reassure owners/public regarding the negative publicity. Such actions do indeed lead to owner/consumer questions and dissatisfaction.
 
I am scared my 2006 Rav4 has issues despite being built in Japan. I have had started having minor issues over last six months intermittantly - few incidents of unexplained minor engine accelerations when attempting brake when parking vehicle(always was able to immediately brake and engine finally responded) and one time when in line at McDonald's moving at approximatley 4 mph when engine suddenly increased acceleration for unexplained reason (again managed to immediately brake to prevent hitting vehicle in front of me in line - thank goodness brakes did work, but engine still continued higher rev's for few seconds and then finally returned to idle mode). I was evaluating these issues myself for any more problems or any need to pursue service investigation. No floor mat is not the issue. No interference present. I had checked after each incident.
 
I fully am aware if issue is not present when chcked or vehicle can not be caused to be in that mode again problem does not exist. But problem still does exist, as I have found out in past. Presenting vehicle in that state is the problem.
 
I do now fully know how to stop my vehicle if I have a increase acceleration problem. I also realize now my vehicle does not have any brake over ride sytem. I had been ignorant and had felt this was always a standard feature in US. Apparently not so - and is just not Toyota. Have found several European manufacturers do though.
 
Will I buy another Toyota??? Since I have also dealt with other manufacturers and had great experience - I am quite leary to purchase another Toyota. I am shocked Toyota mangement has asked owners to continue driving their recalled cars. Appears DHSTA and Toyota management seem to have just endorsed any future accidents which may lead to great bodily harm and/or death. Fact is owners can not get problem fixed.

#26 of 53 Global Vehicles - This from a BBC site. by dturr

Jan 29, 2010 (5:16 pm)

Separately, Ford said it would be suspending production of a van made and sold in China that has an accelerator pedal made by the same firm at the centre of Toyota's investigations.
 
However, Ford said it had only been using the pedal in the Transit Classic model since December, with only 1,663 vehicles produced

#27 of 53 Re: A whole new thread? [anythngbutgm] by british_rover

Jan 29, 2010 (6:41 pm)

Replying to: anythngbutgm (Jan 29, 2010 7:06 am)
Subaru/Toyo AE-86 coupe
 
I might consider that but with a Subaru store in the company I would probably buy the Subbie version.

#28 of 53 Global Vehicles by dturr

Jan 30, 2010 (7:19 am)

Should the question be what is safe to buy?
 
French vehicles;
The safety scare may also affect the Peugeot 107 and the Citroën C1, which are built at the same Czech plant and use the same parts as the Toyota Aygo, one of eight models Toyota admitted could be defective.
 
A spokesman for PSA Peugeot Citroën admitted: 'The 107 and C1 may be similarly affected. We are trying to find out but at this stage cannot confirm whether they are affected.'

#29 of 53 Buying a Toyota? by danielj6

Jan 30, 2010 (5:26 pm)

Although I can not minimize the urgency of the recall, the media is once again senzationalizing it. Given Toyota's reputation for quality and dependability, the automaker will come back in force.
 
In the 1950's which I believe is when Toyota began to sell vehicles, the cars were of poor quality which Toyota bought back and later returned to the world market with high quality, durable cars.
 
I would not hesitate to purchase another Toyota.

#30 of 53 Re: Buying a Toyota? [danielj6] by hpmctorque

Jan 30, 2010 (8:19 pm)

Replying to: danielj6 (Jan 30, 2010 5:26 pm)
Yeah, I agree that the gas peddle issue isn't what would stop me from buying a Toyota, since I can't imagine that the company won't fix it. Their very survival depends on it. Toyotas built after production resumes won't have the sticky peddle problem, and the ones that are on dealer lots and already sold will also be fixed.
This may be an opportunity to get a deal on a Toyota or Lexus.
 
As for me, I can't say I dislike Toyotas and Lexuses, but I just can't warm up to their current offerings.

#31 of 53 Re: Buying a Toyota? [danielj6] by 210delray

Jan 30, 2010 (8:20 pm)

Replying to: danielj6 (Jan 30, 2010 5:26 pm)
Same here. My 2004 and 2005 Camrys have been paragons of reliability, and I'd really have to think long and hard about going elsewhere when replacement time comes, which is likely to be years away at this point. Plus my former '97 Camry was a great car also.

#32 of 53 Yes, especially after they finally fix things by pp2009pp

Jan 30, 2010 (9:39 pm)

Right now I am glad I do not have a recalled car model. My BMW, though, has plenty of problems of its own some of which are safety issues as well.
 
When everything is gone over with a fine-toothed comb then I will feel comfortable buying a Toyota. Volvo is now owned by the Chinese who send us lead painted toys and poisoned pet food. Comfortable about that?
 
It's all a bit of a cross-your-fingers and hope for the best situation. This is a big dent in Toyota's reputation but they still have an opportunity to fix things. They have built excellent cars for decades so I'm not ready to throw them out although I might look at a Honda first.
 
 

#33 of 53 I'm as likely to consider Toyota now as ever............ by daysailer

Jan 31, 2010 (11:46 am)

Although the accelerator issue is a blemish in a long standing reputation for high quality, Toyota is handling it responsibly and I would be no less likely to buy a Toyota because of it. It is unfortunate, however, that Toyota's problem seems to be caused by a USA supplier who may have introduced a defect not found in the same parts from Japanese or European manufacturers.

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