Owners of Toyota Cars in Rebellion Over Series of Accidents

[SFC(R)L]

Owners of Toyota Cars in Rebellion Over Series of Accidents Caused by Sudden Acceleration

ABC News Investigation Uncovers Reports of 16 Deaths, Over 200 Accidents; Toyota Owners Demand Answers

By BRIAN ROSS, JOSEPH RHEE, ANGELA M. HILL and MEGAN CHUCHMACH
Nov. 3, 2009

Refusing to accept the explanation of Toyota and the federal government, hundreds of Toyota owners are in rebellion after a series of accidents caused by what they call "runaway cars."

Safety analysts found an estimated 2000 cases in which owners of Toyota cars including Camry, Prius and Lexus, reported that their cars surged without warning up to speeds of 100 miles per hour.

Toyota says the incidents are caused by floor mats becoming stuck under gas pedals, but owners say that's not what happened to them.

"I'm absolutely certain that in my situation, it was not the floor mats," Elizabeth James told ABC News. She was driving her Toyota Prius outside Denver, CO when she says it suddenly shot up to 90 miles an hour, even though her foot was on the brake and not the gas pedal.

"I kept going faster and faster," James said. "And all of a sudden… my foot was pressing on the brake super, super hard and I wasn't slowing down."

James and some other Toyota owners suspect the accidents have been caused by some kind of glitch in the electronic computer system used in Toyotas that controls the throttle.

Toyota officials refused to talk with ABC News about the incidents, but posted a statement from executive Bob Daly on its website last night that said: "Some news reports suggest there may be other causes of unintended acceleration, speculating about electronic engine control systems, braking performance or electro-magnetic interference among other theories. There is no evidence to support these theories."

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/RunawayToyotas/sudden-acceleration-toyota-cars-owners-rebel-accidents/story?id=8980479

There is something very wrong here and it confirms my original thought that this can't be from the mats, not after the money that has been spent engineering these cars.

There are no reports of Chevrolet Trucks having this problem.

[shrek]

i have thought since the first day that the floor matt excuse was very weak. Floor mats would explain maybe why you could not press on the break pedal but it would not explain why easing off of the gas pedal would not stop the acceleration.

[Rurudyne]

I told them they should use the Mac OS for their control system instead of Windows Vista....

[Erick_KS]

I told them they should use the Mac OS for their control system instead of Windows Vista....

Then the car owner would spend more time proselytizing about how superior his car supposedly is than he would actually driving it.

[SFC(R)L]

i have thought since the first day that the floor matt excuse was very weak. Floor mats would explain maybe why you could not press on the break pedal but it would not explain why easing off of the gas pedal would not stop the acceleration.

stuff just doesn't add up

pop it into neutral I guess

[Mustang JEB]

I have no idea why this is a political issue..

But don't think that GM (Chevy) does not have their issues:

quick google search resulted in this.. and they don't even cover the issues I had with the rear end, transmission (yes, plural)s and the engine blowing up in my Fireturd, and then GM refusing to honor the warranty saying I was racing it... a v6... all of 180 horsepower, if that..

http://www.chevylemon.com/chevrolet-complaints.php

Chevrolet Complaints

BRAKING PROBLEMS - Consumers have complained of cars not braking properly, noises when braking, and premature wear of rotors and pads. This has been more prevalent in Chevrolet Cobalt, Colorado, Equinox, HHR, Malibu, Silverado, Tahoe and Uplander models.
STEERING PROBLEMS - Consumers have complained of difficulty steering, loss of steering fluid, and replacement of steering components. This has been more prevalent in Cobalt, Equinox, Express, HHR, Impala, Silverado, Tahoe, Trailblazer, and Uplander models.
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT - There are many reasons why a check engine light would come on, however, it’s the customer’s responsibility to bring this to the service manager’s attention each time it appears. Failure to do so could result in serious mechanical problems and possible voiding of warranty. The check engine light is more often present in Avalanche, Cobalt, Colorado, Equinox, HHR, Silverado, SSR, Suburban, Tahoe and Trailblazer models.
ELECTRICAL CONCERNS - From flickering lights on the dashboard, to power locks and windows not working, to complete loss of power, Chevrolet consumers frequently suffer with electrical concerns. This occurs more often in Aveo, C5500, Cobalt, Impala, Malibu, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe and Trailblazer models.
WATER LEAKS - Consumers have complained about water leaks on passenger floors, in trunks, and around windshields. Water leaks can cause a variety of problems down the road if not treated, including mold. Leaks have been more prevalent in Avalanche, Cobalt, Colorado, Equinox, HHR, Malibu, Silverado, and Tahoe models.
You can view defects and technical service bulletins particular to your year, make and model by visiting the NHTSA database (http://forums.hannity.com/technical-service-bulletin.php).

[Rurudyne]

Then the car owner would spend more time proselytizing about how superior his car supposedly is than he would actually driving it.
Don't Prius owners do that already?

[PSBandit]

These have never let me down...

http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/chromeauto_2073_238354420

[Erick_KS]

Don't Prius owners do that already?

:)

[SFC(R)L]

Then the car owner would spend more time proselytizing about how superior his car supposedly is than he would actually driving it.

The prius owners are already doing this, and they don't just mean their cars, either.

But that's no reason they should have their safety in peril.

What's obama doing on this?

[Bluenose177]

the sight of a prius doing anything close to 100mph should be enough to get this to a court :D

could be worse though, they could've been driving a GM ;)

[adroit]

Then the car owner would spend more time proselytizing about how superior his car supposedly is than he would actually driving it.

I ****ing love my MBP. I have enough time to proselytize because I got my stuff done faster than I could have with a PC.

[PSBandit]

the sight of a prius doing anything close to 100mph should be enough to get this to a court :D

:))

All that extra speed results in extra emmisions.... where's AlGore? I'm furious. :whistle:

[VCaddy05]

Then the car owner would spend more time proselytizing about how superior his car supposedly is than he would actually driving it.

I thought Prius drivers already did that :rolleyes:
damn SFC beat me to it never mind

[Rurudyne]

I thought Prius drivers already did that :rolleyes:
damn SFC beat me to it never mind
I get no love.

[tinydancer]

the sight of a prius doing anything close to 100mph should be enough to get this to a court :D

could be worse though, they could've been driving a GM ;)

LOL.

I'm still trying to figure out the carbon footprint by a car that runs on electricity that is delivered by coal..


It proves enviromentalists are freaking idiots.

But I digress.

[Bertha]

There are no reports of Chevrolet Trucks having this problem.

No, but the window might not go up, the mirror will fall off, or the paint will start peeling away after 1 year. :cool:

[jmb6]

a Prius can go 90?

[PredFan]

100 mph? That would suck. I hate going that slow.

[Bertha]

LOL.

I'm still trying to figure out the carbon footprint by a car that runs on electricity that is delivered by coal..


It proves enviromentelists are freaking idiots.

But I digress.

Actually, you don't "plug in" the toyota hybrids. They recharge themselves while you're driving.

[VCaddy05]

This worries me about all these electronics in cars now adays. I still love my 78 trans am, never had an issue with that cable throttle and carb. Electronics can get screwed up from water, or even a big bumb or being rear ended. It can be very dangerous when cars get a "mind of their own'. I see lexus adevertising some car that will keep you in lanes, but i can see that sensor getting ****ed up and start swerving you out side the white lines in some crazy case. I know my cadillac has "stability control" so you dont spin out when driving around hard turns like on a road track, and guys who own it have put larger tires on the rear, and have had issues while just driving down the road and it randomly says "stabilitrac engaged" and the car will jerk to the right or left. Seems to be because the system gets confused by the different tire sizes and thinks the wheels are spinning.

[toreyj01]

Don't Prius owners do that already?

http://www.philwoods.com/forums/images/smilies/rimshot.gif

[VCaddy05]

I get no love.

not in one of those george Jettson mobiles :))

[SFC(R)L]

I have no idea why this is a political issue..

But don't think that GM (Chevy) does not have their issues:

quick google search resulted in this.. and they don't even cover the issues I had with the rear end, transmission (yes, plural)s and the engine blowing up in my Fireturd, and then GM refusing to honor the warranty saying I was racing it... a v6... all of 180 horsepower, if that..

http://www.chevylemon.com/chevrolet-complaints.php

Chevrolet Complaints

BRAKING PROBLEMS - Consumers have complained of cars not braking properly, noises when braking, and premature wear of rotors and pads. This has been more prevalent in Chevrolet Cobalt, Colorado, Equinox, HHR, Malibu, Silverado, Tahoe and Uplander models.
STEERING PROBLEMS - Consumers have complained of difficulty steering, loss of steering fluid, and replacement of steering components. This has been more prevalent in Cobalt, Equinox, Express, HHR, Impala, Silverado, Tahoe, Trailblazer, and Uplander models.
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT - There are many reasons why a check engine light would come on, however, it’s the customer’s responsibility to bring this to the service manager’s attention each time it appears. Failure to do so could result in serious mechanical problems and possible voiding of warranty. The check engine light is more often present in Avalanche, Cobalt, Colorado, Equinox, HHR, Silverado, SSR, Suburban, Tahoe and Trailblazer models.
ELECTRICAL CONCERNS - From flickering lights on the dashboard, to power locks and windows not working, to complete loss of power, Chevrolet consumers frequently suffer with electrical concerns. This occurs more often in Aveo, C5500, Cobalt, Impala, Malibu, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe and Trailblazer models.
WATER LEAKS - Consumers have complained about water leaks on passenger floors, in trunks, and around windshields. Water leaks can cause a variety of problems down the road if not treated, including mold. Leaks have been more prevalent in Avalanche, Cobalt, Colorado, Equinox, HHR, Malibu, Silverado, and Tahoe models.
You can view defects and technical service bulletins particular to your year, make and model by visiting the NHTSA database (http://forums.hannity.com/technical-service-bulletin.php).

This is a significant issue as Toyota is a major trading partner with the US, and they have established assembly and manufacturing plants on US soil. Toyota was a significant benefactor in the recent "clunkers" program, following Toyota's recent multi-billion dollar losses, as Toyota led the way in those sales.

That means that a significant portion of these vehicles are bought with my tax money, and they appear to be dangerous.

Japan is also a major trading partner.

So there's lots of politics here.

Lastly, my 1989 Caprice lasted until 2005, and gave her life running like a top.

My 2004 Silverado ran trouble free until I traded it for a 2008.

My wife's 2003 Suburban was revered until we traded it for a 2009, which is even more beloved.

[toreyj01]

a Prius can go 90?

Kilometers per hour, Prius cars only travel metric.

[Airborne FO]

I'm gonna lose "dude points" here, but I actually bought a Prius and love it. When I go from Charleston, SC to Fort Bragg, I set the cruise for 80 mph and leave it there. Plus, it only costs me about $20 in gas to get there and back.

I am about the farthest thing from a tree hugger, and in fact the only thing I DONT like about the Prius is I have a harder time throwing the oil filter in the woods...

Strictly a financial decision on my part....

[Rurudyne]

not in one of those george Jettson mobiles :))
True: the Jetsons was set in the far off year of 2002. :)

[SFC(R)L]

Actually, you don't "plug in" the toyota hybrids. They recharge themselves while you're driving.

They suck your life force out through your ass in the seat

[SFC(R)L]

I'm gonna lose "dude points" here, but I actually bought a Prius and love it. When I go from Charleston, SC to Fort Bragg, I set the cruise for 80 mph and leave it there. Plus, it only costs me about $20 in gas to get there and back.

I am about the farthest thing from a tree hugger, and in fact the only thing I DONT like about the Prius is I have a harder time throwing the oil filter in the woods...

Strictly a financial decision on my part....

yup

major points

[SFC(R)L]

a Prius can go 90?

downhill

with sail

[Airborne FO]

LOL.....I thought we were in the Trust Tree

[SFC(R)L]

No, but the window might not go up, the mirror will fall off, or the paint will start peeling away after 1 year. :cool:

stop rolling your truck down cliff faces

[Bertha]

I'm gonna lose "dude points" here, but I actually bought a Prius and love it. When I go from Charleston, SC to Fort Bragg, I set the cruise for 80 mph and leave it there. Plus, it only costs me about $20 in gas to get there and back.

I am about the farthest thing from a tree hugger, and in fact the only thing I DONT like about the Prius is I have a harder time throwing the oil filter in the woods...

Strictly a financial decision on my part....

LOL -- "Dude points"

Well, you could always just throw the used tires in the river? Libs have been accusing us of that for years.

[SFC(R)L]

LOL.....I thought we were in the Trust Tree

dude

[tinydancer]

Actually, you don't "plug in" the toyota hybrids. They recharge themselves while you're driving.

I was making a joke. I live in a place where you really do have to plug in your vehicle overnight to keep all fluids from freezing.

[SFC(R)L]

LOL -- "Dude points"

Well, you could always just throw the used tires in the river? Libs have been accusing us of that for years.

please say that at least you are smoking a cigar, or dipping, or perhaps gawking at a Penthouse while driving

[SFC(R)L]

I was making a joke. I live in a place where you really do have to plug your vehicle overnight to keep all fluids from freezing.

I'm sure you do..but your joke does have actuality in that they are working on cars that plug in and there might be some out there already

[Bertha]

I was making a joke. I live in a place where you really do have to plug your vehicle overnight to keep all fluids from freezing.

Ok -- sorry. Lived in MN for about 12 years, we had to do the same thing. :)

[Airborne FO]

LMAO! Whats a soldier without his fine can of Copenhagen fine cut and his external drive filled with "stuff".

[PredFan]

I'm gonna lose "dude points" here, but I actually bought a Prius and love it. When I go from Charleston, SC to Fort Bragg, I set the cruise for 80 mph and leave it there. Plus, it only costs me about $20 in gas to get there and back.

I am about the farthest thing from a tree hugger, and in fact the only thing I DONT like about the Prius is I have a harder time throwing the oil filter in the woods...

Strictly a financial decision on my part....

I'm with you. My wife drives our Prius and we love it. 48 mpg combined highway and city can't be beat. Not a single thing wrong with it. When it comes time to buy a new car, I'll get another one.

[SFC(R)L]

LMAO! Whats a soldier without his fine can of Copenhagen fine cut and his external drive filled with "stuff".

well, ok

are there flame decals on the side?

[Joeybear23]

...
There are no reports of Chevrolet Trucks having this problem.

That's because the Chevy's are designed to fall apart long before hitting 100 mph...

;)


This particular kind of problem is what first concerned me about drive-by-wire technology...
Mechanical control has it's advantages.
Same reason why I don't like electronic steering. If something is pulling on my tires, I WANT to feel it.

[PSBandit]

http://www.philwoods.com/forums/images/smilies/rimshot.gif


:))

[tinydancer]

Ok -- sorry. Lived in MN for about 12 years, we had to do the same thing. :)

No problemo.

:mrgreen:We were new to this. I just remember our neighbors coming over and telling us you have to put cardboard in front of your engine.

We asked why? Silly us.

Because you can literally freeze your engine out. My hubby and me looked at each other and went OMG we're north of Fargo, what the heck are we doing?

But we love it here.

[SFC(R)L]

That's because the Chevy's are designed to fall apart long before hitting 100 mph...

;)


This particular kind of problem is what first concerned me about drive-by-wire technology...
Mechanical control has it's advantages.
Same reason why I don't like electronic steering. If something is pulling on my tires, I WANT to feel it.

Actually, my Caprice had an off-the-shelf maximum speed of 126 MPH with the standard 5.0 liter EFI engine with 2 barrel carb.

I know this because I did it.

The 5.7 liter with 4 barrel carb police special went even faster, and handled like a kitten.

My 2008 Silverado accelerates from 70 to 90 with no apparent issues.

Of course, these speeds are the result of operator input; not the vehicle itself.

This warrants some attention as 17% of vehicles purchased through the clunker fiasco were Toyota.

[VCaddy05]

This is a significant issue as Toyota is a major trading partner with the US, and they have established assembly and manufacturing plants on US soil. Toyota was a significant benefactor in the recent "clunkers" program, following Toyota's recent multi-billion dollar losses, as Toyota led the way in those sales.

That means that a significant portion of these vehicles are bought with my tax money, and they appear to be dangerous.

Japan is also a major trading partner.

So there's lots of politics here.

Lastly, my 1989 Caprice lasted until 2005, and gave her life running like a top.

My 2004 Silverado ran trouble free until I traded it for a 2008.

My wife's 2003 Suburban was revered until we traded it for a 2009, which is even more beloved.

I have never had a problem with a GM car. Infact I still own the only two I ever bought. Dodge, and Mitsubishi are another story lol. They were turds. Of course to be fair, those modles were never thought to be anything but. My Volkswagen was a great little car, but had electrical issues out the ass. Mostly I think because the moron before me had one of the largest sound systems installed in that car, and removed it all when I bought the car. So all the wires were tied off and hangin all over the ****ing place. That car had a mind of its own in terms of windows going up down or stop working all together for months in the dead of winter. Car alarm going off randomly while driving and not being able to turn it off, and even locking you inside the car! yes inside the car LOL

[PredFan]

By the way, where is this rebellion? I went with a friend a few days ago car-shopping and we were at the Toyota dealership and I saw no protestors. I saw no rioting.

Something smells.

[SFC(R)L]

No problemo.

:mrgreen:We were new to this. I just remember our neighbors coming over and telling us you have to put cardboard in front of your engine.

We asked why? Silly us.

Because you can literally freeze your engine out. My hubby and me looked at each other and went OMG we're north of Fargo, what the heck are we doing?

But we love it here.

I liked Fargo.

[SFC(R)L]

By the way, where is this rebellion? I went with a friend a few days ago car-shopping and we were at the Toyota dealership and I saw no protestors. I saw no rioting.

Something smells.

I imagine that those who have had an issue are pretty ticked.

[SFC(R)L]

I have never had a problem with a GM car. Infact I still own the only two I ever bought. Dodge, and Mitsubishi are another story lol. They were turds. Of course to be fair, those modles were never thought to be anything but. My Volkswagen was a great little car, but had electrical issues out the ass. Mostly I think because the moron before me had one of the largest sound systems installed in that car, and removed it all when I bought the car. So all the wires were tied off and hangin all over the ****ing place. That car had a mind of its own in terms of windows going up down or stop working all together for months in the dead of winter. Car alarm going off randomly while driving and not being able to turn it off, and even locking you inside the car! yes inside the car LOL

Well, did you get out of the car?

[DarkStarrRingo]

There are no reports of Chevrolet Trucks having this problem.

That's because floor mats don't come standard on POS Chevy's, Fords, etc. You have to pay extra for them.

In any event, I own a 2010 Tundra. There are two holes at the base of the mats that clip to the clips securely fastened into the carpet/floorboard.

No danger of slippage with these.

[VCaddy05]

That's because the Chevy's are designed to fall apart long before hitting 100 mph...

;)


This particular kind of problem is what first concerned me about drive-by-wire technology...
Mechanical control has it's advantages.
Same reason why I don't like electronic steering. If something is pulling on my tires, I WANT to feel it.

ya :rolleyes:
guess we dont drive many chevy's do we??

[VCaddy05]

Well, did you get out of the car?

nah im still in it! lol

luckily the rear driver side window was completely dead, and you could force it down with your hands. So I would have to push it down and climb out and unlock the car from the outside, being careful that i did not drop the window all the way down or I would never be able to get it back without taking the door panel off. LOL

[Airborne FO]

While I was in Carson, I actually had a Suzuki Sidekick that my platoon decided they wanted to "pimp out". The only rule was that whatever they bought, had to be blue.....

I think they completely bought EVERY accesories available in Wal Mart, Autozone, and every other car place in Colorado Springs. It even had a snake that glowed on the hood. Lighted rearview mirror, lighted foot pedals, lighted gear shifter. We even installed 3 sets of fog lights in the bumper.

The wife refused to be seen within 50 feet of the car once I installed the "uhh-Ga" horn.

In hindsite....probably the best car ever....

LOL

[tinydancer]

I liked Fargo.

I really like this north country. I've been in a lot of places and moved around a lot, but where I live now is like a northern version of Evening Shade.

I am blessed.

[PredFan]

I've owned many many care and trucks. The best cars I've owned were Toyotas or Hondas. The absolute worst were one Ford and a Chrysler/Jeep.

However, my favorites were my first car and my first truck. My first car was a 1966 Chevelle SS, and my first truck was a 75 Ford with the 300 six. My brother's first car was also pretty sweet, it was a 71 Dodge Dart with the slant 6, great car.

[chrono807]

This might have already been mentioned but the affected cars are drive-by-wire and the pedal swings up from the floor, rather than down from the firewall area. The floormats, if not clipped down, can push the pedal arm down.

[skippy]

Toyotas quality has been poor for a while now (not that Consumers reports would tell you) I am not surprised if it is a computer or mechanical problem they have a way of covering up their problems well.

[skippy]

This might have already been mentioned but the affected cars are drive-by-wire and the pedal swings up from the floor, rather than down from the firewall area. The floormats, if not clipped down, can push the pedal arm down.that would have to be one very heavy floor mat to get it up to 100mph.

[Airborne FO]

The floormats on the Prius are clipped down. No way for them to get anywhere near the gas pedal. Honestly, when I first heard about this I went outside and actually tried to put the mat on the gas pedal. One...the mats aren't that big and certainly not heavy. 2. They are all clipped down anyways.

[VCaddy05]

Toyotas quality has been poor for a while now (not that Consumers reports would tell you) I am not surprised if it is a computer or mechanical problem they have a way of covering up their problems well.

I drove a carolla around for about 2 months, and didnt leave any impression on me. I mean I know it wasent anything great, but it was just ok, the quality wasnt very good.

[Sun]

Did ABC investigate other brands, or just Toyota?

(Better read again later.)

[adroit]

I'm sure you do..but your joke does have actuality in that they are working on cars that plug in and there might be some out there already

The Tesla is pretty cool.

[PredFan]

No Toyota I've ever owned has ever given me the slightest problem. I have had some real nightmares with American made cars. It will take a lot of fail from japanese cars to get me to change just on the basis of my experience. Since the Toyota I own now is another gem, I don't think that this rumor is enough to get me to switch.

[skippy]

I drove a carolla around for about 2 months, and didnt leave any impression on me. I mean I know it wasent anything great, but it was just ok, the quality wasnt very good.the interiors are low grade plastic, and nothing says "bland" likea Camry:))

[skippy]

That's because floor mats don't come standard on POS Chevy's, Fords, etc. You have to pay extra for them.

In any event, I own a 2010 Tundra. There are two holes at the base of the mats that clip to the clips securely fastened into the carpet/floorboard.

No danger of slippage with these.Nobody charges for floor mats anymore EXCEPT Honda

[skippy]

No Toyota I've ever owned has ever given me the slightest problem. I have had some real nightmares with American made cars. It will take a lot of fail from japanese cars to get me to change just on the basis of my experience. Since the Toyota I own now is another gem, I don't think that this rumor is enough to get me to switch.

You do realize that Toyota has been the most recalled brand for two straight years right?:whistle:

[Joeybear23]

I drove a carolla around for about 2 months, and didnt leave any impression on me. I mean I know it wasent anything great, but it was just ok, the quality wasnt very good.

Are you comparing a Caddy to that Corolla?

I rent small-to-midsize vehicles of all brands every week, and I must say the best quality vehicle I have driven is the Nissan Altima hybrid.
I'd buy one of those over any of these that Hertz considers in the same class:

Ford Fusion
Chevy Malibu
Chevy Impala
Mazda 5
Mazda 6
Ford Mustang
Pontiac Vibe
Hyundai Elantra
Honda Accord
Toyota Camry
Toyota Prius

[bigtwnvin]

My wife drives an Avalon and we take it on trips. I'm 6'2" and it's comfy. I prefer my F-250 Crew Super Duty but....
The Avalon is a nice ride I got tagged once in W. MD doing 80 with the cruise on and Tower of Power cranking on the CD! That Toyo V-6 was pulling those hills no sweat without downshifting. I had it up to 130 on I-70 in Ohio once and had pedal to spare.
Regular maintenance so far with about 60k miles. :pray:

[PredFan]

You do realize that Toyota has been the most recalled brand for two straight years right?:whistle:

No. Mine is perfect.

The Prius I have now is perfect,
the Sienna I had before that was perfect,
the SR-5 Pick up before that was perfect.

[SFC(R)L]

I really like this north country. I've been in a lot of places and moved around a lot, but where I live now is like a northern version of Evening Shade.

I am blessed.

So you are.

It's just too cold up ther efor me now.

[Bertha]

No problemo.

:mrgreen:We were new to this. I just remember our neighbors coming over and telling us you have to put cardboard in front of your engine.

We asked why? Silly us.

Because you can literally freeze your engine out. My hubby and me looked at each other and went OMG we're north of Fargo, what the heck are we doing?

But we love it here.

Ah ha -- we still have our cabin in MN and I'll be in northeast SD next week for duck and pheasant season ;).

[Korg]

No. Mine is perfect. I hear you. In the past 17 years, I've only owned two four wheeled vehicles, both of them Toyota pickups. Both of them are still driven every day, the '92 with 385,000 on the clock, and the '05 with 127,000. Neither one of them has ever had any service done to it of any kind outside of oil changes, tires, and (once) brake pads, and even the oil changes are only every 12K or so. (Kind of curious how long the timing belt on the V6 in the '92 is actually going to last. :) )

Interestingly, the build quality on the '92 does seem considerably better than the '05 (not that the '05 is bad, mind you), but that may have something to do with that one being one of the last batches assembled in Japan rather than at the US NUMMI plant (or in Baja, like the '05).

[ressurectedUltraSaiyanUSA]

my Camry and I have been in good terms. for the last 2+ years, through thick and thin. through hell and high water, so far my shirley (camry) has never failed me (knock on wood) and of all the cars that I've had, this one I've considered a loved one, like a family dog. that machine and I have been through a lot together and I just love that car and so far has been reliable and dependable. I care for that car like I would the family dog.

the driver don't pick the car. the car pick the driver. it's a mystical bond between man and machine.

[Rurudyne]

The Tesla is pretty cool.
The Tesla is what the Prius would have been had Tim "the Toolman" Taylor been on the design team. ;)

[VCaddy05]

[quote=Joeybear23;63382101]Are you comparing a Caddy to that Corolla?

no not at all. I am just saying I drove it inbetween my Jetta, when it was t-boned at about 40mph, and my caddy. Id take the 99 jetta hands down over the corolla to be honest.

[old guy]

the sight of a prius doing anything close to 100mph should be enough to get this to a court :D

could be worse though, they could've been driving a GM ;)

had my prius up to 104 mph driving through oklahoma. still got 40 mpg

[VCaddy05]

I hear you. In the past 17 years, I've only owned two four wheeled vehicles, both of them Toyota pickups. Both of them are still driven every day, the '92 with 385,000 on the clock, and the '05 with 127,000. Neither one of them has ever had any service done to it of any kind outside of oil changes, tires, and (once) brake pads, and even the oil changes are only every 12K or so. (Kind of curious how long the timing belt on the V6 in the '92 is actually going to last. :) )

Interestingly, the build quality on the '92 does seem considerably better than the '05 (not that the '05 is bad, mind you), but that may have something to do with that one being one of the last batches assembled in Japan rather than at the US NUMMI plant (or in Baja, like the '05).

funny cause i know two people in my family with early 90's (not sure if its a 92 or 94) toyota pickup's both have had to put ne motors in them. Well not new but jasper engines, and one has had quite a few issues with the hubs.

[Korg]

funny cause i know two people in my family with early 90's (not sure if its a 92 or 94) toyota pickup's both have had to put ne motors in them. Well not new but jasper engines, and one has had quite a few issues with the hubs. There was an intermediate batch in there that had a service bulletin to resurface the heads. I forget if it was a machining problem or an issue with the casting, but it was a decent chunk of trucks that had motor issues between 100K-200K. Mine was built prior to the lot numbers with the issues. Mine is also 2WD, so I don't have the extra 4WD parts to worry about.

There's a good Top Gear episode where they attempt to kill a Toyota pickup by crashing it into things, leaving it chained to the beach while the tide comes in and drowns it, dropping it from heights, setting it on fire, and a variety of other nasty tortures:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lrk6vsb77xk :)

[Sinister Rouge]

My folks just bought a Toyota Yaris. I will mention this issue with them.

In general, my family has found Japanese cars to be EXCEPTIONALLY safe. Over the last 10 years, my family has had 4 wrecks--my dad had two, and my mom and sister each had one. We wrecked two Honda Civics, a Nissan Sentra, and a Chrysler Town & Country.
Of the three Japanese cars, the only serious injuries were a head laceration (my dad, in the first Civic in 1999) and a cracked toe nail (my sister, in the second Civic two weeks ago.) Both cars were totaled (for the record, my dad's wreck was his fault, my sister's was the other guy's.) Also, my dad in a Sentra when he was rear-ended at about 80 MPH by an F250 and walked away without a scratch. This car was also totaled.
My mom rear-ended some guy in her T&C and left the accident with a broken arm and a concussion.

Am I saying that small Japanese cars are inherently safer than large American vehicles? No. But from experience, my family knows that they are pretty safe cars.

[Sinister Rouge]

There was an intermediate batch in there that had a service bulletin to resurface the heads. I forget if it was a machining problem or an issue with the casting, but it was a decent chunk of trucks that had motor issues between 100K-200K. Mine was built prior to the lot numbers with the issues. Mine is also 2WD, so I don't have the extra 4WD parts to worry about.

There's a good Top Gear episode where they attempt to kill a Toyota pickup by crashing it into things, leaving it chained to the beach while the tide comes in and drowns it, dropping it from heights, setting it on fire, and a variety of other nasty tortures:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lrk6vsb77xk :)


Toyota Tacoma. Used by US Special Forces in Afghanistan.
http://www.brian894x4.com/MilitaryTacoma.html

[Korg]

Toyota Tacoma. Used by US Special Forces in Afghanistan.
http://www.brian894x4.com/MilitaryTacoma.html Very cool--that's my current ride, the double cab 4x4 Tacoma. :)

[angelicmadrigal]

What's obama doing on this?

If he's smart he's paying an expert to deal with it.