Toyota on the mend?

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  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    edited March 2011
    Ann Coulter says radiation is good for you so I sure feel a lot better about being downwind. (Laist.com)
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    Radiation therapy developed at the time of the first A bomb was used to nuke my wife's thyroid. She has been fine ever since with meds. People taking iodine tablets to protect against radiation are likely to cause more damage than the radiation would. All hype to sell news. Glad to see the Chinese are as dumb as we are buying up all the iodized salt.

    Just be sure and wash your new Lexus real well. :shades:
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,886
    I originally posted my concern about radiation from my ignorance about it, other than it seems like it lasts a long time.
    Hopefully, it won't have any significant negative effect.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Your available Prius inventory may just go down to 3 after all.

    Prius Consumer Interest Soars (AutoObserver)

    "Although there's no hard nationwide sales data yet indicating that prices for the Prius or other fuel-efficient cars are climbing, a number of Toyota dealers say they are seeing average transaction prices on the Prius increasing as customers become more committed to buying than to bargaining.

    That demand is likely to show up first in states like California, where gas prices already are closer to the $4 mark and have already topped it in some areas including San Francisco. The 76 dealerships that make up Toyota's Los Angeles region sold almost 460 Prius models during the March 12-13 weekend, said Longo Toyota spokeswoman Vicki McCoy. That's almost double the same dealerships' cumulative Prius sales for the corresponding weekend in 2010."
  • cannon3cannon3 Member Posts: 296
    22,000 SUV's Trucks. 2008-11 FJ cruiser, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Tacoma and Tundra. Tire pressure monitor system faulty.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    edited March 2011
    Like I said in response to your other post, big whoop.

    Ford's recall count this week is more than ten times that for bad tires on pickups. (Chicago Tribune)

    288,000 Elantras are being recalled for faulty air bag sensors. (WUSA9)
  • busirisbusiris Member Posts: 3,490

    Ann Coulter says radiation is good for you so I sure feel a lot better about being downwind.

    LOL!!!

    Really, though, its only a matter of time before we start seeing trace amounts of radiation showing up here on people's shoes and clothing.

    Personally, I'm far more concerned about Typhoid Mary style viral infections hitching rides aboard aircraft. Much more difficult to guard against and detect. At least radiation can be detected and measured fairly easily.

    IMO, at least for now, radiation is the "doom du jour" of the media.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    I agree.
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,886
    A forthright post would be written as 'Continental recalls bad tire sold to Ford'.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • tlongtlong Member Posts: 5,194
    A forthright post would be written as 'Continental recalls bad tire sold to Ford'.

    Sorry, Ford assembles the entire package. When things like fuel pumps, axles, etc. are made by other subcontractors you don't see those manufacturers claiming the problem was not theirs.
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,886
    You are assuming they got what they paid for.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    When things like fuel pumps, axles, etc. are made by other subcontractors you don't see those manufacturers claiming the problem was not theirs.

    Correct me if I am wrong. Didn't Toyota blame the frame manufacturer for rust? And the throttle mfg for the sticky pedals? etc hmm

    Reading the article, I find NO blame against Ford for the Continental tire failures. I would say they did the right thing forcing the tire maker to cover their own failures.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    edited March 2011
    Ok, point taken, maybe you'll like this one better. Also from this week:

    150,000 F-150s recalled for air bag problems. (Yahoo) Note that the NHTSA thought that the recall should have been 1.3 million vehicles.

    All makes have recalls these days and it's really not too helpful to judge long term reliability over most of them.
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,886
    Geez, even the host can't keep this on the topic title? It's about Toyota.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    edited March 2011
    Ya, someone was ragging on Toyota earlier this afternoon because they had a "little" recall (22k SUVs). It's not like all of them don't have 'em.
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    One would think Ford would understand tires. Bill Ford's mother was a Firestone!
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    IMHO the Volt will bankrupt the competition

    How much volume will the Volt really do? With a high price and just 4 seats, not to mention production capacity limitations, it will hardly put a dent in the market.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    edited March 2011
    A forthright post would be written as 'Continental recalls bad tire sold to Ford'.

    *** DOUBLE STANDARD ALERT ***

    LOL

    You protested when we said CTS was to blame for sticky pedals.

    And Gary, too. Rusty frames from 2 pickups, and Dana only agreed to cover one of them, are you now saying they are to blame for both?

    It's either the supplier's fault, or it isn't.

    If Continential is to blame for those tires, then Dana is to blame for ALL the rusty axles. It's not like Toyota dips them in acid.

    Ford makes the specs for those tires.

    If it were Toyota, admit it, both of you would be saying "clearly Toyota put too many cost pressures on Continental and the supplier met specifications put forth by the manufacturer" etc.

    You guys want to have it both ways. That's called a DOUBLE STANDARD.
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    I have to agree with you. I don't see the Volt selling well at all. How many will be able to take advantage of the $7500 tax credit? Without that it would be crazy to buy a Volt. One San Diego dealer has 5 of them priced from $43,105 to $44,695. A bit of gouging looks like as the TMV/MSRP with all possible options is $41,595.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    We can equalize it, and account for the federal tax credit by comparing the leases.

    $349 per month for the Volt
    $159 per month for the Cruze

    The Volt is a smaller Cruze, basically, with 1 less in seating capacity. Call it a "Cruze Light".

    Good luck trying to save $190 per month in fuel costs.
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    *** DOUBLE STANDARD ALERT ***

    I do believe you tried to blame Dana and CTS for Toyota failures. That is why we blame Continental for Ford tire failures. And as far as I am concerned Toyota should be forced to recall the cheap junk Dumlop tires on my Sequoia. They are horribly noisy on concrete highways and nearly worn out with 22k miles on them.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    edited March 2011
    Look at your response...

    You say I *TRIED* to Blame CTS.

    You blame Continental (not try to, you do).

    Is that not a double-standard?

    And why is it that every time you hear about tread separation the brand Ford pops up?
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/20/video-lexus-responds-with-its-own-champagne-g- lass-re-creation/

    The impressive thing is the 20+ year old LS still passes the test!

    No wonder Gary's keeping his.
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    IMHO the Volt will bankrupt the competition


    Yeah? And people thought Ford would go under when the Nissan Titan came out too. What a drip the Titan was....
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    If the LS400 was not such a pain getting in and out of I would probably not even consider selling it. It is just too low to the ground. Still runs great and looks great. My wife likes the looks much better than the new one. Hard to justify getting rid of it. Probably give it to a family member that needs a vehicle. We drive it more than the Sequoia.
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    edited March 2011
    Probably give it to a family member that needs a vehicle.

    Hi, Uncle Gary!..... :D

    When are the emotorcons going to work again?...
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    edited March 2011
    No ETA but IT has been told about the missing emotorcons again. : - (
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,599
    In another 20 years it might be a minor collectible. What's the color combo?

    FWIW, if a family member can't afford to buy a car, they won't be able to properly maintain an aging highline car...I'd advise against that gift, sell it and let them buy something simple with the money.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Just to clarify - your post seems to attribute that quote to me, but I didn't write that. Far from it.
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    Silver with gray leather. If you find a Lexus shop that is not part of a dealership, it is not bad on maintenance. The dealer charges at least 2 times more than our Indy Lexus shop. I don't think it is as complex as the current models. It runs fine on Costco 91 octane. Still averages 17-18 MPG around town. Only carry liability so it costs very little to keep it.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,599
    They still have a few Achilles heels - IIRC instrument clusters and steering racks come to mind. But certainly something that old shouldn't go to the dealer.

    How many miles on it now? Any problem wear areas, on those cars seats and steering wheel sometimes aged poorly? I still wouldn't gift it...the car would go downhill and maybe break the recipient at the same time.
  • tlongtlong Member Posts: 5,194
    IMHO the Volt will bankrupt the competition

    I was replying in jest to lemko's post. I don't REALLY think the Volt will bankrupt anybody! Just a poorly executed joke regarding GM's financial difficulties.
  • tlongtlong Member Posts: 5,194
    No ETA but IT has been told about the missing emotorcons again. : - (

    The emotorcons seem to be extremely sensitive. Perhaps they're an IT early warning function, sort of like the canary in the coal mine.

    On topic, saw a brand new Corolla yesterday. Will Toyota EVER put out an attractive one? Given the Civic and Elantra, the Corolla is so yawn-inducing...
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I'd keep it as long as it's running. If something non-essential breaks, at that age, it becomes a beater.
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    It is not likely we would give it away. We do let her brother drive it when they come down from Washington on vacation. Just turned over 101k miles. Always in the garage. I don't expect it will ever be a classic. I wish it was an early SC300/400. I would keep it forever. One of my all time favorites. I just get tired of looking at the same car year after year. I have never liked 4 door sedans so that makes it even worse.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,599
    Another problem is that they are worth very little today, and as gas goes up, demand will continue to fall. Just drive it til it dies, or find someone who can appreciate how it has been cared for. I get irked when nice old cars fall into hands that don't keep up the maintenance.

    The SCs are nice looking cars, maybe sell the LS and buy one, not worth a fortune either.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I bet an SC300 with a manual transmission is pretty rare...they made 'em, though. Smooth in-line six.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,599
    Rare, but not valuable...might be cool to find one that hasn't been thrashed though yeah. Supra engine, pretty much a Japanese BMW, especially if you can find one without gold trim. I remember the first time I saw one, seemed like something from the future, pretty nice design for 1992.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Funny thing is I didn't like them at the time. It has aged well, though.

    I hate the gold trim packages, too, but weren't those dealer-installed?

    I also didn't like the spoiler (spoils a clean design) but that may have been on the SC400 only.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,599
    It and the original GS were the only period Lexus I liked. The original LS, while nice, was way too much of a shameless W126 copy to me, and the Camry roots of the original ES were much easier to spot than today.

    Dealers must have had in-house anodizing facilities if the gold trim was dealer installed, as so many cars had it. I'd wager "gold package" was in the brochures.

    Spoilers work on almost no cars, indeed, a SC doesn't need one.
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    image

    Yeah, imagine this guy trying to properly care for an older Lexus.
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    your post seems to attribute that quote to me, but I didn't write that. Far from it.

    You are correct, and I apologize.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The original ES250 was particularly weak.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    No worries, I wasn't upset, just wanted to clarify it to everyone else reading.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    ALERT: Toyota, Honda extend shutdowns as rivals resume output after quake

    This is much bigger than they are letting on:

    Toyota, which had originally suspended production through today, said it would shutter its 18 domestic assembly plants, including those run by affiliates, through March 26

    The extended shutdowns will continue to stifle the output of some of those companies' main exports to the United States, including the Toyota Corolla, Prius, and RAV4

    Read more: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110322/OEM01/110329971/1117- #ixzz1HL6QjLUB

    All 3 of those affected models are in demand, and even with high fuel prices the 4 banger RAV4 should remain hot. Corolla and Prius demand will only grow. Supply could run short soon.

    And we should keep in mind the rolling blackouts for even the plants that are operating.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Wow.
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    Japan has a lot more problems that getting their automakers back on track. Half a million people still living in shelters. And 1000s still not accounted for. All those villages that are gone. Will they ever rebuild them? Is anyone left to rebuild them?

    It is just mind boggling. They did not mention the CT. Was it for sale long enough to generate any real demand? How will this impact US dealers that have no vehicles to sell? Some run at the ragged edge much of the time over the last couple years.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Absolutely true, I was just trying to keep it car related.

    But you're right, they simply have other priorities. Auto factories are not even near the top of that list.

    They rebuilt after WWII and now they'll have to do it again.
  • busirisbusiris Member Posts: 3,490
    They rebuilt after WWII and now they'll have to do it again.

    True, but then, they had to rebuild the ENTIRE country.

    At least in this case, the majority of Japan is still intact, which should aid the effort greatly.

    Still, any way one cuts it...its really bad...especially, if one happened to have resided in the destroyed area...
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    They rebuilt after WWII and now they'll have to do it again.

    Actually we rebuilt them after WWII. We built most of their factories, including the best car factories they had ever seen. They took it from there.
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