So how about cash for toyotas?

[nh500sl]

I mean with all of this news how could this not be considered. I'm surprised that with safety issues such as this, that insurance compaines do not step in and demand that the problems are fixed. After all it is them paying for the damage anyway. Well actually us, but the their bottom line.

[WVOtoGO]

Well, we’ve already seen plenty of independent as well as class-action suits filed against Toyota.

It may not be long, before we start hearing about insurance companies getting in line with their lawyers as well. I guess that would depend however, on the number of claims they have had to pay out, that are proven to be a result of the Toyota safety/recall issues. I’m not sure what those numbers are.

Not sure just how a “Cash for potentially dangerous Toyotas” program would go over either. Sounds a bit to me like something that would just about kill Toyota.

[PaulC]

I came THIS close to buying a new 4-Runner last month. Thank God that I didn't buy that POS.

[mamali]

I am looking for a 06 Camry anyone want to sell?

[Angel]

I'm looking for a Sienna, 2006 or 2007, under $14k and 60k miles - anyone looking to sell ?

(lol- they havent recalled any of the minivans....yet?)

-John

[Carleton Hughes]

Originally Posted by nh500sl

I mean with all of this news how could this not be considered. I'm surprised that with safety issues such as this, that insurance compaines do not step in and demand that the problems are fixed. After all it is them paying for the damage anyway. Well actually us, but the their bottom line.

Yeppers, know what you mean. I wonder the same thing in regard to my 1998 210 Diesel with it's ill thought out and potentially fatal spring perches plus the faulty electrical system, you just can't win......

[Mistress]

Originally Posted by Carleton Hughes

Yeppers, know what you mean. I wonder the same thing in regard to my 1998 210 Diesel with it's ill thought out and potentially fatal spring perches plus the faulty electrical system, you just can't win......

Yes you can- W.A.L.K. sorry Carleton couldn't resist.

Toyota is getting a very bad rap in all of this. GM and Ford have had just as many recalled cars/trucks over the years. The only difference is people expect Ford and GM to produce crap, where as if Toyota makes a mistake its like the end of the world.

[WVOtoGO]

The difference is, Ford and/or GM didn’t have issues with such things as Uncontrolled/Non-commanded acceleration on such a wide product line and total failure of the braking system in another.

And, IIRC – When Ford had the issue with the Firestone tires on their Explorers it was, as you put it: “like the end of the world.”

[mamali]

Unfortunately these things happened and it is not easy to forget them either. Who still remembers the sudden acceleration of the Audi 5000? Audi had to rebadge the car as 100 to be able to sell them again. One did not expect these things from Toyota though. I have had at least 20 Toyotas so far and not a single problem. I currently own one at the moment. I think Toyota will scale back production and sales in USA soon.

[rwthomas1]

My in-laws love Toyota Camrys. They have had a '95, '98, '02, '05 and '07. I do most of the routine work on them, oil changes, brakes, struts, etc. Granted, its anecdotal but my impression is the quality has gone down. The '95 and '98 feel more solid than the '05 and '07 and are easier to work on too. You can see the lack of quality in the finish of the parts you don't see under the hood, chassis, etc. The '05 and '07 have been back to the dealer several times for computer/electronic problems but the '95 and '98 are still in the family and going strong, no issues at all. Its seems Toyota dropped the ball when they really started growing. I also know two early '00ish Tundra owners that are switching to domestics next. The Tundras are good but very expensive to fix, difficult to work on. And they suck fuel too. The late model Camry's don't quite break 30mpg yet the early ones are in the low 30's with ease on the highway. Find a nice '98 and buy it, its a solid car. The newer ones drive like '80's Buicks.

A sensor went out on my neighbors Prius. He knows I work on cars so I get called over to take a look. The sensor that tells the computer the brake has been released failed. So the car thinks the brake is on. No start, no move, nothing. Couldn't even roll it as it wouldn't come out of park. Trapped three cars of his dinner guests until they flatbedded it away the next day. Utter garbage. There ya go. RT

[AustinsCE]

http://stossel.blogs.foxbusiness.com/2010/02/24/the-parasite-circuit/

The scare-of-the-day is always used by politicians to grab power. But to put the Toyota problem in perspective, before all the media hype, 19 fatal accidents were linked to faulty gas pedals and floor mats over the last decade. That's fewer than 2 each year. Compare that to America’s 40,000 annual fatal car crashes.

As David Champion, director of automobile testing for Consumer Reports, said to The Guardian:

"I find it a little odd that we're going to have a Congressional hearing to look at those two deaths out of 40,000... you have to look at death rates in safety terms rationally."

No one looks at safety “rationally” when the media and Big Government are stirred up.

[loepke72]

Originally Posted by helpplease

Toyota is getting a very bad rap in all of this. GM and Ford have had just as many recalled cars/trucks over the years. The only difference is people expect Ford and GM to produce crap, where as if Toyota makes a mistake its like the end of the world.

I work at a Ford dealer; try telling our customers to expect that Ford makes crap. It won't fly, I promise.

[WVOtoGO]

Originally Posted by AustinsCE

http://stossel.blogs.foxbusiness.com/2010/02/24/the-parasite-circuit/

That’s a nice view.
But what comes to mind when I read: “Compare that to America’s 40,000 annual fatal car crashes.” is the comparison of deaths from a safety or manufacturers error issue, to the total of all fatal car crashes. That’s not comparing apples to apples now is it? It certainly (unless I’m missing something here, and please help me if I am) not looking at “death rates in safety terms rationally”.

It seems to me (and perhaps I should find the actual numbers. But I think we’ll all agree) that the mass majority of car related deaths are not a result of a manufacturers error in the production of the car. And when the potential is there for more deaths from said error, it should be looked at a little differently than those killed because someone was texting or on the phone or drunk or fell asleep...


On another note:
“No one looks at safety “rationally” when the media and Big Government are stirred up.” Now, I will say that I’ve been in the aviation industry long enough to agree 100% with that one.

[pj67coll]

Yesterday there was a new Camry parked ourside out office. It was emitting a continuous an extremely annoying high pitched whine loud enough to be heard across the parking lot across the street. No an alarm and it sounded like it was coming form behind the left front tire. Never found the owner and didn't discover what it was but it went on for hours. Car was gone this morning so somehow it must have been sorted out but it was certainly perplexing. Obviously some kind of electronic component failure. Simply serves to confirm my increasing dislike for modern vehicles. Not to mention Toyotas themseles which I simply disllike anyway.

- Peter.