Interesting video on Toyota quality.

https://youtu.be/1JwjBTnWTvE

Thought I would share, enjoy!

 

TLDW;
- Buy the car you want, don't worry about where it was built
- Try not to buy in the first six months of new production
- Try not to buy from a brand new factory
- Doesn't matter where it was made, USA vs Mex vs Japan, all have the same standards
- Later years/after face lifts of production are going to have more issues resolved.

 

Ha! You sure you didn’t watch it? Those are exactly the things that were mentioned, well a few other points as well.

 

My Tacoma, built at Toyota de Baja California, Mexico, has been the best truck ever! My third Tacoma (2001, 2005, 2010).

 

I was born in the 1960's, grew up in the 1970's and started driving in the 1980's. Any new car is VASTALY more reliable than all of the cars of my younger days. I didn't have a reliable car until 1993 when I was 26 years old. I really struggle with ranking reliability of new cars, because they are all far more reliable than the 1960 Ford I came home from the hospital in and was my family car into high school. It was not uncommon to see multiple broken down cars on the side of the road in those days, about every day. As I told my daughter when I had her pick out her first car, "all new cars are reliable" compared to when I grew up and started driving.

 

My buddy’s made in mexico 2013 trd sport taco was super reliable, never an issue and then he totalled it…

 

Personally, I would still avoid Chrysler/fiat products.

 

Exactly. And electric cars will be even more reliable.
I moved out of the salt belt a few years ago and was astounded at all the 20-30 year old vehicles that looked great. My neighbor has a Camry with 289K on the clock. Looks like it is just a few years old. Put new headlights in it and there ya go.

 

While I concur that today’s more modern vehicles are far more reliable and far more awesome in many ways than yesterday’s, it makes no difference in the end because the bottom line is that they costs far more to own, operate and repair.

Yesterday’s vehicles broke down more and needed more maintenance for sure. But they were far more affordable to purchase. There were no 60-72 month finances to be sure if that tells you anything. And if it broke, almost anyone with a screw driver and a pair of pliers could get you going again with a bit of repair knowledge. As for got today's vehicles, not so much.

What would I rather own given a choice today?

I’ll take a ’69 Old’s 442 convertible, or a ’72 Barracuda 440 Hemi over anything manufactured out there today. But I would have to install a new touch screen with apple play though, so there’s that.

 

I owned a 2006 Liberty. I did like it but built quality of plastics wasn't so great. They aren't known for good transmissions. The new ones I don't like other than the Wrangler and Gladiator. Don't think they would be as good as my Tacoma has been. So far I'm just over a year and nothing done to to it but maintenance. Would a new Jeep be as good??

 

Really enjoy older vehicles from a mechanical perspective, but would not feel comfortable putting my family in one. It's unreal how much safer modern vehicles are.

 

Yeah I definitely heard about chrysler transmissions. Well, my buddy had 2001 neon and I shit you not the thing was pretty much bulletproof for 7 years. No tranny or engine issues, had high km too, can’t remember the number. He bought it used with high km for a thousand bucks.

Ive had my taco for 3 years and aside from a few minor recalls, it’s just been maintenance. I’m expecting it will easily go to 200-250k miles before needing alternator or water pump, I don’t really see anything else braking to be honest.

My Michigan made ranger was extremely reliable as well. In 7 years I replaced thermostat housing twice(known issue), brakes, starter and air idle control valve. Rest was just maintenance. I expect my taco to be even more reliable, we will see.

Last 30 years or so, all manufacturers do a pretty good job. Toyota/Lexus is still number one though.

 

It will be a very sad today for me when I’ll have to buy an electric vehicle… It’s coming whether I want it or not.

 

Man I had an 87 Camaro in high school and I pretty much replaced everything in that car, then the engine seized going up a bridge. Surprisingly, the only thing that worked great was the 5 spd haha. Everyone told me to get rid of it but I was a young stubborn kid and spent way too much money on that car already. Fun times though…

 

For sure man.

 

Why?

The most common issue with modern vehicles is the electronics.

EV will have more electronics. Imagine the fuse boxes and the wire harnesses. Simple......doubtful. More reliable.....highly skeptical.

One loose wire or bad ground and the the whole car could be Dead On The Street.

 

Not me.
I honestly rather be killed in a Sherman build tank, than be severely injured or killed by today's defective air bag system equipped plastic vehicles

 

Not sure I follow that. A car today lasts 3 or 4 times longer (more mileage), less maintenance and much better gas mileage. Not to mention safer and more comfortable. I would guess that a new Civic is a better financial deal than a 60’s Olds.

And a Civic R beats an olds 442.

 

Properly potted it will last forever.

 

To each their own. My wife and I got t-boned at 50 mph by a 3/4 ton Ram. We were in a compact car. We walked away with no injuries.

I'll go with the air bag filled plastic vehicles for transporting my family.