Old toyota vs. New toyota

Let me start off by saying that I have had 4 toyotas now and have loved every one of them. The first was a 94' Paseo when I was young. POS but it ran like a champ, never had any problems. Second was a 94' carolla, same deal POS but never had a single problem. Third was 04' tacoma, great truck only problem was my driver window came out of the track but fixed under warranty. Now I have a 07' tacoma which I love but I have had it in for warranty work 400% more the the other 3 combined. Big Horn Toyota in Glenwood Springs has been awesome but it kinda makes me wonder...

 

I have to ask...How can a vehicle run like a champ and be considered a POS?

Every product (and almost every service) made on this planet has gone to shit over the years...... It's everywhere. Hell....even the employees I work with (newer ones), their work ethic is a lot worse than the older staff. It's all about profits. WHen profits can't be made anywhere else, they start neglecting good quality.

 

POS: in this case I meant that they were not well kept on the inside, dents, scratches all over the outside, that kinda stuff. The mechanics of them, bulletproof!

 

Had a 98 4Runner, the thing was bullet proof even w/ 140k. I felt like it was better built, but I haven't had any major issues with my Tacoma.

 

LOL...Thanks for clearing that up.

 

I would rather have to deal with cosmetic issues over mechanical. They are usually minor and an easy fix, or a no fix at all type situation.

 

I had a 1982 Corolla with 5 speed. A 1986 Corolla with an Auto. A 1990 4x4 Truck with a 5 speed. And now a 1998 Tacoma 4x4 with a 5 speed. I sometimes drive my father's 2010 Tacoma 4x4 with an Auto. My wife also owned a 2002 Camry Auto. So I will rate these cars in terms of which ones seemed to the most reliable.

From worst to the best:

6.) 2010 Tacoma
5.) 1986 Corolla
4.) 2002 Camry
3.) 1998 Tacoma
2.) 1990 Truck

1.) The winner is the 1982 Corolla.

The 1982 Corolla is probably still out there on the streets. I bought the 1982 Corolla in 1987 for $500.00. The original owner bought it new and taught all 4 of his kids to drive with this car. He said, he had never had anyone work on the car beyond gas and oil changes.

When I bought the 1982 Corolla, I had to replace the clutch. When I gave the car to my sister in 1990, all I had done to it was gas and oil changes. My sister drove the car for 4 more years until someone cut all 4 of her tires. She then abandon the car in the parking lot.

I have always said the 1982 Corolla did not have enough power to hurt itself. With 1.3L 4 cylinder, carburetor and the 5 speed, this car was slow! Put it did have enough power to pull a small trailer with firewood but, it had a hard time stopping the trailer.

 

Theoretically....any vehicle that's mechanically bulletproof does not deserve to be called a POS!!

Since - We "the owner" are the ones who let it get dirty, scratched, dented & that sort of thing.

You gotta give 'em a good pat on the hood or dashboard once in a while to let them know how much you appreciate them!!

 

I have a 98 4Runner also and I must admit that the 4Runner feels much more bulletproof...it hasn't had any problems over the 13 years that my family has had it and it still drives like new. Don't get me wrong, the Tacoma is the best current mid-size truck out there, but idk where the old Toyota quality went over the years

 

The complexity of the creature comforts certainly add to the "reliabilty" issues of all newer vehicles. If you really do not want to be disappointed, look for a used 2wd "work truck" with rubber mats, no rear bumper, no radio, no fancy wheels, no AC, and no power *anything*. You will exponentially increase your chances of satisfaction. Of course, most folks do not want a vehicle like this... My two favorite vehicles were of this type, a 1991 S-10, and a 2000 Tacoma. There is very little to go wrong....

 

Im missing my 99 taco 4X4. Not one recall ez to take of. Im thinking of getting a po box# for dealership spending way to much time there.Life is to short to keep a truck or gal that is really good looking but is too much B.S. Jim

 

When I say POS i mean it in the nicest way. I loved both of my original toyotas, and I love my current one too. Just way more stuff to deal with.

 

I thought I was the only one who did that...

On the discussion, I can't say either way since this 2006 Access Cab 2wd is my first Toyota (bought it used 18 months ago). So far I am pleased in general, but man this thing is boring - nothing special or interesting about it and I can see why so many people modify and customize these things. Most of my other makes/models have been very reliable but also I am a stickler for maintenance. Not overboard, just very conscientious about doing everything ON TIME.

 

Its preatty simple:

Old trucks - engine, transmission, body

New trucks - engine, transmission, body, more electronics/computers than the appolo space shuttle

any questions? hahaha

 

I loved all my old toyotas but so did road salt that ate em away
1987 4x4 Turbo, 1990 4x4 SR5, 1995 4x4 SR5...all bulletproof +250k trucks lost to rust but never saw a TSB!

 

I Had a similar experiance with a 1981 toyota corola 1.8 SR5. I Picked it up for 800.00 in 1999. I will admit that I needed to replace the clutch starter and fuel pump. but with exception of maybe the clutch the starter and pump were original equipment. This was a Rock solid car and My Favorite car to date. This care would do anything I asked of it and never gave me any ounce of problems. I would still have that car today if it weren't for some kid running into it one morning while it was parked on the side of the road. The insurance company totaled it out and that was the last of my baby.

 

The issue I have is usually surrounding dealerships. I love the 05' Tacoma I bought new, and would buy another one. The 2 dealerships I live close to, however, are both a bunch of lip service BS. I have given them several chances to do what they say, but their is ALWAYS something that they try to pull on me or my wife. They are still the same old shady characters that they have always been, and always will be.

 

Not so. Interior refinement, design, and quality of materials all play a role, as do ergonomics, looks, and the driving experience. A car can be as bulletproof as possible and not do well at any of these. In fact, that's what made the Jap nameplates famous in the first place.

As an example, the current Yaris is a piece of shit. All of them. They look horrible. The interior is borderline cruel, both in quality of the plastics and (lack of) ergonomic design. They drive like metal crates on wheels.

My Matrix is only slightly better in the ergonomics department, but otherwise is the same.

They are both pieces of shit. But they will never break. And for that, my Matrix is my favorite piece of shit in the whole world.

The question is what is most important to the driver: A car that is *nice* in every metric, or a car that is *running* no matter what.

I prefer the latter. A pretty car, with a lovely, high quality interior and fantastic road feedback and handling doesn't do me one bit of good if it doesn't turn over.