Why are people still buying Toyota-built vehicles? (hybrid, mileage, drivers)

[Irishtom29]

Originally Posted by car54

Unless or until that changes, why would I want to risk $15-20K to see if it's really true that the domestics have improved their quality/reliability?

To help the prosperity of your country and fellow countrymen? Call it a small sacrifice if it doesn't work out.

[car54]

Originally Posted by Irishtom29

To help the prosperity of your country and fellow countrymen?

I feel like I'm doing just that....every Toyota I've owned was Made in the USA.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by car54

I feel like I'm doing just that....every Toyota I've owned was Made in the USA.

What models?

The overall profit from that "American" Toyota ends up in.... dun dun dun... Japan.

[Union Proud]

Originally Posted by car54

I feel like I'm doing just that....every Toyota I've owned was ASSEMBLE in the USA.

I fix that for you. What are the American part content on your toyota?

[car54]

Originally Posted by Mr. Whips

I fix that for you. What are the American part content on your toyota?

I have no idea...but the last few came with Delphi batteries.

Even domestic cars aren't 100% American content.

All I know is that well-paid Americans assembled my Toyotas, transported the finished cars, sold them to me, and in the unlikely event that they need repairs....Americans will do that.

How is that any worse than buying a domestic that was assembled in Mexico?

And for the umpteenth time, profits made by public companies are distributed to the shareholders...who live all over the world. One Toyota shareholder that I know of lives in Virginia...ME!

Don't get me wrong, I have no particular affinity for Toyotas....I've just had very good luck with them. If I ever get a bad one...it's over, Toyota will join Ford on my "I'll never buy another one" list!

[texdav]

Originally Posted by Irishtom29

To help the prosperity of your country and fellow countrymen? Call it a small sacrifice if it doesn't work out.

Your talking about those manufaturers ;laborers and dealers who could a careless for their customers to the point of being where they are for a reason. They made thier bed so now they have to0 sleep in it is reality. It like a contractor who does crummy work ;no one would hire them again. We yhave heard those we are better since the 70's recession. If they really believe that then offer a 7 year bumper to bumper warranty.They should ahve thought of their fellow american before this.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by car54

And for the umpteenth time, profits made by public companies are distributed to the shareholders...who live all over the world. One Toyota shareholder that I know of lives in Virginia...ME!

And all the white collar workers in Japan get paid how? From their good looks? Before Toyota started building a few factories here, all were assembled in Japan, shipped from Japan, etc. What would you say then?

[jtur88]

Because I use it for camping, I buy vans or wagons. When Toyota Sienna came out with run-flat tires, I asked the dealer if he would drive that van to Alaska. He just laughed. Toyota work cars are now designed for soccer moms to drive to their hairdresser. I've had four Toyotas in a row, and of course, I'd have a few misgivings about any car. But they are basically bullet-proof. As to the original OP, I do not choose a car with the intention of hitting a ready-mix truck head-on, so the safety rating is pretty immaterial to me, as are anecdotal reports of freak bizarro-world floor-mat events. By the time I use up a car, there is already a heel-hole all the way through the floor mat.

[hoffdano]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

And all the white collar workers in Japan get paid how? From their good looks? Before Toyota started building a few factories here, all were assembled in Japan, shipped from Japan, etc. What would you say then?

These arguments are tiresome. So if you buy a Ford Fusion assembled mostly in Mexico with only 40% domestic content - is that bad because we are paying wages to Mexican factory workers?

Is there a magic number for domestic content where it's OK to buy?

Is it better if the vehicle is assembled in Canada because they're not Japan or Korea?

What about the Saturn Astra? That is a domestic brand. The car is designed and assembled in Belgium. But is it OK to buy that because it is (was) a GM brand? The only white collars that get paid for that car are the execs and the marketers.

[trlhiker]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

What models?

The overall profit from that "American" Toyota ends up in.... dun dun dun... Japan.

And most of the profit from the big three end up in the pockets of the CEO and other top people. If you don't mind paying their salary and for their 4 or 5 homes or their jets, then go for it.