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So... most Americans watch Idol, thus have bad taste... and the Camry was the number one selling car until the whole Toyota fiasco... so Camrys are for Americans with bad taste?
No, just that I would never rely on polls to tell me what a quality car is. The OP is citing a poll showing that more people are opting for Ford over Toyota, as if that's proof that Ford makes better cars. But it doesn't prove that at all.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mustang84
Don't agree a single bit. Are you talking about the 2010 Taurus, or older ones? If older, I'll agree with you. The '10 Taurus has a much nicer interior than the Camry, Accord, and Altima (didn't get to sit in a new Sonata yet). Both the Accord and Camry interiors are overrated...they aren't as good as people claim they are if you actually compare them side-by-side.
I haven't driven a Taurus yet, but the actual ride is supposed to be much sportier than the Camry and slightly better than the Accord. The Taurus SHO leaves both in the dust.
If you actually compare them side-by-side? Funny. I did just that. I drove the Camry, Accord, Sonata and 2010 Taurus. Ford still uses cheap materials, the switchgear isn't up to par with Toyota, Honda and Hyundai. The ergonomics of the Taurus aren't as good. Controls were much more intuitively laid out in the Accord, Camry and Sonata. The Taurus has a smooth ride, but hardly what I would call sporty. It's as boring and floaty as a Camry. I also found the V6 to be weak, something that's been true of every Taurus I've ever driven. It felt like the car was too heavy. The visibility in the Taurus is TERRIBLE whereas the Accord has fantastic visibility. If I had to rank the four cars, I would put the Taurus at the bottom followed by the Camry. I really liked the Accord and Sonata and am anxiously awaiting the Sonata Turbo so I can test it against the Accord V6.
I supposed I have a sort of brand loyalty. I remember my family having to purchase a new car every three years because of the built in obsolescence of American cars. I read DeLorean's book about the struggles he went through to get American auto management to cater to the needs of the public - how he felt he was beating his head against the wall in doing so.
You may say we have laws against collusion, but there was virtually no competition between American auto makers in those days, 'the public be damned' seemed their motto.
It was not until the Germans(who dropped the ball) and Japanese entered the U.S. market that our 'free enterprise' system had any competition. I am appreciative of the Japanese for continuing to make a superior product.
In school I learned that companies, including the auto industry, do a cost-benefit analysis regarding retooling. If the assembly line produces a few bad products (as they all do at times) what is the cost of just allowing it (paying off relatives of the maimed or deceased) rather than retooling the line? There are decisions to even allow a certain number of deaths because settlements may be cheaper in the long run than retooling factories.
The thing is, they ALL do it. I am not sure that the Prius is unique in this apart from the American manufacturers. There is just a lot of attention being paid.
Just the other day some impartial agency examined a 'run away' Prius and found nothing wrong with it and attributed the accident to driver error.
A year ago or so I remember hearing about some great record in car sales that Toyota broke. This, at the very time the American auto industry was attempting a comeback. Such a shame. I think there is a concerted propaganda effort to exaggerate this Toyota problem to steer people into purchasing domestic offerings.
I would like the records of American automakers to be impartially examined with the same scrutiny of Toyota's. Maybe then I will be convinced of the dire reality behind this scandal.
Prius owners are more loyal than owners of any car in history. This, coupled with the fact that upon their recommendations, many new owners were being 'hatched' daily - was a very hard pill for the American industry laggards to swallow. Something had to be done to stop them!
Voila - the runaway Prius! A media blitz!
Coincidence? You be the judge.
The Prius owners I know have had no problems with their cars.
Toyota will release a whole new group of eco-cars in the Prius line.
My next car will be one of these.
I personally like the Smart Car and if Toyota makes a small, easy to park, city car like this that is also a hybrid I will purchase it.
I have had many Toyotas in my life, and now drive a Subaru, which I also think highly of, but as I want a hybrid and have heard that Toyota is coming out with a Prius type engine that will also plug in for a smaller local driving radius, I am willing to wait.
I remember George W, back a few years ago, saying that we would not have an eco-friendly car for at least 10 years and that would be hydrogen powered. The next day Toyota released its Prius!
So far as I am concerned the U.S. politicians and industry have had too cozy a relationship, ending up screwing the public. I am a believer in capitalistic competition, not corporatism(which defines our current system).
My next car will be a Toyota for these many reasons.
Oh, and I do look at Consumer Reports, which has not changed its high evaluation of the Prius, which also is another indicator to me that there is a lot of hype/propaganda being pushed through our media these days.
I always enjoy Fiction. Helps to pass the time. Thanks!
I supposed I have a sort of brand loyalty. I remember my family having to purchase a new car every three years because of the built in obsolescence of American cars. I read DeLorean's book about the struggles he went through to get American auto management to cater to the needs of the public - how he felt he was beating his head against the wall in doing so.
You may say we have laws against collusion, but there was virtually no competition between American auto makers in those days, 'the public be damned' seemed their motto.
It was not until the Germans(who dropped the ball) and Japanese entered the U.S. market that our 'free enterprise' system had any competition. I am appreciative of the Japanese for continuing to make a superior product.
In school I learned that companies, including the auto industry, do a cost-benefit analysis regarding retooling. If the assembly line produces a few bad products (as they all do at times) what is the cost of just allowing it (paying off relatives of the maimed or deceased) rather than retooling the line? There are decisions to even allow a certain number of deaths because settlements may be cheaper in the long run than retooling factories.
The thing is, they ALL do it. I am not sure that the Prius is unique in this apart from the American manufacturers. There is just a lot of attention being paid.
Just the other day some impartial agency examined a 'run away' Prius and found nothing wrong with it and attributed the accident to driver error.
A year ago or so I remember hearing about some great record in car sales that Toyota broke. This, at the very time the American auto industry was attempting a comeback. Such a shame. I think there is a concerted propaganda effort to exaggerate this Toyota problem to steer people into purchasing domestic offerings.
I would like the records of American automakers to be impartially examined with the same scrutiny of Toyota's. Maybe then I will be convinced of the dire reality behind this scandal.
Prius owners are more loyal than owners of any car in history. This, coupled with the fact that upon their recommendations, many new owners were being 'hatched' daily - was a very hard pill for the American industry laggards to swallow. Something had to be done to stop them!
Voila - the runaway Prius! A media blitz!
Coincidence? You be the judge.
The Prius owners I know have had no problems with their cars.
Toyota will release a whole new group of eco-cars in the Prius line.
My next car will be one of these.
I personally like the Smart Car and if Toyota makes a small, easy to park, city car like this that is also a hybrid I will purchase it.
I have had many Toyotas in my life, and now drive a Subaru, which I also think highly of, but as I want a hybrid and have heard that Toyota is coming out with a Prius type engine that will also plug in for a smaller local driving radius, I am willing to wait.
I remember George W, back a few years ago, saying that we would not have an eco-friendly car for at least 10 years and that would be hydrogen powered. The next day Toyota released its Prius!
So far as I am concerned the U.S. politicians and industry have had too cozy a relationship, ending up screwing the public. I am a believer in capitalistic competition, not corporatism(which defines our current system).
My next car will be a Toyota for these many reasons.
Oh, and I do look at Consumer Reports, which has not changed its high evaluation of the Prius, which also is another indicator to me that there is a lot of hype/propaganda being pushed through our media these days.
What a load of bleeding heart nonsense. Toyota f***ed up and now they are paying the price. Everything comes full circle.
What a load of bleeding heart nonsense. Toyota f***ed up and now they are paying the price. Everything comes full circle.
Speaking about re-calls, I was having my Camry serviced at a Toyota dealer and asked if he was busy doing the re-call work on all those Camrys ( they sold a lot of Camrys in the last 3 years)
The service manager stated they had no customers of theirs who had a Camry suddenly accekerate and their customers knew of no one who had.
He stated customer satisfaction was still high at his dealership.
I always like it when my posts are so on target that those who are propagandists for the opposition either try to attack me, personally, or rely on a sheer emotional retort because they cannot refute the points I am making.
It's nice to feel so appreciated for my contribution.
These reactions mean I am making my point well.
Thank you.
Speaking about re-calls, I was having my Camry serviced at a Toyota dealer and asked if he was busy doing the re-call work on all those Camrys ( they sold a lot of Camrys in the last 3 years)
The service manager stated they had no customers of theirs who had a Camry suddenly accekerate and their customers knew of no one who had.
He stated customer satisfaction was still high at his dealership.
And you expected him to give you some sort of a gloomy perspective?
No Toyotas in this family. I'll stay loyal to Ford. Great vehicles at competitive prices.
And there are no Fords in my famiy only Toyotas and Hondas. Wait, my brother had an early 90's Exploder but after 3 tranny's, he wished he had never had it, he traded it in for a Tacoma and loves it.
This Toyota storys has grown legs and just started running. Although when you say that Toyota has no alternative, I have to disagree. It is commonly said that consumer perception is 4 years behind the product, and I think that is the case for Kia. I recently bought a Kia Sportage, and I absolutely love it. I bought it from the Kia Store, a Louisville Used Cars dealer. It has a great warranty and a much cheaper price tag than a Toyota. I would recommend you take a look at a Kia before you buy a Toyota... Here is the Kia Stores website www.kiastore.com
Be real carefull especialy buying a used KIA as I personaly know of a few horror stories with people buying them thanking they will hold up to high mileage and bought them relatively cheap on the used market. OUCH, but what a few friends and co-workers were badly burnt.
Speaking about re-calls, I was having my Camry serviced at a Toyota dealer and asked if he was busy doing the re-call work on all those Camrys ( they sold a lot of Camrys in the last 3 years)
The service manager stated they had no customers of theirs who had a Camry suddenly accekerate and their customers knew of no one who had.
He stated customer satisfaction was still high at his dealership.
Did you expect him to say that sure, there were a few sudden acceleration problems and that their customers are fed up and not coming back?
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