yea, let me get you some warm milk and go back to sleep, must of been a bad dream
__________________ BLACK CHERRY,ATM ,4 WHD, REAR DIFF LOCK, A-TRAC HACK,TOYOTA HITCH,CONVENIENCE PKG,BULL BAR, HELLA 500.SIRIUS RADIO,UNIDEN PRO538W, SCUBA MOD THANKS TO CAPT. RICK AND SLITHER!!!
"HATE IS BAGAGE,LIFE IS TO SHORT TO BE PISSED OFF ALL THE TIME"
I actually wouldn't be surprised if it were true....at least by the numbers in initial quality. American mfgs have been doing a good job of slowly closing the gap with the Japanese. The "perception" is still that Japanese vehicles are more reliable....but perception isn't always reality.
For instance, this weekend I was out looking at new cars b/c my Lexus IS250 is close to being lemoned. We looked at Toyota Camrys, Acura TLs, and Honda Accords. The Toyota was downright disappointing. Yes, it has a good V6 and a very smooth ride, but the exterior is FUGLY and the interior reminds me of an early 2000's Chevy Malibu. Just screams cheap and that's even true on their higher end XLE models.
Disappointing to say the least to see this with regards to Toyota (and the "sealed, unserviceable" transmisssion in the Lexus).
Look around here: blown rear ends, problem tcases, fender bulges, easily cracked windshields, paint problems.....not typical Toyota fair....until recently. I think Toyota has become too "Americanized". Globalization: just dragging the standard down worldwide.
Maybe it's not that Ford has really gotten that much better; maybe it's a combination of that and Toyota dropping the ball more often.
Food for thought.
Sean
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Do you need a ladder, so you can get the **** over it?
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K/N up the front / Flowmaster out the back / 6sp M/T in the middle / attatched to my hand / leads to a foot on the floor / leaving a Sun Fushion blurr / Silvania Ultras lighting the way with a little help from my Hella 550's / HunterTruck "Bull Bar"/Bandi Mount/Wilson Antenna/Cobra 19 lll c/b/ ???
I actually wouldn't be surprised if it were true....at least by the numbers in initial quality. American mfgs have been doing a good job of slowly closing the gap with the Japanese. The "perception" is still that Japanese vehicles are more reliable....but perception isn't always reality.
For instance, this weekend I was out looking at new cars b/c my Lexus IS250 is close to being lemoned. We looked at Toyota Camrys, Acura TLs, and Honda Accords. The Toyota was downright disappointing. Yes, it has a good V6 and a very smooth ride, but the exterior is FUGLY and the interior reminds me of an early 2000's Chevy Malibu. Just screams cheap and that's even true on their higher end XLE models.
Disappointing to say the least to see this with regards to Toyota (and the "sealed, unserviceable" transmisssion in the Lexus).
Look around here: blown rear ends, problem tcases, fender bulges, easily cracked windshields, paint problems.....not typical Toyota fair....until recently. I think Toyota has become too "Americanized". Globalization: just dragging the standard down worldwide.
Maybe it's not that Ford has really gotten that much better; maybe it's a combination of that and Toyota dropping the ball more often.
A summary of problems: the F150 needed an intake gasket around 50K and my 2004 Chevy needs the tailgate latch worked on at 56K.
Recalls are included with that quality survey and there have been a few recalls that affected the vehicles I've owned but never caused any problems.
I have seen the quality of American vehicles continually improving since the 80s and have never had a serious issue even when using the trucks for farm work and hauling/towing way more than they are rated for.
I've read multiple articles in business magazines discussing Toyota's internal concern with their quality issues. Their quality is falling. their recalls are increasing and they are very concerned. They are also concerned because their cost per vehicle is continually increasing because most folks in their established plants are now making the maximum wage and more employees are beginning to retire whereas the US companies are working with the unions to reduce wages in some positions and they are buying out some employees so they can take their retirement benefits off the books.
Last, regarding the styling, IMO the bulk of Toyota's lineup is just plain boring in appearance (from the Tundra to the Land Cruiser to the Camry). It is very likely that the FJ will be the only Toyota I ever own.
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2008 Sandstorm, AR Teflon Chamber, Nitto Terra Grappler 285/70/17, OME/Toytec lift, BudBuilts, MPAC, Exp One w/Superwinch 9000s, Viair 450, Dual batteries, AllPro lower links
BLACK CHERRY,ATM ,4 WHD, REAR DIFF LOCK, A-TRAC HACK,TOYOTA HITCH,CONVENIENCE PKG,BULL BAR, HELLA 500.SIRIUS RADIO,UNIDEN PRO538W, SCUBA MOD THANKS TO CAPT. RICK AND SLITHER!!! 
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