Is it REALLY reliable?
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No harm. I just recall sitting through two weeks of "new hire orientation" and the part about Deming, Toyota Way and Toyota Production System are still (ugh) fresh in my brain. It does work though, at least in theory here. It's a way of life in Japan for Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) employees and, IMHO, the proof is in the quality of the vehicles. Like Land Cruisers, JIM Corollas, FJ Cruisers, most Lexus cars and Scions, there is no doubt that the quality is there. I like to say that my wife's 04 Echo (and current Yaris models) are the last great Japanese cars...the ones that made them popular: simple, rugged, inexpensive to purchase (and maintain) and will take abuse for a long, long time. My wife's Echo has a 1NZ-FE 1.5L I-4, U340E auto trans, power steering and roll down windows. Can't get much simpler than that...it's almost like the '74 Corolla my aunt had when I was a kid! Now you can't find a Camry without a rear backup camera...
Two funny stories:
Close friend commutes to Houston weekly from a small Texas town. He buys a Camry, promptly puts 130k miles on it, starts itching for something new and makes a 'deal' with another local to get rid of the car for a low price,as a favor. Practically gives the car away thinking it will need major repair work soon. The local buys it and proceeds to drive the Camry wall past 310k miles, needing nothing but oil changes.. The friend still sees the car weekly and says, "Selling that Camry was the biggest mistake I ever made."
One of the tenets of quality espoused in Japanese auto plants is that ANY employee can stop production if they see a flaw in quality. Doesn't matter if you were hired the day before or are the lowest employee on the org chart, if you see a problem, quality is everyone's responsibility. Was touring a US defense manufacturer and I asked the plant supervisor what the inspection and quality procedures were for the plant. He points to a guy sitting at the top of a stairwell in a half-lit office and says, "that's his job."
Granted, US companies have come a long way in terms of quality. GM is still..GM, but Ford makes a good product. But the problem is, the Japanese have now turned their attention to things like making their plants as clean as operating rooms...
Close friend commutes to Houston weekly from a small Texas town. He buys a Camry, promptly puts 130k miles on it, starts itching for something new and makes a 'deal' with another local to get rid of the car for a low price,as a favor. Practically gives the car away thinking it will need major repair work soon. The local buys it and proceeds to drive the Camry wall past 310k miles, needing nothing but oil changes.. The friend still sees the car weekly and says, "Selling that Camry was the biggest mistake I ever made."
One of the tenets of quality espoused in Japanese auto plants is that ANY employee can stop production if they see a flaw in quality. Doesn't matter if you were hired the day before or are the lowest employee on the org chart, if you see a problem, quality is everyone's responsibility. Was touring a US defense manufacturer and I asked the plant supervisor what the inspection and quality procedures were for the plant. He points to a guy sitting at the top of a stairwell in a half-lit office and says, "that's his job."
Granted, US companies have come a long way in terms of quality. GM is still..GM, but Ford makes a good product. But the problem is, the Japanese have now turned their attention to things like making their plants as clean as operating rooms...
Toyota especially, and safety is HUGE. Of course, cleanliness goes along with that. A clean work environment also makes for happy people. At Toyota plants, everyone wears some sort of uniform - no jeans, shorts or t-shirts. Most of the line workers wear work pants, polo shirts, safety shoes. Toyota provides these and the employees really appreciate it. Walk into a GM plant and you'll see the exact opposite. F-you t-shirts, dirty jeans, running shoes...ugh. It's just a totally different environment. While it all sounds superficial, it really makes people feel that they are part of a team. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that happy people directly translate into a good product, made with pride and ownership.
I'll chime in too..
I have a 1998 that I bought from my in-laws with 150k miles - they bought it new.
Did timing belt / water pump at 200k, thought the parts I removed looked clean enough so out of curiosity I asked them if they did the regular service at 100k...
They looked at me blankly and said "...timing what..." ?
lol
I'm at 274k miles now, I have had one coil die on me (still managed to drive home on 7cyl, $100), and the ABS pump gave out one day (that one was pricey $2000 at lancruiserparts + $500 install)... That's it. Nothing else other than basic maintenance
Love it...
-e
I have a 1998 that I bought from my in-laws with 150k miles - they bought it new.
Did timing belt / water pump at 200k, thought the parts I removed looked clean enough so out of curiosity I asked them if they did the regular service at 100k...
They looked at me blankly and said "...timing what..." ?
lol
I'm at 274k miles now, I have had one coil die on me (still managed to drive home on 7cyl, $100), and the ABS pump gave out one day (that one was pricey $2000 at lancruiserparts + $500 install)... That's it. Nothing else other than basic maintenance
Love it...
-e
http://www3.forbes.com/business/15-new-cars-to-avoid/16/
three Jeep models on the Forbest list of cars to avoid. Though interestingly, the Scion also made the list..
It's tragic that the Jeep is on the list.
three Jeep models on the Forbest list of cars to avoid. Though interestingly, the Scion also made the list..
It's tragic that the Jeep is on the list.
1. Has your 100 ever left you stranded? What happened?
2. Has your 100 required any maintenance outside of regular scheduled maintenance? If so, what did it need, and how many miles were on your 100 when it needed the repair?
222k
Yes , fuse connection on bottom of fuse box.. Car would not start due to security system ..
Yes, all most likely from lifting and off roading, CV boots, steering rack, coil packs, etc...
The only thing that can replace it , would be a newer 100s.
2. Has your 100 required any maintenance outside of regular scheduled maintenance? If so, what did it need, and how many miles were on your 100 when it needed the repair?
222k
Yes , fuse connection on bottom of fuse box.. Car would not start due to security system ..
Yes, all most likely from lifting and off roading, CV boots, steering rack, coil packs, etc...
The only thing that can replace it , would be a newer 100s.
No problems myself, but I've had friends who have (mostly higher-mileage trucks). Here's a list off the top of my head of potential problem areas (hope no one has posted this above). I encourage anyone to add to this list, because I'm sure I've left off items:
Heater hose Ts
Starter
Alternator
Fan clutch bracket bearing
Accessory Belt tensioner bearing and/or idler pulley bearing
ABS pump / brake booster assembly (only high-dollar repair of which I can think people complain)
Ignition switch locking camshaft
For a
truck that will run certainly to 400,000 miles (and probably MUCH further), it has a mighty short list of "known" issues.......and except for the ABS / booster assembly, it's an inexpensive one as well!
Heater hose Ts
Starter
Alternator
Fan clutch bracket bearing
Accessory Belt tensioner bearing and/or idler pulley bearing
ABS pump / brake booster assembly (only high-dollar repair of which I can think people complain)
Ignition switch locking camshaft
For a
truck that will run certainly to 400,000 miles (and probably MUCH further), it has a mighty short list of "known" issues.......and except for the ABS / booster assembly, it's an inexpensive one as well!
