[TOY2G]

Some days things just happen that make you scratch your head, and ask...REALLY? Today was one of that kind of days, I had to express my disgust with our ability to soak up whatever our media feeds us like it is gospel, despite the amount of truth, justice, or ever remote contempt it may provide.


Can we really be that ignorant in 2012?

I had a guy cut me off this morning on the way to work, not just a little, but swerved so I would tap my brakes and then dart in front of me. I was irritated, but he looked a bit on edge, and I was in no hurry so I acted atypical of myself and let it go. About, 2 miles down the road we hit a light, I pull up beside him and glance over (we both had our windows down) to my surprise we made eye contact. He then decided to ask me a simple question “you gotta f*k*n problem” I responded “well one of us does, and I am pretty sure it’s not me”. Then (in a very sarcastic tone) I say “I noticed you cut me off back there, but I figured it was an accident and you were in a hurry” His reply “you need to keep your Chinese piece of S**t off the road you dip s**t terrorist.” As he was talking I smiled real big (in a bit of a taunt) and rolled up my window on him. Just a few seconds later the light changed (he was still yelling something at me, but I pretended I could not hear) and we both took off….I may have taken off a little fast, and he also “tried” to take off fast.

My point is really pretty complex; the guy was driving an older GM truck that sounded bad but looked to be in pretty good shape. I cannot help but think about how people even today cannot see that this old way of thinking is why GM needed a 30 billion dollar bailout. Even during the congressional hearing GM was called out for being too ignorant too see the big picture, and they were told that they would likely keep making the same mistakes over and over. My point is not to bash GM; my point is to defend Toyota. Toyota has done many great things in this country despite fighting with the BIG 3 from day one. But, the most important thing we all need to know about Toyota not even about the product they sell, but about the moral compass that guides them.

Last year Toyota was hit with two devastating blows, the fallout over the accelerator pedal that they were forced into arbitration for. Not only did the press convict them before any investigation could be done, but us automakers forced Toyota to pay NASA to do the arbitration of over 86 thousand vehicles. Over a three month period and a millions of dollars in recalls, that Toyota did voluntarily, well before the arbitration was complete. NASA found that in both cases the consumer was at fault, and in the fatal crash of the Lexus, the owner of the vehicle had sadly purchased aftermarket floor mats and placed them on top of the factory mats, causing the accelerator to become stuck. Toyota was 100% cleared by NASA of any malfunction, or wrong doing. But that report and others clearing Toyota’s name was not nearly as public as the report of the possible wrong doing. This was in the middle of the GM crisis and GM had to do anything they could to stifle their Japanese counterparts. Next, up Japan suffered the devastating tsunami that took so many lives and cost Japanese auto makers over 92 billion dollars. There was talk of Nissan closing 2 divisions. And for the first time since 2007 Toyota fell from the top spot as the #1 auto manufacture in the world, and GM (even in light of their negligent spending) took back that spot.

Why does this matter? Toyota is an American company if there ever was an American company. In light of all this turmoil and over 16 billion dollars lost Toyota NEVER let a single one of its over 20,000 American employees go. Our American auto manufactures will and always have cut employees every single time there is an economic down turn to help maintain corporate gain. Toyota loses over half of what we are giving GM, and still refuses to lay off a single US worker. Furthermore, the BIG3 automakers in the US were closing hundreds of dealerships around the US, pushing thousands of dealer employees out of work all over Middle America.
I am a red blooded American, and I served my country with pride, and if ever a day comes when she needs me again, I will be there without compunction. Do not make the mistake of thinking because I support Toyota I am in any way un-American. I support a company that supports my fellow Americans in the face of any adversity. All but 4 of the Toyota vehicles sold in the US are built 100% here in the US, from the Camry, to the Texas made Tundra, and this is not something new, since 1982 Toyota has been working on moving all the US models to the US to support its US growth.

What about your “American” cars? Well the BIG3 still has vehicles built here in the US, but many of their successful namesakes are not “American”, take the good ole’ Chevy Diesels, Isuzu engines in GM Chassis, or the Jeep brand switching in the early 2000s to Aisin Warner Transmissions to improve reliability, or GMs joint venture with Toyota to build affordable crossover cars like the Toyota Matrix. What about the BIG3 shutting down Toyota’s new US Hybrid venture, because it would be to devastating on an already struggling Detroit, only to announce this year that Ford Motor co. will be working with Toyota/Lexus in developing new Hybrid vehicle for sale in the US. I have a list of vehicle from the BIG3 that I love and have owned, I love automobiles all makes and models. What I do not love is being used, manipulated, and prostituted buy our great American self-serving companies.

My fellow Americans, Toyota’s Moral compass has a history of pointing true, despite, adversity from the oil companies, the BIG3, and even the US government. They supply us with a history of reliable, well designed, and American made vehicles. What other US automaker has stood by us so strong in these very tough last few years? What automakers came to us with their hand out, flying corporate jets, asking for 30 billion dollars, when we were already starving?

If you are an American, and you have some pride in what we stand for, take a long look at the companies you do business with, and ask yourself, does this company have my country, my family, and my best interest in mind, or do they have a massive history of greed and political corruption.

If you made it this far, sorry about the long read, but thank you for letting me vent to you, and remember that even if your views differ, please take the time confirm what I have stated before you take offence. Above all, this is just a forum, and my opinion or views are of no more a threat to you than the color of underwear I have on today.

[MT-4RUNNER]

I had a guy cut me off up in Spokane with his BMW, I pretty much beat him out on the straight away. He had recently cut off another person behind me and he must of felt like being an a**hole to everyone on the road that day. But anyways long story short, the guy cut me off really close, and then he gave me the bird. I then thought to myself, why not wave the bird back to say hi. And shortly later like within the next 30 seconds he slammed his g*y a** sports breaks in front of me and forced me, going about 60, to slam on my breaks hard (the lame anti-lock breaks engaged). Lets just say if he would of stayed on the breaks, his back end would of been torn to shreds..

[jca21]

i noticed when i cross the border from bc into washington people tend to drive a fair bit more aggressively.

[TOY2G]

Originally Posted by jca21

i noticed when i cross the border from bc into washington people tend to drive a fair bit more aggressively.

You are right, for some reason, angry is the way to drive and it get worse all the time.

[Atlanta_man]

I live in Atlanta, GA and love it when I visit Seattle - those guys seem totally mellow compared to the tough guys here. And BMW's are the absolute worst.

I had a newish 7 series try to run me over the other day, his arrogant bluff failed.
Put on your blinker and I will back off and make room for you every time.

[BucknutBob]

Toy2G, there's a very simple explanation for the whole Toyota/Honda hate thing--it's called prejudice. The people complaining can't back up their arguments with facts--the "American" vehicle they're driving was most likely built in Canada or Mexico, while most Toyotas and Hondas sold here are built here. Domestic manufacturer arrogance has slowly killed them, as people keep wising up and seeing that the Japanese builders fix things they know are wrong, even if it means shutting down their facility until it's right. The Japanese mindset feels horrible shame when their product fails, while domestics simply figure the cost of lawsuits compared to the cost of fixing things, and take the cheaper route. Those recent Toyota recalls are incredibly rare...and quite frankly, they were probably caused by dealing too closely with American short-cut artist bean-counters.

I used to work with one of these anti-Toyota screwballs, and one day I just figured I'd push as hard as possible for a REAL answer to his hatred--after wearing out all of his product-based arguments with contradicting FACTS, he finally just blurted out "Alright, it's just because it's a "JAP" car!". No matter how many Americans these vehicles feed and cloth, the detractors can't get past their blind prejudice to see the reality of the situation--to them, it's just a "Jap". Pathetic.

[Clemsonfan15]

It too makes me mad when people say that you're not American if you drive a Toyota.

[jca21]

i remember a buddy of mine complaining all the time about the sealed bearings on his dakota.

i don't see how sealed bearings on a work truck makes much sense. you should be able to check your wheel bearings, clean and re-grease them on a regular basis without hassle.

[TOY2G]

@ bucknutBob... I have a friend that I have known since Jr.High and she recently bought a Dakota. I told here she should have bought an FJ (another vehicle she was considering) and her reply will haunt me forever. She said "I thought about it, but every time I see a vehicle broken down beside the road, it's a Toyota".... You could have knocked me over with a light breeze. She is in Corvallis OR (where we both went to college) and for all who has ever been there, it is packed with Toyota trucks and SUV.

How does a person get this stuck in their mind? I will tell you how, US media.... there is no other possible cause for this misguided information. as they say, there is no cure for stupid.

[BucknutBob]

Originally Posted by TOY2G

@ bucknutBob... I have a friend that I have known since Jr.High and she recently bought a Dakota. I told here she should have bought an FJ (another vehicle she was considering) and her reply will haunt me forever. She said "I thought about it, but every time I see a vehicle broken down beside the road, it's a Toyota".... You could have knocked me over with a light breeze. She is in Corvallis OR (where we both went to college) and for all who has ever been there, it is packed with Toyota trucks and SUV.

How does a person get this stuck in their mind? I will tell you how, US media.... there is no other possible cause for this misguided information. as they say, there is no cure for stupid.

It's because, just like with the recalls, the haters have been looking for it--practically praying for it, no doubt. They KNOW how dependable these vehicles are, so if they see ONE stranded, in their minds they ALL stink--"Yep, stupid Jap car left them in the cold!". My brother is unfortunately one of these, and even though his Ford trucks have had tons of problems, he goes out of his way to remind me of some insignificant hiccup one of my Yotas had years ago, as if it does it all the time. He says it jokingly because it's me, but it's clear he really feels that way. It really is sad.

[jca21]

Originally Posted by TOY2G

@ bucknutBob... I have a friend that I have known since Jr.High and she recently bought a Dakota. I told here she should have bought an FJ (another vehicle she was considering) and her reply will haunt me forever. She said "I thought about it, but every time I see a vehicle broken down beside the road, it's a Toyota".... You could have knocked me over with a light breeze. She is in Corvallis OR (where we both went to college) and for all who has ever been there, it is packed with Toyota trucks and SUV.

How does a person get this stuck in their mind? I will tell you how, US media.... there is no other possible cause for this misguided information. as they say, there is no cure for stupid.

wait till your friend gets the infamous "dodge rattle"

[NJshadow93]

I had some idiot in a Dodge Charger SRT8 riding my @$$ the other day, I was doing 57 mph or so in a 50, so I brake checked him down to about 40 mph. Then gunned it, let the good old 2UZ surprise the crap out of him as he floored it to catch up. Of course he caught up, but he had the shocked look on his face when he finally passed me (at 75 mph). I got right behind him and did the same thing he did to me, and he couldn't shake me either. Looks like I won't be the one stopping for help when he's left stranded on the side of road in a couple weeks, lol. BTW, keeping up with the SRT8 as well as I did made me love my 4Runner even more

[BrianSD_42]

Lots of ignorant ass people out there, even in the US.

[JohnsD90]

Every car will have it's problems. The guy in the OP's story was a real douche, really nothing you can say back to him that will do anything.

[jediwebdude]

The foreign vs. domestic aspect of your incident reminds me of a letter to the editor in one of my auto magz some years ago. The letter was in response to a story about Toyota entering into NASCAR racing. The author of the letter wanted NASCAR to remain as an American-car-only sport.

Below the letter, the mag editor provided a reply stating that the line between American and foreign made was blurring as the Toyota car in question is made in the U.S. and one of the other so-called American cars in NASCAR was actually made in Mexico.

Competition can be a good thing. Look how Ford reacted when certain Japan-based manufacturers continued to dominate the reliability ratings and thus their sales increased: Ford (think it was around 2005) vowed to focus on improving reliability. Last year, Ford entered the upper echelon of reliability ratings.

JD Power mfr ratings

I am of the opinion that the key to American-based mfrs making a comeback is reducing the number of poor quality models they produce. As the JD Power article states, reputations still linger.