I just realized what Toyota is Doing!

Although I already mentioned that I would love to have a good condition 3rd gen again, I in no way meant to diss the 5th gen. In fact, many of the "quality" issue that 5th gen owners are complaining about, I find no fault with. I find the doors to be quite substantial (although my other two vehicles are a 88 XJ and a Miata). I'm also satisfied with the interior quality. The two areas where the 3rd gen shine over the 5th is in regards to the more taught steering and handing of the 3rd gen (this is comparing two SR5s). If I could get the steering feel and handling of my 3rd geninto my 5th, I'd be a totally happy camper with no complaints (except the SR5 should look like a TE :D ). Once I start modding, I'm sure I'll get there. I'd still like a 3rd gen, but to supplement my 5th gen!
 
Well here are my thoughts after reading this thread. My wife and I travel a lot and we are looking for a quiet car. I really want a 2005 or so Lexus LS 430 but my wife doesn't feel comfortable spending around $20,000 on a used car with 75k+ miles. So we are probably going to buy a Buick Verano Turbo in the fall but it makes me a little nervous knowing that quality of today's car has gone downhill. :mad:

Any advice?
 
My gen 3 felt like it was going to tip over around corners. Just the opposite with TE...handles so much better. Both have tinny doors. Both were goods trucks for what they were. 5th gens are superior.
 
desertred said:
Although I already mentioned that I would love to have a good condition 3rd gen again, I in no way meant to diss the 5th gen. In fact, many of the "quality" issue that 5th gen owners are complaining about, I find no fault with. I find the doors to be quite substantial (although my other two vehicles are a 88 XJ and a Miata). I'm also satisfied with the interior quality. The two areas where the 3rd gen shine over the 5th is in regards to the more taught steering and handing of the 3rd gen (this is comparing two SR5s). If I could get the steering feel and handling of my 3rd geninto my 5th, I'd be a totally happy camper with no complaints (except the SR5 should look like a TE :D ). Once I start modding, I'm sure I'll get there. I'd still like a 3rd gen, but to supplement my 5th gen!
Click to expand...

Totally agree with what you've said. Your "steering feel and handling" problems will be solved with good tires, Bilsteins, and a proper caster setting - at least mine were. Now that I'm accustomed to driving it, I find no faults whatsoever, for what it is.

I constantly look at new cars & SUVs - always have - and I can afford pretty much what I want. But the price range of the 5th Gens is where I'm comfortable, and in that comfort zone there is nothing else that offers the style, functionality, and reliability.
 
I previously owned a 2nd gen '94 4runner and I have a lot of fond memories from owning it 16 years. When I went from the '94 to a '10 SR5 my first impression was - wow - going from 165 hp to 280 hp is awesome! Then after a while I was disapointed in the lack of substance in my 5th gen. The 2nd gen was so solid, my 5th gen has so many inferior parts, so much more plastic inside and out! Even the carpet in my 2nd gen lasted great over 16 years with regular cleaning. The carpet in the 5th gen is so lame and holds every piece of grass!

Then I started to think about it. It's not only quality that Toyota thinks about but I believe they obsess over weight. The carpet alone in my 2nd gen probuably weighs 3 times as much as the carpet in the 5th gen. All of that extra weight decreases my mpg's! Gas back in '94 was probuably $1.25 a gallon, it's 3 times that now. So I have learned to compromise my expectations over a solid built vehicle versus the performance and safety upgrades offered with my 5th gen. I also traded my '10 SR5 in for a '12 trail and I am much happier! The trail rides and feels more like a 4runner should where my '10 2wd SR5 felt more like a wobbly crossover on a truck chasis. Overall I am happy with my 5th gen trail and if I take care of it I think it will be a great longterm vehicle.
 
buddyluke said:
...... The carpet alone in my 2nd gen probuably weighs 3 times as much as the carpet in the 5th gen. All of that extra weight decreases my mpg's! ......
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Whether prompted by weight, cost, floor mat quality, or a combination of factors, quality carpet is one area that I believe all manufacturers have allowed to slide. My 71 MGB had nice loop carpet in the cabin area. So did my 85 RX7. My 88XJ has cut pile carpet, but much more substantial than my 5th gen. I can see a gradual loss in substance regarding auto carpet.

[Edit] This doesn't bother me too much, as I generally get floor mats or liners to cover up and protect the carpet to a large extent.
 
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hulk311 said:
Well here are my thoughts after reading this thread. My wife and I travel a lot and we are looking for a quiet car. I really want a 2005 or so Lexus LS 430 but my wife doesn't feel comfortable spending around $20,000 on a used car with 75k+ miles. So we are probably going to buy a Buick Verano Turbo in the fall but it makes me a little nervous knowing that quality of today's car has gone downhill. :mad:

Any advice?
Click to expand...

I just would not buy a GM product. I work for a company who supplies the Big 3 and I would not buy an car from a US automaker. Just my opinion. If your going to look at the Buick Verano you might want to look at a used Avalon?
 
I've had a lot of Toyotas, and I have to say my 5th Gen T4R is by the far the nicest of the lot. (3 Tacomas, two Camrys, a Corolla, 3rd Gen T4r, 81 Landcruiser...ok, I miss the cruiser, it was great)

Sure it is new so I will see how reliable it is down the road, but it seems very well built, and the layout is much better than the 4th gen.

I also drive a tacoma and so far it has been bullet proof over 6 years of driving. I expect a lot from a car, and Toyota hasn't let me down. Small things like carpet and headlights are not a big deal to me, but it would be nice if they would last.

But as long as the car isn't falling apart, and the major components hold up, I'll be happy.

And what other car mfr. replaces entire frames or will buy back your car? I'll stick with Toyota.
 
bamma said:
Ok, but was ford buying back their Vans at High Bluebook+ like Toyota did with the Tacoma?
Click to expand...

Toyota only bought back some of the vehicles. Others they replaced the frames. If the manufacturer replaced the bad frames, that's good enough support in my book.
 
i agree that toyota quality isnt what it used to be. i no 1st hand, owning a 88 4unner with 230xxx miles.

i dont remember exactly what it said word for word but i remember reading that toyota had to find ways to cut down the cost of producing toyotas to compete. years ago toyota was able to make there vehicles 1/3 of the cost of the competitor increasing their profit. now with alot of toyotas being made in America it is making it harder for toyota to make any money so they are cutting corners.

i have been thinking of adding to my 4runner collecting as i have grown to love these 5th gens. i have yet seen really any come in for warranty work compared to the other makes but time will tell. over the years, the 4runner has always been good and hardly see much warranty work done on them.

toyota needs to start having everything made in japan. workers there have so much more pride in their work compared to Americans. most recalls have only been applied to American made toyotas compared to Japanese ones. that just shows even more where the problem is!

i would never buy any extended warranty but with so many tacos, tundras, and FJ coming in for expensive warranty repairs. i might consider it if and when i purchases a 5th gen runner. waiting and hoping for a white TE tho
 
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