I just realized what Toyota is Doing!

[JohnnyT]

Well you seem to be I guess. Yes, they are made well, no doubting that, but they are not made perfect (meaning to last forever). Things change during production (assembly, technique, parts, etc.) and it all plays into what you get and how long it lasts. They way you drive it and use it also comes into play. If you roll down your windows 5 times a day vs someone who rolls down their windows 1 once a month obviously one person will have motor trouble before the other. If you maintain something you own and treat it right repairs 'should' be minimal, if you are lucky (like you), none. The way parts and labor rates are these days if you plan to keep the vehicle a long time an extended warranty (at a good price) is a good idea. We all know that nothing is made 'the way it was'. We live in a disposable society these days, when something breaks it is cheaper to throw it away and buy new than it is to have someone fix it. We have just grown to accept it as the norm now. I don't expect my 4R to be perfect, I do expect it not to be a money pit though (excluding mods!).

Totally agree on all points. I hate that it has become the norm. Places like Costco feed and thrive on this. It's harmful and it's horrible for American manufacturing.....the little that there is left of it, anyway.

 

[phillyd2]

I read and comment because I'm interested in keeping up with Toyota's product but what do you care what interests me. Balanced comments about shortcomings that shouldn't exist are good (and I don't work for FoxNews).

Just to make sure that we are all using the same English language, reading and even asking questions is how one keeps up. Posting as you do is trolling. Two different things. :fro:

 

[-JD-]

Curious which cargo option the OP has? the slider? 3rd row? or just base?

 

[philsey]

..... Balanced comments about shortcomings that shouldn't exist are good.....

Just to make sure that we are all using the same English language, reading and even asking questions is how one keeps up. Posting as you do is trolling. Two different things.

Yeaaah Johnny, gotta agree with pd2 here. You're quite predictable and, well, tedious.

And that you consider your comments "balanced" is, um, pretty generous.

We all get that you don't care for the 5G, which is your privilege, but what we don't get is that you keep rubbing our noses in it. Don't buy it. Go away.

 

[Antman]

. Places like Costco feed and thrive on this. It's harmful and it's horrible for American manufacturing.....the little that there is left of it, anyway.

Explain this to me because obviously it seems to make sense to you.

 

[phillyd2]

Explain this to me because obviously it seems to make sense to you.

Maybe he means anybody who works there is the devil destroying America and apple pie. :bat: :keyboard:

 

[Ducmonsta]

Maybe he means anybody who works there is the devil destroying America and apple pie. :bat: :keyboard:

Now THAT'S funny!

 

[Antman]

Maybe he means anybody who works there is the devil destroying America and apple pie. :bat: :keyboard:

redruM!!!

 

[phillyd2]

redruM!!!

Ha. Took me a second....... :cheers:

 

[JohnnyT]

Explain this to me because obviously it seems to make sense to you.

Yes, it does make sense to me in that we've become too resigned to accepting what we buy as disposable so they'll continue to manufacture product with the cheapest labor possible and using inferior components and designs just to get product updated (often with features and complexities ee don't need) and out the door. If you don't ***** enough, then they'll simply continue to manufacture crap. Outside the 5th gen subject, they'll also continue to manufacture it overseas.

There's little sense of pride, quality, and longevity in whats manufactured. Most things, anyway.

 

[Ducmonsta]

Explain this to me because obviously it seems to make sense to you.

Well, it's obvious to me. A 36 pack of soda is definitely not built like a 12 pack of soda!

 

[Antman]

Yes, it does make sense to me in that we've become too resigned to accepting what we buy as disposable so they'll continue to manufacture product with the cheapest labor possible and using inferior components and designs just to get product updated (often with features and complexities ee don't need) and out the door. If you don't ***** enough, then they'll simply continue to manufacture crap. Outside the 5th gen subject, they'll also continue to manufacture it overseas.

There's little sense of pride, quality, and longevity in whats manufactured. Most things, anyway.

Costco manufactures crap? Name something.

 

[KCcarguy]

Curious which cargo option the OP has? the slider? 3rd row? or just base?

Base set up.

 

[nw_4Runner]

If you don't ***** enough, then they'll simply continue to manufacture crap.

JohnnyT, have you ***** to Toyota? Or just here.

Unlike others though, I've not been here long enough to let your 5th Gen complaints bother me (most are opinion expressed as fact). I think variety is the spice of life. You love you're 4th Gen, I've never bothered with a 4Runner till the 5th Gen came out. That's just life man. If we all liked the same things and thought the same way, dear Lord it'd be boring.

 

[JohnnyT]

Costco manufactures crap? Name something.

Obviously Costco (the $200 Club) manufactures nothing but certainly thrives on people buying new over and over and over again. $300 here, $1200 there, $500 next month. Much of it big ticket items - electronics, furniture, appliances, etc.

 

[nw_4Runner]

Obviously Costco (the $200 Club) manufactures nothing but certainly thrives on people buying new over and over and over again. $300 here, $1200 there, $500 next month. Much of it big ticket items - electronics, furniture, appliances, etc.

Costco fees are as low as $55/year. And the majority of people using said membership are buying consumables (grab a dollar slice and sit in the parking lot and marvel at toilet paper in bulk... but don't think too long on that one). And when you do buy something of expense at Costco, they guarantee it, and take care of you (read: let you take it back if it's crap).

You want to point to a retailer who promotes crap, point to Walmart - low prices perpetrated by low wages.

 

[Antman]

^^^^ Well said- beat me to it! :cheers:

His "$200 club" comment refers to the average sale per Member, which is exaggerated because he has no idea what he's talking about.

 

[Qjake]

And I thought I'd find something interesting in here but alas it's just another JohnnyT argument :sleepy:

Seriously, why do you guys even acknowledge him? In his small mind it just gives him credibility.

 

[KCcarguy]

And I thought I'd find something interesting in here but alas it's just another JohnnyT argument :sleepy:

Seriously, why do you guys even acknowledge him? In his small mind it just gives him credibility.

Did you read my original post? Look beyond his (sometimes annoying) persistence, and Johnny has a point. I came to the realization that my 4runner is not built as well as my '05 Tacoma, '03 Celica, Dad's '04 4runner, or even my wife's '10 highlander. Believe me, I don't want this to be true, but the evidence is beginning to build.

Now, I'm not saying the 5th gen isn't better than it's competitors (if there really are any). I'm making a point that Toyota has obviously changed it's strategy for a multitude of reasons. Fact is, Toyotas are not built to last forever any more. Most people are more than happy with a nicely-priced, feature-packed car that will last long enough for them to pay it off and move on the the next new car. I'm sure a new 4runner will easily meet the expectations of this type of customer. But for those of use who want to keep a truck for the long-haul, I'm beginning to have my doubts about this truck.

 

[phillyd2]

Fact is, Toyotas are not built to last forever any more.

What do you base this on? While true that weather stripping coming up may be an annoyance, engine and drivetrain are what matter in regards 'to last forever'.