Off limits manufacturers

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by CoryM

I find it interesting how most people are talking politics over the actual quality of the cars. From a mechanic's POV (reliability and cost to repair) the companies to avoid are: Audi, Mini, Fiat, older Cadillac. Every company makes a few junk cars that need to be avoided though. The domestic cars, and Korean cars do not have the same engineering as the Toyota/Honda. However, the cost to buy and repair is low enough that they pretty much wash out. Domestic cars also use better steel, which makes it nicer to work on. That's Toyota's biggest failure currently IMO. I would gladly pay another $1000 for a Toyota if they used better steel.

Very interesting. Does this only apply to Toyotas assembled outside the U.S., or does this also apply to Toyotas assembled in the U.S. ?

[CoryM]

Originally Posted by nookandcrannycar

Very interesting. Does this only apply to Toyotas assembled outside the U.S., or does this also apply to Toyotas assembled in the U.S. ?

All Toyotas, and all Japanese cars. Some are better than others though. After WW2 the Japanese steel industry was a mess. It wasn't until the 60s(?) that they turned it around. They also need to import the materials (usually from scrap). This makes high quality steel far more expensive there. I would assume even when built elsewhere they are either using Japanese steel, or having foreign steel made to the same specs. The quality has steadily improved over the years, but is still not as rust resistant as domestic product. Do a GIS for "rusty toyota" VS "rusty ford" and you will see what I mean

Cheers.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by CoryM

All Toyotas, and all Japanese cars. Some are better than others though. After WW2 the Japanese steel industry was a mess. It wasn't until the 60s(?) that they turned it around. They also need to import the materials (usually from scrap). This makes high quality steel far more expensive there. I would assume even when built elsewhere they are either using Japanese steel, or having foreign steel made to the same specs. The quality has steadily improved over the years, but is still not as rust resistant as domestic product. Do a GIS for "rusty toyota" VS "rusty ford" and you will see what I mean

Cheers.

Thanks