printTHE MARKET HAS SPOKEN. Try as it may, the fascist state seems unable to mar a reputation earned honestly in the service of the only true democracy: the free market. The US government put Toyota through a shameful congressional inquisition. LaHood, of the Transportation Department hood, followed up with “the maximum penalty, more than $16 million, against Toyota for [ostensibly] failing to promptly notify the government about [so-called] defective gas pedals among its vehicles.”
Yet, “The world’s biggest carmaker saw US sales rise 41% in March from a year earlier. …”
Update I (April 6): Odd that despite repeated disappointments with the American vehicle, you guys keep buying the things. I’d buy an America car if I wanted what my father-in-law calls farm equipment. (He assembles classic Motorcycles—Triumphs, etc.—as a hobby.)
Update II: “Ford is reaping the benefits that go with being the only U.S. automaker not to take a bailout.” If by supporting American one is propping up big labor unions, inferior production and products, and corporate cronyism—count me out.
Let’s be real here. Sticking gas pedals or not quality and a first class organization will still rise to the top.
In the last six months I have dropped roughly $3,000 on my 99 Olds Intrigue (120K.) Not only had the mirror system go out, the window’s motors went, then a fifteen dollar timing part went out causing it to jump time ($2,500). Then the air pump for the fuel injector went out ($225) My mechanic said he was tired of working on my car. A warm day two days ago shows the air conditioner blowing warm air. If a can of freon don’t fix it, I’m talking Toyota and sending Obama a copy of the title, to let him know what I think of GM.
My stepdad’s old Ford barely lasted 2 years with little driving. My Chevy went a very uncomfortable 4 years before the Salvation Army took it. I got a brand new Chrylser which went 50,000 miles with half the time in the repair shop but fortunately I had an extended warranty. Then, luckily, I got hit and got to sell the clunker rather than fix it.
Next was a Camry that went 220,000 miles with very little trouble and now I have an Avalon going strong on 166,000. No doubt, the US Government would like to ruin what is working and bring it down to the level of GM.
I prefer German build quality over Japanese, but that in no way detracts from Toyota. Mind you, Ford has a handy acronym “First on rubbish dump”.
I have 5 Mercuries, 86, 89, 90, 95 and 98. Three bought used, two new. Still have them all. Only one has less that 100K miles. The 86 has 160K miles and still drives great. Original engine and transmission. I would buy a Ford today over a foreign car. They are excellent, and I prefer my dollars go to an American company.
My 2004 Ford F250 has over 175000 miles, doesn’t burn any oil. Would drive into a raging river and expect to be able to pull anything out. My pastor’s Ford just keeps going and going,but my brother-in-law had his escort jump time three times in 200K, I don’t know of how many fords I know that have blown transmissions. Two men at a prayer breakfast I went to a couple of months ago have brand new PT Cruisers, neither one can make it from the garage to the driveway without a tow. But the important thing is “Recalls” and every year a Ford, Chevy, or Dodge get recalled. Chevy just had a recall as big as Toyota, but you never hear about them except in passing. That’s the important thing, Why is Toyota the only one standing in the dock? Oh yes, Ford’s Pirus is made in Mexico with Japanese (Toyota) parts.
The following link is the leading South African motoring magazine’s take on the Toyota recalls and the heat from the US Government.
http://www.carmag.co.za/article/local-toyota-recall-2010-02-10
(While I agree with the writer I do apologise in advance for some of the negative comments made about Americans in the comment section)