I Hate Toyotas

[oldnslo]

When I retired back in 2001, I wanted to buy a vehicle for the long haul, and the wife had to have a minivan, so we bought a Toyota Sienna, highly touted at the time by Consumer Reports magazine, and Toyota's reputation for economical, reliable performance. Getting to 30k miles, the mandatory maintence cost $365, which seemed steep, but moving on to 60k miles, the required maintenance came to $600, and the tears start to flow. Now, at 72k, it ate the first of 3- o2 sensors at $600 each, and in 20k, there will be the timing belt change for $850-1000.
At least I won't have to pay that, because it's going bye-bye from my ownership hopefully next week.
If anybody out there is considering a Toyota Camry or Sienna, 4 or 6 cylinder engine, please think it over carefully. These are extremely maintenance-intensive vehicles, about $2000 per 100K, and at least in my experience, reliability is slipping on Toyota.
Oh, yes, and at least 1,577,000 of them are experiencing sludge problems, trashing their engines. Toyota will REIMBURSE, rather than handle it as a warranty claim, so you get to come up with the thousands and hope they actually pay you back. Toyota in general sux. Never again.

[9000white]

i went crazy in 1995 and bought a new nissan pick up.
i came home and looked up the standard replacement parts as compared to a s10 chevrolet--starter--alternator--fuel injectors---ecm--brake pads--rotors.everything on the nissan was double and some things were triple the price of the s10.aint nothing went wrong with it except with 82000 miles the engine sounds like a rock crusher.

[cb360]

That sounds like a problem related to this generation of vehicles rather than being Toyota specific. I bought my first car since '86 about three years ago. An '03 Subaru Forester. Great car - we love the thing and my boss is making payments (Or I'd have never bought new) so I can't complain. When I called the dealer about the 30,000 mile service recently it was almost $800! I took it to my old mechanic who gave it a fully authorized service for about $440. My point being that I think these service charges for routine maintenance are getting to be par for the course for all manufactureres these days. My big beef about new cars is that you can't work on them yourself - or I guess I should say I can't.

Speaking of that Toyota truck I got back in '86... a toyota 2wd pu for about $4500 new. I drove that thing for 16 years... and I only got one brake job! It was absolutely bulletproof. I sold it to a guy who works with me 3 years ago and it's still running just fine.

[oldnslo]

Ridiculous, indeed. I have never owned a vehicle with such expensive maintenance requirements. I think Toyota quality has slipped, too. I expected better, to be sure. And with this sludge issue hanging over it, it is history.

[Joeyrocksguitar]

i've never had any problems with Toyota's. They have always been really reliable and good re-sell value.

[oldnslo]

What year and model is yours, Joey?

[TechTMW]

When I called the dealer about the 30,000 mile service recently it was almost $800! I took it to my old mechanic who gave it a fully authorized service for about $440. My point being that I think these service charges for routine maintenance are getting to be par for the course for all manufactureres these days.

Yeah. With the advent of the electronic (bike or) car, you need a computer program or diagnostic tools to properly work on the thing. Indy mechanics like your friend are going the way of the dodo. Manufacturers usually only release the newest model programming and whatnot to dealers. Or they overprice the equipment outside of their circle. Hence to get the right job done for some basic stuff you have to take it to a dealership. Where they promptly charge you $50 just to hook up the machine.

I don't know who to blame, but there's a real problem when the average mechanic at a dealership knows as much about mechanics as a burger flipper. Just hook up the computer, zip off that oil plug w/ an air wrench (And put it back on that way too - MAX TORQUE, it'll get done faster!!) and you're good to go. That will be $800 please. Oh and your left front tire was a little low, so we filled it for you as a freebie.

[High_Side]

Now, at 72k, it ate the first of 3- o2 sensors at $600 each,

I have never ever heard of such a price for an O2 sensor! Thats harsh! Did you pursue the aftermarket option John?

[oldnslo]

The shop is an independent. I have checked other prices for maintence services with dealers and this shop is pretty much in line. The engine and trans are the same as used in the 300 series Lexus, which may or may not explain some of the ridiculous pricing for parts. Meanwhile, my old Chevy pickup with at least 153k just keeps plugging along, and if it doesn't, I know how to fix it myself.

[oldnslo]

While I was waiting around for the repair shop to get the right part, I called two genuine Toyota dealers to compare prices for the same work. My independent shop charged me double the price the dealers would have charged. I've been raped without so much as a handshake. So much for that relationship of four years. I have always had done what was said to be neccessary, paid in full with no problems, sent the SOB new business, and this is the thanks I get.
It is true that no good deed goes unpunished. So this stupid, SOB bastid shop owner will lose the service work of my two vehicles, plus the service work of a friend of mine's 3 vehicles, because he insists on lying and feeding me bullsh!t as if I was a mushroom. I will try to help him and his staff have more free time by spreading the word about his rapacious business practices.
I did find a seemingly nice Toyota dealer reasonably close to service the thing until it is sold, though.