Official Car Inquiries Thread
- Thread starter Frank E
- Start date
Guilt Trip
Active member
I sure hope you don't have issues with a pretty much new vehicle....How do you drive a couple year old vehicle into the ground. Isn't that usually reserved for older cars?Mordac said:
How much is too much to spend on a 2001 Echo with 185,000km?
No problems with the engine but a couple years ago the switch to open the trunk from the driver's seat stopped working, and one of the door locks takes several tries to unlock with the key.
I'd also love to have windshield wipers installed in the back but one dealership told me it would be cost prohibitive.
The car isn't worth more than $5000 so not sure if it's worth the investment.
No problems with the engine but a couple years ago the switch to open the trunk from the driver's seat stopped working, and one of the door locks takes several tries to unlock with the key.
I'd also love to have windshield wipers installed in the back but one dealership told me it would be cost prohibitive.
The car isn't worth more than $5000 so not sure if it's worth the investment.
bustaheims
Active member
Wait, you run a Toyota dealership? Where abouts? My 97 Camry is doing some, uh, interesting things and needs someone who knows what's going on in there to take a look at it.
Number 5
New member
Guilt Trip said:
It's a fleet car, that I drive daily. I frequently travel to oilsands construction sites throughout Northern Alberta, and I can assure you that the Corolla was not built for these "roads", or the loads I've jammed into it before I then take these roads. (Don't tell the leasing company!
)I've put on just under 200K km since Sept.08, around half on roads I wouldn't take a pick-up/suv on, if I owned it. Aside from some dirt/gravel in the rotors, and a couple of windshield replacements, it's never given me more than a low tire pressure warning when the weather turns cold.
By "drive it into the ground", I mean some very hard miles.
Bullfrog
Active member
Frank E said:
That's the first thing I'd check too. Another easy check is to see if the outlet (return) hose from heater rad is hot. If it isn't, then you're not getting proper coolant flow and the rad may have to be replaced or flushed. By rad, I mean the heater rad, not the main one.
If you dont want a lemon, dont buy a dodge sx haha. Ive put 3k into it in the last year, transmission(and i got a great deal on the rebuild), shift solinoid, tie rod ends, 3 wheel bearings, brakes...just brutal.
Does anyone know the best way to check which vacuum hose could be cracked or leaking? Im getting a whistling sounds when i press on the gas, which I assume is a vacuum hose. Ive looked quickly but cant tell which one it is.
Does anyone know the best way to check which vacuum hose could be cracked or leaking? Im getting a whistling sounds when i press on the gas, which I assume is a vacuum hose. Ive looked quickly but cant tell which one it is.
Why does Toyota refuse to service Lexus cars even though the parts themselves have "Toyota" stamped on them? Am i doomed to suffer from $200 oil changes? And what if I change my own oil? Does this void the warranty?
About your statement on reliability...I think Toyota and Lexus has really been debased quality-wise in this decade. Not just cheaper, flimsy interiors, but the cars in the 90's seemed much more heavy duty. I've had an SC400, Camry and Corolla from that time period. I currently have a GS450 and wife drives a Camry from this current era. I'm sure it's more than nostalgia, but I really do believe cars were much better built back then. Sure, the gap allowance between body panels have shrunk since then, but overall the cars don't seem as solidly built as before. Is this a valid statement? If so, is this due to the effects of price competition from Korean cars or is this just pure profit taking on their part? I've been brought up in a toyota household and i swear by them, but if they don't get their act together, I may think about switching.
About your statement on reliability...I think Toyota and Lexus has really been debased quality-wise in this decade. Not just cheaper, flimsy interiors, but the cars in the 90's seemed much more heavy duty. I've had an SC400, Camry and Corolla from that time period. I currently have a GS450 and wife drives a Camry from this current era. I'm sure it's more than nostalgia, but I really do believe cars were much better built back then. Sure, the gap allowance between body panels have shrunk since then, but overall the cars don't seem as solidly built as before. Is this a valid statement? If so, is this due to the effects of price competition from Korean cars or is this just pure profit taking on their part? I've been brought up in a toyota household and i swear by them, but if they don't get their act together, I may think about switching.
maplesyrup
New member
Wow Frank... Way to bust open the flood gates!
Frank E
Active member
WhatIfGodWasALeaf said:
They're great cars, just make sure you drive one first. That regenerative braking thing can take some time to get used to. Price point for the regular Prius will decrease for 2012 (at least here in Canada).
Next year they're launching a Prius 'C'. It's a small hybrid the size of the Yaris.
Frank E
Active member
sucka said:
1. We service lots of Lexus vehicles here, so I'm not sure which dealership is refusing you service.
2. There's nothing specific in your assessment of the current quality of the vehicles. The bar has been raised quite a bit over the past 10 years, and even things like timing belts aren't even on the maintenance schedule anymore, due to them perfecting the chain for noise reduction. Keep in mind as well that the emmissions and safety standards of vehicles are substantially more extensive than they were 10 years ago.
Sudafederov
New member
Frank E said:
Oh man, I'm so glad you started this thread.
I actually just started negotiating for a Lexus CT.
Any chance you could be my secret weapon?
Bullfrog
Active member
moon111 said:
Apparently they've finally recognized this and are redesigning their full lineup.
http://motoringtv.com/URLthe-face-behind-toyota-s-new-look--p144300