So people are still buying Toyotas…huh.
Categories: Opinion
Written By: admin
Camrys, ES350s, and Prii are deathtraps. Going on a trip in one is like vacationing in Kandahar. Innocents are being abused by a big bad company, whose goal is to lower the resale value of the cars, trucks, and SUVs they bought—so they’re suing Toyota.
Sounds a bit absurd, when you put it that way, no? Though not all the evidence is in, it appears that, yes indeed, driver error may be behind many of the crashes—or at least could have contributed in a major way. Even in severe cases, like that of an off-duty CHP officer, who was killed when (apparently) the floor mat in his Lexus jammed the accelerator down. Though officer Saylor had the presence of mind to call 911, he didn’t think to put the Lexus’ transmission into neutral. Under the terrifying circumstances, that misallocation of mental resources is perhaps understandable, though fatal.
More damning to the cause of those out for blood, the case of James Sike’s runaway Prius in San Diego appears to be fraudulent, after investigation by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. The Wall Street Journal report on that investigation says that its brakes “weren’t applied at full force over a sustained period at high speeds”, but rather that “the driver may have intermittently applied moderate pressure on the brakes.” NHTSA couldn’t duplicate the incident, and other parts of Sike’s story don’t jive with the facts. Oh yeah: he’s reportedly $700,000 in debt.
Consumers seem to be exercising more discernment than the media, though. Many of the most popular Toyota models are flying off lots. I’ve helped sell three this month alone, and if we can get our hands on a Highlander Limited in the right color, it will be four. That’s more than any other brand of new car, and a repeat of last month.
Some used Toyotas are hard to move; we have a 2007 Camry LE that is gathering dust. But that makes sense when you realize that a new one will lease for $200 a month; why would anyone spend $275 on a used one with over 50,000 miles on it?
Most other Toyotas have equally attractive deals. 0% financing is worth roughly $4500 in savings if you finance a $30,000 car over five years. And of course, my clients don’t pay sticker on these vehicles, meaning the savings are even greater.
I’m not absolving Toyota of any wrongdoing. There have been lapses, and a loss of the focus that helped make them the most successful car company in the world. Chasing numbers meant quality and engineering suffered. It may be a while before they return to the level of high regard that was once synonymous with the brand. And lots of talented upstarts like Hyundai are breathing down their neck.
