Toyota recalls its cars, most other manufacturers cover problems up.

I like Toyota, i like how they stand by their product, i like how they treat their customers and they stand head and shoulders above others.

You only have to read the regular threads here to see that certain German makers (and one or two others incl one Japanese maker) appear to treat their customers with contempt, and more fool those customers for returning, they'll never see a penny of my money.

Toyota gained more of my respect due to the recall situation, they admitted their problems and did their best to sort them out...a far cry from the attitude usually found from other makers, secrecy, denial and failure to accept responsibility the moment warranty expires.

All Toyotas i have owned have been bomb proof.

We run two cars and keep both for three years or so. Don't smoke, don't drink (much), don't go to football etc. Main 'vice' is an interest in cars.

Keep my cars in very tidy condition. On more than one occasion, my part ex has been put straight on sale when I've picked the new one up.

However, dealers don't have an easy time when I do change, as I know what I want, am very particular, and make sure the 'cost to change' is right for me (rather than them).

16 of the 17 cars have been Japanese brands, and one Korean (a Hyundai i20 for my partner bought in April). Six have been built in the UK (Honda Concerto (Longbridge), two Primeras, my last Corolla, and my two Auris's).

Retired at 54 (last year) so my new one will have to last a bit longer.

Edited by Auristocrat on 13/10/2012 at 01:13

Yes,a definite yes. My virago, sorry, SWMBO ran a Corolla for over 150K miles to eleven years old. In all that time and mileage it only needed a screen washer pump. It had a few sets of tyres and a battery,otherwise nothing,not even a new exhaust system. Being parked outside a hotel all day it suffered the occasional scrape from careless parkers and became cosmetically scruffy.It went for very little money in the end. She now has a Jazz,but would rather another Corolla.

I agree its a pity Toyota are not a bit more adventurous, they have put some serious engines in cars, Celica GT4 still being highly sought after, and the very rare Corolla T Sport thingy with the supercharged petrol engine...a very quick car that qualifies as wolf in sheeps clothing, my daughter's hankering after one of those when her Civic 2.0S eventually gives in to, even if it shows no sign yet, the relentless thrashing...luckily she's given up on the Integra DC5 wish (for now), good car though it is the parts situation i wasn't looking forward to.

Why no 2.0 litre Diesel Yaris?, SWMBO's C2VTS wouldn't have been here if that had been available

I'm disappointed that Lexus models were never fitted with a decent Diesel lump, a heavily soundproofed Landcruiser 3.0 or 4.2td lump under the bonnet of a 300/400, especially if they'd offered an estate would have seen them wipe the floor with MB and BMW.

Disappointed too that Camry disappeared, though i think this is mostly to do with Lexus and marketing, if US model Camry was offered here i doubt they'd sell another iS model.

Toyota are conservative though, which is probably no bad thing, following the VED and BIK changes when other makers started pushing small supercharged and turbocharged petrol engines to beat the system Toyota held back from rushing into this, some of those offerings form other makers have turned out to be unreliable so probably for the best, Toyota stand by their products and put their mistakes right, unlike some.

I too find Toyotas current line up rather too bland for me (4x4's and commercials apart which are still the best available despite motoring writers waxing lyrical over LR products), i like current Avensis tourer a lot, could well have one if it wasn't for the damned electric handbrake, which i'm not having ever, new or used....my line in the sand.