Toyota - Worth the Hype?

[Duck Vader]

Over the long weekend while I was out at the coast I noticed the vast majority of "SUVs" and trucks were either Toyota or Lexus. Seemed like every other one was either a Toyota Tundra, Tacoma, Rav4, Sequoia, 4Runner, Land Cruiser, Highlander, or a Lexus GX/LX, etc.

Are these things really that good or are they hyped up kind of like Subaru? Where they have been hammered into our heads about being "reliable" and everything?

Just curious because I have owned 3 Toyota cars over the years, 2 were dead reliable way past 100k, 1 blew a transmission. No experience with their larger stuff.

I kind of wrote off Toyota in my vehicle search since I found the Tacoma to be overpriced, uncomfortable, and "cheap" feeling and didn't fit in a 2017 Rav4 comfortably. Really never gave them a 2nd thought after that.

[ChargerX3]

It’s hype. Yea there are some good features and things they did early on to help solidify their sales but if you want to talk reliability in extreme situations like Dakar, Mitsubishi has a much stronger lineage.

[vr4]

They are definitely more reliable than Subaru but you're right on the over priced and cheap feeling.

Personally I feel they're overrated.

[alienviking]

Not sure if I would really use something like Dakar as an example though. That would be kind of like using Toyota's LMP cars to hype them up.

[Duck Vader]

I have been really debating on getting a Tahoe or Silverado, big time, but was curious about the yotas since they were fucking EVERYWHERE out there.

[mjannusch]

Never had a problem with either of our Toyota Priuses with about 250,000 miles combined. Have friends with Tundras, and those have been reliable for them. Their trucks do need some updates at this point, as the competition all has never versions now.

[Duck Vader]

Seems the cars are great for reliability. Seen a couple of those million mile Tundras too. But for the cost, seems like they are overpriced, and that is my biggest issue. At least out here I can get a same year tahoe with less miles for 1/2 the cost of a Toyota.

For instance. I can get a 08 Tahoe with under 100k on it for under $10k, or I can get a 08 Sequoia with more than double the mileage for the same cost.

[Chris GTO TT]

Worth the hype? Yes and no. Their body on frame trucks and SUV's are very reliable and pretty capable. They do however have a problem with rust. The 4.7L V8 will run forever with basic maintenance, but the frame will rust away in a 100k miles if it is from a rust state. The trucks/SUV's built in Japan are very solidly built, my Sequoia being made in America rattles like a tin can full of rocks. Their reliability and durability makes them sought after for the overland crowd. This pushes prices up on the 4x4 models. It also means even the obscure rare models like Land Cruisers have decent mods available.

I was telling Mighty Steve last weekend there is a lot I like about my Sequoia compared to the Explorer I had but there is a lot I miss about the Explorer.

[vr4]

[quote=""Chris GTO TT""]Worth the hype? Yes and no. Their body on frame trucks and SUV's are very reliable and pretty capable. They do however have a problem with rust. The 4.7L V8 will run forever with basic maintenance, but the frame will rust away in a 100k miles if it is from a rust state. The trucks/SUV's built in Japan are very solidly built, my Sequoia being made in America rattles like a tin can full of rocks. Their reliability and durability makes them sought after for the overland crowd. This pushes prices up on the 4x4 models. It also means even the obscure rare models like Land Cruisers have decent mods available.

I was telling Mighty Steve last weekend there is a lot I like about my Sequoia compared to the Explorer I had but there is a lot I miss about the Explorer.[/quote]

What did you like about the exploder more? Quieter, ergonomics, easier on road?

[Chris GTO TT]

[quote=""vr4""]What did you like about the exploder more? Quieter, ergonomics, easier on road?[/quote]

The 4th gen Explorer is a much better size, it also uses its space a whole lot better. While the 6spd auto wasn’t programmed all that great it allowed it to climb the grades to Donner Summit with a lot less drama than the Sequoia. One of the best things about the explorer is how well it’s 3row functioned, and how much more leg room it had. It also folded flat instead of tumbling and removing. Since my Sequoia has the 2nd row captains chairs it only seats 4 people unless i leave the seats in the back. I take them out because they are noisy and get in the way when I want to load bigger things. The Explorer also handled a lot better, and was generally much more competent.

[aaronatstate]

[quote=""mjannusch""]Their trucks do need some updates at this point,
as the competition all has never versions now.[/quote]

This...so much this. The Tundra hasn't been redesigned since 2008/9. Just exterior updates. I have a friend with one, who's over 200k, no major issues, except a starter went out. I wouldn't pick a Toyota truck over any US truck, mostly because it is need of serious update.

[ChargerX3]

[quote=""alienviking""]Not sure if I would really use something like Dakar as an example though. That would be kind of like using Toyota's LMP cars to hype them up.[/quote]

Might be a little of a stretch but not near the stretch of an LMP car.

[DCIV]

[quote=""Chris GTO TT""]The 4th gen Explorer is a much better size, it also uses its space a whole lot better. While the 6spd auto wasn’t programmed all that great it allowed it to climb the grades to Donner Summit with a lot less drama than the Sequoia. One of the best things about the explorer is how well it’s 3row functioned, and how much more leg room it had. It also folded flat instead of tumbling and removing. Since my Sequoia has the 2nd row captains chairs it only seats 4 people unless i leave the seats in the back. I take them out because they are noisy and get in the way when I want to load bigger things. The Explorer also handled a lot better, and was generally much more competent.[/quote]

all I heard was....waaa waaaa, mom van, waaaa, waaaa


Coop

[Chris GTO TT]

[quote=""DCIV""]all I heard was....waaa waaaa, mom van, waaaa, waaaa


Coop[/quote]

Ummm okay :d ontknow:

[DCIV]

[quote=""Chris GTO TT""]Ummm okay :d ontknow:[/quote]

oh come on, you can come back with better than that!


Coop

[Chris GTO TT]

At least my lawn tractor didn’t break :d ontknow:

[vr4]

[quote=""DCIV""]all I heard was....waaa waaaa, mom van, waaaa, waaaa


Coop[/quote]

[quote=""Chris GTO TT""]Ummm okay :d ontknow:[/quote]

I don't get it either. Different truck for different purposes. The explorer hasn't really been an off road vehicle ever. Even less so for the 02+ models.

Not saying the Toyota is built for off road use.

[DCIV]

[quote=""Chris GTO TT""]At least my lawn tractor didn’t break :d ontknow:[/quote]

My free scag breaks after over a year? Pretty good if you ask me.

[quote=""vr4""]I don't get it either. Different truck for different purposes. The explorer hasn't really been an off road vehicle ever. Even less so for the 02+ models.

Not saying the Toyota is built for off road use.[/quote]

It was more the seating options remind me of a mini van and he was complaining.


Coop

[Chris GTO TT]

[quote=""vr4""]I don't get it either. Different truck for different purposes. The explorer hasn't really been an off road vehicle ever. Even less so for the 02+ models.

Not saying the Toyota is built for off road use.[/quote]

Both are 7 passenger body on frame V8 4x4s with low range rated to tow 6200+lbs. While they compete in different size classes they are fairly similar in purposes :d ontknow:

[vr4]

[quote=""Chris GTO TT""]Both are 7 passenger body on frame V8 4x4s with low range rated to tow 6200+lbs. While they compete in different size classes they are fairly similar in purposes :d ontknow:[/quote]

Wasn't aware the Sequoia had independent suspension all around