Toyota shows Harley how it should be done...

[banquo]

No brake pads falling apart, twisted crankshafts or splitting wheel rims from Toyota, but they are recalling 3.8 million vehicles, because the floor mats could move, possibly causing an accident. Personally, every car I've had with floor mats comes into this category...
Stark contrast with Harley's lack of response to potentially more dangerous defects...
Mind you, Toyota probably care about their name, brand and reputation.

[Maggar]

Rubbish!

The floor mats on my Street Glide have never moved.


It does sort of highlight the different attitudes from two very different manufacturers though; Toyota are probably aimed at the average Joe whilst Harley consider themselves a "Premium" brand.

[45Brit]

Toyota own Lexus don't they? And the Land Cruiser is a serious "tart's handbag" of a car...

I've driven Toyotas for years, top kit

[Maggar]

I knew someone would take offence at the "average Joe" thing - sorry. The fact is that Toyota had to invent a new brand for its high end cars because badging them as Toyotas wouldn't have carried the required kudos to complete with BMW and Mercedes, hence the Lexus name.

I'd hardly describe a Land Cruiser as a tart's handbag either- they are extremely capable off-road, but yes, they are well spec'd certainly.

I've always thought that Toyotas were bloody good cars and this recall for something relatively minor is testament to their view of quality control, good on them.

[45Brit]

offence, moi? Toyota are everyday cars for sure.

My wife had a Toyota Carina for about 12 years, it was a super set of wheels. I've had a Avensis as a hire car a couple of times and it's very good.

I've had Land Cruisers on and off for 30 years, from the "tin box" FJ45 pickup to the Amazon, and they are soooooo good, I've never been let down anywhere, ever; never had the RAC out, nothing. I've driven them in deserts, in 40 deg below in Alaska and Kazakhstan, up rainy Welsh mountains, they are THE BIZZ.

the high-spec British market ones are a bit wasted on the likes of me, though. Not all LCs are like that; there is a 'basic' one often found in the Middle East with cloth seats, rubber mats and a plastic dash and big steel pedals, which is handy if you drive in boots a lot

[Battersea]

Would agree about Toyota's. A sales manager I worked with had two company car Toyota's and he was the most mechanically unsympathetic driver I have ever met, it was painful to be his passenger at any speed or road type. Both cars did nearly 100k each and still drove really well.

Talking about warranty's and good manufacturers, I have recently bought a BMW Z3 for my missus and came across a forum (Zroadster) that had a topic on there about a problem with the boot floor splitting where the diff bracket is welded. The last Z3's were made in 2002, the problem was mainly with the more powerful 'M' versions. However BMW are picking up the repair tag for cars up to 10 years old, the tag is pretty high too; read about some bills coming to £4000+. The decision is based on BMW accepting that the initial design was not good enough for the purpose, 7 years after going out of production!!!!!!!!
I thought that was a pretty responsible and generous view to take.

[Mantis]

Originally Posted by Maggar

Rubbish!

The floor mats on my Street Glide have never moved.


It does sort of highlight the different attitudes from two very different manufacturers though; Toyota are probably aimed at the average Joe whilst Harley consider themselves a "Premium" brand.

Maybe Harley should start treating its customer in a premium way as they pay premuium prices.

[Squiz]

Originally Posted by Mantis

Maybe Harley should start treating its customer in a premium way as they pay premuium prices.

What and risk losing all the income generated by their customers apathy towards such things? Never!

Not a Car on the market can better a Toyota in a like for like comparison in any notable way. People like Farmers for example that demand the best value for money, go for Toyota's much of the time. That isn't a coincidence.

[Steppenwulf]

Originally Posted by Squiz

Not a Car on the market can better a Toyota in a like for like comparison in any notable way. People like Farmers for example that demand the best value for money, go for Toyota's much of the time. That isn't a coincidence.

Every Jack man of them around here has a Defender and perhaps a VW Golf TDi for the missus- can't recall any Yotas at the market it's just a sea of landys and Ifor Williams.

[Baff]

Originally Posted by 45Brit

there is a 'basic' one often found in the Middle East with cloth seats, rubber mats and a plastic dash and big steel pedals, which is handy if you drive in boots a lot

You forgot the optional rear-mounted ack ack gun