General Car Conversation 2024 - part 2
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 19,647
Likes: 3,748
From: California
The most disturbing thing to me was that horrible build quality, and use of cheap plastics. I'm not an owner like you guys are, but it looks like Toyota is going the opposite of Tesla, where early Tesla's had horrible build quality that got better over time and Toyota is going cheap with material quality. Just an observation from watching that video
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,382
Likes: 357
From: ON/NY
And it has full-time four-wheel-drive
Last edited by Toys4RJill; Sep 17, 2024 at 05:29 PM.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,328
Likes: 236
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
The most disturbing thing to me was that horrible build quality, and use of cheap plastics. I'm not an owner like you guys are, but it looks like Toyota is going the opposite of Tesla, where early Tesla's had horrible build quality that got better over time and Toyota is going cheap with material quality. Just an observation from watching that video
With Toyota, it didn't happen overnight. I have long-maintained that Toyota built many of their best vehicles in the 1990s, and I still stand by that opinion. The general material quality on many U.S-market Toyota products started a noticeable downturn from around 1997 and the redesign of the 4th-generation Camry, continued with the 2000 design of the Celica, and has been continuing on most of their products ever since. The 2nd-generation 2007 Tundra/Sequoia redesign and recent Tacomas have been especially disappointing.
One possible exception was the Corolla. The 90s versions didn't seem quite as well-done in material solidness, particularly with the flimsy-feeling doors, as some of the versions that followed them. But that is about the only exception I can think of.
Last edited by mmarshall; Sep 17, 2024 at 05:52 PM.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,382
Likes: 357
From: ON/NY
Lexus Champion
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 13,243
Likes: 1,874
From: WA
The most disturbing thing to me was that horrible build quality, and use of cheap plastics. I'm not an owner like you guys are, but it looks like Toyota is going the opposite of Tesla, where early Tesla's had horrible build quality that got better over time and Toyota is going cheap with material quality. Just an observation from watching that video
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 18,096
Likes: 1,740
From: Ohio
Toyota feels cheaper and cheaper to me, now with reliability out the window I really see no point to them with how much they cost for what you get. Very "low value" so to speak, not impressive overall packages unless you just simply have to have the Toyota badge as a talisman.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 19,647
Likes: 3,748
From: California
With the new Tundras, I’d say same as Tesla where initial build quality was suspect but improved. The ones I test drove had good paint quality, panel gaps, aligned trim, etc. For interior materials, they seemed like an improvement to me over my 2021. I love my 2021, and the leather quality is great, but it has a lot of cheap plastics and fake wood. I honestly found that Toyota is moving in a better direction. But that engine…therein lies my only concern with the new Tundra. As soon as I have confidence in it, I’ll likely buy one.
You should definitely stick with the 5.7L until they get this all sorted out. It's just strange seeing these engines fail from a company that is known for reliability
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 19,647
Likes: 3,748
From: California
With Toyota, it didn't happen overnight. I have long-maintained that Toyota built many of their best vehicles in the 1990s, and I still stand by that opinion. The general material quality on many U.S-market Toyota products started a noticeable downturn from around 1997 and the redesign of the 4th-generation Camry, continued with the 2000 design of the Celica, and has been continuing on most of their products ever since. The 2nd-generation 2007 Tundra/Sequoia redesign and recent Tacomas have been especially disappointing.
One possible exception was the Corolla. The 90s versions didn't seem quite as well-done in material solidness, particularly with the flimsy-feeling doors, as some of the versions that followed them. But that is about the only exception I can think of.
One possible exception was the Corolla. The 90s versions didn't seem quite as well-done in material solidness, particularly with the flimsy-feeling doors, as some of the versions that followed them. But that is about the only exception I can think of.
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers
Joe Kucinski
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation
Joe Kucinski
Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?
Brett Foote
GX 550 vs TX 550: Best 3-Row Luxury Lexus Family Hauler
Michael S. Palmer
9 Best Lexus Models You Can Buy for Half Price (And 1 You Shouldn't!)
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus NX Buyer's Guide: Models, Features, Prices & More!
Brett Foote
Lexus Champion
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 13,243
Likes: 1,874
From: WA
Got it, I don't know much about Tundras, but owning several Toyotas over 30 years, I was a bit surprised seeing that video.
You should definitely stick with the 5.7L until they get this all sorted out. It's just strange seeing these engines fail from a company that is known for reliability
You should definitely stick with the 5.7L until they get this all sorted out. It's just strange seeing these engines fail from a company that is known for reliability
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 17,019
Likes: 496
From: Knoxville, TN
Thank Uncle Sam and regulations.
Without it and regulations we'd have an updated and enlarged UR V8 of massive size and power, or maybe even a new generation V8 with a supercharger.
I hate all this so much but it's really not the automakers' faults.
You know half or more of Toyota engineers lovvvvve the 5.7. It's a contender for best truck V8 of all time easily.
Without it and regulations we'd have an updated and enlarged UR V8 of massive size and power, or maybe even a new generation V8 with a supercharger.
I hate all this so much but it's really not the automakers' faults.
You know half or more of Toyota engineers lovvvvve the 5.7. It's a contender for best truck V8 of all time easily.
a track is entirely different than public roads.
on some sections of some roads, not all highways.
i feel sorry for your jeep. 
give it a little more love and no telling how long it will last. 
i believe the internal name for that color is "diaper content"
oh btw, there’s 85mph speed limit in Texas.
give it a little more love and no telling how long it will last.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 18,096
Likes: 1,740
From: Ohio
Thank Uncle Sam and regulations.
Without it and regulations we'd have an updated and enlarged UR V8 of massive size and power, or maybe even a new generation V8 with a supercharger.
I hate all this so much but it's really not the automakers' faults.
You know half or more of Toyota engineers lovvvvve the 5.7. It's a contender for best truck V8 of all time easily.
Without it and regulations we'd have an updated and enlarged UR V8 of massive size and power, or maybe even a new generation V8 with a supercharger.
I hate all this so much but it's really not the automakers' faults.
You know half or more of Toyota engineers lovvvvve the 5.7. It's a contender for best truck V8 of all time easily.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,382
Likes: 357
From: ON/NY
Thank Uncle Sam and regulations.
Without it and regulations we'd have an updated and enlarged UR V8 of massive size and power, or maybe even a new generation V8 with a supercharger.
I hate all this so much but it's really not the automakers' faults.
You know half or more of Toyota engineers lovvvvve the 5.7. It's a contender for best truck V8 of all time easily.
Without it and regulations we'd have an updated and enlarged UR V8 of massive size and power, or maybe even a new generation V8 with a supercharger.
I hate all this so much but it's really not the automakers' faults.
You know half or more of Toyota engineers lovvvvve the 5.7. It's a contender for best truck V8 of all time easily.
all that said, the 5.7 is gem. Careful what you wish for lol.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 18,096
Likes: 1,740
From: Ohio
Toyota had a manufacturing defect with their cleaning process, so the issues with the 3.5tt is not the design, it’s the manufacturing. . That said, turbochargers suck as it’s just one more fail point when in comes to longevity. Add in a coolant system for the turbos and you have more long term replacement concerns. Add in hybrid components and you have a battery that will eventually fail, coolants that need to be swapped out. The Tundra even has a starter that is separate from the hybrid system for cold weather starting. Talk about extra cost. I still would trust the Tundra over a Ford, or Dodge, but I think the GM twins are great.
all that said, the 5.7 is gem. Careful what you wish for lol.
all that said, the 5.7 is gem. Careful what you wish for lol.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,382
Likes: 357
From: ON/NY
The issue is only for 2022-2023 Tundras and some LX600 models. About a 100K units
Last edited by Toys4RJill; Sep 17, 2024 at 07:15 PM. Reason: Ly