New RAV4 interior really sucks.
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No matter how amazing the brand, when you build something new your bound to have issues (yes even after the pre-production unit testing that most automakers do before the assembly line is fully up and running). However by the end of the first MY better vehicle then say the first one off the lot.
For my personal experience, the 4Runner model I have lost its dip stick for the transmission, changeable rear bulbs for the brakes, changed to the 4.7 engine in that when from steel and aluminum parts to plastic parts. So on the bigger screme of things, what else might they have done compared to the first model year or second etc etc.
I do get the idea that one would think that a new model would possibly have teething issues.
Last edited by Toys4RJill; Dec 25, 2018 at 04:16 PM.
Lead Lap
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You know. I would almost disagree with you. Case in point, GM engineers were on Motorweek once and they were interviewed on the podcast. They told how the first year of a new generation model is the model that is most complete from the manufacturer, it’s the model that is least cost cut. Almost instantly they claim, management is on them to make cuts and changes to help lower the cost of a new model. As each gen model year comes out, things get cut or modified to help save money, (usually stuff you can’t see). I believe they were referring to the Buick LaCrosse during the podcast.
For my personal experience, the 4Runner model I have lost its dip stick for the transmission, changeable rear bulbs for the brakes, changed to the 4.7 engine in that when from steel and aluminum parts to plastic parts. So on the bigger screme of things, what else might they have done compared to the first model year or second etc etc.
I do get the idea that one would think that a new model would possibly have teething issues.
Also the most "complete" vehicle does not necessarily translate to the most reliable vehicle IMO.
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cost cutting always sucks, but its also to a way to design a (hopefully) better simpler process of building. For instance, I know this is of course a different field, but the first couple of aircraft on a new design platform always have come up short in terms of meeting spec on certain fronts. Weight, mechanics etc on the 787 project. Usually buyers of the first run are informed and thus adequately aware and/or compensated for the shortcomings. By the end of the first batch, those issues are well sorted, PIPs are implemented and all is well. Its the nature of the beast when it comes to mass market production.
Also the most "complete" vehicle does not necessarily translate to the most reliable vehicle IMO.
Also the most "complete" vehicle does not necessarily translate to the most reliable vehicle IMO.
Last edited by Toys4RJill; Dec 25, 2018 at 04:56 PM.
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True, it can't be totally proved, but there is a credible reason for it. The beginning and the end of the work week (including auto plants)tend to be periods when people's minds aren't totally on their jobs.
My Lacrosse, for example, I think, was built on a Friday (Buick informed me of the day), and sure enough, with less than 8000 miles on it, it already had one significant issue (the climate-control temperature-distribution problems) and a couple of smaller ones. In fact, it goes in the shop again the day after Christmas (Dec. 26) to repair the right-rear turn signal. Could be anything from a bulb to a flasher to a fuse to a short.
My Verano, in contrast, was almost perfect (except for some oil consumption in the rings) in the five years I owned it. Never went in the shop once for any true repair....only for tire replacement from road-debris. Of course, it was essentially a German Opel. I don't know what day of the week it was built, though.....I bought it literally out of the showroom, after a test-drive.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lemon_(automobile)
My Lacrosse, for example, I think, was built on a Friday (Buick informed me of the day), and sure enough, with less than 8000 miles on it, it already had one significant issue (the climate-control temperature-distribution problems) and a couple of smaller ones. In fact, it goes in the shop again the day after Christmas (Dec. 26) to repair the right-rear turn signal. Could be anything from a bulb to a flasher to a fuse to a short.
My Verano, in contrast, was almost perfect (except for some oil consumption in the rings) in the five years I owned it. Never went in the shop once for any true repair....only for tire replacement from road-debris. Of course, it was essentially a German Opel. I don't know what day of the week it was built, though.....I bought it literally out of the showroom, after a test-drive.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lemon_(automobile)
The idioms "Friday afternoon car" or "Monday morning car", were used to describe new cars that had been delivered with numerous faults or suffered from an excessive number of warranty claims early in their lives – based on the premise that assembly line workers were far more likely to make errors at the times when they were perceived to be least interested in the standard of their workmanship
Last edited by mmarshall; Dec 25, 2018 at 05:49 PM.
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True, it can't be totally proved, but there is a credible reason for it. The beginning and the end of the work week (including auto plants)tend to be periods when people's minds aren't totally on their jobs.
My Lacrosse, for example, I think, was built on a Friday (Buick informed me of the day), and sure enough, with less than 8000 miles on it, it already had one significant issue (the climate-control temperature-distribution problems) and a couple of smaller ones. In fact, it goes in the shop again the day after Christmas (Dec. 26) to repair the right-rear turn signal. Could be anything from a bulb to a flasher to a fuse to a short.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lemon_(automobile)
My Lacrosse, for example, I think, was built on a Friday (Buick informed me of the day), and sure enough, with less than 8000 miles on it, it already had one significant issue (the climate-control temperature-distribution problems) and a couple of smaller ones. In fact, it goes in the shop again the day after Christmas (Dec. 26) to repair the right-rear turn signal. Could be anything from a bulb to a flasher to a fuse to a short.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lemon_(automobile)
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Yes, it's true, as Steve brought up earlier, that some factories work around the clock. But each shift of employees still starts and stops at certain times of the week...or day. That part doesn't change.
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Doubt any of it is true. Makes no sense. Everyone's shift will vary.
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You miss the point Mike, every day is some employees Friday and some employees Monday because of how their workweek is. So, by your logic EVERY day is a bad day for an assembly line.
Its just an old wives tale. Like saying when your nose itches somebody is talking about you or other BS like that.
Its just an old wives tale. Like saying when your nose itches somebody is talking about you or other BS like that.
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I remember Mike's claim of don't buy a monday or friday car but that was back in the 50's-60's before modern technology has transformed assembly lines. I remember coke bottles in the doors etc. but that is a thing of the past which Mike has a tendency to quote a lot. Robots have taken over.
Lead Lap
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True, it can't be totally proved, but there is a credible reason for it. The beginning and the end of the work week (including auto plants)tend to be periods when people's minds aren't totally on their jobs.
My Lacrosse, for example, I think, was built on a Friday (Buick informed me of the day), and sure enough, with less than 8000 miles on it, it already had one significant issue (the climate-control temperature-distribution problems) and a couple of smaller ones. In fact, it goes in the shop again the day after Christmas (Dec. 26) to repair the right-rear turn signal. Could be anything from a bulb to a flasher to a fuse to a short.
My Verano, in contrast, was almost perfect (except for some oil consumption in the rings) in the five years I owned it. Never went in the shop once for any true repair....only for tire replacement from road-debris. Of course, it was essentially a German Opel. I don't know what day of the week it was built, though.....I bought it literally out of the showroom, after a test-drive.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lemon_(automobile)
My Lacrosse, for example, I think, was built on a Friday (Buick informed me of the day), and sure enough, with less than 8000 miles on it, it already had one significant issue (the climate-control temperature-distribution problems) and a couple of smaller ones. In fact, it goes in the shop again the day after Christmas (Dec. 26) to repair the right-rear turn signal. Could be anything from a bulb to a flasher to a fuse to a short.
My Verano, in contrast, was almost perfect (except for some oil consumption in the rings) in the five years I owned it. Never went in the shop once for any true repair....only for tire replacement from road-debris. Of course, it was essentially a German Opel. I don't know what day of the week it was built, though.....I bought it literally out of the showroom, after a test-drive.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lemon_(automobile)
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Your issues stems more from the modules nd components from various suppliers. These issues is from cost cutting and nothing to do with when your vehicle was assembled. Although one can claim that those supplied parts that went into your vehicle were assembled on Mondays or Fridays. Now if your doors, hood, windshields start flying off then yea...
Thread Starter
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From: ON/NY
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
I remember Mike's claim of don't buy a monday or friday car but that was back in the 50's-60's before modern technology has transformed assembly lines. I remember coke bottles in the doors etc. but that is a thing of the past which Mike has a tendency to quote a lot. Robots have taken over.
Some of the cars I can remember seeing, though, were probably assembled with a different kind of coke.
