svelte, I feel the defective gas pedal recall is just one of Toyota’s “peremptory strikes.” I stand by my assertion that the recent/current hulabaloo over Toyota’s “quality and safety defects” is NOT OVER until the “fat lady sings.”
If you will recall, I stated that my current vehicle is 16 years old and my friends’ vehicles are similar ages. I don’t have any experience with the newer Toyotas except by looks and looking in the vehicle’s window comparison. I don’t know about the quality, per se, but I DO FEEL the standard equipment and size of interior has gone down a couple of notches in recent years, for the same model category of vehicle.
The most fun cars I have ever had were a bronze 1976 Celica and a Navy 1980 Celica with T-Top. I also had a red pearlized 1981 Honda Prelude. That was also very fun to drive, as were my friends’ Z-cars in the ’70’s (so much leg room – LOL).
I’ve sold and bought all my cars privately through the ads and Auto Trader. I’ve only owned two *new* vehicles in my whole life, both Toyotas. One was a brand new loaded ’79 Corolla Deluxe for $5400. I recall that I put down $1400 and borrowed $4000 for 3 yrs. at $145 mo (I’ve never had a car payment since). The other *new* veh. was purchased directly from an overseas distributor for cash, thus no dealer overhead 🙂
IMHO, I see absolutely no reason whatsoever to pay a “new-car premium” or pay for a vehicle on time.
