Why Toyotas Are Unexpectedly Lovable Objects

"Money Hustard" (moneyhustard) 08/11/2015 at 08:05 • Filed to: Toyota, Ramblings

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This is just an anecdotal reflection on my experiences. I’m not bringing facts or figures to bare, just my own experience such as it is.

I’ve owned at least two cars from each of the big three US manufacturers, at least one from each of the big three in Japan, plus a Subaru, 2 VWs, 2 Volvos, and so on. I have access to a slew of luxury, even a few super cars owned by friends and family, I go out of my way to rent cars even when I don’t need to, I drive every car I can, and I can’t escape one inexorable fact: Toyota makes cars REALLY fucking well.

It’s easy to dismiss Toyota when you are an enthusiast. THEY MAKE IT SO EASY TO DO. Their !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , a few of their cars are utterly soulless, and it’s like they go out of their way to deny enthusiasts any nods whatsoever.

That doesn’t mean they haven’t and don’t still make some fun cars. The 4Runner, the Taco Truck, Land Cruiser, the MR2, LFA, Supra, AE86, GT86, etc. are all fine objects of enthusiasm. Features like the backside windows of many Toyota trucks and SUVs rolling all the way down, are simply delightful.

Their performance parts division isn’t a total joke either. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , for sure, and was actually kind of impressed by the engineering that went into the kit. The fun bits are there if you want them, though they !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! purchase a bit more effectively, if you ask me.

In almost ever segment they participate in they are solidly middle of the pack and occasionally pack leaders.

I think it’s finally sunken into me as to why. They make cars extremely well. The fit and finish, like how the windows roll up and down, the feeling of closing a door, the interiors’ longevity, make for a lovable vehicle.

Look, love is weird. Most people don’t actually have a fulfilling relationship with the hottest person they know, and even if they did, it’d be like winning the lotto if they were also the sort of dependable, kind, honest person you want to spend every day of your life with. The sort of person you trust your kids with, the sort of person that never gives up.

Toyotas, likewise, are lovable. Not because they produce all of the horsepowers, not because they are built for a track day (BRO), or because of their looks. They’re there for you when you need them.

I know there’s a good portion of people reading this with a vein popping out of their neck and a twitching eye. I know all you can think about is manual transmissions, apexes and frail BMW’s. Try to relax, put on some Kenny G and run yourself a bath. Because I’m about to say the Corolla has always been excellent car for its price .

The person who dismisses Toyota, the folks who refrain “grounded to the ground” every time Toyota is mentioned, as if a piece of shit ad an ad agency made for a foreign division of a company says anything about that company is missing to point of what Toyota is really about.

The journos are worse. They are smoking on the pipe of initial quality , and drinking the intoxicating draught of driving a car flat out on a closed circuit . In these contexts, it’s hard to look at the Toyota favorably, because it’s not playing to unreal circumstances. They don’t make their cars for that .01% of the time that you hoon it. They make cars for the other 99.99% of the time. They make the right tool for the job, a job that a lot is riding on. Your life, the lives of your passengers and fellow motorists, being on time to your job, or daughter’s dance recital relies on this tool. Driving a car can’t just be about fashion and fun, it’s serious fucking business.

How Toyota Got Me This Time

When it came time for me to shop trucks recently I dismissed the Tundra out of hand. Why would I even consider the 4th best truck? Every truck on the market is newer besides the Titan. Then I an F150, Sierra, and Ram for overnight test drives. I found myself unimpressed with what trucks had become. The F150 felt like a massive crossover, the Sierra felt joyless, and the Ram was like it was designed by drunk people, and have fun fixing those air suspensions a few years down the road...

My wife, equally unimpressed, urged me to check out the Tundra. Academically, I was appalled at the proposition. Such a crude, old vehicle, there’s no way I’m going to like it more than the 3 trucks that were outselling it. Even today I concede, it isn’t the best truck, it gets terrible gas mileage, has middling towing and hauling capacities, and weighs in at the better part of 3 tons.

But driving it was different. Feeling that old fashioned hydraulic steering, seeing how smoothly the MASSIVE rear window rolls down, and just how good everything felt, I was immediately sold. It’s also considerably less hokey than it’s pseudo-cowboy competitors on the inside and sports a back seat that has to be seen to be believed. It’s not the most refined car in the bunch anyway you cut it, but it feels the most like a truck should. Its throttle response is set to brutal, and suspension is tuned to “yeehaw!”

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think Toyota does so well at what they do because of the intangibles, because of the soul the put into their cars. It may be the soul of an accountant named Melvin, but Melvin is a pretty solid dude.

pip bip - choose Corrour > Money Hustard 08/11/2015 at 08:15

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if only they weren’t as dull as dogshit.

to look at or drive.

Money Hustard > pip bip - choose Corrour 08/11/2015 at 08:16

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Life’s full of trade-offs I suppose.

duurtlang > Money Hustard 08/11/2015 at 08:23

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I’ll admit to not having driven many Toyotas. I don’t know many people who own one either, with the exception of my grandfather (1925). Having said that, the few Toyotas I have driven were not lovable. They were not middle of the pack or pack leaders. They were cars that bring you from A to B, just like their competitors. These Toyotas might actually be a bit more reliable than their competitors. However, when it comes to driving dynamics, exterior design and interior design the Toyotas I’ve driven were terrible. Relatively, compared to the competition. The least lovable cars I’ve ever driven. Loveability comes from character, and that’s exactly what the Toyotas I’ve driven lack.

Having said that, I’d love to own a Toyota GT86 (FRS) or some old Supra or MR2. But a common family orientated Toyota? Not in a million years. I have no knowledge about their trucks, you don’t see Toyota trucks where I live even though the Hilux is available according to their website.

Master Cylinder > Money Hustard 08/11/2015 at 08:25

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Nicely written. I’ve always liked Toyota’s truck offerings, and as you say, they just make a good car. Maybe not exciting cars for the most part, but most people don’t care about that.

It would be nice if they could rekindle some of the more interesting product lines they’ve had in the past, (Mister Two, Supra, Celica All-trac, etc) But for most people, cars like the Corolla are just fine. And that V6 Camry is way faster than my Porsche.

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > Money Hustard 08/11/2015 at 08:28

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Agreed. Some of Toyota’s older models and just about all of their trucks are lovable in some way. The Camry just isn't.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Money Hustard 08/11/2015 at 08:30

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TRD is a joke now, or at least compared to what they were. I know a guy who had some TRD support racing MR2s back int he 80s, and back then they were making serious racing bits. The TRD pieces you bought were going to be the same units they were using in their rally and race cars. You used to be able to get a TRD sequential shifter for the MR2 for about $25k. They still make some cool stuff like their superchargers, but most of their kit that they sell that actually works is just rebadged from other manufacturers.

TractorPillow > Money Hustard 08/11/2015 at 08:31

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You write that they are soulless and then that they are good because of the soul Toyota puts in them (albeit the soul of gool ol’ Melvin). I wholeheartedly disagree and I think the lack of soul is what makes them so incredibly dull.

That being said, my current stable is a Viper, a classic Mini, and....a 2008 Toyota Camry that came with the wife when we got married 4 years ago. I buy fun cars and usually keep two of them at a time, but the Camry stays because it is a good car. It is reliable, smooth, fuel efficient, has a pretty damn big trunk, and has been a car that has been problem free for the 9 years/110,000 miles it’s served my wife.

After making fun of it four the last 4 years for being boring, I’ve caught myself staring at it in the driveway and being very thankful for it. Don’t tell anyone, but I even told my wife it’s been the best car we’ve ever owned. Not the most fun, not the coolest, not the most soul, but the best at being what we need in our lives and taking care of our transportation requirements.

Wobbles the Mind > Van Man, rocks the Man Van 08/11/2015 at 08:35

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Disagree, my mother has a 230,000 mile 2004 with the V6 and spoiler (only owner as well). I look forward to driving that car when I visit her. Camry is an applicance, but think about all the trouble you can get into with a microwave.

Money Hustard > TractorPillow 08/11/2015 at 08:54

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Yeah, it was really hard for me to put any of these thoughts on paper, and yeah contradicted myself in the process a bit. I don’t know, I must be getting old or something, but I’m starting to admire cars differently. Maybe it was having a kid, maybe it was one too many unreliable VWs and Dodges, but a car that can consistently deliver solid transportation, with no surprises, safely, is what I want in my driveway. I have my other toys, but I’m just looking for a solid DD.

qbeezy > Money Hustard 08/11/2015 at 09:01

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Great article. I definitely agree with you. Even a bit into the scion brand. My SiL has an 08 tundra. Is really nice. Like, luxury vehicle nice. The interior is so refined, and durable. Made it 5 years and three dogs. Drove it from Michigan to Oklahoma, but the gas mileage was abysmal, but the ride was smooth. If it could lose some weight and gain efficiency, it could take market from the big 3.

Money Hustard > Master Cylinder 08/11/2015 at 09:04

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Yeah, someone or a whole group of people at Toyota must just be massively uncool. When you’re Toyota, it doesn’t seem like nailing enthusiast initiatives would be hard whatsoever. Perhaps Toyota is just too big of a brand, perhaps you can’t awesome and dull under the same image without getting lukewarm as a result.

They tried to launch a youth-focused brand and they came up with Scion... How?

Money Hustard > qbeezy 08/11/2015 at 09:09

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The interesting part about the big three’s efficiency claims is when you spec them out with towing packages with high-ratio rear diffs, those efficiency advantages rapidly disappear. The Tundra as a 4.30 rear diff. You can’t get close to that from any of the other manufacturers. The units that are able to claim these insane MPG figures are geared in the low 3’s.

I happily trade the efficiency for a truck that’s responsive and at least provides some road feel.

Milky > Money Hustard 08/11/2015 at 09:26

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“Their performance parts division isn’t a total joke either.” - Shows photo of caps and filters.

Money Hustard > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 08/11/2015 at 09:27

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Actually, the air intake I just installed in my Tundra is the same they use in their desert racing trucks, it’s just repositioned to the back to suck in less desert dust.

Money Hustard > Milky 08/11/2015 at 09:33

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Surprisingly hard to find a photo that fit there. Here are some others:

MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 08/11/2015 at 09:42

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Actually I just sold a TRD Supercharger kit for a 5.7 Tundra the other day. That kit is a hell of a thing.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Money Hustard 08/11/2015 at 09:46

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“Features like the backside windows of many Toyota trucks and SUVs rolling all the way down, are simply delightful.”

This is a great feature. I love it.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig 08/11/2015 at 09:47

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Yeah, I like their superchargers, but even then, they aren’t really TRD. They’re Eaton TVSs that Toyota sells. Their lowering springs are primarily Eibachs, etc.

MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 08/11/2015 at 09:55

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I mean sure, outside suppliers build stuff to their specs, just like Toyota wheel bearings are NSK or Koyo, shocks are Tokico or Bilstein, and even the factory supercharger for my MR2 SC is made by Ogura (they also make superchargers for Kawasaki jet skis). Just because it’s manufactured by a supplier doesn’t make it “not a Toyota part”. See also: Denso, Aisin, Bosch, etc.

Milky > Wobbles the Mind 08/11/2015 at 10:06

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A Lexus will also last past 200k and you can slide it around. Think about how much more fun that microwave would be if you could drift it.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Money Hustard 08/11/2015 at 10:07

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I feel you. I was at the mall the other day and Toyota had a display in the skating rink area. I stopped by to check it out and the Tundra just spoke to me. I’ve owned a bit of everything but the Tundra felt different than all the trucks I have driven. If I was buying a new truck today the Tundra is where my money would go.

This is the one I was checking out. It had a 2” leveling kit and some bigger tires and it was essentially perfect!

Milky > Money Hustard 08/11/2015 at 10:09

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Better for sure, but still relative.

Money Hustard > Milky 08/11/2015 at 10:13

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What were we talking about?

Money Hustard > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 08/11/2015 at 10:15

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I’ve got a Tundra review coming, but I will say I put 6 months of my life into finding the best full sized truck, and this is what I came up with.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Money Hustard 08/11/2015 at 10:26

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I did not know about the 4.30 gears and that is great to know. yes it gets horrible MPG but at least there is a reason for it because it has all the accelerationz.

Milky > Money Hustard 08/11/2015 at 10:27

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Performance divisions?

Roundbadge > Money Hustard 08/11/2015 at 10:28

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I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. I love my Tacoma.

We recently were hunting a replacement for her car, and were primarily looking at mid-size sedans. The Camry was in the running until the very end. I did not like the driver’s seat and thought the paddle shifters were a laughable afterthought, but we still ended up comparing everything else to it because they offered us a screaming deal. I figured the trouble-free experience would be a given, but I was thoroughly suprised that the Camry would be in the running because of price.

Money Hustard > Milky 08/11/2015 at 10:38

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Right, sorry, I grew up in the south, hard to concentrate with LSs and LTs around.

They’ve made a lot of epic powerplants, but have they reached anywhere near this pinnacle?

It’s hard to make the case they have. GM has been more prolific, but in my opinion they’ve never made anything approaching the LFA’s engine.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Money Hustard 08/11/2015 at 10:39

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I LOVE Toyota. Every car I’ve owned so far has been a Toyota. First car was a ‘00 Corolla, perfect first car for any 16 y/o. Second was an ‘05 4Runner SR5, even with just RWD it ambled through the Arizona desert without issue. Finally I’ve got an FR-S, and the joy this car brings to me is ridiculous.

I’ve driven plenty of other cars, but I really do find Toyotas to be something else. Sure, cars like the Corolla and Camry don’t have “soul,” but they don’t necessarily need to. They are A to B cars for the average consumer. However, the Toyotas that are supposed to have soul do, and they have it in spades.

dogisbadob > Money Hustard 08/11/2015 at 11:20

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Yup!!!!! Toyota makes the BEST cars! In fact, the 92-96 Camry/ES300 is the best car ever made.

I drive a Nissan now, but Toyota is still the best.

Money Hustard > dogisbadob 08/11/2015 at 11:21

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I just got out of a Maxima into a toyota. It’s like going from a straw hut to a brick house.

The Maxima was a really good time though.

dogisbadob > Money Hustard 08/11/2015 at 11:25

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hahah funny because I have Maxima now! (actually, an I30, but still)

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Money Hustard 08/11/2015 at 11:33

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My girlfriend had a ‘97 Camry V6 when she first got her license, which was rather beat to hell and died within 2 months of her getting it (Oh hey, oil is something engines need and it had NONE). To this day almost two years later I still talk about how much I miss that car. I had nothing but fun driving it and all its “beigeness.” It was a load more fun than her Taurus she drives now.

Milky > Money Hustard 08/11/2015 at 11:36

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In just straight “engineering excellence” the ‘Yota takes it. But it also took them a decade to make an almost half million dollar car have 550hp. Yea its a really good 550hp, but Chevy, Ford and Dodge all manage to make 600-700hp for a fraction of the money. Not to mention you can goto your local dealer and buy those engines. You can’t buy an LFA engine.

HammerheadFistpunch > Money Hustard 08/11/2015 at 11:41

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You just have to own one of their more interesting products for a little while before it clicks, and it wont make any sense until you do. Once it does click its hard to get out of your mind the high bar of what a well made vehicle is like.

Money Hustard > HammerheadFistpunch 08/11/2015 at 11:45

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It really does boil down to this.

It’s clicked with me recently, and I’ve been wondering else what I’ve been wrong about.

HammerheadFistpunch > Money Hustard 08/11/2015 at 11:47

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The thing I appreciate about Toyota, and I’m speaking as a lifelong customer (who’s also owned other brands) as well as someone who’s spent considerable campfire hours with their engineers is that they have a holistic approach to vehicle design. Sure its easy to reach into the grab bag of latest and greatest technology and slap a car together but the intelligent way to do it is to use the BEST choice. That’s why so many Toyota’s are “dull” in the sense of “well X has more power per liter” or “Why are they still using Y”. Why? cause it works and its the best choice for the design parameters or has proven to be more durable than the marginal gain in performance the new part would bring. In short, their cars are built by engineers and not by marketing managers. And dammit, when they want to build a tough something, they overbuild that something. Your rear axle for example. 10.5! ring! Thats unbelievable, and way beyond the mark.

Money Hustard > HammerheadFistpunch 08/11/2015 at 11:56

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This is the insight that my article lacks, and is spot on. They are still producing FJ70s in Japan occasionally for goodness sake. New isn't always better.

HammerheadFistpunch > Money Hustard 08/11/2015 at 11:59

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The J70 is in production for many markets including Australia, South African and the middle east. All the places you would want and need a genuine workhorse.

Built BMW Tough > Money Hustard 08/11/2015 at 12:12

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I miss mine. I should have never sold it.

Money Hustard > Built BMW Tough 08/11/2015 at 12:29

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Ever write anything on it? I’d love an Oppo perspective on a modern FJ70 ownership experience.

Built BMW Tough > Money Hustard 08/11/2015 at 12:58

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No, I should. It was a fantastic car and everything a Toyota truck should be.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Money Hustard 08/11/2015 at 13:04

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Toyota’s are like friends that are always up to the task. They aren’t your most exciting friend usually, but they are always there, ready to work, play, or listen.

Shift24 > Money Hustard 08/11/2015 at 13:41

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The new tail lights bug the shit out of me, it looks like the top lights are burnt out. They twerk more than Miley Cyrus and they look more massive than the big 3.

My problem with Toyota is they are mid pack and not much to be excited about. And the “grounded to the ground” commercial perfectly describes Toyota. They are great cars for people who have no clue about cars.

Money Hustard > Shift24 08/11/2015 at 14:19

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Don’t you think you are over-generalizing a bit? I know a thing or two about automobiles, and I’m just reaching out to my formerly-fellow skeptics and telling them to drive some of Toyota’s non-econoboxes. If you REALLY give them a look. They are several steps above most manufacturers in quality.

Money Hustard > Shift24 08/11/2015 at 14:20

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I would also commend to you Hammerheadfistpunch’s commentary on the matter: http://oppositelock.kinja.com/the-thing-i-ap…