The problem with Toyota.

"mkbruin, Atlas VP" (mkbruin) 02/23/2018 at 16:52 • Filed to: None

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Lipstick on a pig.

The frame of a 2019 Tacoma is a direct bolt-on swap under a 2005 Tacoma.

The Camry used the same platform hard points from the 90's through 2016.

Struts from a 1999 Tundra will bolt up to a 2019 Tacoma.

And I’m not even going to begin talking about how old the Corolla underpinnings are.

When you make the exact same car for 15 years, it’s not difficult to make it reliable (w-body).

Toyotas bread and butter is simply putting lipstick on a pig.

DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! > mkbruin, Atlas VP 02/23/2018 at 17:03

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Well, that’s unfortunate.

HammerheadFistpunch > mkbruin, Atlas VP 02/23/2018 at 17:04

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and yet, Subaru still can’t make the EJ reliable...

fintail > mkbruin, Atlas VP 02/23/2018 at 17:06

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Corolla underpinnings?

Tekamul > mkbruin, Atlas VP 02/23/2018 at 17:09

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If it ain’t broke, drive down manufacturing costs.

benjrblant > mkbruin, Atlas VP 02/23/2018 at 17:13

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You call this a “problem” for reasons I’m not aware, but it makes sourcing parts awesomely easy. Toyota’s resourcefulness in parts usage means that there isn’t a new strut or window actuator or frame for every single year model. This means that more time and effort can be put into designing one properly but most importantly these long production runs of components make finding replacements incredibly easy- be it new or pick-a-part yards.

cmill189 - sans Volvo > HammerheadFistpunch 02/23/2018 at 17:14

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Sure they can. Stopping production of almost all versions really keeps the problems down.

DipodomysDeserti > mkbruin, Atlas VP 02/23/2018 at 17:20

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I once restored an old BMW. I had to look up the month my car was built to make sure I was ordering the correct parts. Fuckers.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > mkbruin, Atlas VP 02/23/2018 at 17:27

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At least it’s not Nissan where they have been producing the exact same car for 10-15 year I guess...

gettingoldercarguy > mkbruin, Atlas VP 02/23/2018 at 17:31

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Toyota seems to have really adopted the gm business mentality of the 80s after deriding that very mentality.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > mkbruin, Atlas VP 02/23/2018 at 17:32

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I’m not if you’re implying that other automakers aren’t doing this, or thatToyota’s perceived reliability is the direct result of recycling parts as opposed to not building crap. In either case, I’ll disagree.

bhtooefr > mkbruin, Atlas VP 02/23/2018 at 17:40

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Wait, since the 90s for the Camry? I thought 2002, at least?

I mean, it’s still quite an ancient platform (that dates back to the 2001 Highlander), but still.

vicali > mkbruin, Atlas VP 02/23/2018 at 17:42

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I don’t know, they seem to be doing alright..

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > HammerheadFistpunch 02/23/2018 at 17:43

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To be fair they are incredibly easy to replace. Flat 4 linear layouts have some advantages.

Milky > mkbruin, Atlas VP 02/23/2018 at 18:21

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I appreciate the W-body side jab.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 02/23/2018 at 18:22

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The parts on my car aren’t quite that old (the platform has been updated since then), but many date back at least to when the platform debuted, if not earlier. Using parts with known longevity/reliability that have been refined over years is not a problem.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > gettingoldercarguy 02/23/2018 at 18:25

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They were close partners for a long time. Not surprising that the GM mentality infected them.

I just hope they kept them away from Lexus.

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > mkbruin, Atlas VP 02/23/2018 at 21:07

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It’s an efficient response to a vehicle market that refuses to pay much more than sod all for a car. It’s why the US has so many unique versions of other cars sold elsewhere...or many models that are available nowhere else.

Nauraushaun > mkbruin, Atlas VP 02/24/2018 at 21:03

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What’s the problem? If doing this makes their cars cheaper to build and more reliable with no downsides, why not?