For some reason I could never figure, American car makers dropped the ball beginning in the early 70's. Quality and customer service went by the wayside. Planned obsolescence became their business model, and the savvy Japanese, in particular, Toyota, stepped in with a novel idea-- build and sell economical vehicles that are actually made to last, and stand behind them. Seems now, 40 years later that the big three in America are finally getting a clue, but I wonder, why did it take so long?
1972- in the far east of... KANSAS, USA
I was 13 years old, awkward and bespectacled- socially anxious over my upcoming debut at high school, when Dad appeared at home one summer evening with a new car. He tended to take these matters into his own hands, rather impulsively at that; a subject of some behind closed door controversy between him and Mom who was in charge of the ridiculously tight grocery budget with four kids to feed. Regardless, he’d done it, again, but what exactly was this... this, thing?
Hunter green, small and not at all stylish... a what?
"Toyota Corolla!"
"Huh.. toy what?"
Dad seemed proud of this boxy, bug-eyed mini-vehicle, the brand of which no one I knew had ever heard of. Four doors, four on the floor, and 1.6 liter four cylinder engine that could “stretch a gallon of gasoline up to 30 miles on the road,” he declared with a wry smile stolen directly from Clousseau. The price? $2000 and change.
image- it looked similar to this
None of us were too very impressed as I recall, at first, but over time the freaky looking foreign vehicle proved it’s mettle.
1973-- OPEC oil embargo: energy rationing-- gas prices doubled and Dad was looking pretty smart to the neighbors who had scoffed not so silently the year before.
1975- The Toyota kept running, and running well, with minimal maintenance. Dad took me to get my first drivers’ license (on real paper, sans photo) and then to the K-Mart parking lot on Sundays to learn to drive, in the Corolla. I quickly mastered the manual transmission and basic skills to his satisfaction and was tentatively turned loose with the car, although on a short leash.
1976- May of that bi-centennial year, I crossed the stage at my high school graduation after somehow making it through, though with only dubious honors! Having no real plan for the future, I got a job at Dub’s Dread golf-course as “night waterer” where I drove “the Toy” across fairways and rough to the various ponds to prime the pumps. It was absolutely fun, me absolutely high on the fine Colombian weed that was cheap and plentiful then, navigating the course, shifting gears in the line of duty, much to the chagrin of the evening golfers who would shake their fists towards me.
1977- After a short stint at junior college (later called ‘community college') where I majored in running into glass doors while walking with head turned the opposite direction ogling girls’ asses (DOH!), I took a job at UPS which seemed to make more sense to me than college. I’d had enough of school in general, so, had Dad teach me neck-tie fundamentals and took to learning ten key by touch, making, yes, FOUR DOLLARS PER HOUR! *minimum wage then was $2.10*
1978- Gainfully employed, I bought my first new car with the help of dad’s co-signature-- a Honda Civic lift-back with a five speed manual. I loved it; drove it all the miles from my first home away from the folks in hard-partying Lawrence to the UPS job daily... ‘til the engine blew.
1982- The ‘72 Corolla, still in family possession, continued to give faithful, maintenance free service, a point not lost on me.
I had spent my entire tax return plus savings on the Honda engine which left me jaded and angry (had other plans for that money!), so went and traded it in... for a brand new Toyota Corolla SR5 Coupe. Unlike the very basic dad car of ten years prior, this thing was gahgeous! Gloss black, sunroof, magnesium wheels, sporty streamlined hatchback styling, larger more powerful (though still four cylinder) engine, killer stereo with... hold the phone... CASSETTE!
Soon after, I made my first trip to New Orleans, cruising in economical style, myself and friend Keith trading off driving duties through the night, non-stop. Two weeks paid vacation baby! It was a trip to remember; sporting in my sleek black Toyota.
imagine in black and showroom new
1986- 9 years at UPS and fired- just after I’d paid off the car. Tail between legs, I moved in with Mom who had recently divorced Dad. Dropped insurance from full coverage to liability, since I could, to save money... then, like the next day, was t-boned right into my drivers' door by a huge dinosaur-ish Monte Carlo (yes, my fault).
At the hospital I wept as I was examined by the doctors. They asked where it hurt. I said “left arm, left leg, left rib-cage, left side of my head.” Yes, I was in exquisite pain, but what hurt most was knowing that my car that I loved, finally paid off... was totaled.
Using my UPS ‘thrift plan’ money, I bought a used Chevy (temporary loss of reason?) and moved to San Diego with Nanatehay, only to return after dismal California failure. Reagan was president. Not much was ‘trickling down’ and the Chevy soon turned to shit.
1988- Acquired a very used, hideous yellow, Toyota truck with over 200,000 miles for one hundred dollars. I could literally see the road through the floor board, but all that vehicle ever needed was gas.
1990- Met Eli’s mom who moved in with me soon after. Loaned her the truck one day which she promptly wrecked. Now, uglier yet, it still ran just fine.
1991- Sold the truck, looking like hammered ass... for one hundred dollars, same as I had paid.
Fast forward to 2001- After 9 un-fruitful years in the conveyor belt industry, driving this and that American made P.O.S., I had begun self-employment and was doing well. This, before Bush the be-fuddled.. well, you know THAT story.
Purchased a 2000 Toyota Tacoma Prerunner truck, used...with 14,000 miles. It was the same color as the Corolla Dad dragged home in ‘72. In it, eventually, I taught my own teen-ager to drive.
The Tacoma in Metairie after Katrina
2012- A month ago, took my faithful Tacoma which has been back and forth to New Orleans a dozen times when I worked there after Hurricane Katrina, the truck that never, ever, broke down... in for an oil change. The mechanic informed me that the frame of the truck (still running perfectly) was rusting; that the leaf springs in the rear were actually pushing up into the failing frame, and that if I was ever hit from behind the rear-end would ‘fall out.’ Additionally he warned me not to go over sixty on the highway.
The good news however, per my mechanic... Toyota recognized the defect in 2000 and 2001 model year trucks and will buy her back for 1.5 times, perfect condition, Kelly Blue Book value.
I went to KBB.com to calculate 'perfect condition' value (and believe me, it’s far from perfect).
With much trepidation and a tear in my eye, I dropped her off at the dealership last Tuesday, being promised a call from the Toyota rep.
Yesterday, I received that call, with the buy-back offer. It is substantially more than perfect condition times 1.5.
Today, via UPS next day air, I received the official letter for my signature, and a return next day air envelope, freight prepaid, in which to return the signed offer. Next week, the local rep will meet me at the dealership with the check which will allow me to upgrade to a newer vehicle.
Think GM (or Ford, or Chrysler) would do the same on a truck aged twelve years? Somehow, I doubt it, but do hope the new trend towards quality continues in vehicles manufactured by the big three.
Still, that said...
... three guesses what I’ll be buying...
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Comments
I started with Ford in '77, but switched to VW in '84 and have had a fairly decent run since then with a few different VWs.
That said, my experience with cars -- foreign and domestic -- has been a mixed bag.
My '51 Mercury was big enough you could lay down in the back seat -- I don't think I need to explain how I know that, but it's two-speed automatic was a joke. My '64 GTO could pass everything but a gas station, but the brakes were better-suited to a Tempest -- which is what they were Tempest brakes.
Remember Oldsmobile? My '55 Olds was a dog, my '66 Toronado was a dream, my '70 Toronado was a nightmare, and my present '97 Olds LSS is one of the best cars I've ever owned.
Meanwhile ...
My Toyota pick-up was dependable but sparse and downright dangerous to drive at highway speeds. My Triumph TR-4 was a gas, but plagued with typical Brit-auto electrical problems -- thanks Lucas.
My '72 Mercedes diesel required me to take out a second mortgage to pay for repairs. My Datsun '76 280Z was a delight, and I cried when I sold it. My '86 Saab 9000T was unbelievably quick and spacious, but it, too, required a loan to make repairs.
In short -- to late for that -- cars are like women -- beware the pretty face and sexy body because what you see isn't always what you get.
Failed to mention (as this is LONG ENOUGH anyway) that one of the best cars I ever owned was a 71 Pontiac LeMans with a rock steady 350 v-8. Ran it into a ditch.
In college, my son had a Camry until a drunk driver came around a corner too fast and rolled right over it as it was parked in front of his girlfriend's house. He bought a used Tacoma and has been driving it ever since, trusting it enough to have it shipped to Africa. We send a few minor parts, but it just keeps going.
Wait, your son is in Africa?
Of course I will drive to see your new Kansas home! And YOU!!
Fully expecting some rebuttal here people.
I always had good luck with Honda products.
Sad indictment!
And I like the timeline of your life as it relates to your vehicles, very cool!
~r
What a concept! Detroit lost their way and Toyota picked up the slack; it's a pattern that has repeated itself over and over in the last several decades as we've given away our industrial base and transitioned to a "service economy." What service is that again? The service of outsourcing jobs to overseas competitors for a quick buck.
Second car in 1979 was a 1967 Mustang that I wrecked in 1981.
Third car was a 1974 Olds Cutlass Supreme that had been modified with a Holly 4-barrrel so it sucked gas like a starving vampire.
Fourth car was a 1981 Plymouth Horizon I bought when the Cutlass finally got stolen (after my running it for a year with a cracked block). The Horizon was the biggest POS I had (and have) ever bought.
Fifth car was a 1986 Ford Tempo (first brand spankin' new car).
Sixth car was a 1992 Ford Taurus station wagon. Ran it until the block cracked (I think it was around 86k miles).
Seventh car was a 1996 Mercury Villager which I had for 108k miles and about 6 years.
Eighth car was a 2002 Dodge Caravan. Not happy with that one, lasted about 5 years and 86k.
Last one was a 2007 Toyota Sienna minivan. Had to replace an O2 sensor last year that cost me a small fortune, but otherwise so far it's just been regular maintenance.
I'm looking to keep this puppy for 10 years and hopefully over 100k - I'll let you know how that turns out.
Bottom line: I've had some great American cars (I miss that Mustang, dammit, and the Cutlass Supreme was a joy to drive) and I have had some atrocious ones. So I'm trying foreign to see how it holds up.
I changed to Toyota myself a few years back, purchasing a 1 yr old Solara with only 6,000 miles on it, that was the dealership's loaner car. Loved it, and ran it until I had 94,000 miles on it, and all it ever needed was gas, oil changes, tires and a new battery. I fully intended to run it until it broke. I now fully intend to drive a it further back from the car in front. Some lady in front of me nailed the guy in front of her, and I couldn't quite get stopped in time.
So now I am driving a Camry SE. Even though the Solara was supposed to be the "sport" version of the Camry, this one corners much better and just overall gives me a bit more confidence in its handling. I do miss the Solara's V6 power, but at least I'm not pouring quite so much gas into this one.
*Do this at your own risk! Rental contracts on the Big Island specifically ban you from driving up there, unless you get a 4WD (and sometimes not even then). You get stuck and you will be paying some tow truck guy's mortgage for the month.
Hmmm, Let's see ... on-line dating advice, car ownership ...What's next Trig. Advice on getting horizontal? ;)
aka... ha.. sure man!
o/e my old pal. More great Toy testimonial. Now, your F-250-- If I HAD to buy a truck from the big 3 it would be a Ford.
Sarah, right on! Just change that oil and you should be good for a long while.
nana "what service is that again?"
The service of thievery, making money on stolen (or imaginary sometimes) money and not producing a fucking thing. It's unsustainable as well as morally F'd up.
Bill S. thanks for the history- and see where it led u? Those sensors are crazy expensive but there's a trick if you can find a Toy mechanic on the side... they can be brushed off and work fine afterwards... gets that annoying check engine light off for cheaps
geebee
Stacey
beauty... all, great stuff!
Scarlett, advice on getting horizontal was last blog! Helps if you have charm to spare tho!! I think you qualify (too) :)
Daisy J.. EXACTLY why I don't wear seat belts... the damned bruises! Doubt I'll be going with lipstick red!!
Still got my '75 Landcruiser ~ loving it to little pieces ;-) 30 years on.
Great auto-bio, tr ig.
Evening golf ... ?
Lezlie
Kim~ thanks for the visual of you in your Aussie lid, four-wheeling the not so civilized parts in your Land Cruiser, checking your wallaby traps and what-not!
Evening golf? Yeah man... those golfers despised me, and go figure, I still can barely abide them too... to this day.
Lezlie "WHAT A CONCEPT!!!" No kidding-- why we gottabe so clueless?
Anybody see my soapbox??
I drive a Toyota Aurion and still have the '82 Land Cruiser too (Kim, you win!).
One of my sons drives a Yaris but my other kids didn't listen. Guess who has the least car problems?
I had a white long-bed pickup without a radio. It lasted 12- years.
You should have invested in Hess Oil before it merged back then.
Amerada Hess Oil merged. I was given an insider trader tip. Poor.
I didn't buy oil stock. I later was shown by a broker with printouts.
It split & re-split when gas was 29.9 cents. I'd have been wealthy.
I could have bought a Datsoon. Jaguar, BMW, and bought here.
I could have boght stock and gotten my first ever EP by Kerry.
He's a bird ain't he? He thinks we P.U. folk are stinky as polecat.
When looking for a newer, larger vehicle with which to make my latest journey across Canada, I found a 2008 Toyota Tundra, full-sized pick-up truck with only 29,000 kilometres (about 20,000 miles) on it. I'm in B.C. now with it. The only cost, above regular servicing, came yesterday, when I had to replace one of the valve stem thingies that inform the computer when a tire has low pressure; about $17.00
It runs like a dream. You have no idea how wonderful it is to have heated outside rear-view mirrors when it is minus 16C on the thermometer and 6 inches of snow covers everything. The 4.7 litre V-8 engine pulls my 19 foot trailer without even seeming to notice that it's there. I have never experienced such reliability and confidence in any vehicles as I have in the last two.
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As for the reason why they relied on planned obsolescence; they probably thought they could get away for it and for a large segment of the public they could.
They probably divide up the market and decide who will market how and why to what segment of the public. Corporations have turned into oligarchies and they study consumer complacency carefully and rip people off when ever they can any way they can.