It's been awful quite around here. What no more negative reports on Toyota?

[Bill Yanaire, ESQ]

Well?

[C. E. White]

Are you fishing for trouble?

Ed

Well?

[David Z]

Well?

John "The Ass" Dole's philosophy is: "if you don't have anything bad to say,
don't say anything at all"

[Wayne]

Well?

-
It's cuz the Fords, Chevvys, and Chryslers have also had problems.

[Ray]

Actually I am looking for a new car. From the reviews my top choice
was the ES350. It drove very well, but I had trouble seeing out the
windows. It was like looking through narrow slits. I have been
informed that the narrow slits make the car safer because there is
more steel to protect the occupants, or that it makes the car more
aerodynamic. Or it just some silly marketing fad?

After having driven samples our top choices are Nissan Altima, Hyundia
Azera, and Subaru Legacy. Our current car is an Avalon.

[C. E. White]

Post by Ray
Actually I am looking for a new car. From the reviews my top choice
was the ES350. It drove very well, but I had trouble seeing out the
windows. It was like looking through narrow slits. I have been
informed that the narrow slits make the car safer because there is
more steel to protect the occupants, or that it makes the car more
aerodynamic. Or it just some silly marketing fad?

Design fad. The safety statement ws something the salesman made up
becasue it sounded plausible and doesn't sound as silly as saying the
windows are short becasue some stylist liked it that way.

Post by Ray
After having driven samples our top choices are Nissan Altima,
Hyundia
Azera, and Subaru Legacy. Our current car is an Avalon.

Did you even look at a domestic vehicle?

I listen to CarTalk on NPR. Based on the calls to that show, I think
Subarus must be the least reliable, most recommended by CarTalk
vehicles on the planet. They constantly recommend them, yet they
constantly get calls from people with Subarus that appear to have
"normal" Sabura problems (bad clutches, oil leaks, etc.). I think I
would scratch the Subrau off the list. In fact, if you listen to
CarTalk, you should scratch Nissan off the list too. They get lots of
calls for those as well. They hardly ever get a call for a Toyota or a
Ford unless the car is fiftenn years old with 200,000 miles.

Ed

[Ray]

On Tue, 15 Jun 2010 09:52:07 -0400, "C. E. White"

Post by C. E. White

Post by Ray
After having driven samples our top choices are Nissan Altima, Hyundia
Azera, and Subaru Legacy. Our current car is an Avalon.

Did you even look at a domestic vehicle?

Vehicles that we have looked at and rejected include Buick, Cadillac
CTS, BMW 5 series, Toyota Camry, Honda accord, Acura TL. Jury still
out on another Avalon. We don't like the new one as well as our
present one.

Post by C. E. White
I listen to CarTalk on NPR. Based on the calls to that show, I think
Subarus must be the least reliable, most recommended by CarTalk
vehicles on the planet. They constantly recommend them, yet they
constantly get calls from people with Subarus that appear to have
"normal" Sabura problems (bad clutches, oil leaks, etc.). I think I
would scratch the Subrau off the list. In fact, if you listen to
CarTalk, you should scratch Nissan off the list too. They get lots of
calls for those as well. They hardly ever get a call for a Toyota or a
Ford unless the car is fiftenn years old with 200,000 miles.
Ed

Good point. Consumer Reports seem to be OK with our choices. J.D.
Powers gives bad marks for the Subaru so it is trailing the list. I
had a 1983 Subaru station wagon, my son inherited it. He got rid of
it when it was 20 years old. It didn't have any major problems. Same
goes for a 1989 Toyota Celica which he just sold. For personal
reasons I will never buy a Ford. Chrysler / Fiat will probably go
bankrupt for a third time. Any other suggestions? I really wanted to
like the Lexus.

[Wayne]

Post by Ray
On Tue, 15 Jun 2010 09:52:07 -0400, "C. E. White"

Post by C. E. White

Post by Ray
After having driven samples our top choices are Nissan Altima, Hyundia
Azera, and Subaru Legacy. Our current car is an Avalon.

Did you even look at a domestic vehicle?

Vehicles that we have looked at and rejected include Buick, Cadillac
CTS, BMW 5 series, Toyota Camry, Honda accord, Acura TL. Jury still
out on another Avalon. We don't like the new one as well as our
present one.

-
My wife is in the market for a car, and I will be driving it on occasion.
Based on renting an Avalon a couple of years back, and the fact that we have
a local Toyota dealer (nearest Lexus is 25 miles away) we looked at the
Avalon. Nice car, but at 6 feet 2 inches, there simply wasn't enough
legroom for me. That's all I did....push the seat all the way
back...squeeze in....squeeze out, and head for the Lexus dealer.

[David Z]

Post by Ray
Actually I am looking for a new car. From the reviews my top choice
was the ES350. It drove very well, but I had trouble seeing out the
windows. It was like looking through narrow slits. I have been
informed that the narrow slits make the car safer because there is
more steel to protect the occupants, or that it makes the car more
aerodynamic. Or it just some silly marketing fad?
After having driven samples our top choices are Nissan Altima, Hyundia
Azera, and Subaru Legacy. Our current car is an Avalon.

I own a 2004 ES330. Despite the hesitating/jerky transmission, I like the
car a lot. I'm very glad I bought it.

While getting my car serviced about 6 months ago, I was given a 2009(?) ES
as a loaner. I agree with you about the poor visibility, particularly out
the rear view mirror. Also, my recollection is that the handling was
mediocre. Other than those issues, I liked the driving experience. I'm not
pleased with the direction that Lexus is taking, but if I had to buy a new
car tomorrow, I can't think of a car I'd pick over the ES. Fortunately, I
don't have to buy a car tomorrow.