Toyota and Lexus take hits from Consumer Reports

Let the fanboys come out of the woodwork...
 
I'm disappointed in Toyota's slipping quality, and I've been disappointed in their dealers for years. Plus, with so many new compelling (and more exciting) options available, I'll almost certainly go somewhere else for my next vehicle.
 
BUT some of negative comments people are making based on a few dings in an otherwise distinguished record are absurd. Toyota built its solid reputation over decades, and it doesn't deserve to lose it in one or two merely above average model years.
 
Remember, domestic fanboys, it works both ways. Ten years ago, I wouldn't have touched a GM (for instance) product with a ten foot pole. But I've watched and waited, wanting desperately to support domestic automakers. And years of improvement have put them on my list. That most certainly did not happen overnight.

I think that Toyota just got to big..kinda like what happend to GM/Ford/Chrysler...they thought that everyone would buy their cars no matter what, even if they cut corners...and there is no denying that Toyota quality has been slipping..

For years I have felt that many of the imports were overrated concerning reliability, and the domestics were underrated. However, in this case, the real issue is that Consumer Reports has lost credibility with many people due to their giving a new car a reliability rating when it is brand new. They did this quite often with the Japanese brands. The old Camry was reliable, therefore, the new one we will rate as reliable, even if it had a brand new engine and transmission. It finally came to bite them on the new Camry and Tundra.
Consumer Reports would refuse to issue a reliability rating on American cars, because they were brand new. Can't have it both ways. I still find Consumer Reports to be biased, and their surveys are self fulfilling. It is too bad way too many Americans use them when shopping for a vehicle.

The problem with the Camry V6 is the transmission. (Before people start chalking it up to American workers, the transmission was engineered and made in Japan.)
 
I don't think CR is biased. I do think their methods are slow and sloppy. They have respondents decide whether a repair is "serious" enough to report. If there is bias in their results, that's where it comes from. And they only update once a year.
 
My site, TrueDelta.com, updates quarterly. We reported a high repair rate for the Camry V6 back in August. We'll have a result for the 2008 Buick Enclave next month. CR will have their result for the Enclave a year from now.

There is a pattern here. Earn confidence, grow big, create a reputation, slack off, get nailed. GM did this, and now Toyota probably will too. Life is simply hard at the top. You create grand expectations, while at the same time you're working harder than ever to meet new demand and stay ahead. Combined with the realities of the corporate world and the pressure for short term profits, and eventually it all catches up to you. Now the big question is will the domestic brands eventually regain the forefront on quality, good brand reputation, or sales, will Toyota reverse course and continue on the right path, or will someone else entirely come from behind and take over? Time will tell.

Subaru! Number 2! :o)

I think Subaru was #1 in 2005 for their MY2004 vehicles or something like that.
 
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7119221/ (second paragraph in the "Most reliable" section)

The only reason you buy a Toyota is gone. And this is not news, several European surveys confirmed that Honda Mazda and Subaru are constantly defeating Toyota, sometimes even Lexus, in terms of reliability. In some case, Skoda wins too.

SubyTrojan:
 
I have to give credit where credit is due. Subaru has always built a good little car. Tough, and surprisingly fun to drive. Now it appears they are building not only tough cars, but fun and reliable. Well done. Honda also appears to do well, but again I don't trust the response CR gets. It is a self fulfillling prophesy. I honestly believe many people with domestic vehicles don't even bother to respond to CR surveys. I know I don't and most of the people I know who own domestics don't either. Surprisingly, living in San Diego, I think I know all the domestic car owners in the area. I think there are 10 of us :o)
 
Now that CR has been called out on the new car advantage is has given japanese cars in the past, what next? Maybe Honda/BMW and Driver pick a different make over those two? Never happen.

Suby, Subarus have always been reliable and somewhat unique (in both styling and character). I'm however put off by the latest WRX.I'm sure it will be reliable, but the styling is ugly and generic (the WRX sedan especially is an eyesore)....and, from what I read in the reviews, the ride is now "soft". I don't thinkt hat's good news. What do you think?

Fortunately, the STI looks good!

Obviously we all should be buying Honda Accords.
So have you bought your Accord yet?