Toyota Venza leaves a lot to be desired (WOW a negative review)

[DainBramaged]

It frequently has been observed that it is easier to stalk the leader than it is to preserve that position once it is achieved.

A case in point: The struggles Toyota has endured since overtaking General Motors as the leader in worldwide car sales last year.

The Venza, a new, hard-to-define crossover-wagon thing, may well be Toyota’s predicament embodied in steel, rubber and glass. And plastic. Loads of cheap, shiny, sloppily installed plastic.

Having apparently concluded that six Toyota-brand SUVs and a minivan were not enough to target every potential customer for hauling families, Toyota introduced the Venza as a 2009 model.

It's unknown whether this was the result of a genuine belief that the company should offer a product in every imaginable category, or because hubris led Toyota to believe that the Venza would find buyers who eluded the very similar (and discontinued due to lack of interest) Chrysler Pacifica and Ford Taurus X crossovers.

Toyota reached the top of the industry by use of its “kaizen” system of continuous improvement, key attributes of which have been widely adopted industry-wide. But somewhere along the line “continuous improvement” became “continuous cost reduction” and it shows in all the company’s recent products.

The interiors in particular are awash in cheap-looking, shiny plastic. Likening the Venza’s apparently ready-to-hose-clean, plastic door panels to something from the toy aisle would insult Buzz Lightyear and Woody.

Worse yet, the plastic bits in the test model weren’t installed correctly, so the cut lines between pieces were misaligned in places and the dashboard air vents had shockingly large, irregular gaps around them. These are the things that killed GM’s image. Now Toyota is making the same inexcusable mistakes.

Even the big doors have a tinny, cheap sound when opened and closed, another unexpected trait in a Toyota. With these astounding failings, can unreliability be far behind? Is it here already but we don’t know it yet?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33605151/ns/business-autos/

[DJ13]

1. Bad PR is what they deserve after dropping out of F1

[AndyA]

2. I've got a neighbor with a newer Toyota and an older Ford pick up.

The Toyota is parked in the garage when not being used, the Ford truck sits outside.

That Toyota has given them nothing but trouble. It has stranded his wife and kids more than once, problem after problem after problem. And he says he has a couple of friends who report their Toyotas are also problems.

The Ford truck? Sits for weeks at a time, and starts right up. Never fails.

So much for American quality being poor.

[TheCML]

8. so many variables.

there is no doubt in my mind that the toyota vehicles of the 90's were some of the most reliable ever made. however the reliability has been declining fast and ford has been catching up quickly. i love american vehicles and drive a jeep, but if someone was going to drop me off with nothing but gas and a vehicle 1000 miles from civilization in the desert, and i had the option of a 1990 toyota pickup or a 2000 f-150, i would pick the toyota.

[Kalyke]

16. I've always driven Fords and never have had a problem.

My husband has a BMW that sits in the shop as often as it sits in the driveway and, while it's in the shop, he drives my (now passed) step-father's old Ford truck, which always starts and never needs servicing other that the usual oil change and what-not.

I agree with you.

[yodoobo]

20. The best vehicles I've owned have been Ford trucks

Never owned a ford car though.

[frylock]

19. that toyota was probably built in the US..

in a non-union factory.

[Omaha Steve]

3. Sure the hell is a negative

Hows my old buddy DainBramaged doing these days?

K&R!

[DainBramaged]

5. Dain is home with H1N1 since Monday, can't go to work till Monday

FIRST day I haven't felt like the bottom of a boot in a cow pasture..........doin admin from home though....when I'm awake.....



:hug:

[Hawkeye-X]

30. Meant to ask you - whatever happened to the wingnut at your dealership

I remember you regaling the story of the wingnut going batshit when he couldn't access Pox News on his computer.

Hawkeye-X

[DainBramaged]

32. OMG first, I've been home sick this entire week with the pork flu

He has been going out of his way to avoid me at work. LAST week he was all pissed off because his CSI (customer satisfaction index) was in the toilet because he does a shit job with people when he sells a car, and they are tired of his crap. I intend to fuck with him once I feel better next week.

[FredStembottom]

4. Could it be one of those "in nameplate only" vehicles?

You know, actually a Renault or something with a Toyota badge.
(like the Nissan Versa.)

[DainBramaged]

6. I don't know but as much as I'd like them to slip it doesn't bode well for

where they are making these.

[EOTE]

10. Nope. It's based upon the Camry platform.

Shares quite a few parts between them. And I wasn't aware that the Versa wasn't primarily a Nissan either. I know at the very least that the 1.8 liter 4 banger is Nissan made. About 10 years ago, Renault bought around a third stake in the then failing Nissan, but as far as I know, they still make their own autos.

[FredStembottom]

28. The Versa is a Renault/Nissan "partnership" vehicle.

To me, it sounded like the GM/Toyota experiment that made the Geo Prizm/ latter-day Chevy Nova.

[Shagbark Hickory]

7. Plastics make it possible, my friend....

Plastics make it all possible.

[Omaha Steve]

9. And how many recalls just last month?

Three I know of.

[DainBramaged]

11. They need UAW training...................

:evilgrin:

[yodoobo]

12. That particular toyota sounds like every GM I've ever owned

"Worse yet, the plastic bits in the test model weren’t installed correctly, so the cut lines between pieces were misaligned in places and the dashboard air vents had shockingly large, irregular gaps around them."


If this is the trend for Toyota, then I imagine they will share the same fate that GM did.

If that happens. I won't miss Toyota anymore than I miss GM.

[Omaha Steve]

13. Toyota has a 60 day try it and return it offer?

Naw. But GM does. I'll stack my 2009 Cobalt against any Toyota.

FULL comparison here: http://www.chevrolet.com/tools/comparator/compareVehicle.do?anchorVehicleYear=2010&anchorVehicleID=12201&anchorVehicleName=&comparisonVehicles=A26748^A27581^A26943&AS3_LanguageCode=7&AS3_ClientID=Chevrolet


2010 model comparison here: http://www.chevrolet.com/cobalt/coupe/competitive-comparison/

Competitive comparisons provided by R. L. Polk & Co. ("Polk"), an independent online automotive buyer's guide.
GM and its advertising agencies are not responsible for this content.
Certain specifications, prices and equipment data have been provided under license from R. L. Polk & Co. ("Polk"). © 2008 R. L. Polk & Co.. All Rights Reserved. This information is supplied for personal use only and may not be used for any commercial purpose whatsoever without the express written consent of R. L. Polk & Co. Polk makes no guarantee or warranty, either express or implied, including without limitation any warranty of merchantability or fitness for particular purpose, with respect to the data presented here. All specifications, prices and equipment are subject to change without notice.



2010 Scion tC Sports Coupe 5-Spd MT

Cobalt XFE beats Scion tC in standard hwy. fuel economy2. And Cobalt has a 100,000 mile/5-year3 transferable Powertrain Limited Warranty - that's 40,000 more miles than Scion tC offers.

2010 Honda Civic Coupe DX 5-Spd MT


At 37 MPG hwy2. and 155 hp, Cobalt XFE beats Honda Civic DX in standard highway fuel economy and horsepower5. Plus, with the 100,000 mile/5-year4 transferable Powertrain Powertrain Limited Warranty, that's 40,000 more miles than Civic.

2010 Ford Focus SE Coupe


At 37 MPG hwy2. and 155 hp, Cobalt XFE beats Ford Focus SE in standard highway fuel economy and horsepower6. Plus, with the 100,000 mile/5-year4 transferable Powertrain Limited Warranty, that's 40,000 more miles than Focus.


The 2010 Cobalt

[yodoobo]

14. The GM return policy is a marketing scam.

That they hope people will be fooled by.

This isn't like trying a toaster at Wallmart and returning it if it doesn't work.

The conditions are so onerous and ridiculous, they virtually no one will be able to take advantage.

GM did buy an insurance policy though, in the unlikely event that anyone succeeds.

http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2009/09/gms-return-policy-includes-a-number-of-hurdles.html

[DainBramaged]

15. Another GM hater makes my ignore list

not even worth discussing.

[yodoobo]

18. yay! head in sand.

lmao

For those without their head in sand, my dislike of GM is well rooted in how:

1) They treated my brother. He is currently laid off
2) They treated my father. He is a retiree losing benefits
3) They treated me as a co-op many years ago
4) They treated me a vendor a few years ago
5) The cars that i purchased via the employee discount were of horrid quality after a couple years. (Interestingly the second worst car I ever purchased was a GM product. The worst car I ever purchased was a Toyota.)

Of lesser important

How rude some GM acolytes treat others on the web when they try to have a civil discussion about the company that I am now a co-owner of.

Enjoy the sand in your eye and we'll talk again when you do your regular ignore list clearing ;)

[Omaha Steve]

21. Do tell Less than 4,000 miles & more than 30 days

What is so hard about that? And why didn't Toyota do it too????

Can't wait to hear your detailed reply.

[yodoobo]

22. the catch is the $200 "damage" limit

a single stone nick anywhere on the car disqualifies you.

Which you are certain to incur after the required 30 days holding period. And the sole arbiter of the amount of damage is...GM.

Not to mention you forfeit all other costs outside of sales price and sales tax, which in many states is quite significant

Why didn't Toyota do this? Only GM has attempted this scam. Most likey because they didn't go bankrupt after running the company into the ground with poor quality and public relations and are not attempting to rebuild an image.

Besides, its not like its a permanent policy. The marketing scam expires at the end of the month.

It doesn't matter really. I think even the "new" GM will be dead again within a few years.


http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20090927/AUTO01/909270311/1148/auto01/GM+s+return+policy+may+not+be+worth+the+hassle

""You combine that with the 30 days, it's easier and easier to get $200 in damage," he says. Plus, with GM making the determination on damages, "it may appear that the cards are stacked against you.""

[Omaha Steve]

23. Perhaps you read the Obama team comments on GM's old management?

That was most of the problem. GM will return. But then you and or your family members won't get full time on the line work when YOU won't buy one. Again after 2,000 miles I still love my Cobalt. 29+ MPG on combined driving.

[vadawg]

26. probuably because toyota knows that if you buy their vehicle you will want to keep it

to me the buy and return thing smacks of desperation, please try our vehicle and if you dont like it bring it back, in the hope that you will look past the badge and take a chance. Sorry ill stick to toyota which has always been a good brand to me.

[Barack_America]

17. Sounds like the Aztek.

And we all know how well that did for GM.

[vadawg]

27. lol my buddy has one of them, a wierd looking car

he loves it though, not sure if hes just saying that due to pride or not.... still an ugly monstrosity though...

[tilsammans]

24. My '06 Matrix isn't nearly the car my '86 Corolla was

The Matrix is fine, but when compared with the Corolla I had 20 years ago, no contest. That '86 was THE most reliable car I ever had. Solid as a rock.

[Orsino]

25. I think I get the point. n/t

[Hawkeye-X]

29. We were car shopping last July

Venza looked like a piece of shit cross-over.

After waiting what seemed to be forever, we decided to leave and go to our Honda dealer (my previous car was an '04 Accord which met into an accident) and bought a '09 CRV. We love that car. Never regretted our decision.

Hawkeye-X

BTW: before you label me as a GM hater - my parents owns 2 Cadillac cars - they are GM, and they like it - I even drove it a few times, although the SRX is a gas guzzler at 14.9MPH, it's still a nice car. My mom has the CRT (or whateven the full size sedan is). My dad bought out the lease and owns it outright with a loan, Mom has has less than a year left before the car's paid off.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

31. All of that aside, "Venza" is a terrible name for a car.

It sounds like a disease.