They break down constantly even when they aren't being shot at. Besides, the point of stuff like this is that it's proven, you wouldn't want to be an early adopter even if the Cybertruck wasn't garbage.
As I see cars pass by I constantly think to myself why the fuck would you buy an American shitbox over a Toyota/Honda when it literally costs the same? Seriously, what the fuck is going on here?
Some older (circa 1990s-2000s) GMs and even Fords have better rustproofing than their Japanese counterparts, and even American manufacturers occasionally could design a decent engine, like the (non-supercharged) Buick/Pontiac/Oldsmobile 3.8L V6. For every 1997 Dodge Intrepid with the sludge factory 2.7L, there's about 0.001 2004 Buick LeSabres that would probably make it to 300k if the owners bothered to do basic maintenance on them.
American car manufacturers occasionally had their moments. And shit, even Toyota isn't infallible -- sudden acceleration recalls aside, they had another major recall with 4 cylinder-equipped models in the late 2000s/early 2010s where they decided to change the style of piston rings to something that the engine wasn't designed for. The result was that the engine would consume oil at a pretty alarming rate; something like a quart per 500 miles. The fix was a complete engine rebuild (necessary in order to swap out the low-tension rings for the older style), and they did perform this work under warranty for new vehicles at the time, but there are plenty of old Camry, RAV4, and Corolla models floating around out there that never had the recall work done, and they're no longer eligible.
Generally, they were in the 70s and 80s, when the import market was still relatively young. By the mid-90s or so, Japanese manufacturers had more or less caught up, but Toyota specifically had a few missteps around 2003-2009 where rustproofing completely failed on their truck frames. Their other models have a bit of a reputation for rotting out extremely quickly once the rust starts; I'm not sure if it's something in the composition of the alloy that they use, or what, but it was kind of eyebrow-raising to hear, given how impeccable most of their engineering is.
More recently, they've been including rust treatment under warranty, but it sounds like it's just a silicone-based coating that they spray on once and do not reapply. Either way, if you have a Toyota or Lexus and the body is showing signs of rust, get it treated ASAP. Lanolin-based treatments (e.g., Fluid Film or Woolwax) work really well, but have to be reapplied at least yearly (and you have to avoid spraying the undercarriage at car washes). Avoid POR15 like the plague; once it fails, it fails catastrophically.
...I may or may not have spent the past six weeks down a research rabbit hole because I own a Toyota that is starting to rust
I'd argue cars are like the first lifestyle product in the post world war 2 sense. Many many many many people don't buy them as machines, where you'd look at like gas consumption or repairability or cost per mile or anything statistic, they buy them for what they represent.
I remember trying to be picky when i got my car. But everything in the class was nearly identical. In the end it came down entirely to ceiling height and visibility. : p
I used to be a huge car guy and 50 brands owned by like 5 oligarchical companies all trying to develop the most sensible everyday 4 banger made me think "boy this is fucking stupid" and played a large part into turning me into a leftist
They break down constantly even when they aren't being shot at. Besides, the point of stuff like this is that it's proven, you wouldn't want to be an early adopter even if the Cybertruck wasn't garbage.
I have to agree, just not in a complimentary way.
As I see cars pass by I constantly think to myself why the fuck would you buy an American shitbox over a Toyota/Honda when it literally costs the same? Seriously, what the fuck is going on here?
Some older (circa 1990s-2000s) GMs and even Fords have better rustproofing than their Japanese counterparts, and even American manufacturers occasionally could design a decent engine, like the (non-supercharged) Buick/Pontiac/Oldsmobile 3.8L V6. For every 1997 Dodge Intrepid with the sludge factory 2.7L, there's about 0.001 2004 Buick LeSabres that would probably make it to 300k if the owners bothered to do basic maintenance on them.
American car manufacturers occasionally had their moments. And shit, even Toyota isn't infallible -- sudden acceleration recalls aside, they had another major recall with 4 cylinder-equipped models in the late 2000s/early 2010s where they decided to change the style of piston rings to something that the engine wasn't designed for. The result was that the engine would consume oil at a pretty alarming rate; something like a quart per 500 miles. The fix was a complete engine rebuild (necessary in order to swap out the low-tension rings for the older style), and they did perform this work under warranty for new vehicles at the time, but there are plenty of old Camry, RAV4, and Corolla models floating around out there that never had the recall work done, and they're no longer eligible.
This is all used market stuff, obvi.
That’s a good point. Do you think American cars are generally more rust proof than Toyotas/Hondas?
Generally, they were in the 70s and 80s, when the import market was still relatively young. By the mid-90s or so, Japanese manufacturers had more or less caught up, but Toyota specifically had a few missteps around 2003-2009 where rustproofing completely failed on their truck frames. Their other models have a bit of a reputation for rotting out extremely quickly once the rust starts; I'm not sure if it's something in the composition of the alloy that they use, or what, but it was kind of eyebrow-raising to hear, given how impeccable most of their engineering is.
More recently, they've been including rust treatment under warranty, but it sounds like it's just a silicone-based coating that they spray on once and do not reapply. Either way, if you have a Toyota or Lexus and the body is showing signs of rust, get it treated ASAP. Lanolin-based treatments (e.g., Fluid Film or Woolwax) work really well, but have to be reapplied at least yearly (and you have to avoid spraying the undercarriage at car washes). Avoid POR15 like the plague; once it fails, it fails catastrophically.
...I may or may not have spent the past six weeks down a research rabbit hole because I own a Toyota that is starting to rust
I'd argue cars are like the first lifestyle product in the post world war 2 sense. Many many many many people don't buy them as machines, where you'd look at like gas consumption or repairability or cost per mile or anything statistic, they buy them for what they represent.
I remember trying to be picky when i got my car. But everything in the class was nearly identical. In the end it came down entirely to ceiling height and visibility. : p
I used to be a huge car guy and 50 brands owned by like 5 oligarchical companies all trying to develop the most sensible everyday 4 banger made me think "boy this is fucking stupid" and played a large part into turning me into a leftist
Reject new models every year embrace five year plan vw bugs
showcases the pinnacle of American engineering (derogatory)