Americans getting hosed

A lot of those models are niche vehicles that would not sell in large enough volume to justify certifying them for sale in the U.S.

Toyota used to import Avalons into Japan from the U.S.--maybe they still do; dunno.

But something's gone terribly wrong with the Avalon. Avalons used to sell well over 100,000 a year in the U.S. Now they're down to 30,000 or so a year.

Ever hear of 'Japan Incorporated?' ;)

mike hunt

From what I've seen of them the Avalon is not one of Toyotas better vehicles. I have one friend that bought a 2006 and, although he took a hit, he went and bought back his older Avalon and sold the 2006 to a wholesaler.

mike hunt

Wow, I've never heard of a story like that. He musta really been down on the '06 model.

He's probably lying.

Oh, Mike isn't lying.

What were your friend's complaints with the '06 model?

He didn't say. I saw him driving the 04 and mentioned I thought I saw you in a new one. He told be he bought that one back because I like it better than the new one. He still had both at the time but eventually sold the 06

mike hunt

People in my social circles don't keep anything they don't like. I know of a guy that bought a 06 FWD Lexus and traded it with only 4,600 on the clock on an 06 Town Car. I know a lady the bought an 06 Grand Marquis then traded that on an 07 Tahoe a month later because she could not 'see out' well enough LOL

mike hunt

Do the people in your social circles get rid of spouses like they get rid of cars? ;-)

Funny you should ask I was going to add the cravat, 'and that includes wives' to the first sentence. ;)

mike hunt

easy come, easy go.

My wo man from Toe Kay Oh, is good to meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Let's face it. Some of us are Die-Hard Toyota fans and would buy anything they brought into America.

Others see them as funny little Japanese cars and wouldn't give them a second look. They are also underpowered for American tastes.

So, some of the niftier models stay in Tokyo. Couple that with the fact that Japan's safety laws are much less stringent than USA's, and the cars don't have to be fitted with Safety Glass, etc, and the amount of profit that would be lost by importing them, and therefore the higher price that would have to be charged, and Toyota decides "Nah!"

I guess we can assume you don't yet know about the Yaris, the deathtrap on wheels? I hear Toyota, is going to put three handles on each side of the newer models.

mike hunt

Whoa. Something semi-clever and humorous from a top poster. Is the world coming to an end?

In Autoline Detroit, a representative from "thecarconnections.com" did say that Toyota is having some quality issues with the Avalon. They unfortunately didnt indicate what.

But, I knew a bout the Yaris about 6 years ago, being sold in Asia and Europe, and Canadian sales about 2 years ago. (2 yaris ago?) I was looking up paints to paint one of my 'projects' and came up with a 3-stage green used on something called a 'Yaris'. Hence, one of my posts about putting a $1600 paint job on a $12,000 car.

As far as a death trap? Corolla 1200 (2 of them) and 2 Tercels. You're right: no match for a Soccer Mom in an Expedition talking on the phone and yelling at her kids at the same time.