Top 10 Most Reliable Vehicles

[KJRitchie]

Does GM still paint their interior dash, console and door panels? Had an S10 and after a couple of years where I noticed the black plastic coming through in places and realized all the interior plastics had a color top coat.

Kelvin

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by m.hony

On F150 being the #1 selling vehicle- do they count GMC and Chevrolet together or separately? Might not matter either way- they may sell more F150's than GMc's and Chevy's combined-
I have heard that for years, but you cannot tell locally. There are more Chevy's here.

Originally Posted by dznf0g

This issue has always come down to verbiage, marketing (public belief) and legal-eze.

For example, this month Ford can say the F150 is "best selling brand", but can't say they are the "best selling truck".

When they out sell Chev AND GMC they can say they are the "best selling truck".

Cease and desist orders are filed occasionally. Especially when they try and say "best selling truck for XXX years running".

But, effective market is about perception, so even if they have to cease and desist, the public perception is planted.

Ford doesn't claim that the F150 is the best-selling truck or brand in the US. They claim that the "F-Series" is the best-selling truck, which allows them to count everything from F150 to F650 if they need big numbers, or at least F150-F350 if they need to be fair-ish and stick to the light-duty category. The reason the complaints of competitors aren't enforceable is that the language is technically correct, since the Sierra and Silverado are distinct brands even though they're essentially the same under the skin.

[m.hony]

Oh...


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[m.hony]

I know Titans and Tundras and Dodges/Rams are bot anywhere close, but I see more Tundras or Rams in/near towns with dealerships. Ford and Chevy have a much larger dealer network.


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[gandttimes]

Originally Posted by KJRitchie

Does GM still paint their interior dash, console and door panels? Had an S10 and after a couple of years where I noticed the black plastic coming through in places and realized all the interior plastics had a color top coat.

Kelvin

S10 and S15 were a long time ago. Kind of like asking if Toyota' frames still rust and break in half like my 1980 did


George

[pappy19]

Originally Posted by ALANSD

My Expedition is repaired to the tune of $1500. Sad but I had to deal with it.
Hope the thing runs like my Excursion did now. It was good for 165000 before we sold it.

What were your repairs? Sounds like a lot of it might have been maintenance issues. I expect you have an automatic tranny and if so, you should definitely beef it up with a Transgo Shift Kit. Not much money and way better with metal parts and better shifting. Also another external tranny fluid filter and cooler will make that tranny last a lot longer. The 5.4 is a good solid engine and coupled with a 3.73 rear ratio, it will tow quite nicely.

[Rich W]

Originally Posted by m.hony

Are you a Toyota executive? Can you get me a discount?
I'm with you on the "only Toyotas" thing.

Better late than never, I found out that it's the Lexus ES350 that will be built in Georgetown. They start coming down their own line in October of this year.

[m.hony]

How many components are shared with the Avalon?


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[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by m.hony

How many components are shared with the Avalon?


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While there aren't many shared parts, the ES is closer to the Camry than the Avalon. It's closer to the Camry in track, wheelbase, length, etc.

[white laker]

Folks
My 2015 GMC Sierra 6.2 Max Tox that was on order since last September finally arrived yesterday. We took it out for a spin and it looks like a great little pick up. With the 6.2 and the 8 speed it should satisfy the need for a "little more" that I need over my current 2009 Yukon 5.3. I just didnt want to go to a 3/4 ton Diesel to get way more truck than what I beleive I need. I pull the A/S home on Monday with the Yukon and pick up the new truck on Thursday. They need to install Michelin LT 'E' rated tires, running boards and a Rino spray in bed liner. Will get its first pull on May 7th heading to the spring shakedown with the local A/S club.

[Rich W]

Originally Posted by m.hony

How many components are shared with the Avalon?
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Each vehicle is designed separately. Several models will come down the same line but gets its own parts. A wiring harness for a Venza won't work on a Camry or Avalon. The same holds true for other parts. Even if some fit, like a mirror inside its holder, the color/fit/connections will be different. Controls, electrical and mechanical, will be different, possibly different on whether it's a Camry is 4 or 6 cylinder.

The Lexus will be made on its own line, some parts (let's use seats as an example) are delivered to the plant for that line. The same supplier may provide seats for all of the vehicles made at that plant, maybe only some. Seats will be made to specification for each of the vehicles and delivered so that the first one off the truck will go into the vehicle it was ordered for as it comes down the line. Will an Avalon seat fit a Camry, Avalon or Lexus ES350? Even if it did, the cloth/leather will be of varying grades with the highest going to the Lexus. The same for carpeting, radios and other major components. Things like a gas tank are molded to fit the body design of a vehicle. Taillights, gas doors, wheels, glove box liners, instrument panels are all different in their finished state.

Components like glass, headlights, armrests and so on, are all designed for a specific model. They are ordered that way and will be delivered/made that way. There wouldn't be any sense for Toyota to see if something for one car would fit another. The supplier has to build a product to Toyota's specifications, including the specified price and agreed upon number of defects per batch.

Georgetown is a plant that stamps its own steel. Steel is delivered to the stamping area and will be stamped according to engineering specifications. It then goes to welding for further assembly. Engines are assembled from parts provided by suppliers. The engines will be different bore, stroke, timing etc. according to the engineering specifications. I'm sure the ES350 will have a V6 (at least). The Avalon, Venza and some models of Camry have a V6, but they will perform at different levels based on the engine specifications to fit the gearing of the transmissions built for each model.

So the short answer is no, but I guess it's too late for a short answer. I do know that the (body) shell will be painted in the existing paint department. Colors, number of coats, type of paint etc. will all be according to the specification. The anti-rust "dip" is probably the same for all vehicles made there. Steel, raw plastics, oils/lubes and other consumables start out for all uses but will be made specifically for a vehicle model.

So could you go to the parts department of your local Toyota dealership and ask for a master cylinder for a Lexus? Maybe, but there's not going to be much difference in price. But then, if you bought the Lexus I doubt that you'd want to put Toyota parts on it.

[m.hony]

Frame/chassis/platform?
Engine/transmission/drivetrain?
You can say what you want, but I see parts on my 2014 Avalon that are identical to parts on my 2007 Tundra- cruise control switch, power mirror control, various other push buttons or switches. Even the parts that have a different look for the different models function the same way.
I understand the different wiring- the just reverse a couple of wires in the molex plug according to the model. Gm is bad about that. With patience and trial and error I can get a radio from a Saturn to work in a Chevy.


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[m.hony]

I don't know about Lexus, but in my mind a Toyota 3.5L V6 is a Toyota 3.5L V6, regardless if it's in a Sienna, Avalon, or whatever model.
It's as if they don't want us to know or think it-


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[rmkrum]

My local Toyota dealer is happy to service Lexus automobiles. They know which parts are identical...and Toyota-branded identical parts are less costly.


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[m.hony]

I would think oil change specs are the same, too- and the tires are the same- possibly brake rotors, calipers, pads, axles, etc.


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[rmkrum]

Yup. But he can get any part they may need for other things. The design is similar enough.


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[r carl]

Worst Vehicles | CarComplaints.com

[m.hony]

Don't see a Tundra or Avalon on that list, and although I don't see a '99 Pathfinder on there ( hunk of junk/worst car I've ever paid top dollar for), there is a 2005 Pathfinder on there. I am surprised at the Accords and Civics on the list. Totally not surprised at the Imtrepid and Explorers on the list. I can't believe the Cavalier or Escort aren't on that list.

[TCwheels]

Originally Posted by richw46

While they are the same company, there is a difference in assembly and parts, among other things. For example, there is a given time to do your individual assembly step. For Toyota the time is much shorted than for the Lexus. When you have more time to do your job, you can do a better job, especially when the next person down the line is critiquing your work.

In parts there is not necessarily a difference in quality but perhaps a difference in the defect rate. For a Toyota (just throwing out some numbers here) one defect in 100 may be acceptable while for a Lexus the defect rate may be one in 500. The manufacturer will pay more for the part with a lower defect rate but the reliability will be higher (and the vehicle cost).

I think the quality for all cars has improved significantly because of reports like these. The consumer has really benefited from the competition.

You are the right track, just lower the percentages a little. The automotives and their supplies track and report part defects in many ways. One common metric is "PPM" or parts per million (defective). Toyota and Lexus are typically purchasing components with documented PPMs of less than 10.


WBCCI #7246 Michigan Unit,Texas Hill Country Unit (associate member), AIR #91367

[m.hony]

If we ever live closer to a Lexus dealer, maybe we'll buy a Lexus.
Maybe we should buy a Lexus anyway and get it serviced at the Toyota place.
I really don't think there's a nickel's worth of difference between a Lexus 3.5liter V6 and a Toyota 3.5 liter V6.
I also don't think there's much difference in the power window/door lock/mirror switches, wiper/washer switches, cruise control switches, steering wheel controls, stereos, gear shift levers, and random switches for other things like traction control or moonroof.
The tires are probably the same. Brakes and transmissions are the same or similar.


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