Eh... CR does have some points - but using them to advise you on a capital purchase like a car, boat, or similar item is a mistake.
Remember, this is the same publication that actually *liked* and *recommended* the first generation Hyundai Excel, one of the worst cars ever sold in the US.
That said, I’m not really surprised on the two Toyota models they panned. The Toyota car V6 has been having oil gelling problems of late - but the same problem has been sporadically affecting all makers of late, including Mercedes, Ford, Chrysler and GM. It isn’t a very well understood phenomenon, and it’s been surprising some of the world’s best powertrain engineers.
The Toyota truck V8 problem was not as widespread as eraser would have us believe, but it certainly is a worthwhile thing to note on a survey; Toyota’s American supplier wasn’t paying attention and shipped a lot of defective cams to Toyota. The problem is a flaw in the casting for the camshaft. At this point, only about 20 trucks have had an actual failure related to this, but to their credit Toyota will be replacing the engine for free in case of camshaft failure.
Hey, Eraser, when’s Ford going to be replacing those defective 4.6s?
When did I say anything about Toyota’s v8 truck problem?
On the other hand, when will Toyota fix any of the myriad of problems I’ve had with my Camry?
Interesting. Hadn't heard of the problem. I wonder if its related to burning ethanol? I have heard that ethanol has gelling poblems and that truckers hate bio-diesel, not only because of cost, but it gels-up in cold weather and hell on injection pumps and injectors.
Have you heard anything along this line??
Which defective 4.6s? I hadn’t heard of that.