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Imagine what a genuine malfunction might have cost
Overlawyered ^ | 07/26/13 | Walter Olson

Posted on 07/28/2013 11:23:11 AM PDT by AtlasStalled

The bogus Toyota sudden-acceleration scandal, fed by credulous media and hungry lawyers, has now cost the Japanese automaker upwards of one billion dollars on paper in settlements, despite the lack of an actual mechanical basis for the claims.

(Excerpt) Read more at overlawyered.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Japan; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: japan; toyota
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1 posted on 07/28/2013 11:23:11 AM PDT by AtlasStalled
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To: AtlasStalled

I’m a Camry guy, and will continue.


2 posted on 07/28/2013 11:29:32 AM PDT by onedoug
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To: AtlasStalled
This was just after Obama took over GM

Obama did not have to take over the entire auto industry, only one - then use the power of the tax dollars to price the others out of business

Or, in this case, his willing accomplices in the media, to lie a fake ‘issues’ into financial ruin.

Remember that guy who was on the phone with the police claiming his car would not stop? A police car actually pulled in front of him and used his brakes to stop him. (I guess turning off the engine I never occurred to anyone.)

Investigation of the ‘black box’ in the car proved he was accelerating and using his brakes at the same time.

He should be sued to oblivion and Toyota SHOULD PERSONALLY SUE THE PREISDENT

3 posted on 07/28/2013 11:29:43 AM PDT by Mr. K (4 election)
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To: onedoug

I picked up a Toyota Corolla second-hand for my daughter and it is one of the best cars I ever owned (along with Honda)

I will buy another one JUST to be appreciative.


4 posted on 07/28/2013 11:30:49 AM PDT by Mr. K (4 election)
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To: AtlasStalled

An actual malfunction would have been solved by now. But like certain of the applications for disability based on a “bad back” or “excessive pain” during the range of normal work activities, the problem was largely of imaginary origin.

Not to be discounted, is the possibility that the operator of the motor vehicle suffered from a condition known as peripheral neuropathy, which makes it difficult to determine just exactly WHERE your feet are, if you are not looking right at them. The kinesthetic sense is distorted, and while the person may imagine that the brake pedal is being forced down, the foot is actually on the adjacent gas pedal, which would result in “unexpected” acceleration.

Not everybody has the presence of mind to simply turn off the ignition switch during this “sudden acceleration”, making ANY acceleration totally impossible.

Not everybody has the presence of mind to be out driving on public roadways.


5 posted on 07/28/2013 11:39:09 AM PDT by alloysteel (Unattended children will be given a Red Bull and a free Kazoo. Reminds me of Congress...)
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To: AtlasStalled

There’s does seem to be a problem with some models that will accelerate when the AC compressor kicks on. If you are holding your break normally at a stop and looking down at the radio or something you can go into a slow forward. I’ve noticed this with my 2006 Sequoia.


6 posted on 07/28/2013 11:40:11 AM PDT by RushingWater
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To: AtlasStalled

I purchased a 2010 Toyota Tundra CrewMax Limited, 4x4 and loaded....it come stock with 386HP, mine now has about 400HP. It tows my 8,000# Airstream trailer like its not even there. I love this truck and the customer service has been incredible. This is my second Tundra and I doubt that I will ever buy any other brand. My truck was designed and made in Texas.


7 posted on 07/28/2013 11:51:45 AM PDT by Gator113
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To: AtlasStalled

I’m on my third Hyundai. All great cars.


8 posted on 07/28/2013 11:55:01 AM PDT by stinkerpot65 (Global warming is a Marxist lie.)
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To: stinkerpot65

We are Bout to buy our 3rd Hyundai. Great cars.


9 posted on 07/28/2013 11:56:11 AM PDT by Lurker (Violence is rarely the answer. But when it is it is the only answer.)
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To: Mr. K

10 posted on 07/28/2013 12:16:39 PM PDT by USFRIENDINVICTORIA
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To: AtlasStalled
If a company has assets, the politico-legal class considers it a potential meal. I was driving a Matrix when this was first being talked about, and I was skeptical. While not a brand fanboy (I now drive a Subaru), I have nothing but praise for the reliability of the two Toyotas I have owned.

Mr. niteowl77

11 posted on 07/28/2013 12:17:04 PM PDT by niteowl77 ("There's nothing a vulture hates more than biting into a glass eye.")
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To: alloysteel
Not everybody has the presence of mind to simply turn off the ignition switch during this “sudden acceleration”, making ANY acceleration totally impossible.

Of course, if you do turn off the ignition, your steering wheel locks in whatever direction it happens to be pointing at that moment.

And your vacuum-assisted brakes? well...

12 posted on 07/28/2013 12:19:39 PM PDT by null and void (You don't know what "cutting edge" means till you insult Mohammed.)
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To: AtlasStalled

Obama learned this form of extortion from the NAACP, Rainbow PUSH, and similar groups. It looks like he hit the jackpot in his first experiment with false charges as a form of international business. I wonder whether he has Toyota paying him protection money to not refresh the stories or if he’s just getting paid by his GM/UAW cronies.


13 posted on 07/28/2013 12:20:22 PM PDT by Pollster1 ("Shall not be infringed" is unambiguous.)
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To: AtlasStalled

No different than the silicone breast implant attorney feast.


14 posted on 07/28/2013 12:24:01 PM PDT by Cyman
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To: AtlasStalled

I’m trying to figure out why the people that say they experienced this sudden acceleration did not do one of the following:

1. Put the transmission in neutral.
2. Turn off the ignition key.

Now it may be asking a bit much for someone to ditch that car as it is running away in speed but that would certainl be a very quick consideration if it happened to me.

There may not have been available options for the “ditch it” approach, nowwhere to turn it off the road and into a softer landing, but any option at 50 mph is better than delaying until your speed is at 100 mph.


15 posted on 07/28/2013 12:25:08 PM PDT by gunsequalfreedom (Conservative is not a label of convenience. It is a guide to your actions.)
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To: AtlasStalled

No different than the silicone breast implant attorney feast.


16 posted on 07/28/2013 12:26:43 PM PDT by Cyman
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To: stinkerpot65

Back in the mid 80s I owned a Hyundai excel. I was sitting at a red light behind another car when I was rear ended by an Olds Toronado and knocked into the oncoming traffic where I struck an oncoming dull size Olds station wagon.

Witnesses to the accident said that the olds spun around multiple times. The rear bumper was blown off the wagon and landed about a half block away. I think I hit his rear tire.

Both the car that hit me and the car I hit were towed away and both of those drivers were taken to the hospital.

I drove away with only a slightly sprained thumb which happened when I grabbed for the shift lever and hit the steering wheel.

My car which was almost brand new spent three months in the shop trying to straighten out it’s trapezoidal shape.

The bumpers absorbed the bulk of the collision extremely well in that even though they were crushed on the corners they kept the main body of the car undamaged.

I have always liked my Hyundai from the beginning and felt very comfortable and safe in it.


17 posted on 07/28/2013 12:27:09 PM PDT by dglang
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To: gunsequalfreedom

I am not a car expert in any way, but many have said some of the newer cars will not allow you to shift into neutral or turn off the key when in drive and in motion. I would like to know if that is true, if so that design would seem to be a malfunction itself to me.


18 posted on 07/28/2013 12:29:47 PM PDT by Tammy8 (~Secure the border and deport all illegals- do it now! ~ Support our Troops!~)
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To: null and void
Of course, if you do turn off the ignition, your steering wheel locks in whatever direction it happens to be pointing at that moment.

Bzzzzttt!! WRONG. Turn the key a little bit and it kills the engine, but you still have complete control of the vehicle. You have to turn the key all the way to the off position to lock the steering. Of course, killing the engine causes its own problems -- it is VERY difficult to steer a large, heavy vehicle without power steering and you only have enough vacuum reserve for a few pumps of the brake. The power steering problem is going away as electrically-assisted power steering rapidly takes over from hydraulic ps:


19 posted on 07/28/2013 12:29:59 PM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom
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To: AtlasStalled

Shades of the scam against Audi many years ago.


20 posted on 07/28/2013 12:30:34 PM PDT by Moltke (Sapere aude!)
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