Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow...

[CanIHazYarisHatch?]

Originally Posted by rningonfumes

114 posts by the time you got one? Looks like you were very diligent in doing your research.

Congrats!

You bet, my friend!

I went to AutoBeef, CarInfo, CarSurvey and TruDelta to survey the long-term reliability of the 1NZ-FE that still powers the 2012 Yaris. Dating from the days of the Echo, and refined endlessly since then, this engine holds no dark secrets of thrown rods at 32k (Dodge Caliber), stupid-@$$ timing belt nonsense (VW), etc. The 1NZ-FE is nothing short of peerless in this class, it's refined as hell. At idle, you cannot feel it or hear it running from the drivers seat (with the windows rolled up)! Only the Fit's engine comes close, but then, you have to deal with the fact you are driving a glorified mini-MPV wrapped around it.

One year ago (don't know what the order is now) Consumer Reports rated the Yaris second only to the Corolla in fewest owner complaints.

Let the anti-Toyota haters hate; Toyota still builds a world-class automobile, and I, for one, am honored to support such a company focused on quality and value. I am glad I can put thousands down and not worry when the warranty expires (Fiat 500, Chevy Sonic--why I didn't chose one of these).

I have complete confidence this car will go the extra mile with me, and I will get real value out of this vehicle.

Where the last-gen Yaris was becoming stale and uncompetitive in it's class toward the end, the new one addresses all the nagging things that prevented me from buying it in the first place: the rubbery gearbox now has a bolt-action feel to it. The drab and low-grade interior, with it's ill-fitting plastic panel work, are now replaced with a more sporty, and upscale interior, where all the panels fit snugly, all the gaps are razor-thin and even throughout.

The feminine, puppy-dog styling has been replaced with a more aggressive, edgy, and decidedly more classy appearance; fit and finish is also at the top of the class, based upon my seat-time in the '12 Accent, Fiesta, Fit, and Rio. The paint, especially, makes the car look like a $17k car...not a $15k base loss-leader.

I am glad that this class (along with the C-class) is heating up. We, as lovers of small cars can only win with more options available to us. We will also win if gas goes up--we will suffer less than the gas hogs. If gas falls, then we will run our cars on pennies.

We Yaris owners win no matter what, which is yet another reason why I love this car so much!

220 miles on the ODO as of tonight...and hundreds of thousands left to go!

[Altitude]

Originally Posted by CanIHazYarisHatch?

The feminine, puppy-dog styling...

Now, hang on there cowboy...

[mr9865]

Originally Posted by CanIHazYarisHatch?

You bet, my friend!

I went to AutoBeef, CarInfo, CarSurvey and TruDelta to survey the long-term reliability of the 1NZ-FE that still powers the 2012 Yaris. Dating from the days of the Echo, and refined endlessly since then, this engine holds no dark secrets of thrown rods at 32k (Dodge Caliber), stupid-@$$ timing belt nonsense (VW), etc. The 1NZ-FE is nothing short of peerless in this class, it's refined as hell. At idle, you cannot feel it or hear it running from the drivers seat (with the windows rolled up)! Only the Fit's engine comes close, but then, you have to deal with the fact you are driving a glorified mini-MPV wrapped around it.

One year ago (don't know what the order is now) Consumer Reports rated the Yaris second only to the Corolla in fewest owner complaints.

Let the anti-Toyota haters hate; Toyota still builds a world-class automobile, and I, for one, am honored to support such a company focused on quality and value. I am glad I can put thousands down and not worry when the warranty expires (Fiat 500, Chevy Sonic--why I didn't chose one of these).

I have complete confidence this car will go the extra mile with me, and I will get real value out of this vehicle.

Where the last-gen Yaris was becoming stale and uncompetitive in it's class toward the end, the new one addresses all the nagging things that prevented me from buying it in the first place: the rubbery gearbox now has a bolt-action feel to it. The drab and low-grade interior, with it's ill-fitting plastic panel work, are now replaced with a more sporty, and upscale interior, where all the panels fit snugly, all the gaps are razor-thin and even throughout.

The feminine, puppy-dog styling has been replaced with a more aggressive, edgy, and decidedly more classy appearance; fit and finish is also at the top of the class, based upon my seat-time in the '12 Accent, Fiesta, Fit, and Rio. The paint, especially, makes the car look like a $17k car...not a $15k base loss-leader.

I am glad that this class (along with the C-class) is heating up. We, as lovers of small cars can only win with more options available to us. We will also win if gas goes up--we will suffer less than the gas hogs. If gas falls, then we will run our cars on pennies.

We Yaris owners win no matter what, which is yet another reason why I love this car so much!

220 miles on the ODO as of tonight...and hundreds of thousands left to go!

glad your lovin it, 1200 on mine. Just wanted to ask if you plan on doing the cruise control mod? If you are id appreciate if you made a guide, as I have all the parts waiting to go. Alas im waiting for someone else to take the plunge first.

[CanIHazYarisHatch?]

Originally Posted by mr9865

glad your lovin it, 1200 on mine. Just wanted to ask if you plan on doing the cruise control mod? If you are id appreciate if you made a guide, as I have all the parts waiting to go. Alas im waiting for someone else to take the plunge first.

My "cruise control" is my right foot. lol

I don't want to hack up my car when it's still minty fresh and new.

[mr9865]

lol, someone will do it eventually

[CanIHazYarisHatch?]

Originally Posted by mr9865

lol, someone will do it eventually

Yes, but I won't put my baby under the knife. lol

[tetzyamis]

Originally Posted by CanIHazYarisHatch?

You bet, my friend!

I went to AutoBeef, CarInfo, CarSurvey and TruDelta to survey the long-term reliability of the 1NZ-FE that still powers the 2012 Yaris. Dating from the days of the Echo, and refined endlessly since then, this engine holds no dark secrets of thrown rods at 32k (Dodge Caliber), stupid-@$$ timing belt nonsense (VW), etc. The 1NZ-FE is nothing short of peerless in this class, it's refined as hell. At idle, you cannot feel it or hear it running from the drivers seat (with the windows rolled up)! Only the Fit's engine comes close, but then, you have to deal with the fact you are driving a glorified mini-MPV wrapped around it.

One year ago (don't know what the order is now) Consumer Reports rated the Yaris second only to the Corolla in fewest owner complaints.

Let the anti-Toyota haters hate; Toyota still builds a world-class automobile, and I, for one, am honored to support such a company focused on quality and value. I am glad I can put thousands down and not worry when the warranty expires (Fiat 500, Chevy Sonic--why I didn't chose one of these).

I have complete confidence this car will go the extra mile with me, and I will get real value out of this vehicle.

Where the last-gen Yaris was becoming stale and uncompetitive in it's class toward the end, the new one addresses all the nagging things that prevented me from buying it in the first place: the rubbery gearbox now has a bolt-action feel to it. The drab and low-grade interior, with it's ill-fitting plastic panel work, are now replaced with a more sporty, and upscale interior, where all the panels fit snugly, all the gaps are razor-thin and even throughout.

The feminine, puppy-dog styling has been replaced with a more aggressive, edgy, and decidedly more classy appearance; fit and finish is also at the top of the class, based upon my seat-time in the '12 Accent, Fiesta, Fit, and Rio. The paint, especially, makes the car look like a $17k car...not a $15k base loss-leader.

I am glad that this class (along with the C-class) is heating up. We, as lovers of small cars can only win with more options available to us. We will also win if gas goes up--we will suffer less than the gas hogs. If gas falls, then we will run our cars on pennies.

We Yaris owners win no matter what, which is yet another reason why I love this car so much!

220 miles on the ODO as of tonight...and hundreds of thousands left to go!

Wow, well said. I want one too now :p

[CanIHazYarisHatch?]

Originally Posted by tetzyamis

Wow, well said. I want one too now :p

Used car prices are at an all-time high, and Toyota offers an owner loyalty discount...Trust me, as great as the last-gen car still is, the new one really takes the fight in this class.

Plus, it is one of the few that offers a sexy 3-door hatch!

You won't regret the upgrade if you do take the plunge.

[CPALK719]

congrats on your purchase !!! i just got mine yesterday, and i must argee the styling of the 2012 yaris whether it be 3 door or 5 door still looks more argessive then most of it's competitors.
.
interior is very roomy, my father and myself both agreed that it has more room then our 98 tercel.

any plans for mods or anything ? once again congrats on your purchase

[CanIHazYarisHatch?]

Originally Posted by CPALK719

congrats on your purchase !!! i just got mine yesterday, and i must argee the styling of the 2012 yaris whether it be 3 door or 5 door still looks more argessive then most of it's competitors.
.
interior is very roomy, my father and myself both agreed that it has more room then our 98 tercel.

any plans for mods or anything ? once again congrats on your purchase

Eventually, I plan on getting some ultralight 15 inch alloys. I'm still in the extended honeymoon phase...which shall last for several months. lol

[Aiko Cargo]

Great looking car and color!

[CanIHazYarisHatch?]

Originally Posted by Aiko Cargo

Great looking car and color!

Konbawa! Thank you very much!

I love the Blazing Blue Pearl, it has a very subtle elegance to it, like the Yaris 3-door hatch itself.

Cheers, to my friend in Nippon!

[A1an]

Originally Posted by CanIHazYarisHatch?

You bet, my friend!

I went to AutoBeef, CarInfo, CarSurvey and TruDelta to survey the long-term reliability of the 1NZ-FE that still powers the 2012 Yaris. Dating from the days of the Echo, and refined endlessly since then, this engine holds no dark secrets of thrown rods at 32k (Dodge Caliber), stupid-@$$ timing belt nonsense (VW), etc. The 1NZ-FE is nothing short of peerless in this class, it's refined as hell. At idle, you cannot feel it or hear it running from the drivers seat (with the windows rolled up)! Only the Fit's engine comes close, but then, you have to deal with the fact you are driving a glorified mini-MPV wrapped around it.

One year ago (don't know what the order is now) Consumer Reports rated the Yaris second only to the Corolla in fewest owner complaints.

Let the anti-Toyota haters hate; Toyota still builds a world-class automobile, and I, for one, am honored to support such a company focused on quality and value. I am glad I can put thousands down and not worry when the warranty expires (Fiat 500, Chevy Sonic--why I didn't chose one of these).

I have complete confidence this car will go the extra mile with me, and I will get real value out of this vehicle.

Where the last-gen Yaris was becoming stale and uncompetitive in it's class toward the end, the new one addresses all the nagging things that prevented me from buying it in the first place: the rubbery gearbox now has a bolt-action feel to it. The drab and low-grade interior, with it's ill-fitting plastic panel work, are now replaced with a more sporty, and upscale interior, where all the panels fit snugly, all the gaps are razor-thin and even throughout.

The feminine, puppy-dog styling has been replaced with a more aggressive, edgy, and decidedly more classy appearance; fit and finish is also at the top of the class, based upon my seat-time in the '12 Accent, Fiesta, Fit, and Rio. The paint, especially, makes the car look like a $17k car...not a $15k base loss-leader.

I am glad that this class (along with the C-class) is heating up. We, as lovers of small cars can only win with more options available to us. We will also win if gas goes up--we will suffer less than the gas hogs. If gas falls, then we will run our cars on pennies.

We Yaris owners win no matter what, which is yet another reason why I love this car so much!

220 miles on the ODO as of tonight...and hundreds of thousands left to go!

Nice. We were very close on pulling the trigger on a Sonic LTZ Turbo before we took a look at the Yaris. I think the Sonic still has the Toyota beat on interior style, function, and quality...but a first year GM had me concerned. I think the Sonic is going to shine just like the Cruze but I don't want to be one of the first to help GM work through the first production year quirks. The Yaris platform has been around for quite some time so I know it shouldn't give us any issues.

Being a VW owner I'm still completely unimpressed by all the interiors in the b-segment. Yes the Yaris interior is pretty nice but the dash still has a very cheap plastic feel/look to it. I paid $16k for my 3-door Rabbit back in 2007 and you simply can't beat the materials used in this car. Would be nice if other manufacturers stepped it up a bit as well. Perhaps when the Polo finally gets here it will motivate others to improve their interior material quality. After all...that is were we spend all of our time.

[CanIHazYarisHatch?]

Originally Posted by A1an

Nice. We were very close on pulling the trigger on a Sonic LTZ Turbo before we took a look at the Yaris. I think the Sonic still has the Toyota beat on interior style, function, and quality...but a first year GM had me concerned. I think the Sonic is going to shine just like the Cruze but I don't want to be one of the first to help GM work through the first production year quirks. The Yaris platform has been around for quite some time so I know it shouldn't give us any issues.

Being a VW owner I'm still completely unimpressed by all the interiors in the b-segment. Yes the Yaris interior is pretty nice but the dash still has a very cheap plastic feel/look to it. I paid $16k for my 3-door Rabbit back in 2007 and you simply can't beat the materials used in this car. Would be nice if other manufacturers stepped it up a bit as well. Perhaps when the Polo finally gets here it will motivate others to improve their interior material quality. After all...that is were we spend all of our time.

I agree with you, but I cannot trust a VW or GM car further than I can throw it. Sad, because VW makes some lovely-looking and driving cars (when they are new). But I would never own one.

After about three years, that "great interior" starts peeling and rattling. Those power windows fall off their tracks. That beautiful instrument panel lights up like a Christmas tree--especially with the CEL, which on a VW, I refer to as the "Change Engine Light".

For those VW enthusiasts I have known (and I have known plenty), the cars are essentially built to really impress on the test-drive...and after the paperwork is signed, to hell with the customer. VW is insanely profitable because it squeezes it's parts suppliers nearly to death, so the parts are very cheap for VW--and they last about as long as one would expect. Because the consumer is already $20k+ deep in paying off their beloved VW, they are essentially forced to pay out of pocket to fix those things that break, oftentimes very expensive things, with those same defective parts--but at high-quality prices, making VW's coffers very obese with what is essentially stolen money from their customers. How they get away with it is amazing to me. How owners keep going back for more punishment--is also amazing to me.

I also don't understand the complaints about the new Yaris dash--do people get a blanket and sleep on it overnight or something? It's a dashboard, it's not supposed to be "soft-touch"--especially in a $15,000 compact car.

Want a "soft-touch" dash? Buy an Audi A4 and get rid of it before the warranty--and the car--expires.

I want a reliable, fun-to-drive car that has high resale value and looks sharp for not a whole lot of money. That's why I bought a Toyota--I don't have to pray for it to start at 60,001 miles. I know it will. But when it does break (when my grandchildren are finishing their Master's theses), it will be very mechanic-friendly to service, and the parts won't cost me my firstborn child.

If you like VWs, well, have fun. I'll stick with that proven 1NZ-FE; what it lacks in "power", it makes up for in near indestructibility. Why is this? Because Toyota does their R&D right the FIRST time. Call me "vanilla", but I like that. It shows they have some pride in more than just a quick sale, and they respect their customers.

[A1an]

Originally Posted by CanIHazYarisHatch?

I agree with you, but I cannot trust a VW or GM car further than I can throw it. Sad, because VW makes some lovely-looking and driving cars (when they are new). But I would never own one.

After about three years, that "great interior" starts peeling and rattling. Those power windows fall off their tracks. That beautiful instrument panel lights up like a Christmas tree--especially with the CEL, which on a VW, I refer to as the "Change Engine Light".

For those VW enthusiasts I have known (and I have known plenty), the cars are essentially built to really impress on the test-drive...and after the paperwork is signed, to hell with the customer. VW is insanely profitable because it squeezes it's parts suppliers nearly to death, so the parts are very cheap for VW--and they last about as long as one would expect. Because the consumer is already $20k+ deep in paying off their beloved VW, they are essentially forced to pay out of pocket to fix those things that break, oftentimes very expensive things, with those same defective parts--but at high-quality prices, making VW's coffers very obese with what is essentially stolen money from their customers. How they get away with it is amazing to me. How owners keep going back for more punishment--is also amazing to me.

I also don't understand the complaints about the new Yaris dash--do people get a blanket and sleep on it overnight or something? It's a dashboard, it's not supposed to be "soft-touch"--especially in a $15,000 compact car.

Want a "soft-touch" dash? Buy an Audi A4 and get rid of it before the warranty--and the car--expires.

I want a reliable, fun-to-drive car that has high resale value and looks sharp for not a whole lot of money. That's why I bought a Toyota--I don't have to pray for it to start at 60,001 miles. I know it will. But when it does break (when my grandchildren are finishing their Master's theses), it will be very mechanic-friendly to service, and the parts won't cost me my firstborn child.

If you like VWs, well, have fun. I'll stick with that proven 1NZ-FE; what it lacks in "power", it makes up for in near indestructibility. Why is this? Because Toyota does their R&D right the FIRST time. Call me "vanilla", but I like that. It shows they have some pride in more than just a quick sale, and they respect their customers.

So much false information here. VWoA customer service is actually very good (my wife worked in VW service for a few years and has lost count of how many times they have stepped up above and beyond in situations where they did not have to). Cost to maintain isn't far off from a typical Japanese import. From my experiences the cost of parts is actually less in some circumstances. Most of the owners that bitch and moan about poor VW reliability are typically those who abuse the car, don't maintain it, try to improperly modify it, or buy a used car that fits in one or more of these three characteristics.

We purchased this '07 Rabbit new and have almost 90k on it already. Interior is flawless. Drives like new. Nothing really has gone wrong with it. Pretty much all we have spent money on is maintenance, normal wear items, and a couple minor modifications. Even my '89 Jetta is incredibly cheap/easy to fix and has held up quite well over the years.


As far as Toyota customer service goes they are okay. Interior quality is just "meh". I have owned two Scions in the past, both of which were rattle traps that I just learned to live with. Seat material on the first one was pretty thin and the bolsters were starting to wear when I went to sell it after two short years of ownership. Material seems more beefy in the Yaris SE...hopefully we won't have that issue.

[CanIHazYarisHatch?]

Originally Posted by A1an

So much false information here. VWoA customer service is actually very good (my wife worked in VW service for a few years and has lost count of how many times they have stepped up above and beyond in situations where they did not have to). Cost to maintain isn't far off from a typical Japanese import. From my experiences the cost of parts is actually less in some circumstances. Most of the owners that bitch and moan about poor VW reliability are typically those who abuse the car, don't maintain it, try to improperly modify it, or buy a used car that fits in one or more of these three characteristics.

We purchased this '07 Rabbit new and have almost 90k on it already. Interior is flawless. Drives like new. Nothing really has gone wrong with it. Pretty much all we have spent money on is maintenance, normal wear items, and a couple minor modifications. Even my '89 Jetta is incredibly cheap/easy to fix and has held up quite well over the years.


As far as Toyota customer service goes they are okay. Interior quality is just "meh". I have owned two Scions in the past, both of which were rattle traps that I just learned to live with. Seat material on the first one was pretty thin and the bolsters were starting to wear when I went to sell it after two short years of ownership. Material seems more beefy in the Yaris SE...hopefully we won't have that issue.

We are going to have to agree to disagree, my friend. I don't have schizophrenia, and neither do my VW enthusiast friends. My vision is also better than 20/20 in both eyes, and I don't drink. Only one of my VW friends has modified his GTI VR6 (aftermarket BBS alloys, exhaust, ECU flash, lowered suspension, K&N filter, etc.), the other two (one has a newer GTI, the other a Passat) are bone-stock, not even a K&N air filter or aftermarket exhaust installed. They just DD their cars, and detail them nearly every weekend in a fanatical fashion.

Though the GTI VR6 (R32, an '04, I believe) guy changes his oil and filter every 1,000 miles (like I do), the car still gives him headaches. Here are a few I have seen since he bought the car new in '04: Wheel bearings, windows off the track, failed coil packs, 02 sensors, peeling (soft-touch) plastics inside the interior, a dash that lights up every time the moon comes out, rattles, rattles, rattles, it also drinks/leaks oil like a 2-stroke...yet the dealer could not "isolate/duplicate" these problems. It has been garaged and pampered from new, and has seen rain perhaps five times in it's lifetime. He worships this damned car. For reference, he has 76K on the odo as of the last time I spoke with him about it a couple weeks ago.

Guess he's imagining things. But the dealer is more than happy to charge him to replace unbroken parts and tell him "nothing to see here..."

The guy with the R32 has it parked right now waiting on the Veloster Turbo to drop. In his exact words: "The day that car [Veloster Turbo] comes out, I'm limping this POS to the dealer and trading it in!"

More power to him; his VW love is almost beaten out of him.

Apparently all he just needed to do was maintain his coil packs, along with his wheel bearings every 30k miles. Should have lubed the windows tracks inside his doors...What a fool. Obviously, he was a neglectful owner, along with the other two with stock VWs.

It's a damned shame, too. I love the restrained elegance of VWs, especially their 3-door hatches, such as the Polo, Golf, and UP! Their interiors are also elegant and timeless in their beauty...but these cars age like milk out on the porch during a 100 degree summer afternoon.

I would love a VW UP! GT w/manual trans, for example. But I cannot trust them even during the warranty period.

Toyotas, in my experience, and the experience of all I have known with them? They age more like wine.

Toyotas are a LOT of things, call them "vanilla", "boring", whatnot...but unreliable is not one of them.

They have earned my money.

After my Master's degree is done, I'm buying a new Subaru BRZ/Scion FR-S, and never looking back. I like my cars to, you know, work.

[A1an]

If you are into basing your entire opinion of a manufacturer on one friend's experience I am curious how you can overlook the property damage, injuries, and even deaths associated with the Toyota recalls not too long ago. I believe those affected more than one car? ;)


Don't get me wrong I think Toyota is an okay company but I just think they make a very cheap product and these days tend to overcharge for it (same goes for Honda). From a new car stand point I wasn't terribly impressed with either of my xBs. First one had premature bolster wear on the seats and I actually wore through a floor mat in two months (wore through where the heel of my shoe pivoted between the brake and gas pedals). Second one was a complete rattle trap that the dealer couldn't fix. Paint on both was paper thin as was the sheet metal. The glove box on my second one was warped from the factory as well. I've never had these problems with any Fords, Volkswagens, Mazdas, Honda, or Nissans that I have owned in the past.

Hopefully this Yaris is as reliable in the long run for us as this Rabbit has been. My wife really likes it and we got a very good deal on it. The dealer we finally ended up with seems pretty good as well.

[CanIHazYarisHatch?]

Originally Posted by A1an

If you are into basing your entire opinion of a manufacturer on one friend's experience I am curious how you can overlook the property damage, injuries, and even deaths associated with the Toyota recalls not too long ago. I believe those affected more than one car? ;)


Don't get me wrong I think Toyota is an okay company but I just think they make a very cheap product and these days tend to overcharge for it (same goes for Honda). From a new car stand point I wasn't terribly impressed with either of my xBs. First one had premature bolster wear on the seats and I actually wore through a floor mat in two months (wore through where the heel of my shoe pivoted between the brake and gas pedals). Second one was a complete rattle trap that the dealer couldn't fix. Paint on both was paper thin as was the sheet metal. The glove box on my second one was warped from the factory as well. I've never had these problems with any Fords, Volkswagens, Mazdas, Honda, or Nissans that I have owned in the past.

Hopefully this Yaris is as reliable in the long run for us as this Rabbit has been. My wife really likes it and we got a very good deal on it. The dealer we finally ended up with seems pretty good as well.

First, re-read my post. I have three personal friends that experienced major issues with their VWs. I also work at a gas station, and have, for nearly four years (while I attend college) asked customers of all makes with cool cars (I considered VWs cool, once upon a time) how they liked their cars. Dozens always gave me the same story I have already relayed. Funny, I can't find the guy with 7,000,000 miles on his GTI...But I can find the guy with 400,000+ on his Yaris sedan. I can e-mail him right now on this forum.

I have also lurked VWVortex for years, and just observed. It has been very entertaining, to put it lightly. I have taken notes, because a few years ago, I was seriously looking at a 3-door Rabbit w/5-speed and that boat-anchor 5-cylinder "engine"; all the horsepower and torque of a four, all the fuel economy of a six. Great job, VW.

Yet VW has the audacity to make most of their drive-trains in low-cost nations such as Hungary, and many-times their sedans in Mexico, yet charge the "German tax" for the prestige of owning a "German car". Guess that's why VW can't say "German-built" in their ads, eh? But they can say "German-engineered", right? There was a time when that phrase meant something great for the automotive industry, but no longer. That is a shame, because I love the look, the feel, the handling, the "prestige" that these cars often command on the road...but I am too logical to let my heart drive me into a money pit, especially a VW.

Second, the "Toyota recalls" were found to all be people driving automatics mixing up the pedals. Ever wonder why not one "sudden acceleration" case was a person driving a manual Toyota (yes, they still make them, I own one right now in 2012)? There were no findings of some evil, electronic gremlin in the machine, after NHTSA, NASA, and god knows what other agencies scrutinized the cars to the nth degree for 9 months in the media. Also, on the "news show" 60 Minutes, an "experimenter" intentionally cut wires on a Toyota in order to induce this "sudden unintended acceleration". First it was the pedals, then the floor mats...then, it vanished in the media as suddenly as it came.

Funny, they lied about Audi in the 80s, as well, and it nearly made them leave the NA market. 60 Minutes also claimed that Chevy/GMC trucks during the same period exploded when they were t-boned...also proven false, as they loaded the cars with gasoline bladders in the bodywork before the "tests" for ratings. Modern journalism, and journalistic ethics died a long time ago.

Don't believe everything you see on the news; believe your own personal experience.

I can't speak to the experience you have had with Scions, so I cannot be asked to defend them. I have not even sat in one, because there is not a Scion that has been made so far (FR-S excluded) that tickles my fancy. If what you say is true, then Toyota should be ashamed of selling something so sub-standard.

As should VW!

But I can speak to the experiences of those that I have known throughout the years that have owned GM, Ford, VW, Mazda, Nissan, BMW, Mercedes, Honda, Toyota, etc. Want to guess who has the highest repeat buyers in my small data set? You get one guess, and here's a hint: it sure as $%#$ isn't VW.

I can also check out the reliability data in Consumer Reports, AutoBeef, TruDelta, CarInfo, etc. Guess where VW has been as of, I dunno, the past two decades? Guess where Toyota and Lexus have been?

I thought so.

VWs haven't been built to last since they stopped selling the air-cooled cars en-masse. Since then, they have been designed intentionally to fight the mechanic and/or long-term owner at every turn. VWs are built like Mac computers: once it gets a couple of years old, just throw it away/buy a new one.

I can drive my car, because, that is it's purpose. It's purpose is not to make me feel like I am special because it was built in Germany, but I couldn't afford a real German car (BMW , Porsche, Mercedes, and to a slight extent, Audi). In my experience, VWs are all sizzle, no steak. Smells great when new, but when it's time to deliver on their implied promise of quality, they leave you with blue-b@!!$

Enjoy your VW, my friend. I'll enjoy my "okay", "soul-less", Toyota with no worries in the back of my mind.

Cheers.