Are you surprised that some car reviewers who review some Toyotas say that they’re not a good buy? Some reviewers say that they’re only good in reliability and not much else. In contrast, many auto mechanics recommend Toyotas just because they’re reliable.
They are right in some regards. Take for example a Toyota Corolla. Every review I watched has this general idea "If you want a car to last you forever and break down, this is your first choice. Its just that the driving dynamics are... and the looks are .... so if you value this you wouldn't like this car" etc.
Its a personal choice as well. I wouldn't hate on review channels like KBB and even personal channels like Doug Demuro because everyone is different and values something else.
If you watch a review from lets say 2010 Toyota, they would say, this is the best car for reliability but not much else.
If you watch a new car review, they generally say everything positive they like everything except for _____ and of course it will last forever etc. so I don't think there is anything inaccurate the reviews.
It depends on what you're looking for. Someone who's used to an Aston Martin is unlikely to be happy with a Toyota, despite the latter spending a heck of a lot less time in the shop.
It does not matter what those reviewers say - rarely if ever do they consider the total cost of ownership including long term reliability. In the end they are not the ones who have to pay for the maintenance and repairs of my vehicle. We will continue Scotty’s mission on this forum to tell the truth and steer people away from the problematic, money pit cars (even though some of those reviewers recommend them!)
And don’t get me wrong, there are a lot of vehicles I like (ignoring reliability), but when it comes time to put my hard earned money down and buy (not lease) I will stick with Toyota/Lexus, Honda/Acura, Mazda, and Subaru.
Personally, I don't trust reviewers. They only have a single glimpse of a vehicle. Heck, I consider reviewers an extension of a car company's marketing arm. A car company isn't going to give a reviewer a car if it doesn't think it will get a decent review.
Mechanics on the other hand, they see many many cars day in and day out. They see cars for the long haul. They know what is up.
Some people also think the Earth is flat. No reason to waste my time trying to convince them otherwise.
Toyotas may not be the fastest cars on the road, but they are extremely reliable. Nobody can argue that fact successfully.
It depends what one values. If it's a status statement, then, well, these aren't Lexuses, Land Rovers, Porsches, etc. If it's about cost, well, Toyotas are more expensive than Hyundais, Kias, a lot of FCA products, etc. As you probably know, Ford and GM are essentially out of the car business, focusing on SUVs and trucks.
By their very nature in this society and economy, cars are a losing economic proposition. The only way one can stem the loss, or trim it, is to have a reliable, reasonably comfortable car with a strong longevity and low-cost profile. For us, that means Toyota, Honda, 2018-current Mazdas, and perhaps Subarus.
Again, it all depends on what one values, and, as Scotty has pointed out, whether "reviews" are actually de facto advertisements, rather than honest broker assessments.
The only reviewer I trust is good ol' doug demuro LOL I will never be able to buy most of the cars he reviews but still haha
People have different opinions and preferences. Just because a reviewer dose not like a certain car brand or feature does not mean its not good.
JD power says Hyundai has better quality than Lexus.
