We've already recently covered Toyota's efforts to ease the pain of some Tacoma owners. Here's a refresher: some Tacomas from 1995 through 2000 received insufficient rustproofing and are now experiencing frame failures. In an effort to mitigate customer pain and suffering, Toyota is extending the warranty on rust-through for vehicles with frames that have not yet perforated, and will repair or repurchase Tacomas with extensive enough corrosion. It is not a recall, not even a silent one, repeat that strenuously to your reflection.That's all old news, but we keep receiving reports of the buy-back program offering phenomenal amounts for old trucks. Many message boards are alight with tales of payouts equaling 140 - 150% of the offending Taco's value, and Toyota itself pledges to consider any buy-back candidate an "excellent condition" specimen, regardless of how horribly it's been abused. The reasoning behind these happenings is likely manifold. Upon discovery of extensive corrosion, it could be a liability to allow the driver to continue using the vehicle. Also, making people extremely happy with make-goods likely improves the odds that they'll take the short walk from service to sales and drive away with a new Toyota. The program may be costly, but if enough people jump up and exclaim "Oh, What a Feeling!" it will be a priceless goodwill coup. Thanks to all who tipped.
[Source: CarSpace]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
JN @ Apr 8th 2008 10:06AM
And to think I actually considered buying a Taco once to replace my Ford. Kinda glad I decided not to, considering my '87 F-150, while its body is slowly turning to dust, has as solid a frame as anything. Guess I'll just see how many hundreds of thousands more miles I can get out of it. (It has 247K on it now and still runs like a champ.)
Shipey @ Apr 8th 2008 10:14AM
Last year I sold my beat up old '86 F-150 to my hillbilly neighbor. (Bought a sweet '03 Ranger) I still see it parked around town. Those 300 c.i. sixes just won't die!
Anyways, I'm no Toyota fan, but this is a good move on their part. Yeah, it's pretty lame that the trucks are rusting out, but at least they're not leaving their customers out in the cold. THAT would have been inexcusable.
SPG @ Apr 8th 2008 10:10AM
Up to 150% the value of a truck that can be over ten years old?
Even abused trucks?
That's a pretty sweet deal for a lot of Tacoma drivers out there.
I can only wonder how many of the buy back Tacoma's will be reconditioned, how many will be scrapped, and how many will be crushed.
Shipey @ Apr 8th 2008 10:15AM
Yeah maybe we should start scouring local lots for rusted-out Tacomas... I wonder how many I'd have to trade in before the dealer got wise to me.
SPG @ Apr 8th 2008 10:18AM
@ Shipey
Haha, awesome. That's what my wife said after I told her about the 100 + percent return value.
Kaptain75329 @ Apr 9th 2008 12:24PM
Because Toyota AND the dealer would be entirely too stupid to check something as insignificant as the title history on the VIN.
Let us know how that works out for you Shipey.
Brian @ Apr 8th 2008 10:15AM
Toyota = Junk . Toyota is so overrated . They must have paid Motor Trend off.
Dan Roth @ Apr 8th 2008 10:51AM
It's overrated to put your money where your mouth is with a make-good program that cuts live checks? Do you honestly think there are many other companies that would just give people money - even if those customers want to go buy something else? Think about that - 150% of the "excellent" value via a used vehicle price guide no matter the condition of the truck.
rar @ Apr 8th 2008 11:21AM
I am not a big fan of Toyota either but this is a smart move on their part. Spending a couple of $100,000 buying back old rusted out trucks is nothing compaired to spending millions in legal bills and possible payouts on lawsuits if some frames start failing while they are being drivin. Someone towing a trailer and the frame gives out, someone get hurt or killed, this is a known problem, instant lawsuit. This way they get the problem trucks off the road, maybe sell a few Tundras, and have some happy customers. Win Toyota.
R @ Apr 8th 2008 1:54PM
Exactly, very good move. Ford's response to the Pinto was horrendous. But all is forgiven I guess.
That One Person @ Apr 8th 2008 6:30PM
The Pinto? A car that hasn't been in production for almost thirty years? You think people have forgiven Ford for that? Oooooooooook!
_Jon @ Apr 8th 2008 10:21AM
Gee, how come I don't see this issue in 72 point font on the front page of the local Detroit paper? You'd think the local paper doesn't even support the local auto industry or something....
That One Person @ Apr 8th 2008 1:38PM
They pretty much don't. Detroit's news sources seem to report nothing but bad things about the Big 3. Heck, Ford could find the cure for cancer and they would still nitpick a small problem.
I watch the news every night and I have not seen one mention of this. And either the Freep or the News had a small article on the third page of the newspaper the other day.
Mr. Oak @ Apr 8th 2008 10:38AM
This is nothing new for Toyotas.
Just about every Toyota I owned (count 4) had a chronic rust problem.
Kept a Mazda 626 twice as long as any of the Toys, never had a rust problem.
Jared @ Apr 8th 2008 12:01PM
While my 1980 Toyota had a rust problem, it was worst on a door that had been replaced after a traffic accident. My guess is that it was replaced with a non-OEM part. And just about all cars from 1980 rusted quickly.
My current vehicle is a 2003 Toyota 4Runner that I purchased new. It has about 70,000 miles on it now. Here in Boston they salt the roads heavily during the winter. Every year I take it to the ocean and drive it on the beach for about two weeks straight. It is still rust free.
In the time that I've owned it, I've had the following problems:
- replaced brakes at 50,000 miles
- some rattles developed in the rear hatch at about 60,000 miles
- A/C stopped working last fall, but I haven't had it back to the dealer to be fixed yet.
It is certainly not a perfect truck (mileage sucks, steering has little feel, etc.), but it of the 9 cars we've owned, it has been by far the most reliable.
FThorn @ Apr 8th 2008 10:43AM
Okay. Trucks are (many times) for work. Why are they 1. painted 2. shiny?
Why not make the body panels out of flat, grey plastic/composite that will take abuse and not rust. No need for pretty girl shine.
OR
Pay a bit (lot?) more and offer (offer I said) stainless steel panels?
So, plastic, SS, no paint --> no rust issues.
MachinaDC5 @ Apr 8th 2008 10:46AM
Trucks are indeed built for work, but that's not why many people buy them. Ask the suburban cowboys what they've hauled in their trucks recently when driving to the office and back home.
Apu @ Apr 8th 2008 1:50PM
They are shiny so that their hillbilly owners will refer to them as "sweet" on the internet.
TMC @ Apr 8th 2008 11:20AM
What they've hauled in it?
Other than groceries and air?
LOL
dreesemonkey @ Apr 8th 2008 10:47AM
My roomate works for a dealer network, he told me last week so far they've had about 20 buybacks (North East rust sucks).
They were giving 150% of the "excellent" bluebook PLUS an extra $1000. He said one truck was bought back for $15k. Pretty crazy.
Smart on Toyota's part, I can imagine a large portion of those owners are going to look for another toyota, new or used.