Toyota’s Troubles
Toyota has made their business selling absolutely boring vehicles that had a reputation of running for a long time with minimal maintenance required. With the current round of issues they’re having with brakes, accelarator pedals etc . . . I have one thing to say.
This is the BEST time to purchase a used Toyota product. I’d suggest trying to avoid any that utilize their drive by wire system of course however I’m sure there’s going to be a lot of up-in-arms Toyota owners looking to unload their “Death Trap” and are willing to sell on the cheap.
If you’re considering selling your Toyota due to the issues . . . The hit in resale is not worth it right now. If you’re truly concerned that your car is going to accelerate unexpectedly then learn how to deal with it. Take your car to an abandoned parking lot and floor it. Practice moving your gear selector to neutral and turning the car off. If you use a push button starter read your owner’s manual to learn how to turn the car off in an emergency.
I’ve actually been the driver of a vehicle that was accelerating unexpectedly (NOT a Toyota product). I was able to put it in neutral, coast to the side of the road and turn the car off. Make sure you know how to do the same in whatever car you drive.
Your car is not a thrill ride. Prepare for emergencies so you can work through them confidently.
This all said, the car industry is going to be interesting. Toyota has been on top with a sterling reputation for a long time. People AREN’T up in arms about the problem. They ARE up in arms about Toyota’s handling of the situation up until this point. Toyota has to turn that around and prove that they have otherwise people will let their wallet do the talking as they walk to Ford, Hyundai, Honda, Mitsubishi and a host of other car dealerships when it comes time to trade their vehicle in.