Why You Shouldn't Buy These New Toyotas: Auto Mechanic's Warning

Declining Quality and Bad Trends in New Cars

• ⚠️ Battery electric cars are a bad trend, with consumers opting for hybrid vehicles which offer better range and proven reliability.
• 💡 While some hybrid systems are good, other technologies like large touchscreens in EVs are overly complex and distracting, leading manufacturers like Volkswagen to revert to physical knobs.

Turbocharged Engines: A Step Backwards

• 📉 Turbocharged four-cylinder engines are replacing naturally aspirated engines in vehicles like the Toyota Tacoma, leading to faster wear and potential premature failure.
• 🚗 The increased pressure from turbos accelerates engine wear, and smaller engines generally don't last as long, as seen with Ford's failed three-cylinder turbo engines in Europe.
• 🏭 Production shifts, such as Toyota Tacomas moving to Mexico, raise questions about quality control and potential future impacts from trade policies.

Cost-Cutting Measures and Planned Obsolescence

• 💸 Constantly variable transmissions (CVTs) are cheaper to manufacture but do not last as long as traditional geared transmissions, though some manufacturers retain geared transmissions in higher-end models for profit.
• 🛠️ Planned obsolescence is evident in the use of cheap plastic parts, like painted door handles that fade and break, and plastic bumpers that chip easily, forcing consumers to buy replacements more frequently.
• 🔊 Engine beauty covers with insulation are used to mask the increased noise from modern, louder engines, indicating a decline in inherent engine quietness and smoothness.

Missing Features and Ridiculous Designs

• 🚫 Many new cars no longer come with spare tires, instead providing a tire repair kit, leaving drivers stranded if the damage is beyond simple repair.
• ⛽ Capless fuel systems replace simple, inexpensive gas caps with complex, costly assemblies that are difficult and expensive to repair, representing a form of planned obsolescence.
• 💰 The trend towards software subscriptions for car features, predicted by companies like GM, is seen as another way to extract more money from consumers after the initial purchase.

Consumer Power and Advice

• 💡 Consumers have the power to influence manufacturers by refusing to buy vehicles with undesirable features like turbocharged engines or CVTs.
• 🚗 When choosing between a turbocharged and non-turbocharged engine, or a CVT and a geared transmission, opt for the non-turbocharged and geared options to ensure longevity and reliability.
• 📈 Following expert advice can save consumers significant money and grief by helping them make informed decisions about vehicle purchases.