I'm very disappointed with Toyota..

[AlanLGuy]

I've had my car since May of 2012. I have about 13,000 miles on it now. I understand where Husker is coming from. I've had my share of issues with the car. The HPFP is noisy as hell, both taillights had to be replaced after fogging up when the car sat over the winter and I just started getting an axle click a few weeks ago.

I still love the car and I expected many of these issues as an early adopter. I autocross the car pretty regularly so the axle is understandable. I'd like the dealership to replace it under warranty but if they don't it won't ruin the car for me.

I am concerned over the detonation and transmission issues, but I fully believe that if it is a rampant problem toyota will get it taken care of. Toyota's last "sportyish" car was the 7th gen Celica and the car definitely had some issues, but toyota pretty much addressed all of those in the first two years.

If this were my only car and daily driver I think I'd feel the way Husker is feeling. Not sure I agree with him that he should expect Lexus quality from a scion, but I would recommend that anyone who isn't willing to take a little risk with their cars reliability not buy a vehicle that's been out for less than two years.

Sports cars are not known for their reliability, especially sorts cars under the 30k. The RX-8 had major issues with engines, the S2000 was known for breaking axles burning through clutches and too tight shift gates. If you want comfort and reliability don't buy a sports car, period. Even higher end sports cars like the 338ci and 370z have their share of issues.

[AlanLGuy]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Holy shit you had an axle fail? Where's the thread on this? Details?

Crickets are a non-issue, I'm surprised you have detonation since an April car certainly has the 'fixed' calibration, and rattles are part of owning a subaru.

The transmission thing is starting to get attention, it should be obvious from a test drive with a tech that there's something wrong. Best of luck with whatever you chose to do, if it really is that much of a headache just get rid of it, peace of mind is better than going with the crowd.

Lots of people who track or autocross the car regularly are starting to get axle clicking and/or failures. The inner CV joint doesn't appreciate hard launches, wheels spin or major ride height drops.

I have a hard time believing the OP is seeing an axle failure if he hasn't been driving the car hard. Granted I think toyota needs to address the issue and replace axles for people regardless. They advertised the car as a weekend warrior, it should be able to hold up to moderate levels of abuse without failing.

[husker741]

Originally Posted by AlanLGuy

I've had my car since May of 2012. I have about 13,000 miles on it now. I understand where Husker is coming from. I've had my share of issues with the car. The HPFP is noisy as hell, both taillights had to be replaced after fogging up when the car sat over the winter and I just started getting an axle click a few weeks ago.

I still love the car and I expected many of these issues as an early adopter. I autocross the car pretty regularly so the axle is understandable. I'd like the dealership to replace it under warranty but if they don't it won't ruin the car for me.

I am concerned over the detonation and transmission issues, but I fully believe that if it is a rampant problem toyota will get it taken care of. Toyota's last "sportyish" car was the 7th gen Celica and the car definitely had some issues, but toyota pretty much addressed all of those in the first two years.

If this were my only car and daily driver I think I'd feel the way Husker is feeling. Not sure I agree with him that he should expect Lexus quality from a scion, but I would recommend that anyone who isn't willing to take a little risk with their cars reliability not buy a vehicle that's been out for less than two years.

Sports cars are not known for their reliability, especially sorts cars under the 30k. The RX-8 had major issues with engines, the S2000 was known for breaking axles burning through clutches and too tight shift gates. If you want comfort and reliability don't buy a sports car, period. Even higher end sports cars like the 338ci and 370z have their share of issues.

I'm not expecting Lexus quality at all. I knew what I would lose getting rid of my Lexus. BUT, Toyota should have better quality and quality control with issues. Although my previous Lexus models weren't sports cars, they were V8's with adequate power and were fun to drive. I understand cars have issues, but they need to be fixed under warranty.

[Kimsey47]

Originally Posted by husker741

I literally want to just say fuck it and get rid of the car, but I will lose a shit ton of money and it's not so easy for a college kid to do that. I don't think I will ever not buy a Lexus again.

How out on this car would you be really?! When I was college I dreamt of owning A Lexus... Not ANOTHER ONE.

Must be rough!

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by AlanLGuy

Lots of people who track or autocross the car regularly are starting to get axle clicking and/or failures. The inner CV joint doesn't appreciate hard launches, wheels spin or major ride height drops.

I have a hard time believing the OP is seeing an axle failure if he hasn't been driving the car hard. Granted I think toyota needs to address the issue and replace axles for people regardless. They advertised the car as a weekend warrior, it should be able to hold up to moderate levels of abuse without failing.

Links? I've heard people posting about noises but no outright failures (maybe one, but that's a fluke)

Agreed that the thing isn't living up to the advertising though. Most people thought they'd be getting a bulletproof drivetrain with the only requirement for consistent track duty being brake pads. To be fair this isn't far off from the truth, once the injector issues get sorted out (which it appears that it has, 01/13 builds confirming the 'new' calibration) and the couple bad trannies get replaced the only pervasive issue is the crickets. ONly time will tell if other deficiencies exist. Until then...


Edit: searched and couldn't find any axle failure threads, I'm going to assume they don't exist until someone proves me otherwise.

[husker741]

Originally Posted by AlanLGuy

Lots of people who track or autocross the car regularly are starting to get axle clicking and/or failures. The inner CV joint doesn't appreciate hard launches, wheels spin or major ride height drops.

I have a hard time believing the OP is seeing an axle failure if he hasn't been driving the car hard. Granted I think toyota needs to address the issue and replace axles for people regardless. They advertised the car as a weekend warrior, it should be able to hold up to moderate levels of abuse without failing.

I have never autocrossed or tracked a car in my life. Never taken it down a quarter mile track. I do like to take turns faster than I could take in my dad's Tundra and push the car more than the average grocery getter, but the axle shouldn't fail on a car that put 160 measly horsepower to the rear wheels.

[husker741]

Originally Posted by Kimsey47

How out on this car would you be really?! When I was college I dreampt of owning A Lexus... Not ANOTHER ONE.

Must be rough!

They were older models with higher miles. 98 GS400 and 02 SC430. Still, never had problems. And I work my ass off.

[bdanisi]

I definitely agree about dealing with dealers. They are the worst. It truly is the only part about this car that is scion. The customer service is just god awful, I can't imagine how furious I would be if I had major issues. I will say the fuel pump is a non issue, if your having actual issues with the DI then its different. Crickets are crickets, whatever its the shit pump gas we get here, at least in ca, good god 10% ethanol . I put pentosin mtf2 transmission fluid in my baby and shifting is as smooth as silk, will that void the warranty, I guess if my transmission blows up and they find the fluid is the cause then yes it will, but I doubt a simple fluid swap would do that. As far as rattles go dynamat is really your only hope. The car is light, there is no chance that a sub 2800 lb car, I think?, will ever be rattle free, everything is just too light. Does this mean the car quality is bad? I dont think so. If I wanted a car that was stealth with no rattles or give or any minor issues I would have bought a 370z. Grand touring car, comfortable, silent, no rattles anywhere, HEAVY, not a new platform, very reliable, the list goes on and on. BUT I bought my frs because it was the opposite. I feel the road, I hear the road, I hear rattles, I hear crickets, but these things come with the territory. I can over look these issues because it is truly an amazing rwd pocket rocket. I completely understand why you are so made because your car seems to have major issues which is total bullshit that scion/toyota/subaru haven't made it right. If you think your car is legitimately a lemon, sounds like it could be, hire an attorney. As a buyer you have a lot of rights, don't let some awful experiences with dealerships ruin your car owning experience.
And BTW dont listen to the trolls lol its a forum people are always going to give you shit.

[Kimsey47]

Originally Posted by husker741

They were older models with higher miles. 98 GS400 and 02 SC430. Still, never had problems. And I work my ass off.

[OICU812]

Thing is it sucks what you mentioned that you are dealing with, however obviously it is NOT wide spread otherwise you'd see massive mob threads on this very topic right? I have seen within a few other FB groups some chaps having bad luck with other items and getting some dealer run arounds but seems majority of owners are quite happy and no major dramas?

[randel_07]

Originally Posted by husker741

How about you read all the posts saying I've taken it to dealers and had a rep come out?

O I read it, don't worry. I'm suggesting you sell it since you're obviously not having a great time with it.

[Steve201brz]

manufacturing isn't 100% even in highly quality controlled companies. bound to be a few lemons which is what you clearly have. no one's going to advertise the downside to any product, but it's something you have to think of regardless of what you buy these days.

hopefully you're able to find a better dealership/rep and get these issues fixed, which is what i would do in your situation. im not familiar with the legality side but i can't imagine every dealership denying service. there has to be some sort of legal penalty for failing to fix a manufacturing defect. i'm not suggesting you go to court, just for the record

cars that have this many issues are not a good representation of the entire model, nor is it fair to take the easy route and say "oh this car sucks, blah blah blah." majority of pwners don't have the same problems. when the 86 does work it truly is a great car, i hope you decide to stay within the community. good luck

[jadewbj]

I have had my share of issues with the car, talilights, dash, rattling window switches, crickets but it has all been taken care of by my dealer with no issues (still have crickets but they don't affect how the car drives so I don't really care.

For me I guess I also come from a different attitude. I have been modifying cars for so long I am just used to weird noises, little issues etc. When something brakes I try to replace it with an upgrade that I would have most likely done anyway.

Love the car.

[husker741]

I can't wait to take it back to the dealer and have them appraise it for trade in, then tell me how they will only give me so much because they found problems with it. Then all hell would break loose.