Why So Many Toyota Fanbois on OzBargain?

LPeter Enis on 20/05/2017 - 21:45

So I started getting into reading OzBargain forums about 6 months ago and nowadays I find I don't skip a day without a visit to the site!
One thing that quickly became apparent was the number of Toyota recommendations in the automotive forums.

In pretty much every "which car should I buy?" post, within the first few replies there will always be someone recommending a Camry, and to a lesser extent a Corolla. Even if the OP asks something like "Should I buy an X-Trail or a MX5?" it won't be long for the Camry recommendations to show up.

Why is that? Am I missing a joke or something?

I have only ever driven one Camry and while it was a perfectly adequate vehicle for getting from A to B, I couldn't think of a car more boring and characterless. Yeah ok they are known for their reliability but then you've got to pay the "Toyota Tax" premium just to buy one because so many people are convinced that they are the best cars out there, so they hold their value. Even though there are so many options out there that are just as reliable nowadays (Hyundai/Kia for example), and offer a better pricing/features/warranty proposition.

Automotive

Comments

  • edwardsajl on 20/05/2017 - 22:05
    +86

    Why are so many stupid posts on ozbargain?

    I mean seriously why do you care?

      • Cheeper on 21/05/2017 - 00:24
        +87

        Most people are asking for a car that is well built, reliable and cheap to service and run.
        The obvious answer to that is Toyota… whether you like it or not.. and why they are the #1 selling car in the world.
        You might not find them "exciting" but that is just your personal opinion and exactly why you seen many makes and models of cars on the road. Good or bad, they are a product marketed to suit all likes… just like ice cream… It would be a boring world if we all liked the same flavour ice cream.
        Seems like i am explaining commons sense now… lol.
        If you dont like toyotas then that is your prerogative.. but you must understand that others do like them for their own reasons which may be different to yours. Such is life… roll with it. :-)
        BTW.. I have been driving for almost 5 decades and have driven and owned a lot of vehicles in that time… for me toyotas deliver what i expect in a vehicle.

        • centrelink on 21/05/2017 - 16:34
          +8

          oh man reminds me of my cousins who look down on me for playing games as I am "too old" for it. She thinks games are for kids and adults have no rights to play video games whatsoever….

          How about, I do what I enjoy and you do what you enjoy?? HOW ABOUT IT NOW?>

        • natman on 21/05/2017 - 17:36
          +6

          the centrelink lifestyle

        • VehemenceThePhoenix on 23/05/2017 - 07:50
          +1

          @centrelink: username checks out

        • gimli on 24/05/2017 - 06:39
          +1

          its because of threads like this Toyota fanboism becomes even greater.

          All hail toyota

    • HN Professional on 21/05/2017 - 09:43
      +12

      Why DO you?

      "I mean seriously", you've been trolling every thread you've been on.

      Not even as 'witty' as jv, and that's a low low bar to set.

  • supnigs super skids on 20/05/2017 - 22:19
    +45

    I recommend Toyotas. Fantastic reliable cars, especially the old camrys and rollas

    • Kangal on 21/05/2017 - 09:26

      Top car recommendation list on these forums seems to be Camry, Gas Falcon, Mazda 3, Kia Optima, Toyota Hilux, Nissan X-Trail, Honda Accord Euro, Holden Commodore SS, VW Golf GTi.

      There's little to no love for Nissan's (besides XTrail/Navara/GTR), and Mitsubishi seems like a dead-brand.

      • Murpha on 22/05/2017 - 10:23
        +2

        Mitsubishi is now part of the Renault-Nissan alliance and will probably focus on SUVs once the current Lancer is put out to pasture.

      • berger on 24/05/2017 - 16:14
        +1

        I have a Kia Optima, great reliable car for the price. Worth getting the top spec platinum. Hoping a get a decent trade in when the Stinger is released.

        • Kangal on 24/05/2017 - 16:21

          If you trade-in, you'll get ripped off.
          Sell it privately, and negotiate to buy the Stinger at the best possible price.
          Good luck!

        • berger on 24/05/2017 - 17:47

          @Kangal:

          It's for business. Easier to just trade in. Drive in with one car and drive out with another.

          The time and effort involved in selling privately will be too time consuming.

    • Murpha on 22/05/2017 - 10:23

      Sure, if driving doesn't give you a rush.

      • Agret on 24/05/2017 - 12:17

        The GT86 is pretty good for a budget sportscar if you don't want an MX-5 :)

        • Mungulz on 11/03/2019 - 18:34

          Subaru built that, let's be honest.

  • airal3rt on 20/05/2017 - 22:22
    +42

    No car manufacturer captures the OzBargain essence quite like Toyota. The thrifty driver's choice.

    • Wystri Warrick on 21/05/2017 - 01:00
      +33

      Oh what a feeling… :)

    • che_97 on 23/05/2017 - 20:39

      As much as I love a Toyota. They are not the cheapest cars. They are amazing but Hyundai for example is cheaper to buy (main cost) and servicing is the same (I've had both)

      Can't argue with a Toyota though. Well built and designed to last. That's why they have higher resale values.

  • mskeggs on 20/05/2017 - 22:24
    +28

    I've owned Nissan, Holden, Audi, Fiat, Volkswagen, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Peugeot and Toyota cars.
    My current 19yro Prado is bullet proof after 340,000km with a petrol engine. I get the oil changed and generally followed log book servicing until 300k.
    My sister's 95 Camry is 100,000km overdue for a timing belt and still going fine.
    I've never had a real lemon (except the Fiat, which was a shocker, but luckily a company car), but almost all had some reasonably costly issue in the years I had them. But the Toyotas were a class apart in just never having stuff go wrong.
    I like buying cars for a bit of fun, so I can understand the reluctance to own a Camry or a Corolla. But they just go and go.

    • Scrooge McDuck on 21/05/2017 - 09:33
      +5

      I've owned Nissan, Holden, Audi, Fiat, Volkswagen, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Peugeot and Toyota cars.

      MFW reading Fiat.

      I've never had a real lemon (except the Fiat, which was a shocker, but luckily a company car),

      Which model and why on Earth did your company choose it?

      • mskeggs on 22/05/2017 - 07:28
        +2

        Some version of this:
        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_Coup%C3%A9

        It was in the UK, and the company let you pick any car you wanted from the lease company. I was the new boy, and the guy who had picked the Fiat had left the business recently, with 3 months left on his lease. As a result, I got to drive it until the lease was up.
        All sorts of electrical mysteries, with things working sometimes and not others. It had apparently been back to be fixed several times. Fun to drive though.
        When my choice came up, it had cured me of the desire to pick a temperamental euro car, so got the boring A3.

        • nicholasfrawley on 23/05/2017 - 17:32
          +1

          I love the A3! Especially the old 2 doors!
          Have you seen the new ones, they look so hot, especially in red.

    • ATangk on 22/05/2017 - 11:32

      +1 for the Prado. Had a 15yro Prado with 370k and it still ran fine.

    • ozeebee on 22/05/2017 - 18:47

      Good range of brands there, would take your opinion with a bit more weight than the fanboys.

      I think what the OP is trying to question is why when someone asks "what is the best SUV?" or "what is the best 2 seat sportscar for me?" or "what can I buy that is practical but also fun?".

      The common answer from a lot of posters boils down to a Camry or a Corolla. It has nothing to do with the question asked. The Camry/Corolla is neither an SUV, a 2 seat sportscar or fun. It's literally a reliable mobile refrigerator that can get you from point A to B.

      ps. I'm not flaming all Toyota's, just the Camry and Corolla. For being the most mundane mind numbing experience a road user can have.

  • dcep on 20/05/2017 - 22:24
    +18

    why ozb has no love for honda ?

    vtec yo!!!

    • mskeggs on 20/05/2017 - 23:04
      +9

      My sister in law drove a Civic with the semi-auto transmission for 5 years without changing the oil.
      It looked like vegemite.
      She claims she didn't know it was required.

      So I rate Honda equally great for dependability, but they tend to cost a bit more.

      • Cheeper on 21/05/2017 - 00:28
        +11

        I knew someone who did that for much longer with a hyundai … oil was like treacle.
        Mechanic wanted to charge extra to flush it all out so they decided to just keep on driving it. LOL

        • captobvious on 21/05/2017 - 22:37

          what year was the hyundai?

      • Jackson on 21/05/2017 - 21:15
        +2

        So much for lady driver

    • Diji1 on 21/05/2017 - 01:38
      -3

      vajizzle jazzle.

    • ggrant on 21/05/2017 - 07:35
      +1

      I read somewhere Honda went downhill several years ago?

      • Scrooge McDuck on 21/05/2017 - 09:35
        +45

        Yes, they go uphill and on flat too.

      • Fobsessive on 21/05/2017 - 13:25
        +2

        They've lost their racing roots

        • supaderp on 21/05/2017 - 15:57
          +3

          They made Alonso lose his racing roots too.

      • j05h on 22/05/2017 - 10:57
        +5

        I don't think they went downhill… They just stopped innovating/using new tech like other car makers:

        John Cadogan (car reviewer) put it very well:
        "If you want a new car, buy a Mazda. Philosophically, Mazda today is what Honda was, 20 years ago. Hyundai builds superior vehicles, that are also better value. Subaru is in front too. If Honda’s dream-powered testicles hadn’t been extracted from the scrotum of its research and development department, by the blunt force trauma of the GFC and an ASIMO-like boardroom mindset, imagine what Honda would have developed by now.

        Voltaire said men are guilty of the good they fail to do. Maybe the same accusation can be levelled at companies that turn off their capacity to innovate and excite. Honda still does a pretty decent lawnmower. It’s the best I can offer."

        http://autoexpert.com.au/buying-a-car/should-i-buy-a-honda

        • prinsenhof on 23/05/2017 - 21:48
          +2

          To their defense, they make a damn good whipper snipper as well.

        • montorola on 24/05/2017 - 11:05

          @prinsenhof:

          And motorcycles too

    • Scrooge McDuck on 21/05/2017 - 09:40
      +3

      VVT-i yo!!!

      FTFY.

      • fwdcelica on 22/05/2017 - 13:10

        got lift ?

        VVTL-i FTW yeah baby!

  • thechemist on 20/05/2017 - 22:27
    +18

    I think because there are a lot of Asians on Ozbargain. You find that most Asians that want a car that will take them from A to B would get a Toyota (due to reliability reputation) and general trust in things made in Japan (except for food now due to the Tsunami and radiation fears). Thats why Corolla Hatch (made in Japan) is more common in Asian communities compared to the sedan (Thai).

    I think Ozbargain should do a census on members to see what racial backgrounds of people and the Tax bracket they are as this would make an interesting read

    • nubzy on 20/05/2017 - 23:29
      +12

      In Sydney, seems like majority of Asians are getting around in luxury cars. Porsche Cayenne/Macan and Mercedes seem to be the most popular. I wonder how many of them actually own them, and how many are deep in dept and just buy them for a status symbol. Very impractical cars to drive on a daily basis around Sydney IMO, too big.

      • mskeggs on 20/05/2017 - 23:46
        +10

        Not sure about the OzBargain team, but most of the Asians I know, who are mostly work colleagues or ex-colleagues, are a little bit embarrassed at the 19yro Asian kids driving Porsche Cayennes and AMG Mercs with green P-plates that daddy bought them. Rightly so, I think.

        They do tend to go toward the Camry or Mazda2 for their daily driver, rather than the Hilux or Commodore that seems to be more likely for the Anglos out in more spacious suburbs.

      • HN Professional on 21/05/2017 - 09:09
        +16

        IMHO, there are 3 types of car-owning Asians in Sydney:

        • 'Aussie' Asians aka Anh Do Asians, who will veer towards the tribalism of Holden or Ford;

        • 'Asian' Asians, aka FOBs, who go for value-for-money and reliability, thus the Toyotas; and

        • 'Princeling' Asians, aka Cadre Asians*, who bling bling with the best of 'em. Not many of these around, they only seem so because of their ostentatious display.
          *Could even use the term Cranston Asians now.

        NB. subsets 1 and 2 are generally not fans of subset 3 (nor generally, is anyone else).

        • Speedz on 21/05/2017 - 18:44
          +4

          Hmmmm jez I guess I'm FOB Asian despite spending close to 30 years in Australia but have no passion for Ford or Holden.

        • Peck on 21/05/2017 - 20:23

          Well around EastWOO, there are lots of really expensive cars, (hopefully being followed by undercover AFP) so I don't know how u can say "not many of these around" I don't think that these people drive Aldi, Merc. Maserati, or BMW for their reliability!

        • Jackson on 21/05/2017 - 21:20
          +8

          @Peck: i read this and got excited that Aldi ere selling cars now

        • Peck on 21/05/2017 - 22:06

          @Jackson: Oops Freudian Slip!

        • joeno on 21/05/2017 - 22:12
          +3

          Cool racial breakdown. Now do one for whites and indians!

          Wait… that would he racist.

          Let's put a label on you since you're so good at it. We can call you a moron :)

        • captobvious on 21/05/2017 - 22:43
          +2

          They start as Princeling asians until

          TORETTO! TORETTO! SWAT came into my house, disrespected my whole family because somebody narc'd me out! And you know what? IT WAS YOU!

        • Munki on 21/05/2017 - 22:49
          +1

          Sorry mate, I'm pretty Aussie and have never really fancied a Holden or a Ford.

        • Wonderfool on 22/05/2017 - 06:57
          +2

          @Speedz: dude I was born here and I still have no love for Ford or Holden. How can you simply argue with up to date tested reliability for dirt cheap price?

        • Speedz on 22/05/2017 - 09:21

          @Wonderfool:

          Me argue? Noooooooo…

        • silo on 22/05/2017 - 10:07

          … I don't think you know what you're talking about

        • mrjames on 22/05/2017 - 11:37

          Spot on with number 3. It's either a range rover discovery sport or porsche suv. They're like sheep, all lined up on the pacific highway waiting to pick up their precious spawn.

        • prinsenhof on 23/05/2017 - 21:52
          +1

          Actually you missed the actual reason.

          Option for gold badging. My wife is asian, and she picked it out and basically said any car with gold badging has an asian driver. And shes right

    • Scrooge McDuck on 21/05/2017 - 09:50

      I think Ozbargain should do a census on members to see what racial backgrounds of people and the Tax bracket they are as this would make an interesting read

      Scottish Pekin in the bottom tax-bracket, gold is down 5 % this financial year. 😢

    • FatBlanket on 22/05/2017 - 13:23
      +2

      When I lived in China i didn't see many Japanese cars. All they drove were European cars. In the major cities anyway. They hate Japan and care more about image than reliability.

      • microsnot on 22/05/2017 - 17:22

        Yeah but mostly Beijing Benz and VW.

      • Munki on 29/05/2017 - 13:22

        Where in China? The places I've been to have an overwhelming presence of Toyota.

    • [Deactivated] on 23/05/2017 - 06:02

      Just jot down OzBargain as your religion on the next cencus and see the results.

  • altomic on 20/05/2017 - 22:31
    +7

    toyota - reliable. my first car was a 1975 corona. virtually unstoppable (until the gearbox and exhaust simultaneously died in 1997) - driven 300,000+kms. every panel dented and rusted. it went through snow, along beaches, 4wd tracks, outback driving through deserts, etc. it was also simple to repair pretty much anything.

    I recommend Camrys as they are a reliable and inexpensive car to have , also they are successor of the Corona.

    • Jackson on 21/05/2017 - 21:22
      +1

      Mine was a corona too, did 250k+ on the pizza delivery run, cut a bunch of rust out, bogged with fibre and then sold on was driven at least 2 more years before I lost track of it

      • BuyoTheCat on 22/05/2017 - 16:19

        Surely a car that patched up like that can be easily tracked by satellite images

        • Jackson on 22/05/2017 - 20:30
          +3

          I actually bought the sky blue paint for big W back then for 5 bucks and I taped the area off and sprayed it, the finish was actually an almost perfect match, only real give away was there was a line where the tape was. I could have sanded it back and then dusted over it but this was during dial up and youtube wasn't what it is now

  • John Kimble on 20/05/2017 - 22:57
    +11

    Pretty sure Toyotas have a good reputation generally, so you are just seeing the same here.

  • Daabido on 21/05/2017 - 00:08
    +8

    Go read Whirlpool; you can't get past the first five comments without someone recommending a FOG (Falcon on gas).

    • Cheeper on 21/05/2017 - 00:30
      +4

      Used to be the case.. don't see it as much these days.
      BTW.. every second person on there now seems to be talking about mega $ cars… high spec mercs, bmws, audis.. :-(

      • Daabido on 21/05/2017 - 01:55
        +2

        You are probably right. I joined 15 years ago but I haven't been very active lately. It is indeed sad that the legend of FOG and people asking what it meant shall slip into the exhaust pipes of time.

    • WT on 21/05/2017 - 09:59
      +3

      bro in law bought a gas falcon wagon, because of cheap fuel, he had to put 3 tanks to get to the snow from sydney. We could get nearly there and back on one tank. They sold it shortly after

    • Speedz on 21/05/2017 - 18:47
      -2

      Ah you mean Cesspool? I just to love that forum until the mods went on a power trip and banned me, I gotta thank them for the ban though now that I've found this forum and reddit.

      • Daabido on 21/05/2017 - 18:48
        +8

        No, I actually meant Whirlpool, but thanks for playing.

    • Agret on 24/05/2017 - 12:21

      I think you should never read Whirlpool or OZBargain for car buying recommendations, there are so many clueless people. It's good for a laugh though to read the discussions :)

  • [Deactivated] on 21/05/2017 - 02:19
    +5

    i use ozbargain to be able to afford my 1 million dollar house in sydney with an audi in the driveway.
    i am the envy of all my friends and neighbours

    • Scrooge McDuck on 21/05/2017 - 09:59

      You're doing it wrong!

      If you rented a house in Lakemba you could afford a Bentley in the driveway.

      • [Deactivated] on 21/05/2017 - 10:51

        The house would need to contain a special type of substance

      • dasher86 on 22/05/2017 - 08:31
        +5

        If forget that owning a car is a high yield investment.

    • prinsenhof on 23/05/2017 - 22:06

      1 million dollar house in sydney. What a bargain !!! How come you didnt share a link ?

      No doubt your the envy of all your friends, id be pissed i didn't get a good deal as well.

      • Agret on 24/05/2017 - 12:22

        It's probably a 2 bedroom flat.

  • ggrant on 21/05/2017 - 07:32
    +8

    I have 2 old coaster diesel buses. The engineering is the best I've seen (as a 35 year backyard mechanic). Practical and tough. So Toyota given so many plusses from people here, maybe deserves it.

  • chumlee on 21/05/2017 - 07:53
    +4

    Cause Ozbargain full of conservative tight arse's

    • Jackson on 21/05/2017 - 21:25
      +3

      Why is this comment getting down voted, we are wearing this like a badge!

      • Wonderfool on 22/05/2017 - 07:00

        Exactly. I'm ok being called this. I haven't started up a cash reward account for nothing.

      • MessyG on 22/05/2017 - 07:35

        Did my bit and upvoted it back up a bit.

  • pasey25 on 21/05/2017 - 08:17
    +8

    Toyota, great value for per km cost.

    But boring as bat sh!t

    Every choice has some kind of compromise

    • cheapskatez on 21/05/2017 - 08:19
      +1

      Bloody hell … we must have written the same thing at the same time ….

      • pasey25 on 21/05/2017 - 08:28

        Lol. We're opposites though. I'm not interested in driving boring, so I roll the dice with fun Italian cars. I have to be religious about maintenance but for me it's easily worth it.

        • shazzaj98 on 22/05/2017 - 00:02

          ahh italian cars, my alfa couldn't be further oppisite of a corolla.

    • fwdcelica on 22/05/2017 - 13:15

      you've never driven the Toyota 86 obviously.

      • pasey25 on 22/05/2017 - 22:05

        I have driven it. It was on my test drive list when shopping recently. It was still too Japanese, competent but no soul

  • cheapskatez on 21/05/2017 - 08:18

    First time I have read an automotive post on Ozbargain and I find that I have the most popular at here. I have a Camry and it is reliable and cheap to run. But honestly it's boring as batsh!t. The new 2018mofel looks really good, I might get that instead of the new Tucson I've been eyeing up.

  • Dazza610 on 21/05/2017 - 08:28

    The BEST "Toy" I've seen is a Hi-Lux ute, with a Holden V6 strapped into the engine bay

  • boccos on 21/05/2017 - 08:37
    +1

    Sounds like you cannot take a hint.

  • Peck on 21/05/2017 - 09:02

    Toyota

  • [Deactivated] on 21/05/2017 - 09:28
    +3

    Kia

    • WeeDeePotato on 21/05/2017 - 17:43
      +18

      The thing is… the ancap (who use repeatable, scientific methods of testing.) star ratings tell us a very different story to yours. They are very safe cars, just as much as any other car which gets the same ratings.

      Cars are designed to crumple in an accident, so you don't end up taking the brunt of the force.

      Trust me, I'm a mechanical engineer ;)

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