Agree most car owners are too busy to get involved in the details of making a car run reliably forever. Let alone calculating the best time/mileage to get rid of it.

We have only ever taken two cars to the scrap yard (a 1965 Dodge Dart and a 1977 Dodge Colt), since they were not worth selling. My wife has a number of single female friends who often ask my advice. The best advice I can give them is:

1. Buy a car with a reasonably good repair record, and one that is sold in sufficient volume to ensure an ongoing supply of parts and the interst of independent mechanics..

2. Perform regular mainteance according to the book. When in doubt over-maintain.

3. Don't baby the car; take it out for a good fast run regularly.

4. When it finaaly becomes unrelaible, and you start missing work becase of it, trade or sell it. At that stage, it does not owe you anything.

I currently have a 2003 Saturn Vue with 113000 miles on it. This past year I have had thousands of dollars of repairs and am considering a new car (I was one of those people who didn't do a good job on the regular maintenance!). I was wondering if anyone knows advantages of longevity between the newwer Vue, Toyota RAV 4, and Honda CRV. I am leaning towards the Toyota because of the good reputation, but I actually like the new Vues better. Thanks!

Toyota no longer means the sort of quality it did with older models!

I purchased my 2002 Toyota RAV4 from my dealer…it was his demo car and my ECM(Engine Control Module) and Transmission issues just popped up at 107,000 miles.

I had owned another Toyota previously, a Camry, and got 225,000 worry-free miles out of it. In fact my friend has a Toyota Celica she is still driving with 275,000 miles on it!!!

Out of the clear-blue two days ago, the RAV4 check engine light came on for about two hours, then went out, but the shifting then became erratic. I have serviced this vehicle faithfully per Toyota's prescribed schedule since I purchased it and expected to get another 100,000 more miles, but, my dealership, where it has been serviced forever, said it was going to cost over $1,200 for a new Engine Control Module (which is also not warrantied…what is with that?!?!?!?) and even if I replace just the ECM, it still may not work with the old transmission, so it was recommended that I replace the transmission too for another $3,500 because the defective ECM has destroyed the transmission.

In trying to develop some alternate strategies to approach the problem I suggested that we drop the transmission to physically inspect it for damage so then we could isolate the repair to just the ECM, but, as the dealership service manager told me, in their experiences with this problem, which they have had several encounters with on the RAV4 as well as Avalons, the only solution seems to be to undergo this complete and costly major repair.

And, with the market value for the car at only $6,000, it almost makes more sense to trade it in and get a new vehicle.

After pricing some of the vehicles on their lot as a reference point (I really need a pick-up with 4wd now more than the RAV4 2wd anyway) I had them reset the ECM to see if it might correct itself…like rebooting a computer, you know, to just get me home and to buy a little more time to determine an appropriate course of action. If you are having this sort of issue with your Toyota, don’t get your hopes up, I got home ok, but the Transmission is still slipping.

I had never realized that there were ever any serious problems like this with the Toyota product line until I went online and “Googled “Toyota Transmission problems” you will be amazed at how many of their products and models, Rav4’s, Avalons, Tundras, even 2008 Camrys are plagued with similar transmission malfunction issues. I encourage anyone who is having transmission problems with their Toyota to contribute your comments and experiences here. Perhaps such a hue and cry will get Toyota to address their quality issues more realistically and fairly. By the way, I am an avid listener to Tom and Ray's show!

I own a 2003 RAV4, auto trans, 2WD, 78K. Same problem--erratic and harsh shifting, engine revving before shifting up. I was advised of a Technical Service Bulletin issued by Toyota on March 3, 2006 for Models: '01-'03 RAV4. Under this notice my Toyota service center replaced the Engine Control Module (ECM). They thought they had fixed the problem, but in less than 500 miles, a similar transmission problem resurfaced; now it jerks into 3rd gear. The same Toyota repair shop says that a transmission replacement is the only fix and their regional rep is now considering if they will cover the cost. Please keep posting on this issue!

I agree with several posters here. One cannot deal with imaginary fears, such as car breakdowns in isolated places. Hypothetically, that can happen on any car of any age.

However, in general, that few miles if a car suits your purposes it not many. Better to have the money in the bank as long as this car runs, once it is gone you can't reverse your decision.

Most breakdowns on the highway are things like hoses; belts; and tires. Learn how to check those things yourself.

my 93 toyota corolla needed a new engine at 286K miles because it was burning oil. Once the engine was replaced with an engine of 76k miles, it has now lasted to 390k miles, and I'm holding on for 400k! This last stretch has started to cost me some parts as a front right ball joint and rear right strut. This car has continued to get ~ 35mpg on the highway and been low cost to maintain- needing typical oil changes, belts, tires, brakes.