Is it morally wrong to buy a Toyota?
Oct. 7th, 2006 07:53 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
beth_leonardIs it morally wrong to buy a Toyota?
That's the question that's keeping me up tonight. I'm sure most of my friends reading this journal would say "Duh. No." but most of my friends probably don't have grandparents who worked for GM for 30+ years, and weren't raised to believe that American is the greatest country on earth, and one of the things that makes it that way is that we stick up for each other in good times and bad.
My grandfather liked working for GM. He likes getting a pension from GM. I'd like for GM to continue to do well.
The problem is that we need a new minivan. The only two brands recommend by Consumer Reports are Honda and Toyota. We looked at quite a few brands of minivan today, and the Honda and Toyota have much more trunk space, due to where the spare tire is kept, and how the back seat folds down into the well.
I like trunk space. I need trunk space. I put two huge strollers into my car every Thursday when I drive the carpool.
Why don't the GM cars have as much trunk space? Is it a patent issue? I wouldn't be surprised.
I need to look at the Saturn Relay tomorrow, but unless it's very impressive, I think the Toyota will be the car we buy. With the options we want, the MSRP on the 2006 Toyota is $25K. We found a gold brand-new 2005 GM Pontiac SV6 still on the lot that the dealer will part with for $22K.
The Relay is our last hope for an American car. I get the GM Family discount, which is about 10% off the sticker price of a new vehicle (varies by model). Even with the discount, and American car is only a few thousand less than the Toyota. Will I pay $3000 for more trunk space and an 8th seat?
So I guess I'd ask my friends, is there anything about Toyota I don't know? Are they the Walmart of car dealers? Do they treat their employees right? Even the women and the American ones? Am I giving up on my own personal values by buying a Toyota? Or are they just another company that deserves to sell me a product as much as the other guy?
Sincerely,
--Beth
PS. I don't shop at Walmart.
That's the question that's keeping me up tonight. I'm sure most of my friends reading this journal would say "Duh. No." but most of my friends probably don't have grandparents who worked for GM for 30+ years, and weren't raised to believe that American is the greatest country on earth, and one of the things that makes it that way is that we stick up for each other in good times and bad.
My grandfather liked working for GM. He likes getting a pension from GM. I'd like for GM to continue to do well.
The problem is that we need a new minivan. The only two brands recommend by Consumer Reports are Honda and Toyota. We looked at quite a few brands of minivan today, and the Honda and Toyota have much more trunk space, due to where the spare tire is kept, and how the back seat folds down into the well.
I like trunk space. I need trunk space. I put two huge strollers into my car every Thursday when I drive the carpool.
Why don't the GM cars have as much trunk space? Is it a patent issue? I wouldn't be surprised.
I need to look at the Saturn Relay tomorrow, but unless it's very impressive, I think the Toyota will be the car we buy. With the options we want, the MSRP on the 2006 Toyota is $25K. We found a gold brand-new 2005 GM Pontiac SV6 still on the lot that the dealer will part with for $22K.
The Relay is our last hope for an American car. I get the GM Family discount, which is about 10% off the sticker price of a new vehicle (varies by model). Even with the discount, and American car is only a few thousand less than the Toyota. Will I pay $3000 for more trunk space and an 8th seat?
So I guess I'd ask my friends, is there anything about Toyota I don't know? Are they the Walmart of car dealers? Do they treat their employees right? Even the women and the American ones? Am I giving up on my own personal values by buying a Toyota? Or are they just another company that deserves to sell me a product as much as the other guy?
Sincerely,
--Beth
PS. I don't shop at Walmart.
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Date: 2006-10-07 01:34 pm (UTC)I know my parents got the Highlander Toyota model when their Ford Explorer died. My mom used to hate driving the explorer but now she almost wants to drive the Highlander all around.
But then again, my family can be a bit weird at times. I also never had a family member who worked at one certain car company for many years (my father worked in pharmaceutical so I can somewhat see your argument, but with medicine instead of cars).
My bottom line: Toyotas are the best cars out there. I rarely hear about a lemon Toyota. You do get really great gas mileage on them and they are realiable. But I also know that you don't want to go against your family.
If you have any more questions about the various Toyota cars my family has, please let me know.