Scarab and Toyota. Quality, service backup, and reliability.

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Choosing Toyota

When choosing the right tool to match the job, one should look at what is on offer, quality, service backup, reliability and fit for purpose. Then good looks indicates the pride taken in producing a product, which catches the buyers eye. All these have to be uncompromising.

Our new Toyota Fortuner arrived just the other day, and we are pretty pleased at the overall product.  We bought our first one, a 2.4l in 2018, and opted to upgrade to the 2.8, as there was the "power lag". We chose Toyota for the same reason people choose Scarab.

Whilst this brand is not the cheapest, there are other benefits.  We were looking for overall quality, uncompromising reliability.  We also needed ruggedness, since our roads are full of potholes, camels (remains of tyre treads), rocks and even makeshift spikes, littering the freeways and alleyways. We also took into account the space, which would allow for added carrying capacity, and the Fortuner has 7 seats - not that we often need to carry more than a few, but when you need it, it's there. We liked the Fortuner's ease of use, with the 6 speed automatic gearbox, offering traffic driving that added comfort.

Our first 2.4L had 90 000 km service plan, and we were pleased that this had not changed. And this is where Toyota shines. I don't know what these guys at Waterberg Toyota do in the few hours they have, but every time they finished, it always seem like it's new again.  It runs better, looks better, and rides better. The care taken was outstanding, and a true endorsement to the brand. Based on the after sales service, we never really had another vehicle choice as replacement, nor the franchise / dealer.

Reliability - well, I had a battery die whilst in the Cape a year ago, but I knew there was something not right, and carried a spare one. Not a moment's trouble from new, and I have asked it to perform some pretty tough tasks. Been on some really rough roads, and nothing fell off, came loose or rattled.

Economy - well, probably not the most economical vehicle on the road, but still managed to achieve sub-10l/100 kms.

Quality

Like Toyota, Scarab also believes in quality, integrity and service. All our sewage treatment plants are manufactured using the very best materials, toughest technology and stunning good looks - our sewage systems are hard to beat. The cheaper sewage systems - the Tata's and Chery's just wont cut it in these harsh conditions, heavy rain and hot climates. And while these cheap Chinese imports, (and inadequate EU offerings), are lighter on energy, they just don't have the staying power that the Scarab / Toyota has.

Resale value (Unless its stolen and recovered - see update below)

The Toyota dealer offered us more for the old Fortuner than we could have got privately.

Then, we once offered a client a great trade-in value for a Scarab system he needed upgrading, but he decided to keep both.

Reputation. 

Toyota has always outsold any other make in South Africa, because they offer great, reliable service.

Demand

And finally, it appears the Fortuner is also highly regarded in the criminal world, with this product catching the eye of most innovative car thieves. We now need to add additional security, to ensure items remain where they were parked. Again, Scarab shares this reputation, and I will remind our clients when tradie Mike attempted to steal the Scarab trademark (see our blog - Tradies and Trademarks).

We treated Mike in the same way we deal with stinky wastewater. Successfully!!

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Update on the Fortuner - 8th August 2024

Well, the Toyota Fortuner is now 2 years old, and, regrettable is was stolen and recovered a month ago. The thieves broke the passenger window to gain access, and within 3 minutes, drove off. The car had three tracking units fitted, and one was disabled within 300 metres, and the second one 25 minutes later. The 3rd unit was never found, despite the trashing of the vehicle. The tracking company and the flying squad were in top form, the recovery took less than 2 hours.

 With this in mind - are these vehicles such a great investment?

The simple answer - No!

With a mileage of 32 000 kms, and in immaculate condition, the resale value was R550 000. Since this incident, it has lost as much as R250k, as the car is now labelled as 'stolen and recovered'. This means that it can never be refinanced - Banks wont touch them.  With this, the insurance may consider writing it off. We await the costs of repairs, which may be considerable.

What does Toyota say?

Actually nothing much.  Except they don't accept any responsibility for the theft, despite the apparent ease of criminals to quickly access the security system. The have known the thieves were better than the Toyota team of engineers, for years, but neglected to do anything proactive about it. Instead, they bragged how well their sales were, and say very little about how many repeat buyers who have the same product stolen. If one were to encourage the rampant thefts, this may result in higher vehicle sales, right?

Would Toyota be considered as a replacement?

Probably not, again. Great reliable vehicles, great service from the agents who are super friendly and efficient. But . . . . only if you still have it. If someone else has it, nothing here is of any value, except memories - perhaps.

And, its a matter of faith. I would be worried every time I park, and walk away. There would always be eyes watching, and it would not be the manufacturers.  Toyota SA are still sleeping. 

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