De Paul University
Writing from the Inside
Teacher: Zoe Keithley
Letter of Argument to Dad: I Bought a Toyota!
Dear Dad:
How many times have you turned over in that grave of yours over me owning a Toyota? Come on, you can tell me. I sensed you doing it many times. I could hear you saying, as you were pounding your fist on the table, “Ford is the best car they make, you can’t beat a Ford”! “Listen here red-head, I’m your father and I know what’s best”. How could you buy a car from those “Japs”? You would go on and on about those damn Japs and World War II.
I have decided that now is a good time for me to finally reconcile this with you. I have gone over it so many times in my head, just what I will say to you. I’ve been to college now and maybe I can use my newly acquired communication skills to convince you. I want to convince you not only that it is OK to buy a foreign car, but it is a smart thing to do. Ha HA……..
Dad, you never knew about the Department of Transportation recall of Ford Pintos; they recalled all 1971 to 1976 Pintos due to a flaw in the gas tanks. They would ignite instantly upon impact; many were critically burned or killed as a result. This was the most expensive recall in automotive history.
The worst part of this recall was that Ford owned the patent on a new, safe, saddle-type gas tank before 1971. The Ford plants were already tooled to make the dangerous gas tanks; the company’s “Cost-Benefit Analysis”, said it was not in their best economic interest to go through the enormous expense to retool. Despite the fact, it would have saved lives.
Through personal experience, I learned why Consumer Reports (April 1986) said that the 1984 Chevy Cavalier was the worst car to buy. Before 40,000 miles on my 84 Cavalier, I replaced:
Brakes
Muffler
Alternator
Battery (twice)
Starter (twice)
Faulty emission controls
In addition to this, from the time it was brand new the butterfly flange would close in cold weather; this would not allow gas to get through and I would have to get out, pop the hood, stick my rat-tail comb into the flange while I got back in and started the car. The Chevy dealer told me that it could not be fixed, these cars just do that. This is very dangerous for a woman alone, there are places where you would be better off not having to get out of your car to do your flange thing.
And now for the icing – at 44,000 miles the engine blew up. The Chevy dealer said, “Sorry lady but you will have to pay for a $1300.00 new engine”. They would not even see that I got a rental car so I could continue working for the 3 weeks the repair would take. (You will be glad to know, Dad, that through obnoxious assertiveness I got my new engine for $100 and a free rental car).
Being a college student I decided to do my homework as far as buying a car. I spent 4-5 hours in the library researching Consumer Reports about small cars. The Toyota Corolla ranked highest in:
Least repairs needed
Easiest to repair and do routine maintenance
Seating comfort
Gas mileage
Safety in engineering (ie brakes etc).
I have never heard of a Toyota recall. I know that you, being the great father that you were would want me to have the safest car on the road.
I have had my car for 4 1/2 years now. I have replaced the following:
-Things for routine maintenance (ie oil changes every 3,000 miles and tires @ 70,000 miles)
-Horn @ 91,234 miles
-Slave flange @ 94,788 miles
-Sun-visor (driver side, just looked worn)
-Battery @ 67,000 miles
-2 headlights
Despite all this work I had done, (I say with tongue in cheek you know), it has not started for me – no matter what the weather!
Remember teaching me to drive in Market Square (Jewel) parking lot? Remember teaching me to change my own oil and check the fluid levels? Who says fathers don’t teach their daughters how to take care of themselves – car-wise? You can take pride you raised a daughter that knows how to buy and maintain a good car. You always told me, “Use your knogen (head) red-head”, well I know that you will now see that I did by the good buy I got on my foreign car.
So, Dad, you can now stop rolling over in that grave of yours and get some peace.
Loving you and I still benefiting from your mentorship,
Trish
XXXOOO
P. S. I was very touched that you left mom your L.T.V. (your favorite Ford) when you died, even though you were divorced.