My 2007 Lexus RX350 is the finest car I've ever owned, and one of the finest it's been my privilege to drive. It's comfortable, quiet, and powerful - and I get 28 MPG on the highway, where I do 95% of my driving. (And if you turn your head sideways and squint, it even kinda looks like a lightcycle.)

I've bought seven new cars in my life.

Two GM products weren't too bad, but they were plagued with little, weird problems, like the five power steering pump brackets that broke on a 1987 Chevrolet S-10 Blazer.

Two Fords were utter disasters that nearly sent me to the poorhouse. The first was a 1983 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe that needed over $3000 of major engine repairs before I unloaded it at 43,000 miles. The second was a 1992 Explorer Sport that had the manual transmission disintegrate at 65,000 miles - and then did it again, 4000 miles after I had it rebuilt at a Ford dealer. Ford refused to honor the repair warranty, leaving me with a $3400 bill.

I'm now on my third Toyota product. Between them, I've made exactly one unscheduled trip to the mechanic, for a grand total of $61.

To me, the true test of a manufacturer is whether they make things right when they go wrong. GM didn't. Ford didn't. As the current recall shows, Toyota will.

Ford's profitability is, if my experience is any guide, built on selling junk and refusing to stand behind it. I don't care if they're profitable; if they'd gone under, I'd have driven to Dearborn to dance on their grave.

Guess what my next car will be? Hint: It won't be a Ford...