Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I researched and researched and finally decided on the Toto Drake II and am oh-so-happy with my choice. Mind dump on my research and my personal opinion follows: The bottom line: ---------------------- Performance and efficiency on the Toto Drake II are excellent in every regard. I read reviews that did not come to this conclusion, but this toilet is so good they're hard to believe. Ordering online from Amazon was quick & trouble-free - got the toilet in 4 days (and that included Thanksgiving!). Model CST454CEFG CST = gravity (not power assisted) flush 454 = model # C = double cyclone (two outlets create swirling water - no "old-fashioned" rim holes to clog or get dirty) E = e-max (3" flush valve and 2 1/8" trapway with additional siphon power at the trap - stuff disappears!) F = universal height (ADA - in this case about 17 1/4" seat height) G = sana gloss (ceramic glaze - must not use harsh/scratching cleaners. Bonus? You won't need to!) Pros: --------- * flushes EVERYTHING, and quickly (one can only wonder why all toilets don't - isn't this their only purpose?) * refills quickly (even with our old and narrowing galvanized plumbing, after all, it's only a little more than a gallon) * aesthetically attractive shape, if such can be said about a toilet * cleans completely about 99/100 times...I've had to clean it once for slight streaking * has variable flushing ability - if you hold down the handle longer you can get more of the swirling flush (not that I can say it has ever really needed to be held longer - even the quickest flush takes everything away) * I have not used the plunger once * I have not had to flush more than once even a single time Worries from my research that proved unfounded: -------------------------------------------------------------------- * noise - it's not super quiet, and there is a 'glug glug glug' sound at the 'finale', but it is not disturbingly loud and doesn't wake my teen daughter in the next room if it is flushed late at night. I guess this can vary based on your plumbing * seat height - some said the seat height cut off circulation in their legs when they sat for a while. Our family is 5'4" tall and taller and none of us have had any problems with the toilet height, indeed at 5'9" I find it 'just right' * leaking from the tank connection- our 2-piece Toto was installed by a plumber and it does not leak * color - 'colonial white' is the perfect white for my older home. Quite white-but not too white-and not at all dingy or off-colored or yellowed as I had feared - picking colors from a computer screen is scary! * shipping - some people, but not most, have had problems at some of the sites I visited while doing my research, but our toilet was well padded inside the boxes (2) and the boxes were in perfect shape when they arrived on the ups truck - our toilet was in perfect condition possible cons: --------------------- * you can see those big double cyclone holes and the altered rim that makes them work so well, which is maybe not that great of a "look" * doesn't come with a seat (we reused our existing seat as our old toilet was also elongated) * pricey, but never was the axiom more true - you DO get what you pay for other: ---------- * there's a thing called a MaP rating for flushing ability (not rinsing power) ranging from 0 to 1000 (1000 grams, that is, or 2.2 lbs.), the Toto Drake II gets an 800 (I've read anything over 500 is good - and people, please eat your fiber! 2.2 pounds?!?) * this is an elongated toilet, exact specs can be found on the toto website * handle is polished chrome and on the left (right is available) * one year mfg warranty * 12" rough in - the distance from the wall to the bolts * WaterSense - just means uses 20 percent less water than the current federal standard, Toto Drake II meets the standard and uses 1.28 gal/flush - there is a new Drake II using only 1 gal/flush our story: ---------------- The Toto Drake II replaces an American Standard that was in our currently 43 year old house we bought 2 years ago. That toilet had to be flushed multiple times (sometimes 6 or 7 times), took forever to refill, and needed plunging almost daily and at a minimum several times a week. Only 2 people used it regularly. I realize that every brand of toilet (excepting Toto?) has a range of products and ours may have been quite old (but it was an elongated toilet, so certainly not original), but I think the best use for American Standard toilets is media for growing reefs at the bottom of the ocean. I will never purchase an American Standard toilet regardless of what consumer reports says. I complained about that toilet constantly for 2 years whilst battling more urgent life problems (finishing my thesis, etc...). Life is so very good right now...thesis completed and a Toto Drake II in my hall bathroom. Life is sweet! This is a great toilet that I can heartily recommend. When we get to the remodeling we plan to get 2 more Totos and now I won't fret about getting them online.