P/U Trucks & Competitive Market

My choice came dow to size, because in central Mexico is hard to manouver around thus the mid size choice and the Taco is way better than the rest despite upcoming revamp but when it comed down to full size the F150 is, I believe, best in class

 

I love my Taco, but if I ever need a full size, it will be a f150 for sure.

 

I cant get past when you close the doors on the F150 the sheet metal looks like it caves in and the side mirror is ready to fall off even on the brand spanking new ones.

 

I'm well aware of where the pickup market went 20 years ago, thanks. That doesn't mean I approve.

Oh, you can have them. Lots to choose from. They're called cars.

When do you think the car was invented?

+Rep.

For what it's worth, I agree that Ford is making excellent strides lately. If I needed a full size, I'd get an F-250. I test drove the F150, Tundra, and Ram when truck shopping back before I picked up the Taco. All way too big for my intended usage, and bigtime fuel hogs. Nicely appointed interiors though. You could tell a lot of office workers were picking them up for Home Depot runs and mild masculinity compensation.

 

Thats a tough one..uummm before christ??

 

Back in November I helped my son move from San Diego to NE PA. He had a new 2012 Fx4 with the eco boost. We pulled a 21ft Sandpiper toyhauler that was loaded with clothes, generator, stock exhaust from the F-150, and other household items. He also loaded the bed with more boxes of stuff. The truck consistently got 11 mpg the entire trip. We averaged 70-75 mph on the interstates and ran into that damn hurricane mid Ohio the rest of the way home. I couldn't believe the power that truck has! Didn't matter going up 9% grades or fighting headwinds that truck never struggled at all! Always had tons of power in reserve to pass or climb. After we got to my place we unhooked the trailer and drove it to Saratoga Springs, NY 4 hours away to find him a place to live. That trip up and back it maintained around 23 mpg. I have to say I was Jealous. Not that I need a truck that size anymore but it gets better fuel economy than my little toy and rides a lot better too! I agree that it would be nice to have a more versatile power plant available in the Tacoma. All that being said I still like my Toy but wish for a little more for the money.

 

Overall there seems to be a lot of complaints about "NEW" 2nd Gen Taco's, but not for quality. I own a 2005 Taco, original owner and absolutely love it. I love the power the truck has, love the aggressive styling, love the reliability. Most of all, I LOVE the fact that a truck I paid off over 3 years ago is still worth over $13,000 according to KBB!

Having said that, the truck is simply dated. Toyota hit a home run back in 2004(well the 05 model) but hasn't really done anything with it. The 2013 is the same basic truck as my 2005, with only a few truly notable differences. Sure if you compare a nine year old+ powertrain to a modern one it's going to come up short in MPG and maybe power.

So the real question is when is Toyota going to get off their asses and release a REAL redesigned model. We're waiting...

 

This.

Don't expect them to go whole hog with the redesign either. In addition to being a conservative company from the start, there's not as much money in midsize pickups as there is in full sizers.

 

Ya I have heard the same thing from the guys that own mustangs. It popped up as a question in the mustang forums one day. One guy asked if any one onwned one and what they think of it. Never read anything bad about the eco boost motor at all. Guys where impressed when they had to pull a trailer, thats where it shines.

 

Well, the Taco is a bigtime moneymaker for Toyota as it is. It still sells, the Taco pretty much controls the entire midsize truck segment.

I wonder if Toyota or anybody else will go back to a smaller truck sometime in the future. Myself, I thought the Gen I access cab or double cab was the perfect dimensions.

If Toyota came out with a Gen I sized truck with the 4.0 with its timing chains instead of the 3.4's belts, the 6 speed manual, and a fully-boxed frame that would be a nice truck for my needs. I'd get the towing capacity, the power, the reliability, the versatility on road and off road.

 

Well, it's not what you'd call a nimble off-road truck. Long front porch, long rear porch. The Ford hauls, it's not an off-road truck. The Tacoma still doubles as an off-roader. Not as well as the Gen I, but it's still an off-road truck.

 

^^^^this. Those door skins are so flimsy and cheap looking. Wait for the Atlas.

I never even considered a full size. I like a smaller truck. I agree the Tacoma gets terrible gas mileage. Besides that, the cost of a full size was substantially more for similar setup.

 

It is said that Nissan will release a new Frontier that is smaller and more basic in 2015.

 

Good points. Honestly I'd settle for a redesign that incorporates the following changes:

• Make Power Seats an option (Lack of same is my #1 gripe)
• Make Heated Mirrors an option
• Make Remote Starter an option
• Update to a modern powertrain (6-spd Auto and Direct Fuel Injection would help power and more importantly MPG)
• Bring back the Radiant Red (or equivalent bright red) body color (Why the FUCK did they discontinue this for Taco's anyway! )

In addition, here are some nice to have things that would make the truck more appealing IMO:

• Optional Leather (heated) seats
• Optional Moonroof
• Improved ride

The Tacoma is still a great truck, even with an outdated powertrain and lack of key cold weather options. Toyota just needs to realize that many of us use our trucks as everyday vehicles and some common creature comforts would be nice. They can still have a stripped down "basic" model but need to hit the other side of the spectrum too.

 

Get Prius. Better finish and more electronics than F150

 

My thoughts exactly! Sold my 05 AC Pre-runner couple weeks ago and only lost 8K value in 8 years. Power was matched nicely for the truck and it never skipped a beat.

That said, after testing the F150, I'm going to give it a go. Size does matter, but my wheeling is pretty tame by off road standards. I'll miss the taco as it was a fantastic truck for me.

 

IMO Toyota should be able to at least match the economy of the F150. My other gripe if this is a real truck, then it should have a real truck suspension capable of hauling the rated payload weight on a regular basis without us having to consider replacing the springs on a new truck. Not to mention frames that rust.

 

Hmmm... well I'd expect a comfortable truck. But you can settle easily if that's what you're about. Then again comfort can be subjective. I think the Tacoma (stock) is pretty comfortable. More comfortable than other post Y2k cars I've owned.

 

I would surely hope that by 2013 they have figured out how to make the frames last. After all, they have spent millions of dollars on buybacks, replacements and prophylactic treatment on the older ones. I am not worried at all about the frame on my 2013.

I don't use this type of truck as a work truck, but a utility truck. If you want a work truck, you should buy a full size truck anyway. The TACO is for run around and occassional work duty, not daily heavy hauler.

 

So I can't haul the 1100 lbs that Toyota rates it for. I looked at a F150 that was rated for 1500 lbs. How much do think the F150 would haul?