The 4 cylinder?

I wish there was a way to tell the people at car companies: NOT ALL OF US WANT TRUCKS THAT DRIVE LIKE CARS.

We have vehicles that try to be both and fail. They're called SUVs, and they're driven by retards that pay you stupid amounts of money for a vehicle that does basically nothing well and everything crappy.

Work trucks are exactly that...designed to work. They're designed for functionality, utility, and longevity. They ride like trucks, they're strong like trucks, and we'd keep buying them like we have for 40 years if you'd only keep making them.

 

I used to drive F250/350's, went to Toyota "trucks" because they are more car like. Since the lack pf power and capacities...the Toyota trucks available in the States are more of utility vehicle than a real truck. Heck, even our 3/4-1 tons would be too small for some jobs. The Toyota's are great for light duty uses, and commuting to work...where I would jump in one of the bigger vehicles to go to the job site.

Sounds like you need a F250.

I am not fond of SUV's but they have their place in the garage...good for running around and back road exploring. My first Toyota was a SUV...it was true utility vehicle...no back seat and vinyl interior.

Used to get low 20 mpg's with the ol' 4Runner...sure beat the 8 mpg, I fetched with the '76 F250 and the 390.

https://scontent-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/h...2_10152705170264630_2906975987829417114_o.jpg

 

So that's what you meant with your "rhetorical" questions!

Since we are clearly talking theoretical vehicles then yes, of course the 25 mpg 4x4 would do the same as yours. Seems like an obvious answer.

The real comparison, and the one you have avoided, is to compare a 25mpg 4 cylinder Tacoma to the V6. In that case you not only saved ~$3K when the vehicle was purchased new but you would be gaining an additional 5-7 mpg all the time. The savings will add up significantly over the life of the vehicle.

I agree completely with your sentiment. If they put the R&D into a 4 cylinder that they have the 6 I think there would be very compelling reasons for more people to buy the 4.

Clark

 

I didn't avoid that. I simply addressed it as "I won't drive the 6 stick cause I detest the gearing of the transmission". As I stated, if the 6 manual was akin to the 5 speed that comes with the 2.7, I wouldn't have a problem driving it.

But you couldn't give me the 6 speed it has now. That's crap.

 

I know that feeling, I have 2 F250's, a 1967 high boy with a 390 and a 1997 7.3 Powerstroke, both are hard working trucks and blow the Tacoma out of the water plowing snow or towing heavy, but I am glad neither is my daily driver either. The Tacoma is comfortable, quiet, smaller, and has an automatic transmission. Much more daily driver friendly for me. But here are my two Fords and I love them all the same, put a lot of work into building that '67 into the plow truck it is today. It's a snow plowing machine! Although I am thinking about taking the lift gate off and putting it on my Powerstroke since I use it for hauling more now.

 

I like that '67! We have had a bunch of Fords over the years 3/4 up to 2.5 Tons. After driving a 2.5 Ton Dump all day, the little Toyota was refreshing to jump into to drive home. They feel like driving a go-cart comparatively.

Toyotas are great for general running around, but for work...need something bigger. My construction days are long over, so I don't need a full size anymore. The Taco is great for light home depot and nursery runs. We even downsized the house and property so there would be less to take of. The old property almost demanded that I owned at least fullsize. The Toyotas are more of a play vehicle to me.

My biggest grip that they don't get better mileage...but something I put up with to have the reliability. The Toys have treated me great over these last 25 years.

 

Yeah, I love how reliable they are. Once I do the timing belt and water pump in my 3.4, I'd jump in my Tacoma and drive all the way to Florida, and back without a worry in the world. Maybe up to Alaska and back as well! Maybe to the moon if it were possible, haha!

 

Same basic premise here.

I don't need a full size for work. My life gets along well with a might-duty minitruck like the Taco. It's amazing how many of life's little problems cease to be problems when you have the universal answer of "Meh, throw it in the back of the truck"

Even my best friend, who has never owned a truck, has commented on how often my little Taco has just happened to be a handy answer to an otherwise PITA situation, even for just little bullshit.

 

I have 293,000 miles on mine currently.

We put 3 engines in that '76 F250 before it hit 150,000.

What I don't like about my SUV, can't throw just anything in the back without fearing to screw up the interior. Good for hauling people and groceries and that is about it.

 

Now, you say that but unfortunatly you represent the minority of truck owners who want both. "Ride like a truck" doesn't have to be a bad thing with today's technology. The constant jiggling in the back of my Taco I can do without. Is it there for a reason ? We could argue that point to death....but it doesn't have to be so bad. Our differences might be mitigated by the new Taco.

Count me as one of those retards who, after owning a 4Runner for 10 years wants a truck that works like a truck and drives comfy with the cruise and quiet interior at 80 mph. Fortunatly, my 2015 is close.....but the 16 will be a better on road vehicle. If it doesn't, it will loose sales. The bar has been elevated. Look in every other drive way at the f150 s which can work, tow, ride well and g et 25 mpg with 325 hp. Then tell me vehicals that ride like a truck sell big time.
They don't . Your and my ideas are a very small part of the market. When smaller trucks start driving and riding as well as the full size, they will get a bigger part of the market. Technology is to the point......you can have both in a smaller truck. Btw, today's Taco was near full size 15 years ago.

 

I know I'm in the minority. But I'm that in a lot of ways. I'm used to it.

The problem is, we're rapidly approaching the point where there aren't any options left. We're getting shoved into F150s whether we like it or not, in a way. And that makes me sad.

 

You don't have to though. For the price of a new truck, you can keep an old one running for quite a long time.

I am still seeing some clean used examples out there, Heck, I saw a 1st Gen Taco with only 50K on the clock recently.

 

When I had my 4Runner, I also had a utility trailer for crap. I still have it and don't plan on throwing 800 lbs of potting soil in the bed of a pick up. I can tow 2k lbs of anything much more saftyl then I could ever put the 1000 lbs. in the back of a pick up. I have a Taco now, but it will not replace my utility trailer. I would have another 4Runner if they weren't so expensive with just a truck drive train. The multi mode feature of the previous gives you the best of all worlds and mitigates the WF factor. Tacos are NOT the vehicle that a 4 Runner is......not even close.

 

I have had toppers on on my pickups...more or less a giant trunk. I hear you on the trailers, I have a little 5X8'...that thing is great...low deck height don't have work too hard loading or unloading it. Never want to sell it, just so dang useful.

I kinda wish they would build the Tacoma on the 4Runner chassis, I am probably in the low minority here, would like to see linked coil suspension on the Taco. The Tacoma will always be a recreational light duty truck...might as well take it even further.

 

I here you. I always liked the short bed standard cab. Toyota can't sell enough to even make them anymore. That in and of itself begins to compromise a four in 4wd with a 127 inch WB. The truck you speak of so well is the one I had for my first four Toyota trucks. But I will be blunt. I like cruising at high speed in comfort with the bed loaded down. We are headed to my kids places several hundred miles away and taking my truck instead of wife's Venza. That back is loaded to the gills with stuff for the grandchildren. But, the thought of the truck "not" being a 4 cylinder standard cab noisy work truck doesn't bother my back at all. Yes...I have gone over to the dark side.

 

No you aren't in the minority. The frame on my 4 Runner looked like a fully boxed frame you would find on a military vehicle and still road very well with the coils on back. But, leafs seem to accommodate PUs better. It was massive compared to the Taco. Unfortunatly, it the Taco had one, we wouldbe paying 4 Runner prices.

I am with you on trailer use. have a Thule all aluminum trailer that weighs 220 lbs but is rated for over 2k lbs. it has torsion bar suspension and is a great trailer. Have had it for ten years, it sits out side and not a speck of rust...love aluminum, as long as it isn't a Ford.

 

IIRC The 4Runner payload is more than the Tacoma, they already have a burlier rearend setup found in the 80 series, which could be used. Parts bin truck!

But yeah...the Tacoma would get even more spendy.

Yeah, I should of bought an aluminum trailer, believe I have had my Big Tex for 15 years now...it is a burly little trailer.

 

Which is fine, but again, it comes down to not being given a choice any more. I actually *do* want a noisy, 4 cyl, 5 speed, long bed, access or reg cab work truck.

I don't want a bigger motor.

I don't want an automatic.

I refuse to have a double cab.

I don't want power windows, bucket seats, fancy hoo-ha electronics everywhere. I want a tough lil bastard of a Hilux halfbreed that you can toss off a cliff and set on fire and still drive to work the next day.

But I don't have that option any more. It used to be there were lots of options. That's what I don't like.

 

Power mirrors and back up camera.....two of those, " I don't want them " by many to, " I can't live without them" when it comes to towing.
I see you didn't mention them. Good man. You know what is essential. ;-)

 

I've never had either...on any vehicle, so we'll have to agree to disagree a bit on this one