SR5 vs TRD packages

Here in BC we have Off Road opportunities but nothing like I see in the Desert photos from the US SW. Having lived in the NWT, Alberta and Ontario aside from dirt roads either you can drive and occasionally require 4x4 or you can't go anywhere. I doubt there is much of a market for folks who just want to buy the truck to play or decide the play factor is the primary need for the truck. Outdoor types for sure and I am one of them but simple 4 wheel drive, with a limited slip diff is all I would ever expect to need. What I do need is a DC as the Tacoma will be my main driver in the winter. It may be there is more demand for the DCLB Sport version as a daily driver than there is for DC OR SB. So Toyota compromises and brings in the AC with a LB. Too, it just might be a case of a smaller market that can be serviced by the packages they bring in. I am sure Toyota does their market surveys and decides how they want to service the market.

All our trucks come with mud flaps and the towing package. Again, likely as a result of market surveys. Toyota is a very successful company so I am certain whatever direction they take it is well thought out before hand. Their decision won't be right for everyone but will be right for most who buy into the mid size truck market and prefer the Toyota brand.

 

I don't know what the percentages are of DC vs AC, but I'd imagine it's something like 80-20. It just seems on the surface, logical to offer as many trim lines in the most popular configuration as possible. You're right, Toyota is the number one automaker on the planet for a reason. But I do wish they'd offer our friendly neighbors to the north what they offer us. Seems fair enough.

 

Actually Fiat is the largest

 

Okay. How about Toyota is the biggest automotive manufacturer that can actually build something I'd buy. I seem to recall Volkswagen was just recently crowned number one, before the TDI fiasco, surpassing Toyota and then Toyota regaining the crown. Probably just depends on whose running the numbers.

 

I'm coming from Fiat. Otherwise known as Ram. Nice truck, but man, Fiat makes the some fugly rides. Plus, they apparently break down, with startling frequency. Wonder whose going to buy that hot mess. Seems they've been begging GM to buy them for awhile. May be just the North America branch though. I really had no idea Fiat was that big however. Just another clueless American I gues.

 

Doesn't Fiat now own Chrysler, a company with about the same reputation for making reliable vehicles as the parent. Fiat died up here after the first winter their cars had to endure. The local Jeep dealer has a new 2014 Wrangler he can't unload. A Jeep enthusiast is also called a mechanic or shop owner whichever you prefer.

 

They indeed do. Much to the dismay of Ram truck owners everywhere. They wisely kept their cash cow of Ram trucks intact and continued to innovate on that line. The Ram label is now applied only to FCA's truck line. Won't see Dodge on any of their trucks anymore. Chrysler is their vanilla cars and Dodge their "performance" cars. Or something like that.

 

I saw a brand new Dodge Durango the other day, The tail light had at least 1.5 cups of standing water inside it.

 

Neighbour across the street is on his third front end and 2nd transmission all under warranty with his quality built RAM truck. Resale value is zilch! Now he is looking at GM 2500 series. Ford would be the only domestic truck I would look at but that is just me.

 

Proving bigger isn't always better

 

Good thing I didn't say that

 

This is my first Toyota. I've had Nissans, Fords, Jeeps, Mazdas, Dodges, GM's, Hondas, Rams, etc. Not brand loyal to any degree. Only keep my cars around a year or so, never off warranty. Wife has a Camry that she drives 30/k year or so. Has been sumpremly bullet proof. My in laws have a first gen Tacoma with around 250k on it with no issue

As a guy who trades in yearly, looking forward to that high resale value. My Ram truck I loved. Was a 2014 2500 Ram Megacab 4x4. Zero issues with it. Granted in only had 10k on it when I dumped it and it held its value pretty well. Traded it to the Tacoma. We got rid of our TT and didn't need that much truck. I do miss me that burbling 6.4 liter V8 though. It was a sweet uniquely American sound.

 

Heard about that guy. He spent something like $5k to make that video. That is some rage there!

 

I didn't mean to insinuate that you did!

 

I like my Sport except the cheap plastic hood scoop, it is very flimsy, not a good fit.