Seems like Toyota trucks gets a bad rap in media

Where I live in Orange County, Toyota trucks outnumber all other midsize trucks by a very wide margin.

It's almost a joke how many Tacomas and Tundras are driving around here.

 

The media needs to talk to mechanics . Not Toyota ford Chevy dodge but mechanics that work on all make and models like myself . Ask them what do you see in your shop that needs major work not maintenance. And then write an article. As a used car mechanic and former Toyota mechanic in my shop major work is rarely done in Tacoma and tundra. You see the other trucks that need major repairs on a daily basis. The ones who review vehicles all only look at features. Apply car play heated seats so on. Toyota buyers buy their vehicles for reliability. And what will save them in repairs in the long run. It's nice to have there technology in vehicles but eventually they all break down. And that's what Toyota is trying to avoid and I can understand that. Same with turbos they add more load and create less reliability so Toyota doesn't really go that route. They have in some vehicles but they want to stay out of it. For now anyways .

 

I like Tacoma’s, I’m on number 4.

 

Just remember "when you're at the top of the food chain, everyone else wants a piece of your ass". I bought mine for the pedigree, reliability and just plain best in it's class. All of my neighbors spend their weekends fixing broken parts on their 4 x 4's while I go hunting, fishing and camping etc...advantage Toyota!

 

I'm on my Fourth Toyota
1988 EFI 22R 4x4 sold with 100.000 miles never had anything replaced other than a battery and brakes.
2001 Tacoma TRD offroad ac traded with 80.000 miles still running like a champ.
2010 Tacoma TRD sport lots of mods traded with 20.000 miles for 2010 Camaro ( Big Mistake)
2013 Tacoma reg cab 4x4 love it it's a work in progress!
I am 56 and have owned many 4x4 vehicles Chevy S-10 Blazer, Dodge RamCharger, Ford Ranger, International Scout, Jeep TJ. There is something special about the feeling when you sit in a Toyota 4x4 especially when you go off-road it's hard to explain but I think everyone feels it!

 

That Scout though!

 

Agreed , it’s looks exactly like an escape from the front in person. My local dealer only had a lariat with chrome rims on the lot as well and it was an eyesore.

 

Stayinstock It was a 1962 Scout 4 banger in low range it was like a tractor!

 

I love my tacoma. Only squabble I got is the bugs in the new ECU programming that make them a complete erratic mess on the interstate. They fixed the 3.5's, but not the 2.7's, so I'm still waiting, and complaining.

 

The new Ranger will take a bite out of Tacoma sales within a couple years when Ford discounts them. More powerful with a smoother transmission, more comfortable and with a better payload there will be people who opt for them. Not that I care...

 

I think they should start discounting now. Maybe a 2 for 1?

 

Make sure you put 35's on.

 

That is so true. Everything you stated.
I have an independent local guy work on my vehicles.
He's very competent, great reputation, never has to advertise and has seen 'em all.
He said to me that he's almost never done major work on a Tacoma, just maintenance.
That confirmed my intent to get one, and it took me awhile.
Man, I'm glad I listened to him.

Some random observations:

- Honda: Great engines and overall quality. Weak auto transmissions. Applies overall, not just to the Ridgeline.
But the Ridgeline isn't really a truck anyway. It's an SUV with a bed.

- Nissan: Okay before the Renault merger, but auto transmissions were always lousy. JATCO transmissions.
When Renault sent that vampire Carlos Ghosn to run Nissan, he fired lots of employees, underpaid and overworked the survivors.
Put the squeeze on Nissan's suppliers.
Yeah, he made Nissan profitable again.
But he single handedly destroyed the traditional Japanese loyalties that contributed to high quality.
The Frontier isn't bad, but not in the same league as the Tacoma. And stay away from the AT.

- Fiat/Chrysler: Ugh, what a combination. The worst of everything.
Dodge engines were pretty good, give 'em that, but Dodges seem to rust pretty badly around here.
Body, frame, everything.
And they were never very good for reliability.
So now, just to reinforce that... it's Fix It Again, Tony.

- GM: Quality dropped off in the late '90s and it's been downhill ever since.
First hand experience. Good engines, lousy build quality.
The Canyon/Colorado have lots of niggling problems and they haven't been out very long.
The major problems will crop up soon enough.
And now they're concentrating on production in China and laying off U.S. workers.
Think GM workers are gonna have much loyalty or try their best to put out quality?
See Nissan above.

- Ford: I owned a couple F-150 work trucks. Best of the domestic full size trucks. That's why they sell so many.
Mine had manual transmissions, so dunno much about their ATs. But apparently they were okay.
Friends with the old Ranger like 'em.
The new one? Meh. That turbo is gonna strain the engine. I'd think twice if reliability is a priority.

- Toyota: Build quality and reliability above all.
They don't throw something out there and then neglect it.
They devote engineering resources to continually improve something.
So major refreshes take a good while.
I'm okay with that.

Oh, and the auto review writers?
Hey, they gotta churn out their hack articles.
Gotta find something new and sensational to say, even if they gotta make it up.
Not all of them, some have integrity. Too many do not.

 

I would say to each there own opinion.Not everybody likes Toyota.

 

Longevity is a big deal for truck owners. Fords often become leaky squeaky piles of garbage after 7-8 years. Until Ford proves they can put out a reliable durable product, I don't think the comfort and payload will win the war for them.

 

I see a lot of reviews saying the Tacoma doesn't have the "tech" and "creature comforts" but other than no current Apple CarPlay and lacking a lot of seating positions, what else does it not have or not have available that makes people think it has nothing?

 

X 2 That is putting it as accurately as possible. 10 years from now, compare the attributes, engineering, reliability, and looks between a current model of Tacoma, Ranger or any other current competition. You can also do the same in retrospect !!

 

People fear what they do not understand.

 

I like how you actually drove all these trucks before choosing one. As opposed to those on here who just bash the others without ever driving one.

 

Ignorance breeds stupidity