Toyota Needs to Step Up!

And leather, you peasant

Also has slightly better suspension and a factory 1 inch lift, ladies

All of that being said, I laughed when Chevy released the ZR2.... $50k+ for a midsize truck.... Gtfo lol

Same with the Gladiator.

And the Rangers..... Probably a fine light duty grocery getter. Suspension in them is like trying to wheel a focus. And they do not deliver power anytime the same day you put your foot down. Granted, if I wanted a race truck (midsize) I'd get a Frontier.... Boy howdy.

 

So you want Toyota to follow the lead of GM, Fiat Chrysler and Ford?

 

Not necessarily but I can see where one would think that.

 

We all know good and well that if they did this on the TRD Pro, it would be 60k at least.... and I'm with the consensus that the TRD Pro isn't worth it.... It's the show-off model to me. Every brand has one. Ford with the Raptors, Chevy with the High Country, etc. That's the one you buy if you want to show off your wallet. The upsale on those things make them not worth it IMO... you get some rims, a cooler looking interior, and a different grille essentially... Not worth 10k. If the look and all suit your fancy, then go for it.

I think the point is that most Tacoma owners don't care about all the bells and whistles and are perfectly happy with plain jane, bare bones stuff because they know the reliability that comes with it. Like someone said earlier.... Buy the OR and put your 10k saved and mod it how YOU want it, not like Toyota wants it. And if you're a second gen or below, the difference, correct me if I'm wrong, between the OR and the SR5 4x4 doesn't even matter that much if you're just going to can the stock Bilsteins and put whatever you want under it.

 

I can attest to that living in south GA my whole life then moving to Atlanta then moving back to south GA during the WFH times.... Only thing is you forgot to mention the yellow flies and mosquitos

 

I was the one that said because I have done it myself. Off Road is way better IMO than the Pro for the money. Agree with the consensus being Toyota owners like basic.

 

Exactly. Plus, most people don't go climb rocks and do hardcore wheeling like some of the members here do.... MOST of those trucks that you see all prettied up never see a dirt road. They're all for show.... At least the ones I see are anyway... there's nowhere around here for trail riding in trucks... people would rather have a mostly stock truck and a 30k buggy to ride around in....or float in....on the weekends down here

 

My sport has leather, sunroof, dual climate zone, scoop, homelink, auto high beams, etc... pretty much everything that pro has except the locker and the fox suspension

Only way to get a MT with double cab up here.

 

My sport has none of that, except auto high beams (and really, who cares about this lol)

Only way to get an access cab manual down here

 

IMO auto high beams is one of the dumbest things on my taco, just like lane departure "alert". I do like the BSM though, kind of cool but everything else is not needed for me. It could have had manual crank windows as i far as i was concerned, as long as it had the MT. I wish they offered SR with 6spd in DC, i would have probably get that and saved some cash.

 

Somebody got the added luxury package... I see a lot of those, want everything it has.... except for that mf sunroof. Have one now... PO let it leak and leak until it warped the headliner... silliconed it shut and had headliner recovered but the headroom is seriously lacking with the sunroof and I wish I could delete it without having to put an entire top lid on.

 

Agreed. Better to just get an OR and spend the extra on mods. I dont feel like the Pro adds to the capability much for the premium it costs.

 

Thats the only way it comes from the factory if you wanted MT in double cab in canada, so i didnt have a say. I dont need all this shit. I do enjoy the sunroof though. That sucks you are having issues but i had older cars with sunroofs and never had a leak. Im 5'11" and sit with a bit of a "gangsta" lean haha. So no issues with headroom for me.

 

looking back I wish I had got this. “Deluxe” or “Premium” package I think it was called. Mine is MT DCSB, not cloth seats, no sunroof, or climate control.

 

Sure they could...but would you drop 70k for the TRD Ultimate...if they were to make them ?, many would not. About diesel forget it, it's incredible that Australia and New Zealand get their Hilux in diesel and ofcourse third world countries...

 

I will get a photo for you guys.

Edit: thats how far my seat is. But i know it doesnt count because im not in the picture. I have my work van right now...

 

OP. I share your pain.

I wish Toyota was a little more innovative -- adding features and capabilities to their vehicles than they currently offer. But the reality is that innovation is the enemy of reliability and while many may disagree the core DNA of Toyota from a design point is all based on reliability. Some car companies choose driver feel (BMW), some choose luxury (Mercedes) and some choose engineering (Audi). Toyota has staked its ground out on reliability and for many years that was working for them. One could argue that they are the most reliable when it comes to their product portfolio across the board -- this is why it took until the third generation to finally get power seats -- and we only get it on one side and with minimal adjustments! But there is clearly an upside with this approach, for sure. Which is why you see so many Tacomas here that are older with high mileage -- and, of course, the resale values staying where they are and rising.

Two things I think are worth note:

First, Toyota recognizes they have a problem on their hands. They are not changing fast enough nor are they innovating quite enough. Ford is coming after them in the truck space (Bronco, Ranger) and Hyundai is coming after them in the sedan and SUV space. Lexus IS a little long in the tooth and there are several Toyota models that have been neglected. Toyota is a public company and they have noted as much publicly. I think they will make incremental improvements to the Tacoma because their attention, focus and resources are directed elsewhere so they can refresh and modernize their entire portfolio:

https://www.gearpatrol.com/cars/a703934/toyota-suv-pickup-sports-car-lexus-sedan-massive-changes/

Second, Toyota views the Tacoma as somewhat of an open platform. They clearly support and encourage the aftermarket. When it comes to the Tacoma it seems their view is to create a great, reliable Truck platform that individual users can customize to their hearts desire. They don't think they should do more luxury -- they feel you should choose your luxury and customize as you see fit. For them this is not a bug -- it is a feature. They want to focus on making trucks that are reliable and not get involved in the high cost, low margin add on game that many other folks find they need when it comes to accessorizing.

One thing that is worth doing is to buy one share of Toyota stock. That way, they send you their annual report. In there, they have to publicly disclose threats to their business (Hyundai !) as well as product plans and growth strategies. Very interesting.

I think if there was an executive here from Toyota -- which I am not -- they would answer your post by saying we recognize it, we hear you but change is slow and we would rather be sure footed than fashionable.

 

No but I might for 55

 

Maybe I can show my buddy so he can stop bitchin about the headroom while also upping his street cred at the same time.