Toyota Needs to Step Up!

You actually have that backwards, the sunroof has been available on the Off Road since 2016 but didn't show up in the Pro until the later years.

 

Fucken eh, 2 birds 1 stone.

 

I gotta go do some work for fuck sakes, TW is so addicting sometimes.

 

Totally agree with everything you’re saying here. My original post might have came across as very aggressive, which is probably the reason for the negative feedback I’ve received. I whole heartedly agree with everything you said, especially the open platform and reliability. I guess, in essence, I too am looking for incremental changes in the platform as a whole. I just thought, they could take everything reliable that they had and make this incremental changes to one trim level on either the 4Runner, Tacoma, or both.

 

Wait...we're supposed to be working? No wonder my sup is upset

 

I don't get why everyone is hating on OP... making a higher trim doesn't take anything away from the lower trim or make it less reliable. Just because you don't want it doesn't mean that other people don't. Think the market has shown people will line up and pay top dollar for factory offerings (Raptor and Pro to lesser extent).

To top it off everyone keeps saying that's not what people want and then in the next breath talk about the huge aftermarket for the Tacoma. That shows the market is there and an opportunity that Toyota is missing out on.

Finally all of the you can do XYZ for cheaper aftermarket... who gives a fuck? You still can do that but also have the option of Toyota doing it for you AND keeping warranty and resale value. That's like saying why buy a new GT500 when I can mod some rusted out fox body for less and have a "better" car.

 

I think it's more the market of people buying a Tacoma vs a Raptor. If Toyota is going to get in the market, as previously stated, it will be slow due to large initial cost and just seeing what they should offer. I'm also curious if that happens, what the dealers will be upcharging those models to due to possible rarity or demand. Absolutely people are interested and would probably do it, but there's a lot to consider besides just what someone would pay or what manufacturer offered medications would be best

 

Thank you for saying so eloquently what I’ve been trying to for 2 hours lol

 

I don't mind the initial post even if it was a bit aggressive -- no shame in bringing the energy to the forum or the discussion! It wasn't like you were being ridiculous. I thought it was worth noting and sparked a good discussion. For the record, I didn't find it aggressive but in good fun. Kind of like a good old fashioned bar stool discussion among friends.

 

If it comes down to putting money into making the taco fit bigger tires and a lift from the factory or put that money into coming up with a better engine and transmission tune - i'll take the better tune. I'm not saying its entirely a zero sum game, but I think its incorrect to say that developing all this extra fancy stuff won't take away from the basic features of the vehicle. Toyota has limited resources and we've seen evidence that they want to cut costs wherever they can anyway.

 

Haha! The problem is, i work solo so no supervisor for me. Im the supervisor which is not a good thing sometimes...


Gotta go make that marble shine now

 

Make it look nice a perty, ya hear?!

 

I don't think people are hating on the OP ... are they? I hope not. It is a fun discussion and should be treated as such. Plus, if anyone truly does hate it they can always just move on as there are plenty of other forums here they can participate in !

I think the point on the after market is that I really think it is part of Toyota's design point -- create the platform and them let people innovate and customize as they see fit. It is clear that Toyota doesn't want to be Jeep and sell a ton of accessories. There is a market opportunity but I think Toyota figures they don't want that to distract from their main focus. I give them credit for drawing a circle around where they see their value and staying out of places where they don't want to play.

 

I agree, BUT the whole thing here is that Toyota's target market is not the people that go and buy trucks that are shiny to drive around until they decide the newer ones are shiner. Their target market is people that are willing to pay for reliability over luxury IMO.

 

What really sparked this is what I’ve watched happened with SxS’s over the years. I think Polaris RZR really invented the game as far as recreational SxS’s. However, over the years I’ve seen them improve in performance, looks, and reliability. I’ve seen Yamaha get in the game with the YXZ and now the RMAX. I’ve seen Honda and Kawasaki join in with the Talon and KRX. And now in response to all that, Polaris has reminded everybody who is king by releasing the all new Polaris RZR XP Pro Ultimate Edition. Now is it ridiculously expensive? Hell yeah it is. Is it really freaking cool and ready to go right from the dealership. Hell yeah it is.

I see Toyota Tacoma and 4Runner in this same position.

I realize this is two completely different markets. People buy trucks and SxS’s for completely different reasons. One is a tool and one is a toy. But still... there’s some merit to it, at least in my own mind.

 

No doubt there are improvements that can be made all around. The difference is the higher trims are cash cows for the companies. They will make more profit (per unit) from those sales and those can be used to improve the product overall.

 

Yeah thats fair. I'm sure the pro makes the sales guys salivate

 

Years ago, I liked the S10 ZR2. It was the Off-Road looking S10. Lifted with bigger tires from the factory. It wasn't built like a normal S10 though. It had a different frame and suspension, and the aftermarket for it wasn't there like it was for the standard S10. Toyota would have to make similar changes to the Tacoma to comfortably fit 33s.

 

The Aftermarket is mainly bolt on items which I would have no problem with Toyota offering although the prices would be substainally higher. What I got from the OP was he was wanting drastic Powertrain, Frame, and Body Modifications which in order to pay for would require higher prices on lower models to cover that investment.

 

How about the folks that just want to sit up higher than the ride height of a car, the convenience of not having to borrow a truck. Overall versatility. Don’t off road and don’t want to jack up the back of a 4R simply put...