Thoughts on New TRD Sport

Lots of variables but I'll guess the OP's will improve.

Regarding winter blends, I'll add that gas mileage SUDDENLY goes to shit come late October around here, cold weather or not. Our trucks are about as dynamic as a brick cold or hot too.

 

We're probably not gonna see Toyota work hard to make the engine any better. The Tacoma is selling well - why invest money when they can just milk the cash cow. They'll wait to be trumped by another first, then they will offer a newer engine that can be both more efficient and more powerful.

 

You're getting way too stressed out over all this..... slowly step away from the computer.

I live in Pennsylvania and I tell it how I experience it here....in my hometown, with my truck, with my driving conditions.

You can't doubt what people experience just because *the theory* should prove everyone wrong. Variables are there to prove theories wrong. Everyone has different variables.

 

I prefer the compact designs. I could live with the Tundra and the additional space would come in handy at times, but most of the time, it would be overkill for my needs.

I really am a 'needs' shopper more than a 'wants' shopper. There is nothing wrong with buying something you don't need but want, but I would guestimate that most people who buy a fullsize really do not need a fullsize and will never come close to remotely using them for what they were designed to do--haul or transport large loads. A lot of it is style over function. A big truck with a large presence on the road does look nice , and it has that tough and rumble feel to it. But most of the vehicle will just be carried around as unused dead weight for most buyers, and they often handle like a brick. 95% of the time you see a fullsize on the road, there is nothing in the bed, no trailer hitch in the back, no toolbox or rack, and there is one person in the truck. Most people buy fullsize simply for the sake of getting a fullsize, not need. I would say the Fullsize market appeals more to the image-conscious wants shopper and the compact/mid market appeals more to the practical-minded needs buyer.

Driving the Tundra and Tacoma back-to-back when testing, the Tundra had the agility of a pregnant rhinoceros. Night and day handling between the two. But since they are often close in MPG depending on trim, this negates the reason most practical needs-shoppers go for the compact segment--gas. Price can also no longer be used as the reason for going small as one often finds fullsize prices can be had for less than the compacts. THe only serious advantage to compact over fullsize now is the simple fact that, as you said, its smaller and easier to live with--and you get to drive something that doesn't have the agility of a pregnant rhino.

 

I get 19 mpgs sometimes pushing twenty with a double cab. Yeah its some highway driving, but los angeles highway driving is more like idling in a parking lot. Don't press the gas for every little thing, and cruise to a stop if its a red light and you're in no rush. You'll get there before it turns green so who cares....

 

I can answer wth two words: Ford Ranger

The Ranger is dead because it turned into an archaic relic that was left alone to rot. It was the #1 Compact pickup for a decade, until competitors came out with more modern, fuel efficient engines. The Ranger AVG's 15 MPG for a reason. While the competition invested in research, Ford rested on its laurels, assuming it would always be top dog and the Ranger would always sell, no matter what.

The Nissan Froniter is now rising and it is cliping the Tacoma's heels in terms of popularity and sales in this segment. With GM and Ford now out of the picture for a while, it's a race between Nissan and Toyota to see who can convince the most buyers that they offer what people really want in this segment.

Nissan will overtake them if they do revamp and come out with an engine that trumps the current Taco V6 in MPG. It's a race to the pump now. The question that should be on the mninds of the marketing and engineering teams is, who can create the most fuel-efficient compact V6? WHoeever does this, comes out ahead.

Also, if Toyota wants to stay on top, they need to address price. IMO, the #1 reason people buy the Frontier over the Tacoma right now is the price. A well-equipped frontier can be had for a lot cheaper. Novice truck buyers don't care about most of the stuff talked about on forums like this--offroading prowess and such. They are much more likely to make a decision based on finances. I know two Frontier owners in the office. Both said they think the Taco is legendary but it is just too expensive for what you get and what you need. Whether that is true or not is irrelevant. What people think when they open up their wallet is what matters.

The last thing Toyota should do is rest on its laurels and assume their bread will always be buttered with the Tacoma. Ford lost the race because they fell asleep at the wheel wth the Ranger and lost touch with reality. People have a short memory when it comes to $5 a gallon gas and thier allegiances can change quickly. The Ranger was killed through neglect. The Tacoma can be, too. It is not in imminent danger, but it wouldn't be the first time a classic, immensely popular vehicle eventually bit the dust because of lack of attention by a manufacturer who took current popularity for granted.

RIP, Ranger.

It is actually bad that Ford and GM are now out of the picture. More compeittion=more effort on the part of manufacturers to stay current and offer competitive pricing models to folks like us. Nissan and Toyota now only need to worry about each other.

On anotgher note, IMO Toyota should get out of the fullsize segment altogether and put all their efforts into the Midsize/Compact category. THe US manufacturers realized it is in their best interest right now to get out of the compact segment and focus on the fullsize market. The Tundra sales figures have always been pretty bad compared to the Big Four. Toyota in the Fullsize segment in the US is a fish out of water. Just scrap it and build on the Tacoma platform and offer a more diverse range from true compact to Midsized..Tundra sales have been pretty bad the last couple of years. AVG days on lot is absurdly high compared to RAM or Ford this time of year. IMO, both Nissan and Toyota will either be forced out, or withdrawl, from the fullsize segment in the next five years. They can't compete with the popularity of the big four in the segment. The Titan has always been a relative non-player from its inception. Tundra has only been marginally better. A test drive of the titan tells you why. It is overpriced, underpowered for its class, and hasn't been touched in years. It's a dead man walking. Tundra is right behind it.