P/U Trucks & Competitive Market

Not sure where this is going at this point - while waiting for my OR AC decided to take a look at the competition. Looked at them all, but there's one that caught my attention. Ford.

After having so many Toyota's the past 25 years really hadn't given any thought to changing brands. Between the reliability, resale and function, things were going very well.

Would love to see something like the 3.5L Ecoboost in a taco! 360 HP w/ 420 lbs of torque! Can you imagine that! Things that caught my attention were the vast choices and packages to choose from in an F-150. It's almost crazy. But the interior fit and feel was what really got my attention. It makes the taco seem so dated. Flat panels displays, integrated electronics, fabric & seat choices, convenience items (electric back window for example) and much more. All for not that much more money. Just putting a mid-size dual sport bike in back of a taco and the suspension is being taxed with those light weight leaf springs.

All this comes at a price. Not so much the $ but size. 4" wider, much larger turning radius and long as you want it. Now to think about what fits the need best, not what I'd like to have....... One of each

 

Too big and the towing mileage sucks.

 

Another 24hrs and Toyota will announce the re-designed Tundra....I bet the new V6 may look pretty good and find its way into the Taco this fall....

 

I like my Ford and the Tacoma. Both have their ups and downs. I wished my 12 tacoma had some of the features my 04 F-150 had but it is Toyota and they don't like to change very much.

Not much had changed from my 06 sport to my current tacoma except for some electronics and smog pump thing under the hood.

Towing- My Ford sucks some gas down but it will pulls the weight so much better than the tacoma. Obviously 1/2 ton vs midsize. The overall size doesnt really bother me because I honestly do not think its to big. Granted the Tacoma is easier to park and is a bit more narrow.

I will agree with you that the newer Ford's have my attention as well and sure wished they would offer some competition for the tacoma market. I HOPE the Tacoma has a major redesign and fits the bill for most peoples wants/needs.

 

The newer F-150's are incredible trucks. Lets be honest, no gas engine truck gets good MPG towing, some diesels do. BUT- The ecoboost F-150 puts down great MPGs during regular city/highway driving. Substantially better than my 4.0 V-6.

I keep my Tacoma because of the size, the reliability, and its paid for. I have had it so long its like a good pair of boots. It just fits. I do love the new F-150s though! FX-4 with locker, please.

 

I sold a F-150 with the Ecoboost engine for a 2013 Tacoma. The F-150 is HUGE by comparison. Parking and overall maneuverability, it much easier with the Tacoma.

No it does not have all the bells and whistles of the F-150 but it fit how I use a Truck better. As for milage, I drive over a mountain pass every weekend and put 200 miles of highway driving round trip. The Ford was averaging around 19 and the Tacoma (with 800 miles) has averaged 20.

Cheers,
Hutch

 

Interior comfort? Buy a car.

 

I was just going to post that in off topic sec, im excited to see it

 

I looked very hard at the F150 Ecoboost before I purchased my Taco. Towing, the F150 3.5 will get much better economy than the Taco, not to mention the superior capacity.

 

I beg to differ, when towing and the truck goes into boost your mileage will go to shit. I read alot on the ford forums for the ecoboost and alot of complaints is horrible mileage when towing with the ecoboost.
Im not saying ours are great but its still pretty bad, yes they can tow more but I dont want 8 mpg

 

Maybe I don't get the whole forced induction but I thought turbos use wasted energy to supply the engine with "compressed" air? With more air I can see the need for more fuel but with a 3.5L I doubt its pouring it in.
Sure if you redline the darn thing any engine, including diesels, will not get crap for fuel economy.

If you tow near the upper limits on a tacoma I bet you will see 7-11 mpg just like you would on every other vehicle out there.

Idk maybe I'm missing something here?

 

Both of my trucks ride better than most cars I've ridden in.

 

I thought I read somewhere that Ford and Toyota actually partnered up in developing a new engine. Btw, I was just talking to my neighbor this morning about my battery going out at 27 months and she mentioned that their new 2012 F150 is currently at the dealership for a tranny problem.

 

Its pouring in, theres a reason why they have bigger injectors on those motors so when there in boost its able to keep up with the forced induction, yeah it drinks fuel in boost, my previous tacoma was SC and when I towed going up inclines i saw my needle move

 

yeah, how dare you want a comfortable $30k vehicle in the 21st century.

I personally think toyota should bring back the compact pickup... but thats a whole other rant/thread

 

This wasn't to bash or created any sort of real comparison. They're apples and oranges for the most part. I was just surprised as hell the 150's are so refined.

BTW - that 3.5L is having some issues with the inter-cooler causing some water to enter the combustion chamber. Sounds like the air may be too cool or something. Plenty of unhappy 3.5L owners with trucks that loose power under load. Teething problems in real world application? The 5.0 is shit IMHO. Less complexity with plain old fashioned function. Twin turbo's with all related hardware and plumbing spells potential trouble IMO. But it's still amazing all things considered.

Really wish Toyo would be more proactive in re-design of the taco as 10 long years is quite a stretch. Just not enough competition in this segment. Nissan is happy with whatever fall-out they get and offer 4 - 5K saving for those willing customers.

Hey jandrews - I'm get'in older, bit of comfort ain't all bad. But yeah, I get it.

 

I want an F150. But my truck is paid off and the model I'd get is pushing $50k and I'm in no hurry to spend that kind of money when the Taco only has 50k miles on it.

As far as amenities save for the mild refresh the truck has been around since late 2004 whereas the F150 saw a substantial revamp in 2010 and got some upgrades for 2013. Its also their bread and butter vehicle they can't afford to let it get stale.

 

yeah in the 1600's

 

well said.