Consumer Reports

Ok, so I read the annual consumer reports on cars and trucks. I am well aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the company and its reviews but for some reason I was a little bummed that Tacoma was rated so low. 50/100. I love my truck, can't say that I've driven a lot of different ones but where's the LOVE CR?

On the other hand CR did rate Behr paint as the best paint. And Behr paint sucks really bad.

Anyway check out the report some time.

 

I used to subscribe to CR. Not anymore. That about says it all.

 

So what are the top performers in our trucks category

 

Probably Honda Ridgeline, lol

 

Yeah, I used to think consumer reports was the thing to go by!

 

Honda Ridgeline was #1 and the Nissan Frontier was #2.

I have a buddy who owns a Ridgeline. It has warnings against off road use??? Says miled off-pavement use only with the 4WD...??? CR went on and on about the in-bed trunk. I don't get it...

I don't know anyone who owns a Frontier and only see older ones on the road in our area. Maybe they're more popular in other areas..??? I had a '98 Pathfinder that was the best vehicle that I've ever owned. That was the last year of the monobody/unibody or whatever it was called. I had the 4x4 with all the options except leather - think it was an SE. I took that thing into some areas that were insane. It was skinny, nimble and rock solid. I still miss that vehicle... I sold it to a ranch manager with 140K on it - because it had developed a shifting issue in the auto tranny... It went anoter 100K an finally blew the head gasket - tranny never gave up... Sorry for the ramble - good times in the old pathfinder.

 

Being a huge R50 Pathfinder fan I must correct you. The body style you had came with the old iron block VG33 motor and was around from 96-99.5. A face lifted body style based on the same chassis used the ubiquitous VQ35 motor and was around from 99.5-04. I had a 97 with the automatic and a 2" suspension lift and traded up to a 01 with the 250 hp motor and the 5 speed manual. Pulled the lift and wheels off of my 97 and installed them on my 01. To this day I regret trading it in for my 2011 Civic Si but that led me to my Tacoma, which may overtake the Pathfinder as my favorite vehicle if it lasts me 150k+...

 

I drove the Frontier my buddy has one, nice truck. After I drove it though I was even more happy I went with the Taco. I get what you are saying about the Pathfinder I had a Jeep that went forever, but I disagree about putting the Frontier ahead of the Taco. I think for guys who use their truck offroad or for anything other then getting groceries would never get a Ridgline.

 

Honda ridgeline. I have nothing bad to say about Nissan.

I used to be a fan of Consumer Reports, but not so sure anymore.

 

Honda RIdgeline? CR has to be kidding or they don't know anything about trucks.

 

Who cares what CR has to say? You can get all of your info on these trucks from this forum.

 

CR offers only an OPINION on products. Sometimes they're spot on, sometimes they're WRONG. The Ridgeline isn't really a truck. It's more of a SUV with a small bed. It rides like a car and has an AWESOME interior. My wife's Pilot has the same motor as the RL. Plenty of power, decent fuel economy. If you want an SUV with a bed, get a Ridgeline. Frontier....WAY cheaper than a Tacoma. Lot's more options (I could have gotten a loaded double cab Frontier with Leather for around $25k). More power. Rides like a truck. Looks kinda funky though (that's what my kids said when we checked them out). Tacoma. Looks good. Interior is comfy enough. Almost rides like a car (so close I think it does). Plenty of power. The clincher?? How many Ridgelines or Frontiers do you see on the road? Few. How many OLD do you see on the road??? Almost NONE. How many Tacomas? Prolly see a dozen on my 11 mile commute. Old? A lot of old trucks still on the road (my '95 xtra cab would still be driven had it not lost a battle with a Lincoln Navigator). Tacoma...No other choice.

 

I get it...it is a real nice feature.

however, I reconize that the Ridgeline is more of an SUV with an open back than a truck.

 

True but for the average person CR maybe what they are looking to for help deciding. I think what we are talking about is the fact that CR is wrong or may be wrong and that is a disservice to the public, who are looking to it as the definitive guide for consumers. We are not your average buyers we are the informed exception to the "dumb" average buyer.

 

My pathfinder looked similar to this. I left it stock- It was silver with the grey cloth/checkered seats. I regret trading mine as well.

 

LOL, that was a total guess on my part. CR is a joke.

 

I suppose, but personally would'nt get much use from it. you can't get to it when the truck is loaded. It's very low and getting stuff in/out has gotta be tough on our back. Honda website has a cooler pictured in there- Couldn't imagine lifting a loaded cooler out of there at that angle..
http://automobiles.honda.com/ridgeline/exterior-photos.aspx

Fortunately I don't have back problems, but lifting chit at that angle is begging for a week of light duty...

 

I have seen it 1st hand...it is real nice. water tight & it locks.

 

Yes I have seen the reviews and they are crap. The whole Tacoma "Ask someone who drives one" ad campaign was meant to circumvent reviews by publications like CR. It makes me angry to read BS that people write and other people use as a definitive guide, when it is just that BS. That is the value of forums like this but we are in the minority when it come to being informed. I research everything I buy almost as a compulsion. Sometimes I can't believe what people will pay for some cheap POS. But I guess Buyer Beware is true. Guys like us on this forum are aware more then 95 percent of the people I know what about you?

 

The most important part of CR's annual car edition is the reliability history. This is what I check before I buy any vehicle. It is an unbiased listing of all reported problems of a vehicle by CR subscribers. I have found this report 'spot-on' with mechanical issues and problems. So don't take CR test results so seriously. Just look at the reliability ratings. If you want to laugh, check out GM,Ford, and Chrysler compared to Toyota and Honda. Its a real eye opener.