Test drove a new Silverado...

Having owned one I can say most probably don't repair it because from experience it was a bitch to get at and replace. I'll keep my Tacoma.

 

Have you priced a Tundra Crewmax TRD lately????????

 

I'll agree, I had a few other GM cars that I had very good luck with. My Colorado pissed me off enough puking the head, cam, timing chain and such at 78K and 5 yrs old after not being more than a daily driver, but had GM stood by their written warranty and the dealer's words to me I'd still be driving GM. The constant lies on all fronts by them and telling me it's "normal" to need $5000 of engine replaced at that timeframe is why I stopped buying GM.

 

I would gladly trade my POS pseudo-limited slip for my old GM G80 locker. IMO, that was about the only good part of the entire Silverado...

 

I've had the pleasure of trying my new 2013 TRD tacoma sport in the snow this week. We got about a 1/4 inch of sleet then 2-3 inches of snow. I've tried hard to spin and slide and when the traction kicks in, you simply take off. I went down my parents driveway just to see if I could get up it in 2wd, didn't even spin once! Very impressed with the traction and overall performance in the nasty weather. Find new things I enjoy everyday

 

I like the looks of the Chevy better myself. The GMC looks weird to me. Every time I see this...

I think of this...

 

This is why I'll never touch another vehicle from GM or Chrysler. Ever. They can shove their new 2014 silverado/ Sierra and Ram ecojunk diesel straight up their poop shoots.

 

Thank you for your support of the American worker. Maybe your next truck should be a Chinese import.

 

I've spent a lot of time behind the wheel of my old man's f150 fx4 ecoboost and I have to say that it is great. The instant torque from the motor is reminiscint of my previous car (WRX) but the smoothness and refinedness is much better than any 4 banger turbo. So far he gets about 13mpg city and 20highway (@ ~75mph). On the freeway it feels much more stable than my tacoma. Body roll is more limited and it seems to glide over bumps with ease. It's the type that will get you a ticket for going 90mph without even noticing. My only complaint is the entertainment system. Ford Sync is about as clunky as you might expect, although anyone with basic computer skills could figure it out. Needless to say I set up my dad's Bluetooth and iPhone for him. In higher trim models, it doesn't have a standard AUX input; other than Bluetooth, the only way to "plug in" via your mp3 player's headphone jack is to use a 3.5mm to RCA cable. The RCA ports are inside the center storage compartment. Frankly the FX4 is the nicest car he has ever owned. It has navigation, back up cam, HIDs,
leather, etc. It ended being $51k OTD. Yikes. He is happy with his purchase except for the fact that it doesn't usually get the advertised MPG. I'm hoping that after the first oil change it will improve slightly.

 

For anyone interested David Halberstam's The Reckoning is a good read on the fall of the US and rise of the Japanese auto industries.

 

Toyota only

 

My son in law says the same thing the MPG doesn't come close to what they say you should get. His truck also was $51,000.

 

I love my Taco, but the MPG doesn't come close to what they say.....

 

Agreed aswell . They have Very powerful motors , tons of aftermarket . But seems like everyone I know with one is always at the dealer for small problems or engine lights . Type of truck you buy and trade in every 3 years IMO.

 

I think if you want a 4 wheel drive mall crawler that will wine and dine you and the wife then these big expensive trucks are for you. If you want rugged, go anywhere capabilities and dont need to haul or tow a ton of weight then i say tacoma. With a little bit of money you can make the tacoma even better.

 

Thanks for the review, OP. My next truck in 1-3 years will be a full size, so I like hearing what someone's first hand experience was like. Right now I'm torn between a F-150 King Ranch with a 5.0 or a Sierra Denali with the new 6.2. From what I'm picturing with your driveway, I'm not shocked the truck couldn't make it up although you say the Tacoma and Tundra do. Either way, you're the one with the experience, so you would know best!

Kinda surprised everyone loves their Tacoma in the snow so much. Mine is just OK...I slip around a lot, but I do get where I'm going eventually. I just find myself using 4WD more than in my old trucks is all. Doesn't really make me think less of the truck, I just don't think of it as a beast in the snow. My 1990 F-150 was way better. As far as the full-size market, I agree with those that say it's greatly improved. Personally, I don't even find the Tundra at all competitive with the Big 3.

 

Okay Diligaff you have me curious now. Why is it that I see so many GM trucks withrunning lights not working? Slcnbldr mentionedthe bulb is difficult to replace and that may be true but I don’t buy that isthe reason for the issue. It seems to methere is some kind of quality issue. Idon’t want to get wrapped around the axel over a light not working but if theycan’t do that it’s a sign of poor engineering. I mean, I’m sure the vp of engineering drives around and see’s the samething and still it is allowed to go on year after year. As an example my wife and I went out for breakfastthis morning and I saw four GM trucks and three of them had running lights out. I live in a rural area and the restaurant isonly ~8 miles away.

 

6.2 sierra denali?? you cant compare that to a tacoma. That thing cost what 2 fully loaded tacomas cost !! lol

Nice trucks though !

Also what year is your taco ? I know the limited slip rear diff started in I think 09 or 10 ? It helps quite a bit in the snow

 

That is like saying why does someone drive around and get all worked up about the tacoma leaning to one side on every tacoma produced. We know the reason, it is all about cost on any vehicle. The tacoma has had the issue since 05 and it is still made the same way with the same VP from toyota having his job.

To the OP the rear diff did lock up as was designed, so it would be a traction issue at that point.

 

If pretty sure the lean has been addresses . Front springs now have different part numbers , I think 2012 it started if not earlier .