Don't Drink the Kool-Aide

Toyota does a great job of creating buyer-interest with new vehicle rollouts. We saw it with the Tundra and we're feeling it with the Taco. I'll admit that I was bit initially (see 1700 RPM), but 2 things are bringing me back to earth:

1. A C&D review on the 2023 Highlander comparing its new 2.4T with its outgoing 3.5L. Concerning to see: "the turbo four strains at times". Full review:
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a43353345/2023-toyota-highlander-2-4-turbo-by-the-numbers/

2. The words of a wise bike mechanic, who once said, "It's just a bike - use it and when it wears out you'll buy another one". I think I'll stick with my '21 G-3 and use it until it wears out, and then I'll buy a new one. It's too easy to get sucked in to the hype!

 

@pushgears Looks like the Highlander lost a little HP but the Tacoma only gains TQ with no change in HP in the auto trans. Plus it looks like both HP and TQ peak at lower rpm so should feel better to drive I would guess. But until we drive it, it’s all a guess.

 

Of course the 3.5L V6 felt strained in the 3rd gen as well, unless you got a tune which made the engine rev-happy.

 

I'm drinking gallons of kool aid. I'm all in on the 4th Gen.

 

It's on sale, we are all drinking!

 

turbo 4's have been around a looooong time internationally and performed great. Of all the criticisms of the 4th gen, that aint it

 

If I can manage with 180 ft-lbs at 3800 with my 5 speed, then I think I can suffer through the terrible awful no good boggy gutballsless experience of 310 ft-lbs at 1700.

 

I would say Toyota served up a lot of meat and potaters with the 4th Gen, not Kool-aid. That being said, I still will probably wait a couple years to pull the trigger. I went away from Toyota after I sold my 1st Gen... 2nd and 3rd didn't do it for me. But they got my attention with this one.

 

The only engine that won't "strain" anymore is the TRD Pro with the torque... rest will be same old Toyota

 

Guaranteed "unforeseen" issues with the first model year or two.

 

These trucks will be difficult to get. I probably won't be able to buy one even if I want to. I like the XtraCab, but I won't pay a mark up, I won't search the entire country for the model I want, I won't buy the 1st model year. I probably don't want to pay MSRP.

All the hype Toyota puts into their trucks really doesn't do anything when there is more demand than supply. You can't even order the truck you want, if you go that route.

 

I wonder how the hybrid will perform if you blast across the desert for a few hours?

 

Not all of us have a fresh new 2021 model..... some of us are still out here driving old long-in-the-tooth 2020s

 

Or a really long in the tooth 2004....

 

I just hope the OR comes in a long bed so I can haul even more of this kool-aide.

 

I think toyota did their homework to pass epa regs and buyers need. The key is act quickly on unexpected pop ups. Lean on dealers which Ford neglected to do with broncos. Get the loan rates within buyers affordability.

 

I wonder this myself. Maybe points to Toyota planning to actually make enough Tacomas to
meet hyped demand and keep some on the floor to gawk at and test drive. Maybe a little anxiety about the Ford and GM releases. Because I have to say to me the Ranger is the best looking new midsized and on paper objectively better than all makers.

Anyway, at the current rate just about every vehicle they make is spoken for by simply existing. Pointless to market something that sells itself unless there’s a reason, be it competition or planning to sell a shit ton.