Consumer Reports

^^ Wise up, guy. Have you seen the amount of advertising on their website and in their other publications? The publisher does accept advertising.

 

The only advertising I see on their website or magazine is for their own subscriptions. I have looked through their magazine and cannot locate any ads. Would you please direct me to an ad on their website or magazine? I need to wise up.

 

I kinda agree with some of CR's points, but I do think the Tacoma is the best overall mid size truck. My roommate has a 2005 Frontier and I prefer mine to his, as do our friends. However, I think CR's negatives are reasons why the mid size truck market makes little sense anymore unless you just have to have a physically smaller truck. The new full size trucks ride better, haul more, are more comfortable, and get better gas mileage than the Tacoma or Frontier. It honestly makes little sense to buy a mid size anymore, IMO.

One thing I don't get - why does a truck have to ride rough? I see a lot of people refuting the "rides rough" criticism with "it's a truck!" Isn't it better if a truck can still be tough, tow a trailer, haul stuff, go off road, etc., and ride smooth? Isn't that what improving on a vehicle is about? Why should Tacoma owners (or any truck owner) have to put up with a rough ride when other trucks ride much smoother?

I love my Tacoma and its been great to me, but the reasons I listed are why I'm going full size next.

 

A little off from the CR topic, but on the rough ride topic, IMO, the rough ride is something that comes with a truck because of it's off road capability as well as body on frame construction. Changing the suspension would allow a more comfortable ride, but at the price of performance off road.
The nonscientific example I can provide is driving my wife's care over the same speed bump as my truck. The bump feels softer in her car, but the car suspension flexes a lot more and bottoms out more easily as it is designed to "soften" bumps. My taco bounces over the bump, and I definitely feel the bump more, but it retains a more of it's ground clearance and suspension doesn't soak up as much of the bump. A difference in design. I personally prefer how my truck rides, so that's what I chose. After owning several full size trucks, I much prefer the smaller size, maneuverability and of road performance of the Tacoma.
All a matter of what suits your needs as to full size or not.

As far as a Ridgeline being a truck, that's just silly. I have a friend who owns one and we refer to it as the "vehicular hermaphrodite" Not a truck

 

When there's a large red Ford (or some other product) prominently displayed at the very top of the website (with many more product images sprinkled throughout), what else do you call that other than advertising? Their magazine (glossy photos, etc), and their website, are all about selling products. Considering the hundreds of millions of dollars at stake for manufacturers (and the potential for huge lawsuits), it's a little hard to believe the publication is entirely unbiased. I'm certainly not gullible enough to believe it (and arguments from you aren't going to change that).

 

Whatever

 

2 unsigned "unlikes" for this post, guess to you I should say sorry for your "short comings"

 

I just had two comments on this whole topic about CR and the lowered rating for the Taco. First, the 2nd Gen Taco is a bit dated due to the lack of a redesign. (I've ranted about that many times in other threads) It's still a great truck but one that is trying to compete with more modern vehicles.

On Consumer Reports, well they provide reviews and ratings. Their ratings are based off of surveys sent to subscribers (like me). Their reviews are based off of the opinions of their testers. Anyone who is researching a new, or used, vehicle should check several sources including CR. On my last vehicle I also checked Edmunds.com, MSN Autos, talked with people that owned them, ect...

I've owned my Taco for over 7 years now and still absolutely love it. Yet, like any smart consumer, I'll check all viable sources of Intel when it comes time to replace it. Hopefully by then the 3rd Gen Tacos will be out...