Do all new vehicles suck..?

Yes, that would be a nice solution. I can only afford one vehicle and really need a 4x4 with a small pickup bed. Looking for the best solution and small pickups are the best for me. My 2016 TRD-OR is close. Rides and handles quite nicely, comfortable. Actually enough HP, just needs more bottom end torque and better shifting.

I seem to remember the old Colorado could bet gotten with a 5.3L V8? Nice is we could see a v8 in the Tacoma, they did offer one in the 4Runner a while back. Pretty sure we never will..

 

You missed a lot of fun cars. I'd add:

Nissan Juke Nismo Edition (Both FWD and AWD editions, each has benefits)
Ford Mustang (newest edition, corners like nothing else now)
Ford Focus (both RS and ST versions)
Mini Cooper S
Mitsubishi Ralliart AWD
Mazda 3 Speed
Honda Civic Type R

I'm sure I missed a few others but I've been in most of those cars and they are a blast for affordable money.

Tons of choices there. Those editions often have pre programmed launch modes so you should just hammer the peddle and forget.

 

They sold almost no 5.3 L Colorado's. They built them because of all the bitching on the forums and then when they released no one ordered one. The same thing would happen to the Tacoma. No one wants to pay for what it would cost.

 

Yes, all of them, build your own, they fly.

 

Yep, those are winners as well...

 

I, for one, would...

 

Here is some more of my toys.

 

We would see. Like I said, the same was said by hundreds of posters on GM forums and when the company followed through almost no one actually ponied up for one.

 

Agree fully with the OP.

 

Not really a new thing but people love to make it seem like it's a new trend to rationalize in their head why they would purchase a truck with a poorly designed Powertrain

 

The problem with the cars back in the day had less gas mileage, emissions or crash test standards to abide by. Manufactures now have to make them a priority which leads to cutting in other areas.

 

Arrgh.. Cherokee.! Love Cherokee's (XJ's). Had a 1996 Limited. 4 liter with tons of torque. solid axles, coil spring suspension. Your bringing back fond memories...
Also had a 1989 Comanche.. Another I would own again..

 

Automakers have been focused on improving fuel economy since the 70s. This is not a new thing.

 

^^ Yes, and the thing is my old 1988 GMC Sierra stick 4.3L V6 4x4 got about the same gas mileage as my new 2016 Tacoma 3.5 (19-23 mpg). A lot the 'tech' they are putting into the new engines only helps out a 'tad' and can take away from the drive-ability.

 

Bingo.

 

I had a 72 Chevy 4x4 on 38s, locked, lifted and ready to rock that got better mph when towing than the Toy.

 

Its a commuter (ala replaces a bus or subway or a train)

The problem with cars now is the same as with Common Core issue.
Crap needs dumb down because some people refuse to learn.
Automakers are trying to make cars for low IQ drivers, and we all have to suffer. I have no solution to this except increase driver testing to the same levels as many other countries have.

 

I have had a ton of fun cars and driven nearly everything out there from Ferrari on down, and the most fun cars are lotus. The exige S is as close to driving nirvana as there is (well, maybe the Caterham I drove is slightly more fun). Vehicular crack cocaine basically. The best part is that unlike nearly every other fancy sports car, it was dirt cheap to run and extremely reliable because it was a Toyota 2zz engine (actually Yamaha made) and trans in an aluminum tub with a fiberglass body. An off the shelf radio was the only real electrickery in it.

Of course the .gov killed it along with my beloved Land Rover defenders. I bought the taco because it was as simple as a new vehicle comes.

 

I dread the day driverless cars take over the road. Yes it will probably by safer but that's because people have forgotten how to drive (more interested in their damn phones) and it's gotten so much more congested than years ago. I love to drive - when I can actually drive. I mean drive as in not stopping ever 50 ft for someone who wants to turn left in front of you but doesn't have the balls to make the move. If everyone would just learn the rules of the road and how to maneuver the vehicle in different conditions and simply drive the vehicle instead of eating, talking on the phone, messing with the touch screen, reading a text, checking what that notification was, etc....

The driverless car thing is only going to work when all cars are driverless and communicating with each other. Even then, I will never fully trust it with my life.

 

Nothing will ever beat the feel of an old car. There is something so visceral about being physically connected to a car. Whether or not it's an old American car floating along the interstate with ease or a small European sports car carving up the back roads. New cars are where they are for a number of reasons, they range from safety regulations, emissions, fuel economy, and (my favorite bit) the bean counters.

$18 Car Guys vs. Bean Counters: The Battle for the Soul of American Business

http://www.amazon.com/Car-Guys-vs-Bean-Counters/dp/1591846226

If you're a car guy this book is fantastic.