So Toyota is wussing out on the Engine, dang it. 270HP but add gearing

There are a lot of things I don't like about GM, but the LS isn't one of them.

 

You can still have metal armor and airbags. You don't need just one or the other.

The stock plastic bumper is the safest option in 99% of vehicular collisions for all parties involved. I don't know anyone running a custom plastic bumper. What I do know is a ton of guys who think a big ARB bumper on a truck is going to save them when they get in a head on collision when really it's probably going to fuck up the airbag timing with some darwin like results. Bumpers are great for trees and if you have hoops they are good for anything up to a deer as well up to a certain speed. Anything past that and they are just as likely to cause more harm than good.

I've seen plenty of pictures of iron cross and ARB style bumpers on Diesels put a moose right through the windshield. At least death is quick for the driver.

On a side note lots of people cover there metal parts with plastic, like paint or linex, to protect them . It'd be kind of stupid not too

 

One word: Securefoam....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnyhkBU1yaw

 

that and the 3 sea shells

 

LOL.

I love that movie.

In all seriousness there is a middle ground between wrapping yourself in foam and armoring a car like a tank.

 

Middle ground is for pussies.

 

Sounds good to me.

 

That's not what WW1 vets would say

 

LOL!

 

You kidding? My neighbors 6.2 Denali gets 10-12mpg in the city and like 18 highway, 15 highway towing. My 3.4 gets 14-16 city, 18-21 highway and 15 towing

 

GM inflates their numbers hard. I too know a few people with 6.2's who complain the mileage is the shits.

 

No, not kidding you. Getting EPA #'s has never been hard for me. My point is that while the 3.4 is a solid and reliable engine, MPG has come a long way and you can get comparible MPG from the 6.2 and 3.4. Happy for your neighbor though. He's one dude.

 

Yeah he's cool.

 

So, how about that third Gen Tacoma none of you are buying but you enjoy trashing?

It's almost like those people who trash luxury car owners just because they could never afford a car like that.

Oh wait, did I just stumble on the poverty gen problems

 

I think the gen 1 refresh looked the most handsome. I am a little partial though. =)

 

I prefer my truck's to be aged like fine wine and if toyota wants me to drop $30k+ on a truck then they need to make an updated compact pickup with sas and optional supercharger, v8, and/or turbo diesel. Oh and not make it look butt ugly. They really missed their mark the the last 4 runner and this new taco as far as aesthetics go imho

 

and the 6.2 lays down 420 hp/460 tq....there is that. for that much out put, fuel consumption isn't too shabby.

 

Absolutely a fun vehicle to drive and the Denali is AWD so it corners great for a big SUV

 

I am looking at these numbers and according to the Mid 70's Station Wagon article I saw earlier this week, big block V8 in the full sized wagons were between 170 and 190hp, using the old style measurements. We have come a LONG way.

Howard

 

What is that saying? "Live like nobody does today, so you can live like nobody does later".

I don't want to afford a "luxury" Tacoma. $30k+ for a smaller, equally fuel efficient, less powerful truck that looks like a bad mashup from Matchbox.

I understand that these vehicles are being produced this way to appeal to the masses, but is it impossible to produce a model that has less bells and whistles, and more functionality? More of a utilitarian version?

People LOVE the FJ40 (bucket list truck for me, personally) and quite honestly, I've been considering a hunt for a late 70's to early 80's model pick up. If I could get the similar, from a Tacoma or 4runner, I'd probably buy one. Maybe I am a massive minority, and much more so at my ripe old age of 33. Oh well.