Threw the towel in ....

We're living in a dystopian nightmare.

 

no they opted to put a midsize motor in a full size truck. Which is why you can buy a full size Silverado for midsize prices.

 

Seriously looked at the Ridgeline, prefer it’s low key styling over the Tacoma both 3G and especially the 4G. The Tacomas are bit machismo for a truck that can’t haul much.

Love the storage solutions, but no 6’ bed, needs better off-road chops, better gas for being a unibody vehicle, price is a little high for what is because of the compromises. Maybe if it was more like the Maverick, that truck makes more sense to me, even if it doesn’t have a bed trunk. At $32K for top trim is easy to swallow.

https://expeditionportal.com/ford-maverick-tremor-review/

 

Tremor Lariat Mav is 40K. At least the window sticker I saw last weekend

 

Some are convinced the I4 turbo costs more than NA Vx engine. I am not. Delete one head, one or two set of camshafts etc., one exhaust manifold, maybe one cat converter depending on configuration, etc. Add one turbo and intercooler. Yeah, the turbo is expensive in the parts catalog, but that is what they charge not what they cost, and it is replacing a lot of stuff. More torque, so it must be better, charge more for it. The GM motor is 310 HP 430 lb.ft. OK for 1/2 ton light duty, bonkers for a midsize. As far as price - they are all sky high, but the GM's the sky is a bit lower.

 

I wouldn’t buy that one, me being a cheap SOB, would do the lowest 4WD trim possible.

Still that highest trim is a lot cheaper than ‘24 Tacoma, pushing $60K, and well over with dealer shenanigans.

Hardest part is finding one, local dealer had one, apparently there is high demand for a cheap truck.

End of that article they suggested a Subaru Crosstrek as an alternative, better gas mileage and superior AWD system, they are probably right. Just get a small utility trailer for bed duties.

 

The current V6 tq specs are more than enough for a mid size, it is just where it is available in the rpm range. Dunno, have owned Toyotas for 30+ years, very well used to having to rev them. That said have driven the Ranger and Bronco they do feel more truck like, though almost too punchy running around town. Like the mellowness of the V6, don’t need to jump off the line to race to the next stop light these days. Would be beneficial when loaded down and towing though.

Toyota staying in the low 300s for torque is about perfect. 430 is way overkill, be hella fun until big brother takes yer license away…

 

Local dealer in St Augustine, Fla has 10 Mavericks sitting on the lot in all trims (2 lariat Tremors). We ate at Ford's Garage which is a restaurant chain that I guess is always sitting next to a dealership. After lunch I walked the lot. People were flocking the mavericks, test driving them like mad! I found the unlocked door on a black Tremor and started poking around. All of the sudden, the remote start turns the engine on. I'm thinking oh great, here comes the salesman wanting to chat it up. Nope he was escorting some lady out from the showroom to go for a test drive. Anyway people were coming and going in Mavericks for the half hour that i was checking them out. Just checked today though and looks like they didn't sell any. I'm sure they won't last long though.

The two Lariats listed at 40k are both tremor package:

https://bozardford.com/sale/ford-maverick-jacksonville-fl

 

It remote started with the door open and unlocked?

 

Just found 2 new ZR2's at almost $3,000 off MSRP. Inclined to wait for 2024's to see the fixes they made that were found with 2023's.

 

I closed the door and was near the back checking out the rear end.

 

Dealer near me has only had one Maverick on the lot that I have ever seen, and an employee was driving it.

 

Why even bother with a ridgeline just get the Minivan Version Odyssey or the SUV version of it as the pilot, they are far more practical for the everyday man

 

Just the same as a Sienna or highlander being more practical than a Tacoma besides the Taco being a 'real truck'.My main needs for a truck are lugging mtn bikes and surfboards. The ridgeline would do all that and the huge trunk will hold all the towels, wetsuits, helmets, chairs, cooler and one one of my kids. The problem is that it looks like a !@#$ kitchen appliance.

 

Yea that's always been an issue with those unfortunately.

 

Go on....

 

I mean there is this to satisfy the Tacoma Bros. Plus a Ridgeline has a larger fuel tank than the 4G (1 gallon but still), 1 extra gear (honestly what year is it, 8 speeds are out, 9 is the shit), and you can find massive discounts on them (dealer in Dallas was emailing me for $6,500 off MSRP last fall).

 

Wife grabbed me by the arm and pulled me to check out a Bronco Badlands...lol

 

Client of ours has one, it is nice little cheap truck, can see why they are so popular and fly off the lot. Reminds of what Toyota used to be. Not quite beefy enough for my needs, definitely could see it as a second run around vehicle. Would love those mpgs in my Tacoma.

Little bit of lift they aren’t bad. Didn’t care the undercarriage, too many low hanging fruit to get ripped off for me. Drive a lot of Forest Service roads out here in Idaho and the surrounding states.

It hit a lot of other marks though. Hiatus even makes a camper for them.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=IEcFn8N8uiw

 

The dead body storage on the Ridgeline is pretty cool...though I wonder if you would tweak your back trying to get that spare tire out.