How can you fault the Tacoma for looking good. And even though the Fourwheeler article may have been flawed how can you say that it is low on functionaliy? No matter what source you check the Tacoma still hauls and tows just as much as the most equipped Ranger and has higher clearance. I have yet to understand the argument that tacoma is not "truck truck". I am amazed that people continue to refuse to accept these points. They define the most important properties of a truck. HP and torque mean nothing by themselves and only serve to act as a means of measuring these qualities.
To keep with Topic, I like my Tacoma 10x more then when I test drove it.
I agree -- trucks (or any vehicle) are only as good as the work they can do, how reliably they do it, and the cost of owning them.
You are wrong that the Tacoma loses two out of three in comparison to a full size truck. My Tacoma does everything I ask it to do and I didn't have to pay extra for a fullsize to accomplish it. So it wins in terms of work it can do and cost.
Adding to the cost argument, I don't have to keep paying the higher operating cost with the lower fuel mileage of a fullsize. Given the miles I put on my truck each week, it's a no brainer the Tacomas wins over any fullsize!
The reliability factor is based on statistics (facts as Vince8 would call them) and those facts have shown that Tacomas have had better reliability than most other trucks. That may be changing, but for years the Toyotas were the way to go.
I agree with the others. This topic is not for arguing Tacoma vs. whatever. If you want to do that, please go join the appropriate topic and do so.
unixgod, Please take your Chevy babbling somoewhere else. Trust me, no one in here besides you cares about your opinion. You are so off the topic here that you dont deserve a a resonse in paragraph form. 1. YOU DONT COMPARE FULL AND COMPACT TRUCKS 2. Who wants to keep a vehicle for 262K anyway ? 3. You my friend are the one kidding yourself if you have think Chevies with 200K is the norm. Wake up! 4. This topic has nothing to do with Chevy or fullsize trucks
if memory serves me correctly, you (at one point in time, under another name) questioned the validity of a locker off-road. (particularly with the tacoma) it was also stated that the trd locker could only be engaged in 4-low. that's all fine and dandy. HOWEVER, if the toyota Pre-Runner is equipped with the TRD package, how do you engage the locker? (i'm sure that, in all your wisdom, you know that its a 2-WHEEL-DRIVE!)
I've posted this question earlier, on different forums, without an answer. Now, I'm not trying start another debate, I'm just curious as to how the locker works. ANY IDEAS??
VINCE8: I post the same question to you. It seems to me that any pitfalls with the tacoma are your forte'.
On the 4WD, there is an electrical limitation to keep it from engaging unless in 4WD Low. That limitation obviously is not there on a 2WD truck. No brain surgery here.
However, on BOTH 2WD AND 4WD, there is a mechanical limitation on the locker itself. It works like a centrifuge. Upon reaching a certain speed, i.e. 5 mph or higher, the locker disengages via mechanical disconnect and no more locker benefit.
I HAVE responded to this question time and time again. However, as always, you Yoda "boys and girls" have extreme tunnel vision for your overated and overpriced imports and won't see factual information anyway. Thus is why your famous response to the facts presented is such as the moron in post 370: "Trust me, no one in here besides you cares about your opinion. You are so off the topic here that you dont deserve a a resonse in paragraph form."
However to respond to the idiot in question:
1. I compare full size trucks to compact trucks when the overpriced compact truck is almost the same price as the full size truck that can do much more and provide much more value.
2. Apparently you yoda "boys and girls" want to keep a vehicle for more than 262k miles, because that is all anyone heres from you morons is how much more reliable and how much longer an cheaply made [non-permissible content removed] junk vehicle is.
3. It is a fact that there are FAR MORE domestic made trucks with more than 200k miles still on the road today than ANY import truck. Junk yards carry very few domestic parts in comparison to import parts because more import vehicles are junked rather than pay 6k for a new engine. (more than the vehicle was even worth brand new!) Far more high mileage domestic vehicles are still on the road today. The imports may in fact get to just as high mileage, but once their initial life is gone, it is not feasible to rebuild them to go another 200k or more miles. There are TONS of import engines in the junk yard. People with blown import engines seek the junk yards because they can't rebuild and they also know that a new engine is not worth the money to purchase unless it is an almost brand new car to begin with. YOU are the misinformed one. I have been around the block more than once and have done the research and also lived the pain and agony my mother has gone through with her beloved camry's. Junk from day one!
4. Your right, it doesn't. However, you truck and 4X4 wannabes make it a comparison topic when you spout off all the crapola you know absolutely nothing about. I have only responded to your idiot fantasies about how much better and more reliable your [non-permissible content removed] junk trucks are. Simply put, they aren't.
I ask that everyone take note of how innappropriate unixgod's posts are. He or she is incapable of accepting that the whole world does not have the same beliefs as he/she and can only result to name calling when someone disagrees or points out how this is not the place for his/her posts. But since he/she has resorted to calling me an idiot I will respond again. 1. My v6, 5sp, 4x4, TRD was only 21.6K, no where near the price of a full size. Your full size can not out haul an 18 wheeler but of course they are not in the same class
3. Show me the numbers to back up this statement.
4. You are way too confident that you know everything. Would you be happier if everone drove Siverados. You have said nothing that demonstrates your knowledge only your ignorance.
We live in a free country where at least where I live we all have the choice to drive what we like. The Tacoma owners in here are happy with there purchase so why are you so upset?
You can make fun of my vehicle but calling me an idiot only reflects on you.
Sorry I missed your response to MY question in earlier posts. I appreciate your explanation on the question at hand. (Really)
Seriously, unix, take a breath & calm down. I really didn't see it as "expressing opinion" in my last post. I was actually wanting an answer to my question. You answered it. Thank You. I'm well aware of your views & opinions on Toyotas. And Silverados for that matter.
Take your Silverado on a vacation. Sounds like you REALLY need it!
I have no heartburn about someone buying what they want. I don't care to have everyone driving the same truck I drive. Thats not cool. No individuality in that.
What I get pissed off about is people like the idiot in post 370 who insists that his import is more reliable than a domestic truck and has no proof to back it up other than biased consumer report type magazines, claims to know about trucks when its obvious he is clueless and THEN, although he provides no proof to what he claims is gospel, has the nerve to ask ME to provide proof for what I say.
Point of story is that these yoda yuppies buy thest Tacoma trucks, have no clue how to even use them and probably don't use them for anything other than trips to the grocery store or to put their golf clubs. Then they spout off some kind of superiority of their import junk against the domestics. Ask me for proof.....provide me the proof of reliability advantage without some numbskull magazine test....real actual proof and experiences. I guarantee I can match or better your proof with domestic experiences, many of them my own.
Face it, buying a Toyota is the same as buying a Rolex over a Timex watch. The Timex has been proven just as reliable and costs a barely noticeable fraction of what the Rolex costs. You bought a name. 10 years ago there may have been some truth to a quality advantage, but people buying imports today are buying a false security blanket.
Address me when you call me an idiot next time. You are nothing but a coward.
I dare you to look back at my posts and try to find any instance where I said anything about Silverados reliability, or Toyotas reliability, or domestic reliability. Please try. Despite what I may believe, I have posted nothing regarding the matter.
You dare to question my intelligence and ask me for proof. I have made ABSOLUTELY NO statement requiring any sort of proof. It is YOU who has made a claim without backing it up.
You are the kind of person who will squirm, make insults and ignore anything that goes aginst what you believe. Again you have posted nothing indicating you knowledge on the subject, which may I repeat has nothing to do with your Chevy.
Please address me when insulting me and better yet try enlightening us with something besides your "broken record" opinions.
P.P.P.P.S. How much is CHEVY paying you to come in here and tell everybody that the Silverado's are so great???? You know, the only people looking around in here are probably trying to decide on a TACO instead of some other small truck. These people (like I was doing) are trying to make an informed decision and not read about people bickering over a full sized truck versus a small truck. I myself had already decided on a small truck because I KNOW that I don't need a large expensive gas guzzler (mine gets 20-22 mpg by the way). I myself had PLANNED on getting a Dakota, 'till I saw some of the consumer complaints posted here on Edmund's. After that I look at Rangers too (what a nightmare that was). And after reading this chat group, I very quickly decided that this truck "appeared" to have many fewer complaints than others. I have owned a Ford (Mustang) and a Toyota (20R truck) in the past, and knew from experience that a Toyota will run circles around a Ford. That's why I chose what I chose. I LOVE MY TACOMA!!!!!!!!! AND I DON'T LIKE CHEVY's anymore (because you own one).
Finally able to take the new truck off road this past weekend. Went down to Hatteras, NC to go on the beach (only real fourwheeling we have in SE VA.) What a huge difference the TRD suspension/tires made on the sand. I had a '97 non-TRD, 4cyl, 5 spd, no options. New truck is the same but with TRD and the power stuff, cruise, tilt, etc. It drove like a different truck! Didn't even need to air down the tires and was able to go anywhere. It crossed over and out of ruts effortlessly, and never bottomed out. The suspension is much more firm and didn't have that bouncy motion the old truck did. I love the TRD! Saw a Ford Explorer buried in the surf with only about 1 foot of roof sticking up, waves crashing over it. Bet that guy was bummin'. Later on, when the tide went out, a huge full size truck hooked up to it and yanked it out. It was ruined, full of salt water. To anyone debating about the TRD, get it!
Where did you get your prices?? It is plastered all over every mag, review and is no secret how expensive a Tacoma is when comparing option for option to a Ranger. You must be getting the Tacoma with the weak 2.7. In the ads that is what a Tacoma 4x4 SC 2.7 go for. Enjoy the weak 150HP and 177ft/lbs of torque bud. No way can you get a V6 SC for 17K. Yes Ranger does offer chrome, floor mats and most real truck owners don't want a sunroof. I can tell what your going to use this Tacoma for, a car. If your so worried about chrome, sunroof and floormats, once again a yuppied strikes. FYI, the Ford 3.0 has 192ft/lbs of torque and 152HP, the 4.0 has 160HP and 225ft/lbs of torque. Torque is what a real truck owner is after, take a look at the torque curves of the 4.0 and the 3.4 you may be surprised. And if you use your truck as a race car the Tacoma does win, but is .6 seconds really worth the extra 2-4K? Hope you TRD owners love that sticker! The locker is a joke, joke, joke! Everytime I see a Tacoma with the TRD sticker I get a chuckle.
PROS: The Tacoma is powerful, good-looking and competent off road.
CONS: The seats are the least comfortable we have ever sampled and the price is ridiculously high for a compact pickup truck
The Tacoma's biggest demerit, however, is its price. Our test truck had a sticker that approached the $30,000 mark. We think that a $28,500 price tag is much too high for a compact pickup, even for one with a Toyota badge. Edmund's long-term Ford Ranger stickers for $5,000 less than the Tacoma, and has more equipment, more attractive styling, and a usable rear seat. It has also proven to be very reliable for our first 10,000 miles of ownership. Is the promise of Toyota reliability worth five grand? We don't think so. Give us the Ranger and the extra $5,000. We'll put the money toward the purchase of a Wave Runner, thank you.
The argument of price just does not hold water in my area. I just got my 2000, 4x4, v6, ac, cruise, power pkg, TRD for 21.6K. I know you cant get a similarly equipped Ranger with the off road pkg. for 16.5K.
2. No ethnic slurs aimed at vehicles - no [non-permissible content removed] this, Kraut that....
This is a discussion forum. You are entitled to your opinions and to be passionate about them. You are NOT entitled to be rude, crude, and socially unacceptable.
Reread your Participants/Users Agreement!
Front Porch Philosopher SUV, Pickups, & Aftermarket and Accessories Host
Did anyone mention that you're on the wrong chat site yet??????????????
Unix I help to run the backbone of a network with over 8,000 nodes on it (you know, routers and switches don't you? I'm working a networked fiber connection to a printer today --- the rest of the day and tomorrow will be spent working switches). So don't assume what you can't prove --- I built my last 2 computers also. Maybe I should teach you how to use a computer. Thanks for playing.
Vince The prices I got are from right here at Edmunds.com , and I know you've argued this with me before. So until you look at the numbers and prove me wrong, I'm gonna say you're wrong.
Go to www.carpoint.com, Kelly Blue Books, auto.com to name just a few. Their prices are all much higher option for option. You are going to find if very hard to convince anyone that the Tacoma is not an inexpensive compact truck. And as far as you 21.6K TRD. You are not including rebates I suppose? And its not as loaded as my Ranger for 19.6K. Where is the remote entry? CD? Alarm? leather wrapped steering wheel? Killer stero? towpkg? 4whl ABS, tinted glass, tilt, foglamps to name just a few options. Options are what cost you on the Tacoma. I know everyone views me as a staunch Ranger anti-Tacoma person. In reality I am not. I actually like the Tacoma and thought very seriously before my purchase in 1998. I did some hardcore research and could not find any reason to spend the extra 3.4K for a like optioned Ranger. The Toyota dealerships all had the same thing to say, reliability, resale. Resale? what do you mean when you pay an extra 3-4K for the truck where does resale come in?? reliability? Already had a Ranger go to 96K with no problem, reliability was a moot point with me.
My 21.6 TRD, no rebates, came with CD/Cassette that sounds better then many aftermarket stereos I have had. I dont care about a leather wrapped steering wheel in a pick-up, + Reese tow pkg., I wouldn't want ABS on a 4x4, has tinted glass, and tilt. It does not have keyless entry or alarm as these are items I would not want except for afterarket.
Well, then if you didn't want all those items as you say, your truck should have been even less than 21.6. A stripped truck should not be the price of a loaded one. The Tacoma's base price starts about where the loaded domestic truck market is in price. From what you say, your Tacoma has far less equipment and it still cost 2k more than Vince8's Ranger. What sense is made of that?
Face it. People who buy Tacomas, bought a name based on a false security blanket.
My truck came with more I jsut did not list because I was only addressing the options vince8 brought up. There is nothing false about the quality of Toyota. My decision was based on the collective experinces of myself, my family, and my friends and aquaintences. There is no difference between my brand loyalty and yours except that yours is much stronger. I would consider other makes and am not so loyal to Toyota that I not purchase one. I just liked the Tacoma and have had good experiences with Toyota.
I have listed what I got on my Tacoma many times. Out of curiousity, what equipment does Vince8's Ranger have, and what year is it?
You can do all that Ranger talk you want to but any time you want to back it up off road, you let me know. And 96k on a Ranger, a Tacoma is just broken in at 96K miles. I just found this board and I'm laughing at your posts. Because there is no way you know anything about compact trucks and can say what you say about the Tacoma. You can keep your hecho en Mexico, truck, and however many thousands of dollars you saved, with all those free extras. The fact is you can't go where I go off road. No matter how bad you think you or the Ranger is. I am sure it is a good pick up, but you need to know the facts before you run down the Tacoma. I am glad you saved all that money on your truck. But, myself and many others will gladly pay the extra because you can't go w/us. You do all your talk on the PC. I do mine on the trail!
I'm not wearing my asbestos suit today, but just wanted to add to the number of happy, satisfied Tacoma owners. I USE my Tacoma in every way a truck is designed to be used. I take it offroad, I haul building materials for working on my house, I tow a trailer and a large pontoon boat, and yes, it has been sighted at the mall a couple times.
I'm so happy with a Tacoma that I've had two of them. My first was a 1995.5 2WD XCab 4Cyl 5-speed. It was a great truck, 100% dependable, fuel-efficient, and a pleasure to own. I traded it up in 1998 for within $1500 of what I paid for it new in 1995. My 1998 4x4 XCab V6 automatic was bought mainly to tow my pontoon boat and haul heavier stuff for the house. Plus I got this one with all the options that I wished I had gotten on the first one. :-)
The only problems I've had with this truck were caused by getting hit by an uninsured motorist. A guy ran a stop sign and ran underneath the truck when it was only 5months old. He was going so fast, he flipped my truck over. But I was impressed with the Tacoma's structural integrity - even in a rollover accident, the frame was not bent and the damage was only cosmetic. It protected me from injury too, I only got a pavement burn on my elbow.
My Tacoma has performed beautifully, and I would recommend it to anyone who asked. Also I see a lot of gripes about cost. The "list" price means nothing. I don't think any of us paid $28K for our fully-loaded Tacos. I know I didn't. 1998 was the highest priced model year, and I got almost everything offered on the Limited for $24K. The price has come down in the past 2 years for the same truck.
As for Ranger vs. Tacoma, that's hilarious. If I had a dime for every time I had to go rescue my Dad in his Ranger, I would be rich. His Ranger was the same year model and same basic configuration as my first Tacoma, and it was constantly in the shop. Sure, he saved a few $$ in purchase price, but he paid much more than that back into it the day after his warranty expired. My Tacoma never had to go in for anything but routine maintenance. Based on my own personal experience, I would never buy a Ranger unless I planned on trading it before the warranty expires.
ONce again dragged in. Briscoe, Ihave posted pics in various rooms of my Ranger in the Cascade mountains and deserts of Oregon. You crack me up! You are way too over confident on your Tacoma. The Ranger will go ANYWHERE your Tacoma will I have proved this to other friends who own Tacoma's and were way over confident. And here we go again, My Toyota does 1 billion miles with no oil change and so on and so on... Even my friends have had some problems with their Tacoma's. I use my truck as a truck also and my Ranger has never let me down. Your talking down to the wrong person here bud. I have been an outdoors kind of person since I was 16 and do know about offroading. I live in one of the best places in this country to offroad and is probably the hardest on a truck. I have about 22K now with NOT ONE PROBLEM. You are an uneducated buyer. The Ranger I have was made in Kansas City. Enjoy your open axle also, along with the worst crash rating, along with the outragous price. 24K!!! do you realize you just pounded home my whole point here??? 24K! for a loaded Tacoma vs 19.6K for my loaded Ranger! LOL. Go ahead pay for your perceived quality/reliability advantage. And about 6months ago I helped a stranded Tacoma owner up around MT Rainer. His truck wouldn't start, dead, died, the end. I could tell he was embarrassed that a RAnger owner was going to take him back to the nearest gas station. See you in the hills.
I only have one question, Bud. What are you doning on the thread "Happy w/a Tacoma?. Whatis the matter are you so low you have to go to a thread that doesn't concern you whatsoevr and have an opinion. What opinion? You only wish you had a Tacoma. And you're right whatever I paid for my Tacoma is worth twice what you paid for your Ranger. And if you bailed some idiot out for running out of gas, who cares. My point is only in your dreams do you think you can hang with the Tacoma. I guess next you'll tell me how you have out performed the Jeep.
Only the Tacoma can say that. Been there done that.
Here we go again. This brisco character avoided every issue you brought up. You can tell they have no valid response. Whenever valid points are made, the Tacoma owners always come back with the typical "what are you doing in our topic anyway".
They know they paid too much for the same or less truck. And just like the guy you helped with his Tacoma, they are too embarrassed to admit it.
I wish the Front Porch Philospher would ban some of the people here. ie Vince. Every comment you make is to put Nissan or Toyota down. Isn't there more to life or maybe you would like some of your own medicine in the Ranger topic.
And here is hindsite. The one who plays peace maker then pulls out the double barrel shotgun in the next post to blast away at Rangers. If you read any of my posts I have never, ever said the Tacoma is a bad, unreliable, unworthy offroading vehicle, have I??? But at the same time when I rebute any bad comments made about the Ranger I am putting Toyota or Nissan down?? Can you say double standard here? This is a forum setup to debate, complain, or flaunt the trucks you prefer or choose not too prefer and state your reasons why is it not? Just curious why you don't ask for a spoog filter? or a mmcbride filter?? could it be they are Toyota Tacoma owners?? Hmmm......
Ditto. Lots of double standards and avoidance of facts going on here. The rebuttals are always the import owners either slamming domestics on reliability or asking somestic owners why we are in "their" forum, all when facts presented would otherwise leave them speachless.
...there...doesn't that feel better? Now, go ahead and sit back down on it again. I have noticed an interesting trend. Tacoma owners seem to be content with their vehicles and refrain from criticizing others about their vehicle choices. On the other hand, the domestic truck owners, yourself and unixdog, seem satisfied only by nitpicking at the faults of the Tacoma. It would appear that the satisfaction you derive from owning your domestic truck is not enough to make you happy. That's too bad. I am sure the Tacoma owners feel sympathy for you. Perhaps you should try looking in a mirror and voicing aloud:
I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, My domestic truck is good enough, and dog gonnit...people like me.
Oh, and before I sign off and read your witty retort, I should add that Washington is a beautiful state with many mountains and remote areas. I live in Northern Canada, however, where only the hardiest of souls, and vehicles, survive. That in mind, you probably shouldn't visit Canada any time soon. Stay in your great northwest and visit Hanford instead.
This topis is for Tacoma owners as the heading states. So are you a Tacoma owner? No . . . your a Ranger owner. Stay in your topic specific to Rangers.
Ever notice that the people who post here, who are not Tacoma owners, are a pretty miserable bunch? I guess owning a Ranger, or other crappy truck that we don't wish to discuss, makes one quite hostile and confrontational. Why does anyone spend so much energy trying to convince happy people that they should be unhappy?
Yes, you can expect the normal responses and name calling to Ranger owners. But when they enter a RAnger room its ok I guess?? I don't envy Tacoma owners, I pity them. I wonder how they can spend so much money on a compact truck?? I guess if it spells T O Y O T A it makes them feel better. I only enter rooms when folks start to bash Ranger. As I have stated over and over again. I have never said the Tacoma was not capable or a nice truck. I just rebute your claims that it is worth the extra 3-4K.
A quick stroll trhough the history of this topic has been quite educational. You claim to have been sent here with the noble cause of defending the Ranger. Take a look at posts 41 and 46. You my friend were the first one in here who mentioned anything off the subject, granted these were legitimate posts. You were much more realistic then. Then somewhere around post 237 someone by the name of Zbad71 starts trying to compare his Z71 with the Tacoma. When approached about it he appologizes, says the Tacoma is an alright truck and leaves for a while. NO ONE SAID ANYTHING ABOUT THE RANGER UNTILL YOU BROUGHT IT UP, and that is a fact, not what unixgod claims that everyone is avoiding.
Why vince8 do you take it upon yourself to defend the Ranger? You brought it upon yourself by coming into a discussion with over 200 legitimate posts about the Tacoma and changing the subject. If I remember correctly you even said in post:
"I found the Ranger to be less expensive for the same equipment as the Tacoma. Now, I paid less, ok my resale will be less than a Tacoma. So I see it as you either get it coming or going." -Vince8
I am not sure this is any more proveable than Tacoma being more reliable or better than a Ranger. I have had a Tecumsah (basically a Briggs and Straton) engined Craftsman lawnmower for almost 12 years now. Never had it in the shop for a repair. I have personally rebuilt the carb once, but for $20 worth of parts in 12 years, thats not bad. Probably could have just supercleaned the floats and it would have been ok for a while longer even.
I don't think anyone can objectively and positively prove that import products are any better or more reliable than domestic made products. Likewise, I don't think it is objectively proveable that domestic made products are any more or less reliable than import made products.
What is proveable is how much money more money the import products cost and how much of that money goes into the hands of people outside our US economy.
A statement that Honda mowers are a quality product is perfectly honest and believable. I wouldn't doubt it to be a great product. Can you objectively and positively say it's the best? I don't think so. That is pure subjective opinion.
I had to return to what the post was originally intended for, Tacoma owners that are pleased with their trucks. Why their are Ranger owners that are happy with THEIR trucks in here is beyond me.
We have owned a 93' 4x2 Ranger and had decent luck with it. Once it hit 100k we had to start replacing several major parts so we bought a new truck. I'm not sure where everyone is shopping for their Tacomas but we didn't pay anywhere near sticker price. Every Ranger fan in here rambles about how we all paid 25k for our trucks and they just paid 17k etc. Well we looked at the Rangers and ran into a brick wall at $18000 with the local dealers (still above invoice etc.), I couldn't justify paying that for a 150hp V6 that in reality sucks gas through a fire hose. We got a Tacoma with everything but the TRD package for $18,900 out the door in the color we wanted and Lojack for 'free'. Now the difference of 1k for Tacoma vs. Ranger was acceptable to me. So for all the Ranger lurkers that think the Ranger is always such a great deal......not always my friend.
As for us we love our Tacoma and we respect our old Ranger that made it to the century mark.
GOOD POINT!! I posted here quite a while ago, making the same point, & got no response whatsoever! (other than the same "your tacoma's a waste of money; my ranger rules kind of stuff)
I drove both the ranger & the tacoma for extended, 2 day test drives. Both trucks were equipped as close to equal as possible, and at the bottom line, after all the sales manager bickering, there was less than $1200 difference. I haven't bought my new truck yet, but after what pricing research I've done, coupled with the test drives, i have to say that the TACOMA will earn my money. Granted, these were both 1999 models, & I might test drive both AGAIN, but as far as i can tell, my money's on the toyota.
I had to return to what the post was originally intended for, Tacoma owners that are pleased with their trucks. Why their are Ranger owners that are happy with THEIR trucks in here is beyond me.
We have owned a 93' 4x2 Ranger and had decent luck with it. Once it hit 100k we had to start replacing several major parts so we bought a new truck. I'm not sure where everyone is shopping for their Tacomas but we didn't pay anywhere near sticker price. Every Ranger fan in here rambles about how we all paid 25k for our trucks and they just paid 17k etc. Well we looked at the Rangers and ran into a brick wall at $18000 with the local dealers (still above invoice etc.), I couldn't justify paying that for a 150hp V6 that in reality sucks gas through a fire hose. We got a Tacoma with everything but the TRD package for $18,900 out the door in the color we wanted and Lojack for 'free'. Now the difference of 1k for Tacoma vs. Ranger was acceptable to me. So for all the Ranger lurkers that think the Ranger is always such a great deal......not always my friend.
As for us we love our Tacoma and we respect our old Ranger that made it to the century mark.
Why don't we not even address Vince and Co. anymore. Just answer each others questions and those who don't own, and have questions...
Back to the topic at hand. I have a 98 Tacoma Xcab V6 4X4 and love it. Zero problems and not a rattle or recall. I would buy it again in a heartbeat...
-wsn
PS I lied the 98 did have a recall. A typo in the owners manual and Toyota sent out new manuals...
If anybody who owns a Tacoma or is thinking of buying one and has legitamite question about my ownership experinace so far, i would be glad to answer those questions...
Did you ever notice that Tacoma owners seem to derive a kind of joy from their trucks ? It's also painfully obvious that non-Taco owners tend to become obsessed and bitter. Bitterness and joy are not something you can put a price on but folks just know which one they prefer.
After getting tired of reading all the arguing going on in the Tacoma chats, I decided to look in the ford ranger II chat and you know what? I was shocked to find that there isn't any arguing going on over there. Also many of our non-Taco owners chat in there as well. I say that any baloney they decide to post in here should be answered by us over in "their" site. Maybe that'll get rid of 'em huh? I also noticed people in their site saying things like, "I hear they're finally gonna do a recall on the turn signal problem with my Ranger". And also, "Does anybody know what that 'clunk' sound is when I go from a complete stop???" Apparently there is also a "cow bell" sound that Ranger owners experience. Most of the complainers seem the have the attitude like "well, after all, it IS a Ford." You know what I mean by that is that they have the attitude that they're kinda stuck with what they got, and resigned to that fact. It's almost sad to read some of 'em if you ask me. The first thing I noticed when researching for my new truck was the FACT that the Tacoma owners weren't complaining about things like these. In fact, Taco owners weren't complaining about much of anything. That's why I got a Taco, and I'm very happy that I did!!!!!!!!!!!
Comments
To keep with Topic, I like my Tacoma 10x more then when I test drove it.
You are wrong that the Tacoma loses two out of three in comparison to a full size truck. My Tacoma does everything I ask it to do and I didn't have to pay extra for a fullsize to accomplish it. So it wins in terms of work it can do and cost.
Adding to the cost argument, I don't have to keep paying the higher operating cost with the lower fuel mileage of a fullsize. Given the miles I put on my truck each week, it's a no brainer the Tacomas wins over any fullsize!
The reliability factor is based on statistics (facts as Vince8 would call them) and those facts have shown that Tacomas have had better reliability than most other trucks. That may be changing, but for years the Toyotas were the way to go.
I agree with the others. This topic is not for arguing Tacoma vs. whatever. If you want to do that, please go join the appropriate topic and do so.
1. YOU DONT COMPARE FULL AND COMPACT TRUCKS
2. Who wants to keep a vehicle for 262K
anyway ?
3. You my friend are the one
kidding yourself if you have think
Chevies with 200K is the norm. Wake up!
4. This topic has nothing to do with Chevy
or fullsize trucks
unixgod:
if memory serves me correctly, you (at one point in time, under another name) questioned the validity of a locker off-road. (particularly with the tacoma) it was also stated that the trd locker could only be engaged in 4-low. that's all fine and dandy. HOWEVER, if the toyota Pre-Runner is equipped with the TRD package, how do you engage the locker? (i'm sure that, in all your wisdom, you know that its a 2-WHEEL-DRIVE!)
I've posted this question earlier, on different forums, without an answer. Now, I'm not trying start another debate, I'm just curious as to how the locker works. ANY IDEAS??
VINCE8: I post the same question to you. It seems to me that any pitfalls with the tacoma are your forte'.
keith24
However, on BOTH 2WD AND 4WD, there is a mechanical limitation on the locker itself. It works like a centrifuge. Upon reaching a certain speed, i.e. 5 mph or higher, the locker disengages via mechanical disconnect and no more locker benefit.
I HAVE responded to this question time and time again. However, as always, you Yoda "boys and girls" have extreme tunnel vision for your overated and overpriced imports and won't see factual information anyway. Thus is why your famous response to the facts presented is such as the moron in post 370:
"Trust me, no one in here besides you cares about your opinion. You are so off the topic here that you dont deserve a a resonse in paragraph form."
However to respond to the idiot in question:
1. I compare full size trucks to compact trucks when the overpriced compact truck is almost the same price as the full size truck that can do much more and provide much more value.
2. Apparently you yoda "boys and girls" want to keep a vehicle for more than 262k miles, because that is all anyone heres from you morons is how much more reliable and how much longer an cheaply made [non-permissible content removed] junk vehicle is.
3. It is a fact that there are FAR MORE domestic made trucks with more than 200k miles still on the road today than ANY import truck. Junk yards carry very few domestic parts in comparison to import parts because more import vehicles are junked rather than pay 6k for a new engine. (more than the vehicle was even worth brand new!)
Far more high mileage domestic vehicles are still
on the road today. The imports may in fact get to just as high mileage, but once their initial life is gone, it is not feasible to rebuild them to go another 200k or more miles. There are TONS of import engines in the junk yard. People with blown import engines seek the junk yards because they can't rebuild and they also know that a new engine is not worth the money to purchase unless it is an almost brand new car to begin with.
YOU are the misinformed one. I have been around the block more than once and have done the research and also lived the pain and agony my mother has gone through with her beloved camry's.
Junk from day one!
4. Your right, it doesn't. However, you truck and 4X4 wannabes make it a comparison topic when you spout off all the crapola you know absolutely nothing about. I have only responded to your idiot fantasies about how much better and more reliable your [non-permissible content removed] junk trucks are. Simply put, they aren't.
1. My v6, 5sp, 4x4, TRD was only 21.6K, no where near the price of a full size. Your full size can not out haul an 18 wheeler but of course they are not in the same class
3. Show me the numbers to back up this statement.
4. You are way too confident that you know everything. Would you be happier if everone drove Siverados. You have said nothing that demonstrates your knowledge only your ignorance.
We live in a free country where at least where I live we all have the choice to drive what we like. The Tacoma owners in here are happy with there purchase so why are you so upset?
You can make fun of my vehicle but calling me an idiot only reflects on you.
Seriously, unix, take a breath & calm down. I really didn't see it as "expressing opinion" in my last post. I was actually wanting an answer to my question. You answered it. Thank You. I'm well aware of your views & opinions on Toyotas. And Silverados for that matter.
Take your Silverado on a vacation. Sounds like you REALLY need it!
keith24
What I get pissed off about is people like the idiot in post 370 who insists that his import is more reliable than a domestic truck and has no proof to back it up other than biased consumer report type magazines, claims to know about trucks when its obvious he is clueless and THEN, although he provides no proof to what he claims is gospel, has the nerve to ask ME to provide proof for what I say.
Point of story is that these yoda yuppies buy thest Tacoma trucks, have no clue how to even use them and probably don't use them for anything other than trips to the grocery store or to put their golf clubs. Then they spout off some kind of superiority of their import junk against the domestics. Ask me for proof.....provide me the proof of reliability advantage without some numbskull magazine test....real actual proof and experiences. I guarantee I can match or better your proof with domestic experiences, many of them my own.
Face it, buying a Toyota is the same as buying a Rolex over a Timex watch. The Timex has been proven just as reliable and costs a barely noticeable fraction of what the Rolex costs. You bought a name. 10 years ago there may have been some truth to a quality advantage, but people buying imports today are buying a false security blanket.
I dare you to look back at my posts and try to find any instance where I said anything about Silverados reliability, or Toyotas reliability, or domestic reliability. Please try. Despite what I may believe, I have posted nothing regarding the matter.
You dare to question my intelligence and ask me for proof. I have made ABSOLUTELY NO statement requiring any sort of proof. It is YOU who has made a claim without backing it up.
You are the kind of person who will squirm, make insults and ignore anything that goes aginst what you believe. Again you have posted nothing indicating you knowledge on the subject, which may I repeat has nothing to do with your Chevy.
Please address me when insulting me and better yet try enlightening us with something besides your "broken record" opinions.
Go take a vacation dude!
Saw a Ford Explorer buried in the surf with only about 1 foot of roof sticking up, waves crashing over it. Bet that guy was bummin'. Later on, when the tide went out, a huge full size truck hooked up to it and yanked it out. It was ruined, full of salt water.
To anyone debating about the TRD, get it!
Your the type that goes to the dealer and pays $30 to get your oil changed. Too incompetent to do it yourself. Might as well be a female.
FYI, the Ford 3.0 has 192ft/lbs of torque and 152HP, the 4.0 has 160HP and 225ft/lbs of torque. Torque is what a real truck owner is after, take a look at the torque curves of the 4.0 and the 3.4 you may be surprised. And if you use your truck as a race car the Tacoma does win, but is .6 seconds really worth the extra 2-4K?
Hope you TRD owners love that sticker! The locker is a joke, joke, joke! Everytime I see a Tacoma with the TRD sticker I get a chuckle.
Just joking with ya!
PROS: The Tacoma is powerful, good-looking and competent off road.
CONS: The seats are the least comfortable we have ever sampled and the price is ridiculously high for a compact pickup truck
The Tacoma's biggest demerit, however, is its price. Our test truck had a sticker that approached the $30,000 mark. We think that a $28,500 price tag is much too high for a compact pickup, even for one with a Toyota badge. Edmund's long-term Ford Ranger stickers for $5,000 less than the Tacoma, and has more equipment, more attractive styling, and a usable rear seat. It has also proven to be very reliable for our first 10,000 miles of ownership. Is the promise of Toyota reliability worth five grand? We don't think so. Give us the Ranger and the extra $5,000. We'll put the money toward the purchase of a Wave Runner, thank you.
Please come over to Ranger vs Tacoma
if YOU PEOPLE can't settle down.
Rules of the Road.
1. No personal attacks.
2. No ethnic slurs aimed at vehicles - no [non-permissible content removed] this, Kraut that....
This is a discussion forum. You are entitled to your opinions and to be passionate about them. You are NOT entitled to be rude, crude, and socially unacceptable.
Reread your Participants/Users Agreement!
Front Porch Philosopher
SUV, Pickups, & Aftermarket and Accessories Host
Unix
I help to run the backbone of a network with over 8,000 nodes on it (you know, routers and switches don't you? I'm working a networked fiber connection to a printer today --- the rest of the day and tomorrow will be spent working switches). So don't assume what you can't prove --- I built my last 2 computers also. Maybe I should teach you how to use a computer. Thanks for playing.
Vince
The prices I got are from right here at Edmunds.com , and I know you've argued this with me before. So until you look at the numbers and prove me wrong, I'm gonna say you're wrong.
Have a nice day.
I love my Tacoma!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And as far as you 21.6K TRD. You are not including rebates I suppose? And its not as loaded as my Ranger for 19.6K. Where is the remote entry? CD? Alarm? leather wrapped steering wheel? Killer stero? towpkg? 4whl ABS, tinted glass, tilt, foglamps to name just a few options.
Options are what cost you on the Tacoma.
I know everyone views me as a staunch Ranger anti-Tacoma person. In reality I am not. I actually like the Tacoma and thought very seriously before my purchase in 1998. I did some hardcore research and could not find any reason to spend the extra 3.4K for a like optioned Ranger. The Toyota dealerships all had the same thing to say, reliability, resale. Resale? what do you mean when you pay an extra 3-4K for the truck where does resale come in?? reliability? Already had a Ranger go to 96K with no problem, reliability was a moot point with me.
Face it. People who buy Tacomas, bought a name based on a false security blanket.
I have listed what I got on my Tacoma many times. Out of curiousity, what equipment does Vince8's Ranger have, and what year is it?
I'm so happy with a Tacoma that I've had two of them. My first was a 1995.5 2WD XCab 4Cyl 5-speed. It was a great truck, 100% dependable, fuel-efficient, and a pleasure to own. I traded it up in 1998 for within $1500 of what I paid for it new in 1995. My 1998 4x4 XCab V6 automatic was bought mainly to tow my pontoon boat and haul heavier stuff for the house. Plus I got this one with all the options that I wished I had gotten on the first one. :-)
The only problems I've had with this truck were caused by getting hit by an uninsured motorist. A guy ran a stop sign and ran underneath the truck when it was only 5months old. He was going so fast, he flipped my truck over. But I was impressed with the Tacoma's structural integrity - even in a rollover accident, the frame was not bent and the damage was only cosmetic. It protected me from injury too, I only got a pavement burn on my elbow.
My Tacoma has performed beautifully, and I would recommend it to anyone who asked. Also I see a lot of gripes about cost. The "list" price means nothing. I don't think any of us paid $28K for our fully-loaded Tacos. I know I didn't. 1998 was the highest priced model year, and I got almost everything offered on the Limited for $24K. The price has come down in the past 2 years for the same truck.
As for Ranger vs. Tacoma, that's hilarious. If I had a dime for every time I had to go rescue my Dad in his Ranger, I would be rich. His Ranger was the same year model and same basic configuration as my first Tacoma, and it was constantly in the shop. Sure, he saved a few $$ in purchase price, but he paid much more than that back into it the day after his warranty expired. My Tacoma never had to go in for anything but routine maintenance. Based on my own personal experience, I would never buy a Ranger unless I planned on trading it before the warranty expires.
Just my $0.02,
SherryB
Briscoe, Ihave posted pics in various rooms of my Ranger in the Cascade mountains and deserts of Oregon. You crack me up! You are way too over confident on your Tacoma. The Ranger will go ANYWHERE your Tacoma will I have proved this to other friends who own Tacoma's and were way over confident. And here we go again, My Toyota does 1 billion miles with no oil change and so on and so on... Even my friends have had some problems with their Tacoma's. I use my truck as a truck also and my Ranger has never let me down. Your talking down to the wrong person here bud. I have been an outdoors kind of person since I was 16 and do know about offroading. I live in one of the best places in this country to offroad and is probably the hardest on a truck. I have about 22K now with NOT ONE PROBLEM.
You are an uneducated buyer. The Ranger I have was made in Kansas City. Enjoy your open axle also, along with the worst crash rating, along with the outragous price.
24K!!! do you realize you just pounded home my whole point here??? 24K! for a loaded Tacoma vs 19.6K for my loaded Ranger! LOL. Go ahead pay for your perceived quality/reliability advantage.
And about 6months ago I helped a stranded Tacoma owner up around MT Rainer. His truck wouldn't start, dead, died, the end. I could tell he was embarrassed that a RAnger owner was going to take him back to the nearest gas station.
See you in the hills.
Only the Tacoma can say that. Been there done that.
They know they paid too much for the same or less truck. And just like the guy you helped with his Tacoma, they are too embarrassed to admit it.
If you read any of my posts I have never, ever said the Tacoma is a bad, unreliable, unworthy offroading vehicle, have I??? But at the same time when I rebute any bad comments made about the Ranger I am putting Toyota or Nissan down?? Can you say double standard here? This is a forum setup to debate, complain, or flaunt the trucks you prefer or choose not too prefer and state your reasons why is it not? Just curious why you don't ask for a spoog filter? or a mmcbride filter?? could it be they are Toyota Tacoma owners?? Hmmm......
I'm good enough,
I'm smart enough,
My domestic truck is good enough, and
dog gonnit...people like me.
Oh, and before I sign off and read your witty retort, I should add that Washington is a beautiful state with many mountains and remote areas. I live in Northern Canada, however, where only the hardiest of souls, and vehicles, survive.
That in mind, you probably shouldn't visit Canada any time soon. Stay in your great northwest and visit Hanford instead.
Have to admit, that isn't my own material. Someone else got credit for that one in the "Buy American" topic, but it sure is funny!
With all these people buying these imports with lawnmower engines, maybe Briggs and Stratton should get in on the import truck business.
I can go everywhere your Tacoma can go with a LAWNMOWER! This topic is nice to go to each day and get a good laugh!
I guess owning a Ranger, or other crappy truck that we don't wish to discuss, makes one quite hostile and confrontational. Why does anyone spend so much energy trying to convince happy people that they should be unhappy?
"Oh what a feeling" to wish you had more truck for your money! LOL!
Why vince8 do you take it upon yourself to defend the Ranger? You brought it upon yourself by coming into a discussion with over 200 legitimate posts about the Tacoma and changing the subject. If I remember correctly you even said in post:
"I found the Ranger to be less expensive for the same equipment as the Tacoma. Now, I paid less, ok my resale will be less than a Tacoma. So I see it as you either get it coming or going."
-Vince8
You were very realistic then, what happened?
Tacoma being more reliable or better than a Ranger.
I have had a Tecumsah (basically a Briggs and
Straton) engined Craftsman lawnmower for almost 12
years now. Never had it in the shop for a repair.
I have personally rebuilt the carb once, but for
$20 worth of parts in 12 years, thats not bad.
Probably could have just supercleaned the floats
and it would have been ok for a while longer even.
I don't think anyone can objectively and
positively prove that import products are any
better or more reliable than domestic made products. Likewise, I don't think it is objectively proveable that domestic made products are any more or less reliable than import made products.
What is proveable is how much money more money the
import products cost and how much of that money
goes into the hands of people outside our US
economy.
A statement that Honda mowers are a quality
product is perfectly honest and believable. I
wouldn't doubt it to be a great product. Can you
objectively and positively say it's the best? I
don't think so. That is pure subjective opinion.
We have owned a 93' 4x2 Ranger and had decent luck with it. Once it hit 100k we had to start replacing several major parts so we bought a new truck. I'm not sure where everyone is shopping for their Tacomas but we didn't pay anywhere near sticker price. Every Ranger fan in here rambles about how we all paid 25k for our trucks and they just paid 17k etc. Well we looked at the Rangers and ran into a brick wall at $18000 with the local dealers (still above invoice etc.), I couldn't justify paying that for a 150hp V6 that in reality sucks gas through a fire hose. We got a Tacoma with everything but the TRD package for $18,900 out the door in the color we wanted and Lojack for 'free'. Now the difference of 1k for Tacoma vs. Ranger was acceptable to me. So for all the Ranger lurkers that think the Ranger is always such a great deal......not always my friend.
As for us we love our Tacoma and we respect our old Ranger that made it to the century mark.
Our 0.02
River
I drove both the ranger & the tacoma for extended, 2 day test drives. Both trucks were equipped as close to equal as possible, and at the bottom line, after all the sales manager bickering, there was less than $1200 difference. I haven't bought my new truck yet, but after what pricing research I've done, coupled with the test drives, i have to say that the TACOMA will earn my money. Granted, these were both 1999 models, & I might test drive both AGAIN, but as far as i can tell, my money's on the toyota.
keith24
We have owned a 93' 4x2 Ranger and had decent luck with it. Once it hit 100k we had to start replacing several major parts so we bought a new truck. I'm not sure where everyone is shopping for their Tacomas but we didn't pay anywhere near sticker price. Every Ranger fan in here rambles about how we all paid 25k for our trucks and they just paid 17k etc. Well we looked at the Rangers and ran into a brick wall at $18000 with the local dealers (still above invoice etc.), I couldn't justify paying that for a 150hp V6 that in reality sucks gas through a fire hose. We got a Tacoma with everything but the TRD package for $18,900 out the door in the color we wanted and Lojack for 'free'. Now the difference of 1k for Tacoma vs. Ranger was acceptable to me. So for all the Ranger lurkers that think the Ranger is always such a great deal......not always my friend.
As for us we love our Tacoma and we respect our old Ranger that made it to the century mark.
Our 0.02
River
Back to the topic at hand. I have a 98 Tacoma Xcab V6 4X4 and love it. Zero problems and not a rattle or recall. I would buy it again in a heartbeat...
-wsn
PS I lied the 98 did have a recall. A typo in the owners manual and Toyota sent out new manuals...
-wsn
I also noticed people in their site saying things like, "I hear they're finally gonna do a recall on the turn signal problem with my Ranger". And also, "Does anybody know what that 'clunk' sound is when I go from a complete stop???" Apparently there is also a "cow bell" sound that Ranger owners experience. Most of the complainers seem the have the attitude like "well, after all, it IS a Ford." You know what I mean by that is that they have the attitude that they're kinda stuck with what they got, and resigned to that fact. It's almost sad to read some of 'em if you ask me.
The first thing I noticed when researching for my new truck was the FACT that the Tacoma owners weren't complaining about things like these. In fact, Taco owners weren't complaining about much of anything. That's why I got a Taco, and I'm very happy that I did!!!!!!!!!!!
They seem to be filled with a hostility that can only be dealt with by trying to drag us down to their level. It must be sad to be them.