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Comments
So what is a guy to do. I guess just take all of this info. with a grain of salt and then test drive and decide for yourself. So, this past weekend I decided to start the test driving process. What did I test drive first? Dodge Dakota. Why? No particular reason....I just happened to be going by the dealership and decided to pull in. A friendly sales rep. offered to let me take the truck out by myself and I had it out for about 1/2 hour. It was an SLT Club Cab (this is the extended cab to reduce any confusion) 4x4, with the 4.7L V8 (new engine in dakota this year) and automatic. It pretty much had everything you could want...power group, overhead console, big old center console, even a new full time 4 wheel drive system.
What did I think? Well to be honest, I was very impressed with this test drive. This new engine has some guts and it should with 235 hp and 295 ft. lbs. torque What was more impressive was how quietly and smooth this engine ran. Vibration/harshness was almost nonexistant through the steering wheel. This V8 engine also only get's about 1 mile/gallon less than other truck V6 engines.
The ride was very nice and the cabin quiet. The interior was handsome and well laid out as well as very roomy....ofcourse dakota is a slightly bigger truck than it's rivals.
What was the price? This good looking truck with all this stuff stickered at slightly over 24,000. Not bad huh?
After the test drive I did some researching. Dakota Quad Cab was just named Truck of the year by several magazines including 4 wheeler magazine. You guys probably already know about the JD Power and Associates award. The new 4.7L engine also made Ward's best engines list. Hmmmmmm......
I'm not trying to be a smart guy by posting a Dakota report on this board. I just enjoy this board more than others. As I test drive other trucks I will give my unbiased opinion on those as well.
Can't wait to hear what you guys have to say...
Skip
P.S. Take it easy one me
The service is pretty good at the Chrysler dealership too. Unfortunately, my experiences with Dodge and Jeep is that the reliability isn't there. If you do get the Dakota, I'd advise getting the gold star warranty. Mine paid for itself in service shop rentals in two years.
The Dakota is more comparable to a Tundra than a Tacoma.
mvig, I visited the room you speek of. I only reccomended he visit the Tacoma/Ranger room and post his concern he may get more feedback. OH, I get it you don't want to hear the problems the Tacoma is having right?
What a lame tape.
If you want quality and resale value, pick the Tacoma
Let me say this again people. Comfort and looks are subjective. They cannot be proven as fact.
Performance data CAN be proven, and so can build quality be proven. A vehicle can be called "junkie" becaue it has lots of defects, recalls ect.
And once again, the real kicker. HEad to head comparison. According to the hard core truck staff at 4wheeelr, the ranger wasnt even worth one vote against the Tacoma head to head.
That says it all in a nutshell.
If you want to save some money, and you wont be offroading, get the ranger.
But dont get caught into playing "catch up" like Cspounser and Vince did. Get what you want when you drive off the dealer lot.
4wheeler.com :
" Its not often our testers agree on anything, but the Tacoma was picked UNANIMOUSLY over the Ranger and mazda. It beat the Ranger and Mazda in EVERY SINGLE PERFORMANCE category".
"Praises relating to the TRD suspension mentioned its ability to control rutted, seriously choppy terra in better than any other vehicle we'd driven. One tester went so far as to note that during a few moments of an effortless dry-wash run, it seemed the spirit of Ivan Stewart had taken over his body. This is a truck that can go slow or go fast, on pavement or off.
Ultimately, in addition to a strong engine, good tires, and supremely tuned suspension, the clutch defeat switch (the only one in a truck sold in the US.), lever-operated transfer case, and pushbutton locking rear differential were the icing on a toug h-truck cake. Although you have to pay a premium for a premium package, the TRD Tacoma, dollar for dollar, is the best on- and off-highway compact package (maybe of any truck) we've seen. This truck has features the others just don't offer, and they all w ork. And that's why it's our 1998 Pickup Truck of the Year. "
http://www.fourwheeler.com/newtrucks/ptoty/98/ptoty.html
"Ford's new compact frontend uses F-150-style short- and long-arm IFS, with torsion bars. The setup offers big gains on pavement--but not without trail sacrifices. "
http://www.fourwheeler.com/newtrucks/ptoty/98/tech.html
lol. Anyone else find it interesting that the 4wheeeler testers(serious truck guys) UNAMNIMOUSLY PICKED THE TACOMA!!! MEaning, NOT ONE TESTER PICKED THE RANGER. NOT ONE.
More on Mexican Parts: My friend is having to get her lawyer invoved in getting her "Fiesta" Ranger fixed with genuine Ford parts. Again, I realize it is the insurance companies doing but still rediculous.
I have one last question for you... Lets say, three years down the road, that Ford and Toyota both come out with a new truck. If I said that the Ford was, head to head the best truck by far in all categories; off-roading, 1/4 mi, 0-60, towing, hauling, fuel efficiency, interior, exterior, and various other categories, would you believe me?
Cpousnr,
Hoping to have my web site up within two weeks or so. Yes, it will include a Taco, 64 GP, and more cars.....and my latest addition . . . 99 Ford Taurus. Btw I finally bought that digital camera so I hope it will be easy to copy and paste.
Season greetings everyone:)
Will be interested to see pics of the NY hills er I mean mountains!
I would not consider you anti-Ford but rather balanced in your opinions. I liked the report on your trip one time where some vehicles made it, some did not make it over the rocks.
Spoog:
http://carpoint.msn.com/vip/Heraud/Toyota/Tacoma/1999O.asp
Psst...this guy TESTS cars/trucks for a living.
"Testing Methodology
Each vehicle featured in Test Drive undergoes a comprehensive week-long evaluation by Daniel Heraud and his team of four testers."
"To test acceleration, braking, and roadholding, Heraud's testers use the industry-standard Vericom 2000 testing equipment to achieve accurate, reliable, and consistent results."
You DID see the words "industry standard" and "consistent" did you not?
For Ranger:
http://carpoint.msn.com/vip/Heraud/Ford/Ranger/1999O.asp
Results? Go to the data and see a SLIGHT edge to Tacoma, but again, the vehicles are VERY close.
Just be informed in your decision, a vehicle is a big investment.
Barlitz--You are the first person I have heard who does not like the new Avalon design. Sit in one and you will have a different opinion. It is not smaller and is much nicer than before. And it wasn't bad last year!
wsnoble--I have not heard a thing about squeaky seats not a fix for them.
cthompson--You are right, things will get interesting when the new Taco arrives. I can't wait.
Checked out your two sites above and say it is about dead even. I would give the nod to the Ranger for those extra doors. Only mountains you may see in the photos is the Catskills.
I agree with Barlitz about the Avalon
Extra doors are a nice touch but I think Tacoma is going to get them or has them for 2K. Ranger is starting to exploit the PreRunner setup as Tacoma has sucessfully done.
Lots of changes coming but what is going to happen with this new deal from our "Great White Father" (sorry, had to be a bit sarcastic) in Washington?
Expect the price of SUV's and trucks to go up and no change in the polution index's.
If Calif. is outlawing MTBE as a cancer causer, why am I still fueling with 10% MTBE in Denver?!?
Reason : it never happened !
The carpoint reviews was not a truck review. Hence the name "Carpoint".
Sorry, I think Petersons June offroad issue which picked the Tacoma, and the 4wheeelr.com pickup of the year reviews are much more informative to a truck purchaser. Lets not forget that CARpoint also used points for comfort , which is totally subjective, and didnt even bother to test these trucks offroad. tsk tsk. HAlf of the character and life of a 4x4 is its 4x4 in action. Tsk tsk.
HEy C, let me know when you find a TRUCK review. Thanks.
The Tacomas 0-60 time is off with the v6 manual. It should be around 9 seconds. This is the result on most every other test. There are a few other errors in there as well. Oh, and if you ar really going to beleive this car review, then you shouldn't deny this quite from HEward:
"CAPABILITY Four-wheel drive Tacomas' off-road prowess is a cut above. "
A cut above. Just like what 4wheeler and PEtersons say about the 4x4 tacomas. " acut above".
NOw, if all of you are going to take this review at its word, then you must take the "tacoma 4x4 is a cut above" statemant as fact also.
If you do not, you will come off looking like a large bunch of hypocrties?
So what is it? The Ranger and Tacoma are matched well in pavement conditions, the Tacoma is of higher quaility, and "a cut above" offroad? BEcause that is EXACTLY what the Carpoint. reviews say. If you accepet this review, you are accpeting the comment that the Tacoma is of higher quality, has higher resale vale, and is a "cut above" the Ranger and all other trucks in 4x4 prowess.
by accepting this review, you accept those things as well.
By accepting this review, and NOT accepting the carpoint pro-tacoma comments above, you will look like a nitwit to say the least.
So here it stands.
See you in the hills, not bumps.
Personally, I'm not pursuaded by review articles in either way. To listen to one or a small group of people who drive the vehicle for a very limited time as gospel is plainly stupid. To really evaluate a vehicle, you need to drive it for at least a few weeks, better yet for months. This all boils down to the best source of information, the owner. Ask people that you know how they like their trucks, what its strengths/weaknesses are, and if they'd reccommend it for you.
Who is being a hypocrite here?
Also, you never answered my question that I posted 4 times.
"Spoog, why is it you can change data in a review
of your choice and in your mind make it the way you
want it to read in favor of the Toyota? It isobvious this review is quite good."
Wait a second here...this "review" claims the Tacoma is of higher quality, is "a cut above" other 4x4's offroad ,and has higher resale value.
By admitting that the carpoint Ranger and Tacoma reviews are good, your admitting that these claims are true, sicne THAT IS EXACLTY WHAT THE CARPOINT REVIEWS SAY ABOUT THE TACOMA! Do you get it? The very review you are claimng to be good agrees with what I have been saying all along. And the same with 4wheeelr and Petersons. ALL these reviews lead to one thing :
THE TACOMA IS A SUPERIOR OFFROADER, is of Higher Quality, and has higher resale value. The EXACT same things I have been saying over and over and over.
Read the pros and cons of the Ranger and Tacoma in the carpoint section. I just LOVe how you guys throw this reviews out, and they just end up proving my claim that the Taocma is superior in 4 wheeling, quakity, and resale value.
So lets see. So far, 4wheelr, carpoint, and PEtersons offroad say the tacoma is the superior offroad to the ranger, is of higher quality(which I have proved myself NUMEROUS times), and has higher resale value.
This is just too funny. Dont you guys read these reviews before you send them to this group? lol.
I also find it interesting how cSpounser and Vince bow down to the NHSTA crash test results(yes, thats who did those side tests), yet simply ignore the quality and defect results from the NHSTA.
It's over gang. Your hypocricy has shown through to all.
AND.....AND if they bow down to this Carpoint review, without accpeting Carpoints view that the Tacoma is a SERIOUS offroader, of higher quality, and higher resale value, they REALLY show their hypocricy yet again. this battle is over. The Tacoma has been proven to be the better performer,
offroad and on, it has been PROVEN that the Tacoma is of higher quality, and has a higher resale value.
Enjoy!
From Carpoint....the Pros and Cons section of the Ranger review:
Cons
1. PERFORMANCE The 2.5-liter engine is fine for light tasks, but nothing more. The V6 engines are real gas guzzlers.
2. RIDE COMFORT These pickups are built to get the job done, not pamper passengers. With an empty bed the ride is bouncy.
3. BRAKES With rear-wheel drive there's only rear-wheel ABS. A full load in the bed can overpower them.
4. HANDLING The base Ranger has a soft suspension and undersize tires, while 4WD Rangers have the opposite handicap—their suspension is too hard and tires are too big. In either case, handling leaves much to be desired.
5. STEERING Much too slow. The wide turning radius really hampers maneuverability.
6. 4-WHEEL DRIVE It's rather crude and isn't as versatile as the automatic all-wheel drive in the Explorer.
7. FUEL CONSUMPTION The V6s burn a lot of gas.
8. NO V8 If only the Ranger were powered by a V8 engine. Oh well, there's always the Dodge Dakota.
9. POOR FEATURE The rudimentary bench seat in low-end trims. It provides no lateral or lumbar support whatsoever
So... let me make this CLEAR. If you DO NOT accept these things about your RANGER, than you CANNOT accpet the REST of the review. So, is it still a good review? Do your Ranger really have sloppy handling, poor performance, bad braking?
Is this true? Well, if you accpet the rest of this review, than you ACCEPT this. Notice how this IDIOT rips the Rangers 4 wheel drive system and praises the Explorers. Well let me tell you, the Rangers "crude" 4 wheel drive system is ten times better and more relaible than the Explorer. THis guy isnt a truck guy, this guy isna t an offroad guy. This is some yuppie poser who reviews trucks like cars.
So, accpet that your ranger cant handle well, your engines stink, your braking stinks, ect(just like carpoint says) or ditch this pathetic review. The choice is yours. But dont be ashamed when people start digging in on the rangers handling, braking and performance when they use "carpoint review" as a source. lol.
Its up to you.
huh? The Tacoma scores a 60%, while the Ranger gets a 57 %.
Like any of this matters, since that review is worthless. They didnt even engage the 4wd system.
-wsn
PS Spoog check out this month's Maxim Mag. It has a cool Taco TRD add in it...
I just presented the data at face value. I think I stated that it did not beat the 4wd to death. But remember, this room is NOT exclusive to 4WD.
I do not dispute the guys assesment on either vehicle. It is hoped by me that thru reading numerious articles, not just one article, a person can get a feel for multiple opinions on a given vehicle. I could very well have referenced an article from another reviewer from Carpoint or from any of 3-4 newspapers that reviewed the vehicles.
The Carpoint area you refer to where Ranger scored better was here in reliability ratings:
http://carpoint.msn.com/reliability_ratings.asp
Also, the advantage in THIS review to Tacoma is 3% and I thought I SAID the nod on these reviews goes to Tacoma.
Your forgot these PROS from the article:
1.RELIABILITY Owner satisfaction comes from this truck's dependability and tried-and-true features. The Ranger is known for its solid build and
excellent fit and finish, which really add to its appeal and value.
2. ON THE ROAD The front suspension is much less sensitive to road faultsthan the previous Twin-I-Beam setup. Steering is much more accurate.
3. MANUAL TRANSMISSION It's easy to use thanks to its smooth, accurateshifter.
4.V6 ENGINES They offer terrific hauling and trailering capabilities. We consider them the best engine choices.
5.EXTENDED CAB SuperCabs are equipped with two rear doors.
6. NICE FEATURES: Windshield wipers that sweep a large area at a good clip; bucket seats and a 60/40 split-bench seat that offer good support.
And in regard to Tacoma, you forgot these CONS:
1.SAFETY Tacomas received low marks from NHTSA in collision tests.
2.PRICE Tacomas are often more expensive than equivalent competitors.
3.TORQUE The DOHC V6 is a bit lacking here.
4.BRAKES Emergency stopping distances are long and the Tacoma's path can be erratic without ABS.
5.CHOICES More limited than is the case with Ford and Chevrolet. Where are the extra doors?
6.REAR SEATS Being an acrobat or a contortionist is very helpful in getting to the Xtracab's rear seats; there's not a lot of room once you get there.
7. ROADHOLDING The high center of gravity of 4x4s make curves dicey; the Xtracab's length and wide turning radius make tight maneuvers nearly impossible.
"Safety (crash tested poor)...Price(more)...V6 lacks Torque(not as much as a Ranger hee, hee)...Limited Choices...Rear Seats...Road Handeling.
How did he miss no V8 which was an issue on Ranger?
"T'was the night before x'mas and in the garage,
My Ranger was parked right next to a Dodge,
Car keys were hanging by the door with care,
In hopes that a 4X review would only be fair...
Come on, Spoog. Both trucks have pluses and minuses. It is up to you (the consumer) to decide which is better for you. That's all CP is saying.
My friend got his Tacoma back out of the shop about 4 days ago for the headgasket deal he didn't want me to know about. I asked him if he would buy Toyota again. His answer, a resounding "hell yes". A lot of this is brand loyalty here folks. And in this room you have some RAnger fans and some Toyota fans locked in an endless circle/battle, round and round we go!
Have a good Xmas.
See you in the hills. I am going up to MT Hood area to do some tubing in the snow with the wife and kids this weekend. Weather is clear/cold here right now.
I could probably eek out another mpg or two as my foot is not too light on the gas. But, who wants to drive like grandma crawling down the road?
So is the ranger a poor handling, weak gas guzzling, awful braking vehicle with "decent" resale value? Carpoint seems to think so. Sorry C, by accepting the other points in the Carpoint reviews, you accept these as well. Admit to them, or dismiss the ENTIRE review.
TOYOTA TACOMA:
This unimpressive small truck sticks out conspicuously in Toyota's otherwise-excellent product range. Handling is unimpressive, and the ride is choppy and uncomfortable. Bumpy curves make the Tacoma leap and bound. The seats aren't comfortable. And in extended-cab models, the forward-facing rear seats are useless for adults. There's no rear door to aid access, either. What's more, a Tacoma with antilock brakes may be hard to find. Three good points: The optional 3.4-liter, 190-hp V6 is responsive; the controls and displays are excellent; and the Tacoma is a very reliable workhorse.
FORD RANGER:
Civilized trappings like air conditioning and power accessories can't disguise the truckiness of the Ranger and similar Mazda B-Series. But among compact pickups, they're the best. Handling is good, though the ride is stiff. The 4.0-liter V6 performs adequately. The seats are low, and their padding is thin. Four doors are available in extended-cab models, but the rear seat is fit only for cargo. A cutoff switch can deactivate the passenger's air bag when you install a child seat there. Reliability has improved to average for the four-wheel-drive versions.
The Ford Ranger is recommended.
The Toyota Tacoma is not.
I own a 1999 Ranger XLT SC 4.0 w/Offroad package(4000 miles now).
I looked at the Tacoma and have to agree with Consumer Reports. The handling and comfort of the Ranger blows the Tacoma away. I've heard a lot about fit and finish in this topic. I would put my Ranger up against any Tacoma for fit and finish. Plain and simple, Ranger is a better truck all around.
JLOCO
We can sit here and post review after review, one favoring the TAcoma the other the Ranger. It all comes down to a personal preference of the reviewer. Sometimes I wonder why they even have them at all.
Spoog, are you getting that Tacoma for Xmas? from mom and dad?
If CP has to take the carpoint review, why are you not accepting the reliability data carpoint posts about Tacoma and Toyota trucks? or even the Consumer report data? Or the crash test results making the TAcoma WORST in its class?
anymore but how come Ironman Stewart usually wins
and the Ranger is usually never seen in those
races, it's usually the bigger F-150? I also
know that TRD helps out with the suspension of
the race vehicle - could this help inspire the
off-road suspension in a reg. Taco? This next
statement is a matter of opinion but I think
the Ranger is better suited for work and the
Tacoma for play. But how many people actually
work thier trucks. Not many people buy a compact
truck to haul huge amounts of stuff and if that
were the case anyways the Tacoma would suit your
needs. I mean you have to admit most people on
this board drive their trucks to work, don't you
need that acceleration going on to the on ramps.
Let's be honest it feels good to go up to another
truck and blow it's doors off! How red in the
face would you be if you went off-roading with
your Taco buddies and couldn't go through the
same mud or sand and at the same time if you could
you couldn't keep up and on top of that you couldn't keep up on the highway either! I know
it hurts! If Ford show's me an inline-6 or even
a turbo diesel I will be happy. I want Ford to
step it up a notch! If you want a low-rev hauller
get a dually! You want a #2 offroader that can
fit in the tight trails get a Ranger. You want
a #1 offroader that could hit those trails get
a Tacoma. Don't believe me, ask Ironman Stewart.
not accepting the reliability data carpoint posts
about Tacoma and Toyota trucks? or even the
Consumer report data? Or the crash test results
making the TAcoma WORST in its class?"
I am not acceptiong the carpoint reliability data because carpoint does NOT list a source for that data, or a method. I FULLY buy into the crash test result data, as that was conducted by the NHSTA, the very SAME site that has all those recall, defect investigations, and tecnhical repair bulletiins. ooops Vince, I gotcha. I got ya real bad. You fully accept the crash test results from the NHSTA, yet you denounce the defect investigations, recalls, and technical service bulletins? Interesting. No offense Vince, but your in a little over your head here.
The NHSTA data is not patriotic phone call SPEW, it is the actual results and documents from the REPAIR SHOPS, you know, the places truck owners say they never have to go to.
And for the final time people, comfort is SUBJECTIVE. It can not be proven as fact.
Gotcha! in your own lie!
Ranger scores another round with STANDARD 4whl ABS on all 4wd's!!!
Spoog and round and round we go. All you post is the bible, anything any Ranger owner posts is a lie.
And this is why the guys seats in his Tacoma are falling apart right?? The guy you wouldn't answer, remember?
And once again the NHSTA site. You once again want people to see the WHOLE number not the contents of each entry. Not the ones that are duplicates, or for stickers, or tags, or for certain lots of Rangers. And you don't want folks to visit www.carpoint.msn.com because the truth hurts about Toyota, huh?
To bad you can't say the same. You are all Ford or nothing.
RANGERS?
From Carpoint....the Pros and Cons section of the
Ranger review:
Cons
1. PERFORMANCE The 2.5-liter engine is fine for
light tasks, but nothing more. The V6 engines are
real gas guzzlers.
2. RIDE COMFORT These pickups are built to get the
job done, not pamper passengers. With an empty bed
the ride is bouncy.
3. BRAKES With rear-wheel drive there's only
rear-wheel ABS. A full load in the bed can
overpower them.
4. HANDLING The base Ranger has a soft suspension
and undersize tires, while 4WD Rangers have the
opposite handicap—their suspension is too hard and
tires are too big. In either case, handling leaves
much to be desired.
5. STEERING Much too slow. The wide turning radius
really hampers maneuverability.
6. 4-WHEEL DRIVE It's rather crude and isn't as
versatile as the automatic all-wheel drive in the
Explorer.
7. FUEL CONSUMPTION The V6s burn a lot of gas.
8. NO V8 If only the Ranger were powered by a V8
engine. Oh well, there's always the Dodge Dakota.
9. POOR FEATURE The rudimentary bench seat in
low-end trims. It provides no lateral or lumbar
support whatsoever
So... let me make this CLEAR. If you DO NOT
accept these things about your RANGER, than you
CANNOT accpet the REST of the review. So, is it
still a good review? Do your Ranger really have
sloppy handling, poor performance, bad braking?
Is this true? Well, if you accpet the rest of
this review, than you ACCEPT this. Notice how this
IDIOT rips the Rangers 4 wheel drive system and
praises the Explorers. Well let me tell you, the
Rangers "crude" 4 wheel drive system is ten times
better and more relaible than the Explorer. THis
guy isnt a truck guy, this guy isna t an offroad
guy. This is some yuppie poser who reviews trucks
like cars.
So, accpet that your ranger cant handle well, your
engines stink, your braking stinks, ect(just like
carpoint says) or ditch this pathetic review. The
choice is yours. But dont be ashamed when people
start digging in on the rangers handling, braking
and performance when they use "carpoint review" as
a source. lol.
Its up to you.
Sorry Vinnie, but the Carpoint review did not engage the 4 wheeldrive systems at all.
If you accept Carpoints review, than you accept their statements that the Ranger is a bad handler, very poor braker, has weak, gas guzzzling engines, and that the Tacoma is the superior offroader, has higher resale value, and has better engines. This is according to Carpoint.
Vince, sorry little buddy, but you are way over your head here. YOur debate skills are sorely lacking. Run along back to the "my chevy pisses on your Ford" board and call it a night.
Also i saw a Daniel Herard (Carpoint guy) review book this weekend. All sorts of misprints in it. I will dismiss carpoint until someone points out how they get those little green and yellow boxes. What is there testing method. I agree with most of their statements but without this info it's really more of a personal opinion, not a subjective review.
The guy compares the Explorer 4wd with the rangers 4wd system? Is it that a mixing Apples and Oranges situation?
-wsn
-wsn
PS Spoog check out this month's Maxim Mag. It has a cool Taco TRD add in it...
Hey finally figured out a way to post since Edmunds system is so un-user friendly with Win 3.11 systems. . .
spoog,
Your rather demanding and final in your request.
I posted what I find to ASSIST people in making a decision on a rather large purchase in thier life. Do I agree with the complete article. No as that was his opinionated assessment, kinda like the OPINION of Four Wheeler when testing a TOP of the line Toy against a BOTTOM of the line Ford.
You have never responded but it has been made VERY CLEAR to you that the Ford was a non-offroad equipped vehicle. It would have been NICE to see what would have happened if the Ford was the TOP of the line off-road equipped vehicle but that was how, I think, Four wheeler decided to STRUCTURE their test that you so often refer to.
Back to the issue. The Carpoint articles were for information. Armed with DIFFERING opinions one can judge for themselves.
Some FACTS:
1. The mpg on either vehicle is within 1-2 mpg so would both qualify for "gas guzzler"? By the way, with 300-400 LESS weight and as you often try to drum into our heads such a "superior" engine, why is the fuel efficiency so CLOSE to the Ranger?
2. The guy did not rate the two vehicles that far off spoog. 3 points out of 100 is 3%. Such a "superior" vehicle SHOULD have been 10 or MORE points ahead by my estimation and if you see the averages, both vehicles were BELOW the average for the class (God knows what vehicles they really like if the Tacoma and Ranger were below average).
3. Four Wheeler, in its latest issue, picked the DODGE Dakota its "4X Truck of the Year" All rigs are nice when new but factor their pick of a Dodge, always rated low in quality by anyone's books, for such of an award. Tarnish that award for the Taco a bit spoog that your ranked up there with a DODGE?
Bottom line is I have so far enjoyed my truck. Good mileage, handles very well, hauls what I want, a comfortable ride, looks(in my opinion) sharp and was reasonably priced.
I will accept ANY review and bounce it against what I experience. So no spoog I do not accept the article totally but respect the guys opinion.
In regard to the comment on the ratings, I thought I read they were based on input from users of the truck. Kind of like the Consumer Reports survey's where people comment on the things they use or have experience with. Read the DETAIL and you will find that they list the head gasket problem for the 3.4 engine and that is why it received the cautious rating.
Have a good day gentle(wo)men (gotta hit both bases) and enjoy your trucks.
MMC, you and I need to get together to wheel a bit near Rampart.
ALL RANGERS come with some form of antilock brakes.
And the Ranger XLT comes with standard with 4 wheel antilock brakes.
Something to think about.....Until you drive and own a vehicle a while you realy need to throw all the stereotypes out the window.....
Hey spoog....since Peterson's is your bible, why don't you go buy an early 80's GM diesel car? When Moter Trend first drove them back in the early 80's, they thought they were the best thing ever to come out of Detroit. Only shows that whoever throws them the most money (Toyota right now) gets the best reviews.
Easiest vehicle I ever bought. Took about 15 mins. to do the deal. (but I had done my research). Price was $19,880. If Edmunds and Kelley's pricing is correct that's $144 over cost.
I am happy with the deal. I have had a Ford and just sold a Chevrolet, so I have experience with all. Chevrolet was a good truck. I liked better than the Ford. From my experience the Ford V^ is kinda weak. Although I realize the Chevy had the 4.3 liter. The Toyota engine seems much stronger and smoother.
I don't think I could have gotten a similarly equipped Ranger much cheaper. I drove a new one and just didn't care for it. Plus, from owning a Ford and Chevy previously I know they don't hold their value as well as the Toyota.
Excellent call, and a great price too!
You should have the clutch start cancel switch standard as well. Thats a nice feature.
Enjoy your Tacoma!
By the way, did you utilize my NHSTA site posts and 4wheeler comparison test reviews?