By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
Why don't you have an F150, Vinny? It trounces the Ranger in room, power...it's got a V8, Vinny! Probably because you didn't want such a big truck.
Same goes for a lot of 4Runner owners (me included). Like I said in my previous post, I liked the Expedition, but it is too big for me. Sequioa will be very similar in size. Expedition/Tahoe owners are the ones Toyota is targeting with the Sequoia, not 4Runner owners.
And why would the Sequoia be any more refined or higher quality? They are both made by Toyota...sometimes I just don't understand your logic, Vinny.
One concern of mine in purchasing another Toyota is power. The 4 cylinder that I owned years ago seems to have had far more power than those they are making today do. Am I right in this assessment? I remember being pleasantly surprised at the ability of my Toyota to get up and go, but when I’ve test-drove those on the car lots today with essentially the same setup (4WD/Auto) they seem a bit lethargic in power department. However, the V6 Toyota seems to be equivalent in power to the S-10 I currently drive, which I consider to be a pretty powerful setup for a small truck.
Does anyone the breakdown between the old 22R 4 cylinders vs. those they are making today?
I was satisfied with the performance of a V6 auto Taco TRD. Again, it was just me, a scrawny salesman, and the A/C on. No, it is not a "rocketship", but it drove very well for the engine's size. I was a bit surprised to find I had gotten to 85 after a short on-ramp run. I am sure that the auto trans saps some power (normally do), but I have had my fill of manuals after 22 years and won't buy another. The steering feel was much better than on the Ford, but that kind of thing is a matter of what you're used to. The Taco felt very tight--no noises, rattles, squeakes. Build quality was excellent, and the interior layout was very good (again, personal opinion). Interior materials aren't what you'd find in a Lexus, but were still quite good for a truck and had a quality feel. Minuses include no optional extra doors, and the bucket seats were a tad less comfortable than I'd like (another personal thing--your butt may differ). I'd wanted buckets so as to get the center console for extra storage and a little easier reach into the back area when sitting up front. I've also noticed that Toyota has softened suspensions somewhat, but that most likely is a characteristic of the TRD option as compared to the standard suspension--again, something I'm not used to in a 4X4 and another one of those personal preferences.
What it comes down to is determining your needs and wants. Personally, I don't much care for pickups after 15 years of driving them--I simply need one for the work I do (finish carpenter). Having a 4X4 allows me the luxury of getting out and into the desert in the winter months--a good excuse to keep my geological education sort of fresh in my mind, and an opportunity to get away from the crowds. Do you really want/need a 4X4? If not, how about looking at a "Pre-runner" type truck? They're cheaper, use less fuel, and should perform better with the same engine-tranny combo as compared to a 4X4 due to less weight. Spend as much time behind the wheel as you can, and in as many competitive brands as you can find in your area. If necessary, tell the salesperson to "shut up" during a test drive so as to have minimal distractions in a vehicle you're not used to. You probably won't find the "perfect" truck, so what you're after is the best combination of features, design, price, quality and etc. for your own requirements. Good luck!
"Toyotas are hype" he says. So let's see...I'm on my second Toy 4X4 (in 15 years), with 308,000 trouble-free miles between them. Somehow, along the way I missed out on all the "hype" while I was racking up those 308,000 miles. And these weren't/aren't grocery-getter image-buyer trucks either. Both have been work trucks first and recreational vehicles a distant second--there's just never enough time for hunting and desert exploration (my justification for owning a 4X4).
"Educate yourself" he crows. Well, let's see...I think I've done enough time behind the wheel of a Toyota to have earned the right to an informed opinion. And since I'm in the market for a new truck I took the time to go out (twice now) and look over/test drive what I feel to be the best competition in the segment in which I'm interested. I'm not sitting around at home "bashing" a truck I haven't bothered to honestly check out. What I did do was offer my experiences and impressions based upon time spent behind the wheels of two examples of the truck over which our resident accuser is so emotionally wrought. How in the hell can someone get so bent out of shape over something as disposable as a compact truck, no matter the brand? For crying out loud, what do people do with their time any more?
Hmmm....I thought I made the point (more than once) that I was offering views based upon personal preferences, in some instances, rather than some kind of indisputable judgement-for-all-time concerning attributes of two brands of freakin' little trucks. I don't believe in such stupid notions as "brand loyalty". I buy what I think best suits my needs and wants (and I know the difference) at any given time. I don't give a damn about what's popular, best-selling, or the current herd mentality. I buy for me and no one else. If you're offended, then that's your problem. I don't think any more or less of anyone because of the vehicle they like. Instead of big and important things like that, I concern myself with trivial little things like what people say and do. Amazing how life's events (good and horrible) can really set one's priorities straight, and you can damn well be sure that being in love with a brand of truck isn't anywhere in my own list of priorities. Shoulda' been kind of obvious given that I've made time (twice, get it, twice, and likely again) to go and lay my hands on the "world's best little truck", but then some things can't be made obvious enough for some people.
So the basher fluffs his feathers and calls ME a basher. I said I wasn't impressed with the TWO Rangers I DROVE and carefully LOOKED OVER. Did I say "All Rangers are crap"? DID I? Didn't I say I was even still considering the Ranger. I did neglect to say that I saw plenty of rusty driveline and chassis parts underneath. I forgot to mention that I heard a loud and irritating wind leak/road noise coming through the driver's side doors (which DID fit right, well, mostly right. It was the passenger side doors which were crooked and nearly hitting each other on a fresh-out-of-the-factory truck stickering for over $24K). I guess that REALLY makes me a "basher" now, comments concerning the tranny performance and dash layout notwithstanding. And yes, I actually did take time out of two of my weekends to go and look at the Ranger, and with a very open mind, believe it or not (lemme guess which!). And I plan on going again soon, too. It would be sooo much easier to sit at home "bashing" a truck I haven't bothered with, but then that would be sort of a juvenile thing to do, and life is way too short for that kind of nonsense.
How come I'm not a Toyota "basher" for not totally liking the seating, or not being happy with no option for four doors? Found myself saying the engine's performance was satisfying, but certainly not stellar (as some might claim). How's this...I think the Taco is overpriced, and I don't even remotely like my local Toyota dealers, for sales or service. Am I a Toyota "basher" yet? Funny, but the Ford dealer within walking distance of my home (that would be convenient for maintenance or warranty service) has so far been the most comfortable place to shop--and I made a point of thanking them for all of their time and effort. What, still not a Toyota "basher"? But, those experiences have no bearing whatsoever on the competing trucks themselves, and instead of sitting on my [non-permissible content removed] at home reading fluff pieces I went out and spent time driving, asking questions, and carefully looking over the trucks-in-question. Maybe that wasn't obvious enough....
"Bashing" he says! Normally, I wouldn't deign to respond to such childish rants, but don't you know it's a bit irritating for someone who know's nothing about oneself to even begin to cast aspersions, implying I'm somehow stupid or in need of "education" (LOL!!) because I didn't have only great things to say about his all-important, world-beater, favorite brand of small truck. Maybe someday a little maturity will set in, and a certain kind of truck won't be so important anymore--I'm not waiting, holding my breath in anticipation! I've seen enough of these kinds of posts throughout Edmunds to know it will continue to degrade what is otherwise a terrific forum for communication.
There's too much useful commentary at Edmunds to just blow it all off, so I do what I learned to do long ago, thanks to an employer. Sometimes you cannot just filter out certain people in life, as much as you might want to. I resolved to let them serve a purpose as "negative role models", perfect examples of how NOT to be in daily life. It's sort of a way to find an upside in anything life throws at you, and it sure never seems to stop coming. Lest the peanut gallery start hurling accusations my way again, I'll just say that standing up for oneself, and calling a basher a basher, or a hypocrite a hypocrite, is certainly no sin.
So, if you like your Ranger (or whatever), then good for you--you've got what you want. My impressions still stand--if the Ranger is the pinnacle of small truck engineering, well then, thanks, but no thanks. No need to get a bee in your bonnet because someone else has a different opinion that comes from experience. Just don't go and do anything stupid in it whether in the Cascades (beautiful country) or anywhere else. We've already lost too much access to public lands in our southern deserts thanks to the combined efforts of eco-idiots and immature off-roaders. These are very tiring times in which to be living....
Should be $3000 for a crate engine, and 28,000 miles for the oil burner.
Glad to be of help!
excessive amount of time he spends posting in Toy
topics."
Gee, I think I have seen this posted somewhere about a 100 times before.
It only takes about 30 seconds to confess and get right with your lives. Be rid of all that torment inside ya!
See ya in my rearview mirror....:) hee heee!
Harry
Rich
It would also kill sales for Toyota products in the US. Who would be willing to pay more for the perceived reliability/longevity of Toyota if you had to junk them every 5-6 years. People need to value the freedom we have in the US - or move someplace else.
Assembled in USA yes but not of many USA parts
Ryan
If they are made in Japan (all 4Runners are), the Japanese parts content will be kind of high, no?
Landcruiser
Celica
4Runner
RAV4
MR2 Spyder
Some Camrys (15%)
All Lexus models
Built in USA
Tacoma
Avalon
Camry (most)
Corolla
Different situation on Avalon, where label reads USA/Canada 80%, Japan 20%.
According to commerce department, USA/Canada content must be 51% or more. Not my rules. Just the rules the mfrs have to play by. Avalon = domestic, Tundra = import.
Arkie, you are right, I missed the semantics, but did note you were trying to group Tundra in there with Avalon which clearly qualifys as a domestic product due to its percent of North American content.
Having said that, I don't have a problem with people buying import products, or non UAW products. I am not a union supporter, don't belong to one, and don't support their cause. What I am in favor of is correct labeling, and not mistating what something is, to mislead those to whom it does matter.
It is unfortunate that you have had problems, but you won't get away from problems altogether with any vehicle. What makes it worse for you is that the Toyota dealers you have gone to for help have not gone the extra mile to take care of you and that will hurt their repeat dollars in the long run.