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Tundra vs the Big 3 - Continued

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Comments

  • lukacslukacs Member Posts: 23
    It is commendable if you buy American trucks to support the United Auto Workers. I did the same thing when I bought my 2000 Ford Explorer (what a mistake). However, there is nothing wrong with buying imports. If we all stopped buying imported products then most countries the imports are coming from would probably stop buying American made products too.That would make the real harm to the economy if all of a sudden the demand for the goods we export would cease. Many union workers would lose their jobs and they wouldn't even be able to afford a rusty 81 Chevy. By the way, guess who the world's #1 exporter is. No, not Japan. It's the United States. Without trading with other countries, we would drown in our own products. So even though we have a trade deficit with Japan, we are still better off then not trading at all. That trade deficit only includes manufactured goods anyway. Then what about other things? When Japanese students come to study here, what do they pay with? US Dollars, I guess. Or what about the $1.2 billion Toyota plant in Indiana? Somehow they had to pay for it too. And even if they take the profit out of the country, what do you think they do with all those Dollars? Stuff 'em in their pillow? They only take the Dollars if they know they can spend it. If not on manufactured American goods, then on services or they make investments here, but the circle has to close eventually.
    I think this much is enough for now. Any comments?
    By the way, I love America.
  • bmckenziebmckenzie Member Posts: 118
    Tim,
    What are you smoking? "So if you buy an import........... it shows your lack of love for this great place" I own an import and a Cummins Dodge, and I also defend this country so you can sleep in freedom at night. I am willing to give the ultimate sacriface for this country, are you? I almost have on a few occasions overseas, have you? Don't even put me in a lack of love category because I bought an import, and I love BEER also.
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    Do I defend the country in the military?...No..never had that itch...I betcha I can shoot my M24 Sniper Rifle better than most in the miltary though...

    Am I willing to give the ultimate sacrifice?....(see above)

    I applaud you for being the hero type...however I still hold firm that you should go all the way and buy American cars..

    ..and it's good that you love beer.....Buy a Truck bash T-shirt and we will see you there..

    - Tim
  • RoclesRocles Member Posts: 982
    ...beer...
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    "I think I can..I think I can..I think I can"

    ....speaking of can.....

    - Tim
  • swobigswobig Member Posts: 634
    beer hauler for the truck bash. Now if we only had the date! I say we just pick a date and whoever shows, shows - the next year more will show...
  • swobigswobig Member Posts: 634
    I get confused after a few too many...
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    you have to know who all will be there....so you have enough space!

    - Tim
  • swobigswobig Member Posts: 634
    although I think these sales figues can be overrated a times. But clearly the Tundra is way behind. Even Nissan, Chevy S10, etc, etc, outsell it by a wide margin...
  • barlitzbarlitz Member Posts: 752
    You're right on that comment Tundra was #10 on truck sales fullsize,midsize and compact,Frontier#9 and Tacoma #8.#1 thru 7 were all american and include F150's all the way to S10's.
  • swobigswobig Member Posts: 634
    what you get...
  • trucksrmetrucksrme Member Posts: 381
    Good luck on this one now!
  • lariat1lariat1 Member Posts: 461
    how much the tundra impressed its owners. Up here in Fairbanks AK there might be 20 of them running around and now there is one in the used car lot at the Dodge dealer. Cant imagine why someone would own a truck for 6 months and trade it in for an american vehicle.....must have had to much power and it scared the owner so he unloaded it.
  • swobigswobig Member Posts: 634
    but again it's just too much. I think they missed the mark on size. I've seen reports that show the next generation S-10 being bigger (like the Dakota) and imagine all compacts will grow to that size. So with that in mind it leaves the Tundra a little small and still too pricy. Now if it grows a couple inches, then it would be properly placed with the big boys. I see compacts growing to more mid-sized don't see many compacts being left - maybe I'm wrong...
  • towcrazy2towcrazy2 Member Posts: 337
    Having worked with the Toyota folks on Tundra service training, I can say that their intitial effort on a full-size market entry is admireable. The quality is typically "Toyota" and they're on the right track.

    On the other hand, I took delivery of a 2000 Dakota Quad last week for a reason... Simply becuase it had the guts (5.9) and space I wanted without the bulk of my current Ram.

    Again... It gets down to "what you need." If you genuinely need the brawn and guts of a full-size American truck, so be it! If not, the Tundra is a logical alternative. In my case, I may have gone with the Tundra were it not for the need to haul heavier loads.

    BUT!!!! Don't think for a moment that Toyota isn't watching the sales numbers as closely as its U.S. counterparts... And remember that the Toyota guys are still quicker to respond (design-to-build) to the marketplace than we are here in Detroit.

    The point?

    Don't write off the Tundra as a "toy" just yet...
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    have been written off for a long time here....In the Motor City.

    - Tim
  • swobigswobig Member Posts: 634
    initial entry?? What was the T-100?? I agree with you to a point, but still think it needs to GROW...
  • RoclesRocles Member Posts: 982
    T-100? Do they still make that?
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    ..re-named it Tundra

    - Tim
  • trucksrmetrucksrme Member Posts: 381
    Take that word "tundra", now guessin what it
    really spells? Give up? "Da Runt"! See, that
    factory got a sense of humor now. Them yuppies be
    lovein "Da Runt" for sure. Guessin the joke be on
    them yuppies for spendin all that cash on them
    limited ones now and thinkin they got a "full size" one. Good luck on this one now!
  • towcrazy2towcrazy2 Member Posts: 337
    Tim,

    Not certain what your perspective is, but it's good to hear from another here in Motown!

    I've lived and breathed cars and trucks all my life... And NEVER did I ever see the design, performance and quality of domestic products rise so quickly as when the Asian manufacturers came in through the '70s and notched the post up a few pegs.

    It's a BIG world out there. Competition is a global reality. And while I'd like to have seen the U.S. take the lead, it took a bit of "outside influence" to get the big three going again.

    It's one thing to knock the foreign makers for taking dollars offshore and what weaknesses we might find in their products... It's another thing to appreciate that they triggered us to "wake up and smell the coffee."

    Nuff said...
  • towcrazy2towcrazy2 Member Posts: 337
    BTW... The Tundra isn't a re-named T-100. It's a ground-up truck (as the service manuals will illustrate).

    Keep in mind, please, that I'm delighted with my 2000 Dakota QC... But also that Toyota has a rightful spot in the marketplace for certain buyers (just as we have a rightful place in foreign markets for certain buyers).
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    .....just having fun....

    - Tim
  • swobigswobig Member Posts: 634
    the Silverado a new "ground up" truck too...huh...
  • jcmdiejcmdie Member Posts: 594
    Tundra has a place out there but I disagree about it being new from the ground up. There are more than a few parts borrowed from the T100 and the tacoma and the lexus and....
  • trucksrmetrucksrme Member Posts: 381
    Gound up tundra eh? Guessin ya not be countin them pumpkins from them tacomas, that trannie from them t100 ones, that transfer case from them tacomas, a whole lot of trim from them tacomas, ect.... Yup, they be "all new" alright, bout the same as them ones bein "full size" now. Talk bout strechin the truth now. Good luck on this one now!
  • laramiesltlaramieslt Member Posts: 10
    Hey with all the talk about how great the Tundra is I think I will go out and buy one. An extended cab with an 8' bed...........OOOOPPS they dont make one like that I guess real trucks are not used to haul plywood and other long things such as 7' fishing poles. I guess I will have to settle for my Dodge with an 8' bed AND an extended cab.
  • trucksrmetrucksrme Member Posts: 381
    Them yuppies not be understandin the basic need of that 8ft bed now, they just be reachin for that fad, that haul got little to do with it. Been tryin too explain this too them tundra folks, but it be hard too learn a yuppie much of nothin now. Hopin ya have better luck gettin thru too em. Good luck on this one now!
  • towcrazy2towcrazy2 Member Posts: 337
    Phew!!! You guys certainly take the words "ground-up" literally (LOL)!!!

    I referred to "ground-up" in reference primarily to powertrain... The Tacoma is, indeed, a new truck!

    Fact is, ANY manufacturer that would discard purposeful components of "previous" vehicles would be out of business post-haste!

    Is the Durango a new vehicle? NO! It's a clever adaptation of off-the-shelf Dakota stuff along with some new stuff!

    Is the Dakaota Quad a new vehicle? NO! It's a clever adaptation of off-the-shelf Durango stuff along with some new stuff!

    Is the Chevy Silverado a new vehicle? NO! It's a clever adaptation of C/K series off-the-shelf stuff along with some new stuff!

    As for the 8-ft. bed... It's fine if that's what you need! I don't! I haul a 14-ft. enclosed trailer with a couple of Harleys, 10-12 fishing rods, tools and tackle just fine with the '95 Ram SLT shortbed with 5.9... Just as I'll do the same with the 2000 Dakota Quad with 5.9. If I need to load up 8-ft. lumber, I'll drop the gate. It's all what you NEED!

    On a lighter note... There's a corner of the trailer reserved for a porta-potty... Sure has come in handy on those long trips!!!

    Regards to all!
  • devil1devil1 Member Posts: 74
    What kind of gas mileage are you getting with that Dakota Quad Cab. Is it 4x4?
  • trucksrmetrucksrme Member Posts: 381
    Never heard of no "full size" big3 ones sharin parts that was developed for them littler ones now. Course them tundras aint "full size", and be made for the yuppie who dont work em, so sharin drivetrain parts with them little tacomas should be ok now. Good luck on this one now!
  • jcmdiejcmdie Member Posts: 594
    I agree with you about the manufactures using parts from other vehicles. I wasn't meaning to jump on you but with toyota supposedly new in this marketI didn't want it to get by that it was an all new truck. That just deoesn't happen anymore-probably never did.
  • cdeancdean Member Posts: 1,110
    towcrazy, i have an anal correction to make.
    Dakota Quad and Durango are both the same vehicle almost, and both were adapted from the ex-cab dakota. Everything is the same.

    The only thing the Silverado shares with the older C/K is probably the rear axles, and that was probably changed. everything else, bumper to bumper is different.
  • swobigswobig Member Posts: 634
    is that Tundra sticker that's on the back. Guess they look so much like a compact that they have to put that big of a sticker on it so people know...LOL...just kidding - I actually like it...
  • trucksrmetrucksrme Member Posts: 381
    Ya know what that "tundra" sticker really be spellin? "Da Runt" now! That be why they made it so big for sure. And some be sayin that factory aint got no sense of humor now. Good luck on this one now!
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    ...people say the silverado is the same for looks...underneith it is very different.

    - Tim
  • z71billz71bill Member Posts: 1,986
    I own a 98 Tahoe and a 99 Silverado. Some parts are the same.

    Radio, antenna, hood release, steering wheel, I think the transmission is the same mechanical set up but new electronic controls were added.

    Every thing else is new - engine, frame, bumpers, body & door panels, grill, dash & gauges, seats, counsel, transfer case (autotrac), drive shaft, locking rear end (same ratios but prior trucks had the limited slip)

    Who cares if some parts are the same and others are new as long as it works. As far as it looking the same as the old style Chevy, people must be blind. I see my 99 truck sitting next to my 98 every day in my driveway, they look about as much alike as a Firebird T/A and a Ford Mustang.
  • rooster9rooster9 Member Posts: 239
    I agree with you on the looks of the new GM trucks, I can spot a '99/'00 at a glance. They are very different than the old design. I think they look totally different, but the front end layout is a lot alike, and that's why people say they look close to each other. Either way, I like the looks of the new GM's a lot better than the older ones.

    Does anyone have any info on the '01 GMC Sierra C-Series? Is it supposed to have the 6.0L V-8? Is it a half-ton?
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    C series 1/2 ton with the 6.0...to boost sales, they should consider the 8.1...
  • ferris47ferris47 Member Posts: 131
    GMC is supposed to be produceing a luxo or "Yuppie Truck" for trucksrme, with the 6.0. It is supposed to be AWD, have all kinds of nifty stuff in it including nav system, better stereo etc. The pictures that I have seem look very nice. The front end seems to have been freshend and made a bit more aggressive. All in all a very nice looking truck. Of course I am sure you will be looking at just shy of 40K. For that much cash I could just get a used POS truck for work and start working on my down payment on a Boxter or BMW MCoupe.

    My thoughts are that by putting the 6.0 in the GMC they are doing a feasibility study for the upcoming SSR.
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    boost the GMC truck sales....as it seems that Chevy is holding it's own
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    in a half ton?....come on guys..

    a 2WD 6.0?....just upgrade all around to a 2500 and get a 6.0 with 4WD.

    - Tim
  • dbhulldbhull Member Posts: 150
    Not everybody needs 4WD or 6.0l and a lot of people need/want it, but can't afford it. I say, get the most truck you can afford. That is why I bought a 1/2 ton 4wd.
  • tp4unctp4unc Member Posts: 437
    Can I say that? Been away awhile and come back to find 99 posts(mostly anti-Toyota). Quite painful.
  • trucksrmetrucksrme Member Posts: 381
    Welcome back now. Folks still not be gettin it when it comes too them limited ones now. Good luck on this one now!
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    ..uh...the people I am talking to WANT a 6.0....I'm just saying who NEEDS an 8.1 in a 2WD 1/2??

    Read before you post

    - Tim
  • superjim2000superjim2000 Member Posts: 314
    Maybe that will be the new combo for Chevys supertruck, the 8.1 2wd. I'd like to see it make production.
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    exactly what I was thinking...
  • swobigswobig Member Posts: 634
    I'm sure you could beef up a 5.3L to outrun the 8.1L - it's only got 340 horse. The 5.3L at 285 is not far behind. 8.1L more for pulling not racing...
  • dbhulldbhull Member Posts: 150
    Oh. My apologies. No need to get nasty. I did read it, just didn't get that from the post. Sorry.
This discussion has been closed.