TOYOTA TACOMA vs FORD RANGER- Part XI

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Comments

  • bessbess Member Posts: 972
    The Porche and Ferreri have alot more going for them than just top speed..
    Acceleration, handling, braking, smooth ride, comfort, cool exterior looks, interior gadgets. image are some of the reasons folks choose those vehicles.

    Back when I bought my Ranger (1889), I did compare it to the Toyota.. At that time i needed more interior space, and more engine performance, and a reasonable price, than the Toytoa had to offer. I was only interested in 4x2's as I have no need for 4x4.
    The Ranger gave me 11 years and 190k problem free miles, and is still going strong for my dad who now owns it.. I'm pretty sure he's already taken to 200k.

    Toyota wasn't even in the running for my current truck as they don't make a 3/4 ton..

    If I was single (no family), then I would have again looked at the mini-trucks..
    In that case, it's not clear that tacoma 4x2 has any advantage over the 4x2 ranger.. They both seem like good trucks, although the 4x2 tacoma does look pretty whimpy.
  • allknowingallknowing Member Posts: 866
    I wouldn't include Ferrari in the interior dept. as most are pretty basic. I'll agree that the Ranger is an excellent truck having advantages in many areas over the Tacoma while the Tacoma excels in many areas over the Ranger. Owning a TRD Toyota as well as the Ford, however, the ride off-road as well as the on pavement cornering ability of the TRD is far superior to the Ford in my view. The Toyota does ride harsher than the Ford though. Aside from that and back to the point, many of us buy a 4x4 not only for the features that we constantly use but also for the trucks ability if it's ever needed. Some of the guys here have a need to prove themselves by driving over huge boulders or steep trails to the highest possible altitude and so forth. Others, like myself, use the truck to reach waterfalls, gold panning areas, etc. that aren't accessible with a car. We want the extra security of a good 4x4 if it begins to rain or whatever so we can get home again and do it in the most comfortable manner. Let me add that the Ranger will do a good job off the road too but your kidneys will be much more prone to pain than in a TRD. It’s a matter of preference but I don’t see how anyone can claim that the Ranger possesses all of the off-road ability of the Tacoma without distorting the facts. It may be a better overall vehicle than the Tacoma to some since it is heavier, has better crash test results, a softer ride, arguably a nicer interior and a cheaper price. The Tacoma, on the other hand, still has the quality reputation that is proving to be true (at least in my case), notably less return trips to the dealer for recalls, and the standard for off-road ability that all other small trucks try to match. The Ranger has a way to go to earn an equal reputation in those areas and it isn’t there as far as I’m concerned. That being said, it doesn’t mean that the Ranger isn’t a great truck because I think that it is. It depends on your own personal preferences and needs.
    By the way, unless the PreRunner was in the equation, I would pick the Ranger 2x2 over the Tacoma 2x2 any day also.
  • spoogspoog Member Posts: 1,224
    Here is a COMPLETE list of the TSB's, Defect Investigations, and Safety Recalls for the Toyota pickup, Chevy s-10, Ford Ranger, and Dodge Dakota from the years 1989-2000. Enjoy.


    Defect Investigations 1989-2000


    Ford Ranger - 20


    Dodge Dakota- 14


    Chevy S10 - 51


    Toyota Tacoma - 2


    Safety Recalls 1989-2000


    Ford Ranger- 32


    Dodge Dakota - 28


    Chevyy S10 - 47


    Toyota Tacoma - 6


    Technical Service Bulletins 1989-2000


    Ford Ranger -2,279(yes, 2,279)


    Dodge Dakota- 940


    Chevy S10 -448


    Toyota Tacoma - 150


    -------


    So there you have it. All data is factual, and very telling. This is NOT "subjective".


    A trucks reliability and build quality is NOT "subjective".


    Not all trucks are built the same, as you can plainly see.


    Here is the hard link:


    http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/


    National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

  • spoogspoog Member Posts: 1,224
    http://www.jdpower.com/global/jdpaawards/releases/images/vdi99.gif


     


      http://www.jdpa.com/studies/pressrelease.asp?StudyID=292&CatID=1


    Well, here is a FIVE year, long term study to let

    you know just WHO makes the most reliable and

    bullet proof vehicles on this planet.


    ENJOY!

  • spoogspoog Member Posts: 1,224
    " The Toyota Tacoma beat the Hummer offroad"

    - fourwheeelr.com

    " The toyota tacoma is for people who actually use their trucks as trucks"

    - fourhweeler.com

    " The tacoma is a marvel of engineering and fit and finish"

    - fourhweeler.com

    " The toyota tacoma beat a JEep Tj, Range Rover and HUmmer in head to head offroad comparisons"

    " The Toyota Tacoma is the Ultimate 4x4 "

    -fourwheeler.com

    " The ranger rattled like a rattlesnake offroad"

    -edmunds.com

    " if your buying a used ranger, take it for a very,very long test drive"

    -edmunds.com

    " The ranger hobbled and bobbled and struggles over the terrain the tacoma flew over"

    -fourhweeler.com
  • spoogspoog Member Posts: 1,224
    Toyota Tacoma " opens a can of whoop a#$" on the competiiton, including chevy and GM full sizes, a pathetic s-10 and a nissan frontier.

    The Winner
    Toyota Tacoma Double Cab TRD


    It seems as though everyone is joining the four-door wars and Toyota is no exception. Versions of the company’s small Hi-Lux trucks have existed overseas for years with four fullsize doors, but never in the American market. We always scratched our heads wondering why they were never introduced here. Finally a Toyota mini-pickup with an extra set of doors has made it to the U.S.

    Our Toyota Tacoma Double Cab came equipped with the TRD package, which includes Bilstein shocks, upgraded tires, and one of our favorite options ever to come from a manufacturer: a locking rear differential. With these options, we suspected that the Toyota would perform admirably off-road, and that it did. During high-speed blasts over dirt roads and up washes, the suspension absorbed big bumps and small ripples with ease. Helping out in the fast stuff was the quick steering of the Double Cab; and powerful brakes pulled the Tacoma to a stop faster than any of the others. The Toyota was also the king of the dunes, as its decent power and bump-gobbling suspension made it blast through the sand without a problem.

    The rear differential lock is an interesting piece. It works only in low range and is suggested for speeds of up to 5 mph. However, even with those limitations, it greatly improved the off-road capability of the Tacoma. Combined with the most off-road orientated tires of the bunch, P265/70R16 BFGoodrich Long Trail T/As, the Toyota proved to be competent at low speeds and rocky trails, too. A simple push of the diff-lock button and the Toy was up and over most obstacles.

    Powering the Tacoma Double Cab up and over those obstacles was the same 3.4L V-6 used since the Tacoma’s inception. Com- paring this mill to the big diesel and 8.1 was like comparing chalk to cheese. Most judges described the power as good but still yearned for a bit more horsepower and torque. The V-6 did produce the best gas mileage of the bunch, though.

    Our test Tacoma also came with an automatic transmission that did not earn major praise from judges but also drew no criticisms. Its shifts were smooth and seamless and at the appropriate times. What most testers did find annoying was the shifter for both the transmission and the transfer case. One tester described the transmission shifter as a “video-game joystick” and the transfer case shifter as “a mixture of a lever and a push-button.”

    Once the Double Cab was off the pavement and onto the highway, the off-road orientation of its suspension showed. The same shocks and springs that made it blast through bumps on the dirt made for a somewhat stiff ride on the pavement. However, this did make for crisp handling once the road got twisty.

    Inside the Tacoma, judges found that the rear seats had the most room of the smaller pickups, and as one tester put it “people could actually fit back there.” The front seats also provided comfort and fit a wide range of testers’ bodies. Many also liked the snazzy instruments that featured a white background with black numbers but felt that not enough information was conveyed. In typical Toyota fashion, the Tacoma received high marks for its fit and finish and quality of materials.

    The Tacoma was the trail king out of our bunch. The TRD package and the locking rear differential allowed it to go places the other trucks wouldn’t, and it garnered the most points in our all-important trail performance category. That, with its excellent performance in our other testing categories, made it our pick for the 2001 Pickup Truck of the Year.


    It’s always a toss-up between size and performance. The Tacoma excelled in every test, but in the end seemed a bit small to me. But I loved its off-road capabilities and never once felt I couldn’t push it further. The locking rear differential is one of Toyota’s best-engineered features. For hard-core wheelin’ and excellent highway performance, the Tacoma is my pick, in spite of its compact size.

    – Michael Rudd

    Note to all manufacturers: All 4WD vehicles should have the rear differential lock feature this Tacoma has. This feature alone made the Toyota stand out, but combine that with great looks and attention to detail and you’ve got one great truck. If I were in the market for a new truck, this would be the one for me. But delete the step bars on mine, please.

    – Greg Smith

    The Tacoma opens a can of whup-[non-permissible content removed] on the rest of the competition when it comes to the dirt. The TRD package seems to me to be well worth the money. Every four-wheel drive made should come with a rear locker straight from the factory. This definitely isn’t a work truck, but if you are looking for a good off-road runabout, here it is.

    – Craig Perronne

    Let’s see, serious tires, serious transfer case, locking rear differential, and the kind of dimensions that mean it will go lots of places bigger trucks can’t – important in any environment where ’wheeling means crawling between boulders and trees. Add to that Toyota’s usual engineering sophistication and attention to detail, and what you wind up with is a very satisfying truck. Yep, I would like more motor, please. But never mind. This thing flat works, and that’s good enough for me.

    – Jon Thompson

    Save for that grille and the fuzzy seats, the Tacoma excelled in categories as disparate as traction and fuel economy. There were a few ergonomic no-nos and breaks in the truck’s overall styling excellence - like the T-case shifter and those rims - but the Tacoma is so solid I can forgive these trifles.

    – Andrew Lentz
  • spoogspoog Member Posts: 1,224
    Component: STRUCTURE:HOOD ASSEMBLY:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
    Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
    Mfg. Campaign #: 00S45
    Year: 2001
    Make: FORD TRUCK
    Model: RANGER
    Potential Number of Units Affected: 137700
    Manufactured From: MAR 2000 To: OCT 2000
    Year of Recall: '00
    Type of Report: Vehicle
    Summary:

    Vehicle Description: Sport utility vehicles with steel hoods and certain pickup trucks equipped with sheet molding compound hoods. A wire formed hood striker could be susceptible to fatigue fractures. If the hood striker fractures, the hood could fly open while the vehicle is being driven.

    A hood fly-up while the vehicle is being operated could result in reduced driver visibility.

    Dealers will replace the hood striker. Owner notification is expected to begin during December 2000. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Sung to the melody of the Eagles " take it easy"

    Well I'm a driving down the road trying to loosen my load, got a hood blocking my site

    Trying to pull it over down onto the shoulder but I can't see no light

    Take it iiiiiinnnnnnnn

    Take it iiiiiiiiinnnnnn

    Take that Ranger to the dealer once again......
  • modvptnlmodvptnl Member Posts: 1,352
    Gimme a break!!!! Can you honestly say this guy is any less annoying then your poster child of repetition???

    BTW, it's 4X2 not 2x2.
  • barlitzbarlitz Member Posts: 752
    go to www.alldata.com. You can get all the info on defects and repairs. Ranger for 2000 16,Tacoma for 2000 10 ,S-10 for 2000 37.Please Spoog we,ve had enough I'm gonna start complaing to Edmunds with the crap you write.
  • eagle63eagle63 Member Posts: 599
    Obviously we should take into consideration what we intend to do with a vehicle before we buy one, that goes without saying. But we could argue for the next 4 years about who really uses what option and if they really need that feature or not.
    I guess I still don't understand Vince's arguement. I mean, if you don't care about off-roading, then don't get the TRD option. But if you do, then the TRD seems to have a lot of off-road worthy features that are built into one nice package and are still factory warrantied.

    The funny thing is, I am a Ranger fan and a Ford fan. The 4-runner and the tacoma are the only 2 Toyota vehicles that I like. And if I was shopping for a compact pickup, I'd probably get a ranger because it's a great rig at a great value. If I wanted an off-roader, I'd still get a Jeep :)
  • bessbess Member Posts: 972
    We are basically in agreement.. Both posts well stated..
    As to spoog, There are several flaws in the numbers he presented. (for example the same complaint is duplicated and doubled/tripled counted in several cases).
  • spoogspoog Member Posts: 1,224
    I thought this was aRanger verse tacoma discussion.

    Now when I provide PROOF that the tacoma beats the ranger, everyone gets all sensitive.

    This forum is RANGER verse TACOMA forum , and currently, the Tacoma is " opening a can of whoop-a#$" ( fourhweeler.com) on the Ranger.
    You guys can ignore and deny it all you want. The bottom line is that I BACK UP my claims, and boy do they get backed up well.

    Pickup the May issue of four wheeler magazine and check out the tacoma beating a hummer, jeep, and range rover for the Ultimate 4x4 award. Also see how it one the 2001 pickup of the year from frouwheeler.

    The landcruiser expedition is AWESOME in the may fourhweeler.

    " The tacoma TRd could simply go places the other trucks couldn't"

    - Fourwheeler.com
  • rickc5rickc5 Member Posts: 378
    there were 19 posts since yesterday afternoon.

    Now I see why. Spoog is back (groan), once again overwhelming us with his same old regurgitations.

    spoog: please go buy some new magazines!
  • bessbess Member Posts: 972
    In your post 1004:
    Numbers are double counted, are often subjective, and often are not even real problems, and do not take into account the number of rangers sold..
    In you post 1005:
    The 2 links you reference do not pertain to tacoma's and rangers specifically. But to toyota (all cars/trucks)..
    If you search the JD site for studies involving mini-pickups it results in 5 studies. The winners in the mini-truck catagories were:
    a. 1999 most appealing: dodge dakota.
    b. 1999 initial quality study 2: dodge dakota.
    c. 2000 initial quality study 2: mazda b-series (ranger clone)
    d. 2000 most appealing: dodge dakota.
    e. 2000 thailand initial quality study: ford ranger. (note the for car it was a toyota, but not for the truck)

    In your post 1007/1008: In that link for the 2001 pickup of the year. Ford did not participate. So there was no comparison of Tacoma to the Ranger..

    So your post 1014 where you say:
    'This forum is RANGER verse TACOMA forum , and currently, the Tacoma is " opening a can of whoop-a#$" ( fourhweeler.com) on the Ranger.'

    That didn't happen because the ranger wasn't there. The proof is in the link you provided.

    So, it appears yet again that much of the information you choose to use to 'back up' your claims is seriously flawed or just plain doesn't exist except for the information you make up yourself.

    Is the Tacoma a good truck with serious off-road capabilities? According to many experts, it is.. Overall, is the Tacoma a 'better' truck than the Ranger? The debate continues..
  • scape2scape2 Member Posts: 4,123
    I have never said this was not a good package. But no way did anyone pay 21K for a loaded V6 TRD.
    1300 is manufactures list price for this package. I have yet to run into anyone who paid this price, they usually pay more.
    My whole point is the TRD package is extremly limited in its use. Over 90 percent of 4x4's sold never even touch a gravel road. Most of us use our trucks to commute to work. How much of your time is truely spent offroading? Maybe 5 percent? How much of that time are you in 4low? maybe 2 percent? Anyone who tells me they stay in 4low the whole time they offroad, will automatically tell me they are just plain lying. The locker can only be engaged in 4low. Lets see, this doesn't help you tow, or pull or haul anything. I notice none of the Toyota boys will tell you what happens when you try to take a sharp corner with a locker engaged.. Hmm...
    I am constantly looking for a Ranger vs Tacoma comparison from any magazine. I am very curious to see how you Tacoma boys will react when you see the new 4.0 SOHC "open up a can of whoop [non-permissible content removed]" on your Toy..
  • smgillessmgilles Member Posts: 252
    I paid $21k w/taxes, titles, etc. for a fully loaded V6 SR5, TRD, ABS, Power Everything. I even ordered it, so I could get the ABS and black color. I stressed that I did have a trade-in if you will refer to my earlier posts. I guess I don't understand why that is so hard to comprehend. I will see if I can find the papers and scan them, but you will think I just made them up, so what's the point. Maybe in the midwest (i.e. Iowa) things go for a lower rate than the east or west coast.

    I wasn't on here to say that Tacoma's rule or any of that, I was just simply replying to the fact that Vince said they were at an untouchable price. If that was the case I would have never bought one! I was looking for a 4x4 that would serve my needs and that included (Ranger, Toyota, and Nissan). Toyota made me the best deal (obviously), because I am driving a new one. The dealership's name is Bluffs Toyota and the # is 1-712-366-2444. Ask for Owen Jens.

    I think that all these trucks are worthy of praise and it comes down to price and service for overall purchase. Hopefully I don't ever have to deal with the service department, but the price was impossible to beat. Maybe I got lucky, but I definitely got better things to do then come on the internet and lie about what I paid. For the most part I just like to read because you guys keep me entertained. I just wanted it to be known that their prices aren't out of this world (In my case atleast). Vince acts like you are buying a truck that is made out of gold.
  • cpousnrcpousnr Member Posts: 1,611
    in Loveland, Co. Saw a whole lot of Broncos, lots of Jeeps and a few older Toyota pickups.

    Not one Tacoma let alone a TRD.

    There were 2 Rangers and one Mazda 4000.

    Again, not one Tacoma.
  • cpousnrcpousnr Member Posts: 1,611
    home polishing the TRD emblem. . .

    I do have to admit that some of the older 4Runners and Toyota pickup trucks looked as if they were set up for some serious off-roading. One looked pretty beat up.

    Again, Tacoma was a no show...interesting for the first place choice of FourWheeler magazine.
  • bessbess Member Posts: 972
    Are you saying that the truck you traded in was worth $0? If that is the case, then I guess you did get the Tacoma for 21k. If your old truck had any value at all, then you did pay more than 21k for the Tacoma..

    By your rules, I could claim to get a Tacoma for free if I traded it for my 00' F250 SuperDuty. (in reality Toyota would owe me around 6k.)

    I do understand your eariler point where the Ford and Nissan dealers asked for more than what Toyota did.. You chose well.
  • scape2scape2 Member Posts: 4,123
    you are not including your trade in. How much was that worth? What was it?
  • smgillessmgilles Member Posts: 252
    I said I paid $21k with trade-in, as in I paid 21K for their Toyota and they got my old pick-up. Which was a 1988 (E,short box), std. cab, 5sp, AC, 4x4 Nissan with 197,000 miles (it had been well maintained, some rust and a few minor blemishes). Kelly's blue book rated the truck worth $935 dollars. I never stated that I paid 21k straight up, you guys shouldn't let your hostility blind you. What I meant by saying Ford and Nissan wanted more, was that with my trade I still would have had to pay Ford 20K and Nissan 21.5k and Toyota was 20k with trade-in. Being that the Toyota sticker was 25,300 and the Ford's sticker was 23,400 I bought the Toyota because I was getting more value for what I was paying. As I stated before Toyota allowed more for the trade-in which equaled the price of the Ford, also with same trade-in. Have I made this clear enough yet???? So you could say I paid 20k(Toyota)+$935(trade-in)+$1046.7(taxes)=$21,981.7!
  • allknowingallknowing Member Posts: 866
    modvptnl - Yeh, I agree that his posts are a bit much too. Please forgive the typo on 2x2 vs. 4x2. I was writing quickly as I had to log off.

    Vince - Every TRD owner I see seems satisfied with what they received with their package and the price they paid so why keep up your goofy crusade? Somehow I'll bet if Ford was offering the exact same package at the same price, it would be the greatest value in the industry.

    CP- I guess it's where you live because here in Calif. as well as So. Oregon, the mountains and deserts are full of Tacomas. Another possibility is that the Tacoma owners are out using their trucks rather than trying to show them off.
  • rickc5rickc5 Member Posts: 378
    I paid $22,000 for my new Tacoma TRD xtracab. Taxes were an additional $540.10 (we had a trade-in worth $15,000).

    I no longer have the window sticker, but this was a well-equipped truck, with all options except the alarm system and the sunroof. It was NOT a Limited. Yes, I got a great deal!

    Given the HUGE number of new vehicles adorning all the dealer's lots here in Denver, I'm not surprised that a new Tacoma TRD could be bought for just about invoice, which is about what smgilles paid.

    I fail to see why smgilles can't be believed and let it go.
  • spoogspoog Member Posts: 1,224
    \\spoog: please go buy some new magazines\\

    These quotes are from the May 2001 Issue of Fourwheeler ( ULTIMATE 4x4 CONTEST), and the 2001 pickup of the year comparison at the fourwheeler website. Maybe you should start paying attention.
  • spoogspoog Member Posts: 1,224
    \\Went to the 2001 Rocky Mountain 4X4 expo yesterday. . . by cpousnr Apr 22, 2001 (05:28 am)
    in Loveland, Co. Saw a whole lot of Broncos, lots of Jeeps and a few older Toyota pickups.

    Not one Tacoma let alone a TRD.

    There were 2 Rangers and one Mazda 4000.

    Again, not one Tacoma. \\

    So what does this prove? LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Why do I hear the Twilight zone theme in my head when I read this?
  • scape2scape2 Member Posts: 4,123
    Crusade? I just played one heck of a number with your "Toyota is god" mentality by educating you on a package that is so useless to most buyers mechanicaly that you just figured out its useless for yourself. Image is the only reason why over 90 percent of people buy the TRD pakackage. You hate the fact that the locker is actually an open axle, doesn't help you tow, pull or haul a thing, the Bilstein shocks, springs can be bought for 1/4 of the price aftermarket.. The TRD package is so specialized its useless to the average truck user. Maybe this is why the RAnger continues to outsell the Tacoma almost 2.5 to 1! Even after how many years the Tacoma has been on the market? Now with the available SOHC 4.0 the Ranger is the more powerful of the two.. Go lay down by your dish...
  • eagle63eagle63 Member Posts: 599
    "You hate the fact that the locker is actually an open axle, doesn't help you tow, pull or haul a thing..."

    -when is a limited slip helpful during towing, pulling, or hauling? usually when I'm tooling down the highway towing a boat my wheels aren't spinning. maybe yours are?
  • allknowingallknowing Member Posts: 866
    Vince - Just trying to save you from your current reputation as a Jacka--. For your sake, let's say that is is the case that we bought our TRD for simply the "Image". What would that prove? It just means that we have the "Image" that you want and you don't have because you bought a Ranger. No matter how many posts you place here, Totota still will have the "Image" you crave. In fact, you're the only one elevating our trucks to the god level so I suppose that means that you almost worship us too. Thanks for the compliment Vince.
  • allknowingallknowing Member Posts: 866
    rickc5 - It's been about 1 1/2 years since I bought my TRD but I paid about the same as you or maybe a little more for my 2000. I remember that it wasn't that much more than the best price I could get for a similar Ranger (approx. $2000). To me, the extra 2k for the TRD Tacoma was well worth it. Some here legitimately prefer some of the features of the Ranger, however, and I can respect that. Others here don't seem too confident in their decision on buying their Ranger and try to appease themselves by inflating the price and posting erroneous info on the Tacoma.
  • allknowingallknowing Member Posts: 866
    I was doing a little maintenance on my 2000 Tacoma today and noticed that the stinking GM Delco battery allready had a little white buildup around the top seam. I don't know why Toyota chose to use a GM battery as they have the shortest life of any battery I've ever used. That's one thing I'll really commend Ford on as they make a very good long life battery.
  • ebbgreatdaneebbgreatdane Member Posts: 278
    So the light has been turned on. Can you give us and idea of what the truck cost you out the door with out the trade in, including what financing deals you got (if you don't mind)? I know I am very curious as we look to purchase one soon.

    YOU CALL THE THAT A ROUGH RIDE???

    Try my '85 1/2 ton 4X2 Toy on 238 connector to the 580E. You CA Bay Arears know what I mean. I'm pretty tall so sometimes I get a good jolt and have to watch my head. : ) I guess that makes me pretty biased; compared to my current truck the TRD package seemed like a Cadillac (the Caddy that tows?)

    SPOOG -
    I hate to say it since everyone is entitled to their opinions, but there are a lot of other magazines and websites out there bubba. Not just four wheeler magazine and their affiliate sites. Maybe you can substantiate your numbers via other sources? I wouldn't mind seeing that.

    John
  • ebbgreatdaneebbgreatdane Member Posts: 278
    Anyone want to check out the Tacoma Problems post? It's been dormant for some time and there are some questions going unanswered there. This seems to be the most active Taco Post.

    I guess if you think about it that says a lot...

    /direct/view/.eea0bad
  • midnight_stangmidnight_stang Member Posts: 862
    Identified the amounts of TSB's and recalls per vehicle aren't all that straightforward. You have to read past the "potentially affected vehicles number" as this is just the car company trying to prevent lawsuits. The only statistic that would really matter in this case is the amount of car actually affected / with defective part. Otherwise there would be News articles and publicitiy on this "hood latch", similiar to the Firestone Wilderness AT Tire problem.
  • rickc5rickc5 Member Posts: 378
    I seem to recall that the Tacoma is built in Fremont, CA, in the same assembly plant that builds the Corolla/GM Prism. Looks like Toyota took the easy route and let GM provide batteries for all the vehicles produced at that plant.
  • tclemonstclemons Member Posts: 31
    My son spends most of him time in the Olympics. He is not what I consider an "avid" off-roader. He camps out quite a bit and his work - wildlife biologist - takes him into the boonies most of the time. He used to work around the Forks, WA area (western WA), and he was in the mud and crap in the Ho Rain Forest area. He bought the 4x4 because he needed the ability to get into and out of some of his work areas. He has been up around Mt. Hood quite a bit, but he takes his dog with him everywhere and he has to be careful where he is because the Park Service won't always allow a dog, even on a leash. I will see him in August and I think we are going camping in the Olympics. He loves it -- I tolerate it.
  • issisteelmanissisteelman Member Posts: 124
    Why does everyone seem to pick on spoog? He is simply stating the truth. Tacomas are better than Rangers, and that is why they are a little more expensive. Didn't anyone ever tell you that you get what you pay for? A Tacoma is slightly more expensive but it is certainly worth the extra money in the long run. That is my opinion, please think about it. Happy off roading everyone................Steelman.
  • eagle63eagle63 Member Posts: 599
    you're name should be flamebait.
  • midnight_stangmidnight_stang Member Posts: 862
    eagle63, or what do you think of "I state my opinions, but any facts are not to be seen."

    steelman--->The last few posts you say "Tacomas are better than Rangers", but many people asked what facts you have to back up this opinion. Will you please elaborate on why you think so? Expensive does not equate to being better.
  • issisteelmanissisteelman Member Posts: 124
    Why should I waste my time and elaborate any further upon the reasons why Tacomas are better than Rangers? Even if I presented you with the facts (and believe me, there are many to back me up)you would try to contradict everything I wrote. All of you Ranger owners seem to suffer from the same psychological affliction called "Sweet Lemons". You bought a Ranger and it is not as good as a Tacoma but you still try to convince people otherwise(you try to make your sour, lemon-like Ranger taste sweeter than it really is). Well I'm sorry but the reality of the situation is that you do indeed get what you pay for, especially when it comes to new automobiles. So the best fact, my friends, is that a Tacoma is more expensive than a Ranger and is therefore better than a Ranger. Very simple, don't you think? Again, a Ranger is what you settle for when you cannot afford the Tacoma. And I might add, a Ranger isn't a bad vehicle, it is just simply not as good as a Tacoma (period, end of story). Take care and see I'll see you in the wilderness..........Steelman.
  • ebbgreatdaneebbgreatdane Member Posts: 278
    Willing to buy a Toyota but no deals in site.

    Does anyone have any info on recent APR deals they received?
  • cthompson21cthompson21 Member Posts: 1,102
    "So the best fact, my friends, is that a Tacoma is more expensive than a Ranger and is therefore better than a Ranger."

    This has got to be THE most brainless argument I've ever seen on these boards.

    It makes spoog look like Socrates.
  • bessbess Member Posts: 972
    Much of the discussion of what is better than what is based on individual opinions..
    Some of us will state our opinions, and then state the information for which we based our opinions on.. (Assuming that one has a basis for their opinions). Heck, for some folks the available colors a truck comes in may be a basis in their opinion..

    Spoog states his opinion, then presents numbers and articles to show why he chooses that opinion.. (Although, I would prefer it would not repeat the same exact posts every week).

    In your case, you gave the opinion that the Tacoma is a better truck.. So far I the only basis for your opinion that I've seen you state is, because the Tacoma costs more..
  • eagle63eagle63 Member Posts: 599
    "Again, a Ranger is what you settle for when you cannot afford the Tacoma."

    -Look at that head swell.
  • allknowingallknowing Member Posts: 866
    My Tacoma is better than the Ranger because it's jade green and Ford doesn't offer that color. Obviously they don't offer that color because they know that the Ranger is not as good.
  • rmacias_rmacias_ Member Posts: 37
    I just have one "thing" to say to all of you.

    Ivan "Ironman" Stewart

    End of story.
  • bessbess Member Posts: 972
    Interesting thought. I've been a fan of Ivan for many years. However I also understand that the Toyota trucks he races are as similar to the Tacoma as Jeff Gordons NASCAR race car is to the Taurus..
  • rickc5rickc5 Member Posts: 378
    I have NEVER laughed so hard at ANY other topics I frequent. The last few days of posts clearly demonstrate that as a society, we have not lost our collective sense of humor.

    "It makes spoog look like Socrates". Oh my GOD!

    I just hope I can drive home without going in the ditch as I remember the humor. Absolutely the BEST! We must all get together sometime and pat each other on the back for providing such excellent comic relief!
  • ebbgreatdaneebbgreatdane Member Posts: 278
    I think the point is, is that most performance, production vehicles are based loosely on those developed/tested components that are used in modern day racing/rally events.

    TRD and SVT teams derive a lot of their technology from those events that test the limits of performance. Jaguar, Ferrari, Porsche, Subaru, Nissan, Pontiac, Chevy and GM and most other car manufacturers do the same.

    It still doesn't mean that Toyota's are better. It just means that Ivan "Ironman" Stewart can win races and hold a sponsor that will let him drive prototype Toyota technology. When he retires, Toyota will find someone else for their Wheaties boxes.

    All evidence to the contrary, it will be a long time before I feel I can trust Ford again with my car purchase. Toyota has never let me or my family down. For all of their shortcommings (pricey, no 3rd door, smaller engine), I have faith the Taco will never leave me stranded. I can't say the same about Ford.

    AC DELCO BATTIERS -
    It's kinda stupid but I think that Toyota is forced by regulation to used domestic batteries if the car/truck is assembled here in the US. I would imagine there are a number of such regulations plus it's probably cheaper to install the batteries here using domestic batteries rather than having to pay the extra shipping for hazardous materials.
  • smgillessmgilles Member Posts: 252
    Ebb~ I got my financing through the internet at e-loan.com and the interest rate was 6.35% on 48 months. It may be even cheaper now with national interest rates being cut. Toyota dealership wanted like 8.5-9.0% that seem a bit steep for me. There are tons on the interenet, but e-loan was the cheapest and the process was nice and clean. You apply, they send you a check, you write it out to the dealer, they send you payment book...

    As far as my price for my Taco.. What I did is showed up at the dealership test drove the truck that had the options that I wanted and some I didn't. After driving it I told the salesman I wouldn't pay over $20,000 with my pick-up as trade. He looked at my pick-up and had someone else look at it and said no problem. They couldn't find the color I wanted so I ordered one just like it, dropped the bedliner, bug shield, and tow package and added ABS. It took 6 weeks and I had it. I have never had a better experience with a dealership in my life.

    I can understand Vince's point on a 4x2 for the LSD, but not a 4x4, if the roads are slippery I put it in 4x4, that's why I bought it and for my weekend excursions. I think 300lbs in sand bags is better than lsd or open or posi on any 4x2. If you can't get around in that you shouldn't been there in the first place.
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