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.
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.
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..
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...
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.
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.
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...
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.
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!
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."
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).
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....
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!
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.
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!
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!!!
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!
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.
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.
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...
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!
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.
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?
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.
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.
Comments
I think this much is enough for now. Any comments?
By the way, I love America.
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.
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
....speaking of can.....
- Tim
- Tim
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...
- Tim
- Tim
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!
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...
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).
- Tim
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!
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.
- Tim
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.
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?
My thoughts are that by putting the 6.0 in the GMC they are doing a feasibility study for the upcoming SSR.
a 2WD 6.0?....just upgrade all around to a 2500 and get a 6.0 with 4WD.
- Tim
Read before you post
- Tim