24th Jun 2013, 15:03

To anyone claiming that domestic car makers don't build luxury cars, I would encourage test driving a new Lincoln. My family has driven BMWs, Mercedes and Lincolns. BMW drives great. Mercedes has snob appeal. But absolutely nothing touches Lincoln in sheer luxury and comfort.

25th Jun 2013, 13:02

None of the latest comments apply to a new or used Tacoma. It is not in any luxury segment. There is no snob portrayal. It's inexpensive. To compare ride and comfort, it's best to look elsewhere.

The first thing to go for me is the mudflaps. They look bad. Some domestics have them too. A redesign with flared quarters would make a vast improvement. And a nicer looking front and rear end. But maybe that would drive the cost up.

26th Jun 2013, 19:02

Kind of curious with the one brand and one brand only Toyota family. If you drove into the driveway with another brand, would you be disowned? It is an interesting observation to condemn all other makes with only a single brand mindset. I tend to switch to the latest technology and designs. There is tremendous variety today. It's hard to imagine.

27th Jun 2013, 01:38

Yes, unfortunately there is. They're not bad cars at all, but they're not as good as the older models in any way. The 4.6L V8 was nowhere near as good as the GM LT1 engine used in the 1994 B/D body vehicles in terms of power, and Town Cars have a cramped, compact feeling compared to the older luxury cars.

I would normally highly regard the final Fleetwoods, but they lacked the classiness of the Broughams. But yes, I believe Lincoln lost something when they downsized in 1980.

28th Jun 2013, 08:21

It amazes me that people buy the exact same basic import.

Take a look at this engine:

http://www.cadillac.com/cts-v-luxury-sedan.html

0-60 under 4 seconds in a stock Cadillac.

10 years ago this was a very big claim for our Viper. It just show the advancement and latest technology today is simply amazing. And it also goes beyond just the acceleration. There are so many opportunities today. I will buy any brand as well... as last year's vehicles can become dated very quickly. Even in a year. Look around heavily and see what's out there. You can read a review that is of a recent vehicle year, and in reality it is dated in the present. I have one car that the entire dash was redesigned in a single year. So it's dated already.

28th Jun 2013, 16:18

If all a car buyer wants is just basic transportation and doesn't mind endless recalls, Toyotas are OK. If distinctive styling, reliability and performance are desired, a domestic is the only way to go.

28th Jun 2013, 16:58

Adding all these cute bells and whistles in is just more stuff that could and will go wrong. Older, more simple cars are better. They're usually faster too because they don't have the same kinds of emission restrictions and MPG limitations.

29th Jun 2013, 00:03

The newer Tacoma's look too big and bulky; they're about the same size as a 10 year old full size Ford or Chevy truck. I occasionally see a first generation Tacoma in the large northern city I drive in, and the styling looks better in a more compact form. I also notice many times more domestic trucks from pre-2000 than Toyota's from the same era. The domestic trucks are usually dented and rusted, and appear to never have been re-painted. Built for function and longevity, not appearance.

1st Jul 2013, 11:24

And again, I ask if there are some of you who clearly don't like Toyota, Tacomas, or more generally - "Imports", then why waste your time making the exact-same comments over and over again? It's rather clear that those who buy these do not agree with you, and on top of that, it's not like you're going to somehow convert those who buy them to suddenly start buying big-honkin' - 'merican trucks anyway.

Sorry to break the news to you, but my Taco has been a flawless truck, hauls exactly what I want to haul with it, and it's been insanely reliable. If you are confused as to why these sell as well as they do, then oh well. Keep on driving your full sized trucks. I don't care what you drive. So stop making pointless comments about a truck you do not own.

2nd Jul 2013, 08:19

So we can agree that your 1995 Tacoma has been good. And the 2002 Tacoma owner totally disagrees with you, as the original poster of this review. I agree the older Toyotas were of far higher quality than today. It is 2013. The way we are interpreting the reviews is that there are a vast number that agree with the quality drop and unreasonable level of persistent recalls. Seems to me a savvy solution is to find one from the early 90s to buy with very low mileage. Or a new domestic.

2nd Jul 2013, 14:06

Your comments are an enigma when you put down the "big honkin trucks". Yet it's OK that your father owns a full size and tows a travel trailer. It's a Toyota though, so that makes it alright. Do you see how people can interpret the negative comments? People that shop and have options are not at fault. When you see someone that misspells your country of origin as "Merican" and drives a big honkin truck, it also does not strengthen your argument. If anything, it's insulting and very demeaning.

In this day and time, savvy shoppers evaluate all. It doesn't have to be an all Toyota family. My concern is someone that buys off of a 18 year ago ownership. And it's not truly indicative of present day and time. What absolute guarantee are you giving vs Toyota ownership issues in the past few years? Not everyone will repeat buy with engine issues. If it happens to you, will you comment or not at all, if issues appear on your next new buy?

2nd Jul 2013, 15:05

The older Tacomas were great trucks, except for the frames breaking in half and the steering failing.

2nd Jul 2013, 17:12

"why waste your time making the exact-same comments over and over again?"

Why do you waste your time posting comments about your Yota Taco on "merican" car threads such as the Lincoln Continental and the Mercury Marquis?

2nd Jul 2013, 21:58

Hi there Tacoma guy, you back to read some more pointless comments? I knew you would be. I don't doubt you have a good Taco that's served you well, you're justifiably proud of, and feel a need to fervently defend. However, I take issue with someone telling me I should not express an opposing point of view. Some kind of First Amendment thing, ever heard of it?

Maybe it would be easier to dictate only pro-Toyota comments on a back-slapping Toyota site like Tacoma World.

3rd Jul 2013, 08:14

Right, several people involved in this discussion are getting far too personal.

These arguments have been repeated endlessly before, by mostly the same people. I'd prefer it if people would resist the urge to endlessly repeat the same arguments, but given that is unlikely, please at least treat other visitors with politeness and respect. If that's not possible, your comments are not welcome on the site.

I've disabled the addition of new comments on this review, so people can take the opportunity to cool down.

Steven Jackson (site admin)

steven@carsurvey.org