5th Oct 2006, 15:42

Dull is dull... I would rather pay for the fuel and have something exciting. I love a loaded V8 no one will force me to accept less.

5th Oct 2006, 19:52

I'm driving a 1984 Nissan pickup with a diesel engine in it. The engine itself is 2.2 l.

This truck, however, only has rear wheal drive. But, for those American car lovers who think Toyota and Nissan just aren't reliable, I've got news--this truck of mine has 500000 Km on it, no engine blowing, hardly any rust.

I just finished replacing shocks and brakes, plus new ball joints and filled all fluids (brake, power steering etc etc.)

7th Oct 2006, 20:02

It's not that people who drive American trucks think that Toyota and Nissan aren't as reliable, we just think that paying 7 grand more for a basic Toyota than for an equally reliable small American truck is totally irrational. We've owned American and Japanese, and there is basically ZERO difference in reliability. There is a BIG difference in price, however, and when I bought a new small truck I opted for a fully loaded V-6 Ranger Sport for 5 grand less than a bare-bones basic Tacoma work truck. I have better things to do with my money than cater to foreign car myths.

8th Oct 2006, 20:22

I think I'd pay for the Toyota or Nissan and get better reliability. Although I'll admit there are some great American trucks -- the Silverado and the Ranger -- Toyota and Nissan are most likely, in terms of small vehicles, the most reliable by far.

I'm not saying Ford or Chevy is horrible, since I just bought myself a 1983 Ford Ranger for my first 4WD truck, but as I've seen over the years, my Dad has had both American and Japanese trucks. He had a full sized Ford F-150, and within 10,000 he had a new alternator. By 30,000, he needed a front wheel allignment. There are just too many parts to list, but I'm guessing that was just a lemon because he got a new 2001 GMC C Sierra SLE and it runs great. He also now has a 2000 Toyota Tacoma, courtesy of my Grandpas passing, and uses both of them.

Paying $6000 more is better then having a gas-guzzling 8 cylinder engine (although the above commenter has a Ranger, so its one of the few 4 cylinder engines you can get made American).

13th Oct 2006, 18:40

To the poster on Oct 7th: A "Bare Bones" Tacoma is the same price as a fully loaded, V6 Ranger? What dealer did you go to, "Ben Dover's Auto-mall?"

18th Oct 2006, 09:54

Actually both the Tacomas AND the Tundras are being advertised for LESS than comparable Fords now. I'm seeing ads for the Tundra for $13,000. That is a great price. I'd still opt for the Ford though, because it has a 100,000 mile warranty compared to Toyotas little 36,000 limited warranty. I just wonder why Toyota offers such a short warranty. I've owned both Japanese and American and there just is not any difference in reliability. The American trucks do ride and drive much better. As for Nissan, I read an awful lot of bad stuff about their cars NOT being reliable, so I'd be a little concerned about their trucks too.

22nd Oct 2006, 16:14

I'm sure that Toyota will follow the lead of the American manufacturers in going to a 100,000 mile warranty. It does seem strange that they still have the little 36,000 mile limited warranty. At this point that is (to my knowledge) the shortest warranty offered by any auto manfacturer. In view of that, I'd opt for something with a longer warranty. Reading these reviews it is very obvious that Toyota owners DO encounter numerous problems. I'd rather be covered by a longer warranty.

24th Oct 2006, 13:12

Toyota does have a 100,000 mile warranty. It's also a 7 year warranty (which ever comes first). What's more surprising is that a domestic make would give their customer's that 100,000 mile warranty. No wonder they are all losing money, with the exception of Dodge.

As far as pricing goes. The Tundra has significantly lower base MSRP than any American full size truck. The tacoma is also lower. If you paying 7k extra for a Japanese car, then you just need to get better at negotiating with salesmen.

27th Oct 2006, 22:39

I didn't think the Tundra was considered a full size truck. In a comparison of several trucks a leading magazine refers to the Tundra as a "mid-sized" truck. It looks the same size as a Dakota. The full size Dodge, Ford and GM trucks are huge in comparison.

31st Oct 2006, 13:49

Try to sell your "American" truck in 5-6 yrs. I'll re-coup much of the extra money spent upfront on the next trade-in or sale.

Read the fine print for the warranty. What you think is covered most likely isn't anyway.

9th Nov 2006, 19:35

Oh REALLY!! I sold my 5 year old Dodge truck this year for $1500 less than I paid for it brand new in late 2000. Try that with a Toyota you paid full list for!!

10th Nov 2006, 14:36

I made out like a bandit on my 2004 Silverado. I negotiated well new and then just sold it privately. It only had 28000 miles on it when I sold it. I just bought a new one Internet shopping within a 100 mile radius through the local internet mgr/dealer I selected. I now have a longer warranty although I won't keep it that long. The next buyer will benefit. Toyota may offer an extended warranty, but pay more on top of being overpriced. Sorry I am smarter that that. Domestics are the best in my opinion. Also it pays to read the fine print most knowledgeable consumers do so. I love shopping internet most vehicle buyers must not know how well it works. I pay all cash so that there are not any "hidden" fees. Then sell privately.

31st Dec 2006, 14:00

All the hype about better resale value for imports never takes into account how much more they cost to buy and maintain. People take the LIST price of domestics as a basis for figuring resale, when no one but an idiot (or import buyer) EVER pays full list for a car. In addition, the imports require THOUSANDS more to maintain over a 4 or 5 year period than a domestic. I paid 7 grand less than list for my Dodge truck, drove it 5 years and sold it for 80% of what I paid for it new. My current Ford truck was purchased for 6 grand off list and is currently (at one year old) worth MORE than I paid for it. I went looking at used Mustangs a few days ago thinking I could get an '05 or '06 at a good price. I was surprised to find two year old base V-6 Mustangs selling for the same as brand new '07's. I decided to go with a new one. My family has had 3 Japanese cars, and none of them ever sold for as high a percentage of their purchase price as our American cars, and ALL of them were much less reliable, which is why we WON'T be buying any more. I won't be misled by myths again.