27th Mar 2009, 14:52

22:43 so out of the vast quantities of new and used domestic and/or imports you have owned... approx. how many were full size truck models? Not a passenger or third hand observation. I question that only as you can condemn/critique full size complete mfrs. in their entirety on here. As these models can cost up and over $40k - even $50k, and there are many currently owning or contemplating a full size purchase, how many have you bought used, new whatever?

If you never have, it might be better to say you have only owned small vehicles on different platforms. drivetrains etc. If you have only owned a small Tacoma, make the comment rather than sideskirt it as such.

I have owned only 2 small trucks; a 94 Splash that I bought for my older teen child from watching too much "Baywatch" and a 99 S-10 Extended both bought new.

The Splash was a toy with a short bed, and honestly would beat you to death, and the short bed was relatively useless. The wide tires and rims and the red paint scheme looked sharp at the time. We had no mechanical issues with it, and I can offer very few direct comments as I rarely drove it as my kid disappeared with it. The plan was to split the payment and I could do some light yard trips at the home centers. At any rate, I never liked that one much. Looks it got an A+ though.

I did really like the next new at the time Chevrolet S-10 extended cab long bed, but again it was a real compromise. It was carlike to drive, but severely limited. We have since upgraded to full sizes, what we should have owned from the beginning, and never looked back since.

We currently have a new GM Silverado full size. That is my point, be totally up front with what you own. If you are capable of condemning any full sizes, offer some first hand day to day actual observations. Saying I have Toyotas, had GM's, had Fords, had Dodges, let us know what full sizes you are discussing. I honestly doubt there have ever been any, and if you like your small pickup that's fine. I personally hated the Splash from day one, yet my teen (then) loved it.

Adding up all the personal thoughts by all readers on here has value on specific models under review, This happens to be a full size one. I just read a recent comment on seats... in all fairness I liked the Toyota Supras pump up lumbar seating that was offered late 80's 90's, and even liked some of the Lexus designed inspired seats at a current boat show on some pontoon models. I am not so sure how they will hold up with intense sun/salt exposure over time, but they were fine. But not owning or living with them as I mentioned earlier... real owners of specific models can enlighten.

I have an issue with those that base broad swept comments from some magazine they read, a third hand observation or they rode to a store as someones passenger. I have ridden in literally hundreds if not a thousand models, many from plain grocery getters to quite a few exotics. But as a passenger and that needs clarified. I am quite interested though to know out of the many vehicles mentioned how many of this commenters were or ever full size models. Again the actual topic of this review.

27th Mar 2009, 19:34

" (just HOW can a STEERING WHEEL disintegrate??) "

The leather wrapped steering wheel on my 1998 Sable "disintegrated," but I don't blame Ford for that. On many warm days, I would get Fried Chicken at take out, go to a park, listen to the radio, eat in the car, and not particularly pay attention to the fact I was getting the leather all greasy. A few years of that, and sure the steering wheel disintegrates.

My wife refused to drive the Sable because the steering wheel was all sticky even after cleaning. I don't think it was that bad and looking back on it I am kind of amazed at how well the steering wheel held up. But my wife was so repulsed she insisted I get a new car. So it all worked to my advantage after all.

27th Mar 2009, 20:24

22:43, please LIST your new domestics and detail their problems. I'd be interested in seeing the list. Also, please list the make, model and mileage of your used domestics as well.

28th Mar 2009, 23:26

20:24 Be glad too... these are all older vehicles, domestics as well as imports, so you guys can't use the excuse that the newer models were better.. I have no bias, just reporting the facts.

Domestics-

1. 1979 Chevy Malibu with 267 cu. inch V-8. This might have been the worst engine I ever had, tied with the Ranger for worst. It got horrible gas mileage, produced nothing when it comes to horsepower and torque, overheated regularly and burned what seemed like as much oil as it did gasoline. Bought with 60,000 original miles. Kept it for 15 years with the intent of keeping it as a classic, but literally worked on it more than I drove it. Nice looking car, typical Chevy junk.

2. 1980 Buick Century with 3.8 V-6. Truly, not a bad car other than bad gas mileage. Fairly reliable, good power for a V-6.

3. 1987 Ford Ranger, V-6. Worst pile of Ford garbage I've ever owned. I can't even remember all the repairs... all 4 wheel bearings, replaced literally every sensor in it, overheated, transmission (standard) devoured itself, rear differential locked the rear wheels up TWICE, heater didn't work, burned oil, water pump died... it was about 5 years old when I bought it with 90,000 on it and it was already dead in the water. No excuse for it, Ford fans. Sorry...junk.

4. 1995 Dodge Dakota 318 v-8. Again, not a bad engine. Starter replaced at around 90,000, transmission (auto) started leaking fluid at 100,000, gas mileage was pathetic. Around 15 mpg at best, much less when hauling a small trailer to camp. Body rusted very prematurely, and I wash and wax regularly, hose out the undercarriage also. Crappy sheet metal from Dodge. My LAST domestic. Finally wised up.

Imports:

1. 1993 Toyota Tercel. Absolutely perfect. Bought with 60,000 miles on it, no repairs. Beat the hell out of it, never missed a beat, 40 miles per gallon regularly with Toyota's 1.5 liter 4 cylinder. Perfect car.

2. Sold the Tercel for 4 wheel drive; 1995 Toyota Truck (before they were called Tacoma's). Absolutely perfect, of course. Had the 22re engine, and nobody but Honda has made one as well. Zero repairs, great on the road, much better off the road.

3. 1998 Toyota Tacoma. Another perfect vehicle, 3.4 liter V-6. Capable of towing just about as much as the Dakota, except got 10 more miles per gallon on the highway. I've done as well as 24 mpg on the highway. Recently sold it back to Toyota for way more than I paid for it due to the frame rust issue. Now this is where I usually get attacked... "how can you say it was perfect if the frame rusted?"... Well, that was not the fault of Toyota. Mechanically, it was perfect. The lucky part for me is that Toyota made it and not Ford or Chevy, because they wouldn't have compensated me for the problem nearly as well as Toyota did, if at all. I'd probably be stuck with a truck with a rusted frame and part of one of the many class action lawsuits against the Big 3. Toyota backed up their product when Ford and GM never would have, or not nearly as well for certain.

When I buy 4 domestics and 3 of them are absolute junk, I'm done buying them. When I buy 3 Toyota's, and all of them are mechanically perfect, I will continue to buy them. The math seems simple to me. Buy what keeps running and lasts. Toyota, not Ford, Chevy, or Dodge.

2.