25th Jun 2008, 17:29

Again this pertains to the small Toyota trucks... the Tacoma. The Toyota Tundra is the closest to a full size truck, if you don't count the T100, which was a underpowered flop.

The first year production of the Tundra annually only was the equivalent of one month of the F Series sales. I feel that Toyota should have just focused on small trucks; it's a good niche and maybe they see it now... even now they may make 200,000 Tundras being potentially sold for the entire year, and they are scaling back now. In all fairness, all full size trucks are. If you are a full size truck candidate, if you look at imports there is such a limited range to even look at. Without dedicating a commitment to that, I cannot see chasing the domestics on equal ground. The domestics have a wide selection to opt from, and full size candidates do their homework.

Interesting that you compare Chrysler with import full size trucks. I liked the Titan much better than Tundra, and the upcoming hook up with with Chrysler in the near future should help. As it is now, Titan has the worst full size truck, longest current sales time sitting on lots.

Still, overall, after reviewing and driving, my favorite is the new Silverado: great ride, handling performance, best warranty and the best resale of the full size trucks.

Maybe my comments may help others rather than the perpetual emphasis of the compact Tacoma over and over. I cannot see how that has relevance on a full size truck review, let alone beating around in the dirt.

It's the same with a full size SUV owner that likely bought them to start with because they needed one. They may downsize to a crossover before trading small... it's more likely buy a new crossover or not trade, and buy a second more fuel efficient new vehicle.

For anyone considering a full size truck today, there must be relevance with the application; better load towing, room and capability.

I bought a new full size as I need one. I will not endanger others with a marginally sized vehicle trying to make it fit all applications. I also do not ride off road; however if I ever do, I hear the Tacoma is good for that. Even if gas is cheaper, I cannot make a small truck work forever.

So what is the definition of best? It is what your intentions are, and finding the best vehicle to fit your application. Tacoma is not the best, and how can it be if its not a full size truck (as is the heading on this review).

I looked a lot before I bought, and the Tacoma was not a candidate, by the way. I will still look at any great new full size pickup, import or domestic, in the future, and buy the best applicable model that works the best. I feel I am not driven by brand loyalty as I compare, test and buy. Dealers like having a shot at selling me (at least), and I do my best to be fair in my judgment.

I like this survey, and base an opinion from here by many reviews of the pertinent vehicle; not just one. We all feel we each have the best, as we bought our specific vehicles; correct?

25th Jun 2008, 18:43

16:27 Ahhh... no. I had a '79 Malibu that literally broke in half at the section of the frame near the passenger rear wheel. And no, this wasn't recently; that was 1990 or so.

You know what Chevy did for me? Just as I'd expect: absolutely nothing. They just kept selling junk to other people just like they do today. That's around when I switched to Toyota.

Come to think of it, I had a Ford Ranger after that. It was far and away the most miserable, problem prone piece of domestic garbage I've ever seen or heard about. They should have recalled the entire truck, which is exactly what Toyota did for me when the frame went bad on me. I was simply stuck with the Ford and Chevy, yet Toyota bought the whole thing from me for more than I paid for it, and in worse condition and triple the mileage on the day I bought it.

Seems fairly obvious which company takes care of their customers and which don't. Glad I wasn't dumb enough to buy yet a third domestic, and have been stuck with another one draining my wallet.

I now drive a new import car, bought with cash from the check that Toyota traded me for the title of my truck, and I had money left over.

So, all manufacturers have their issues, although Toyota obviously builds the higher quality product and is willing to back it up in a way that the domestics never have and probably never will.

Oh, and by the way, is anybody else out there old enough to remember all those Dodges that the engines literally fell out of onto the ground because of rusted motor mounts and so forth? Good old domestic quality. Never had it and still don't.

25th Jun 2008, 21:57

I see comparing a 1932 farm tractor and a 1995 compact Toyota pickup together as both being entirely pointless on a full size truck review. Not everyone buys only about fuel costs... saying big fat guys drive big trucks is pretty rude as well does not strengthen your compact import truck position in the least. The additional headroom is however very beneficial in the full size domestics, as well as better room and seating to carry 4-5 individuals on extended trips. Better than a backbreaking ride in a Tacoma. I'll take 20 mpg on the expressway in comfort, than 30 mpg and a trip to a chiropractor.

26th Jun 2008, 09:41

As of today, GM's was once again downgraded. They've lost over 2/3 of their stock value in a little over a year. Ford isn't doing all that well either. Both of these companies relied way too heavily on what? Full sizer pickup trucks and SUVs. That and they pretty much ignored their small and mid sized cars for too long. On top of that, none of the big three offer anything close to what I'd call a decent compact or mid sized truck.

With gas prices being what they are, you can bet that all those folks who think they have to have some huge truck to haul their families around in are either going to be jumping to family cars, minivans, hybrids, or compact and mid sized trucks. Full size trucks, regardless of manufacture, are history.

If you want to talk about warranties and problems, who can possibly forget about GM's Dexcool? Its the red factory coolant they put in their cars and trucks since the 90's. I can't tell you how many friends I've had who blew head gaskets in their GM vehicles because the coolant eventually clogged some of the coolant passages. Dexcool has a tendency to coagulates over time, plugging up the cooling system. This problem has never been recalled.