4th Jul 2008, 11:29
I have to agree with comment 14:04. I think most of the comments are prompted by the anger generated by the very biased and anti-domestic industry rants of one person. It has gone on for several years.
Originally, this commenter said he had "owned a Ranger" and it was "crap". Lately it has become "I've owned ALL of the big three and they are all crap".
I will not go so far or be so rude as to call this individual untruthful (as he has done too many of us) but I am a bit suspicious.
I tend to post lots of comments myself because I am angered by people who attack American industry, especially at a time when maintaining our economy is of such great importance. To root for the destruction of American jobs should make all of us angry, and should make us think twice about how (and where) we spend our money.
I know that I cannot, in good conscious, spend $20,000-$40,000 on a car built by a company based in another country anymore. GM and Ford both have build quality higher than the imports, and the Tundra (the subject of this review) can by no stretch of the imagination be considered competition for any full-sized domestic truck.
The fact that GM sales dipped less than Toyota sales in June is a very encouraging sign. Americans don't seem to realize the importance of our major industries and their impact on all of our lives. It has been said in the past (and rightly so) that "what is good for GM is good for the country". The converse of that is also true: What is BAD for GM (or Ford or Chrysler) is also BAD for the country.
I am sure that the Tacoma owner is a good person and sincere in his beliefs. I just fail to see how one can spout so much venom toward vehicles they have not owned (new trucks, the subject of this review). I also am sure that this person does not intend harm or ill will to anyone, but rather is simply not fully aware of the dire consequences of the loss of our major industries.
On this holiday when we celebrate a very special date in our country's history, I want ALL Americans to feel proud of their country and to support our country. This means not attacking industries that provide incomes for millions of Americans to put food on the tables for their families and pay their mortgages or rents. If one chooses to drive an import, our freedom gives its blessing to that choice. But to wantonly and unjustly attack an industry that currently produces vehicles on a par with any in the world is uncalled for.
4th Jul 2008, 12:31
18:01 No. The domestics never caught up in quality to most imported vehicles. Certainly not Japanese ones, and without a doubt not with Toyota or Honda. It didn't magically happen in the year 2000. Not sure why you'd pull that year out of thin air to back up your opinions, but they made crap in 1999, in 2001, and it continues today.
Another guy made a point in reference to my comment, and he was right. No, Japanese automobiles didn't take the country by storm when they first arrived here. What DID happen is that they consistently offered a far superior product to anything GM, Ford, or Dodge made, and slowly gained the trust and acceptance of this fact by American automobile owners.
The rest of you can continue to buy Fords because they claim to be 'Ford Tough', or if you actually believe that 'Quality is Job 1' at Ford motor company. Those of us that do the research buy Toyota's and Honda's when we're looking for a car, or small through 3/4 ton truck, based on Toyota's proven quality and reliability, which does in fact exceed the domestics.
5th Jul 2008, 08:58
11:29 I'm an American too, and gladly. I never claimed that I wanted to see American industry of any kind fail. Too bad it already has.
If I'm 'spouting venom' at the Big 3, it's because they don't care enough to make vehicles of the same quality as the imports I've owned. They should be embarrassed as a whole at the kind of cars and trucks they made through the 80's and 90's, which were just an embarrassment next to what Toyota and Honda were and are offering.
Yeah, they've improved a little. Not because they care about making an American product that can stand up to Toy./Honda; they only began to improve slightly when THEIR wallets started getting a little thinner.
This country as a whole loves to tell the rest of the world how we are the only superpower and how much better we are than everyone else. Fine. Put a domestic car, any one at all, next to a Camry, Corolla, or Accord, Civic. The difference in quality is embarrassing. We have the same technology they do. If you want me to buy an American car from an 'American' company, I'll be glad to. Just as soon as they care enough to make vehicles with the same level of quality that the Japanese do.
I'm far from rich, so when I spend my money on something, it's going to be on the best product I can find for the money I have to spend. When GM and Ford are willing to start making something worth my money, I'll gladly buy it.
Ford's best rated car ever isn't even built here. The Fusion is assembled in Mexico. Chevy's attempt at finally entering the compact car market was noble, but the Aveo is made in Korea, same as the Hyundai I just bought.
What do you expect me to do? I did my research before I bought. I read many reviews that compared new compacts; the Aveo, the Accent, the Yaris, the Fit, the Versa... the Aveo was ranked dead LAST in every review. And it's made in Korea. So... would you expect me to buy an 'American' car, made in Korea, that was at the bottom of every review I read? Sorry, I have a little more sense than that.
If I'd wanted to spend another 3 or 4 thousand, I'd have bought the Honda, which was at the top of every review. GM and Ford will have to do better than this to earn my money.
4th Jul 2008, 08:37
12:54: Having owned many now quite rare domestic muscle cars, I still cannot see where your crystal ball comes from. I thought I knew and if I only knew.
Barrett Jackson had a big effect on escalting values. It's dipped a bit, but still very high to own or even rebuy what I had. Values were going through the stratosphere.
Due to the rapid escalation of literally hundreds of various domestic musclecars, many in the 6 figures or higher, it has trickled down to even basic trim models once overlooked. Go price even a 6 cylinder Camaro, Mustang, Tempest or small block V8 Mopar (pre 1971 coupes ragtops) in the most spartan bare bones trim. My best buy was a 1963 Split Window Corvette, ironically bought during the long gas lines odd/ even era to buy gas during 70's. People panicked and foolishly traded them in. Best $2600 I ever spent. Everywhere I went, and with other great domestics, I had notes always appeared under the windshields in parking lots asking to sell and I made a lot of money. When I sold I recouped what I paid, upkeep and even all the insurance spent, especially with convertibles I bought. But I bought the right ones.
I also was able to afford more expensive muscle cars due to flipping them. All my vehicles were drivers and not over-restored or trailer queens.
I see the high gas as a great time in 2008 to buy some used high end vehicles. My cousin just picked up a 2002 Ram V10 Pickup for $9k to tow his enclosed race car trailer. He drives to Nogales Mexico fills at $2.25 gallon while his wife shops downtown. He still has a smaller weekday vehicle, yet has a great weekend vehicle that performs.
I feel sorry for those that panic and trade great vehicles and end up with what I consider crap. My cousins truck was traded due to gas and he is already doing performance upgrades adding a chip,K & N filter. Better than some small teeny truck cramped, uncomfortable, underpowered, not as safe in an accident.
I spoke with someone that owns a Prius and they said they care absolutely nothing about cars. But the mileage is high. I like driving too much to ever get that way.
Last comment is don't knock small blocks. I would love to grab up a LT1 Vette while still affordable and keep til I retire. And I do not see how you consider a 327/375 hp as underpowered. But a 427 I agree is better. My oldest son with a Viper is amazed that people come up and ask what mpg he gets? And it amazingly happens a lot.
Take away all this fuel scare and people could have a lot more as far as drivability and fun. Our family is able to travel and have fun vs. being cramped and arguing on trips.