22nd Dec 2008, 12:08

"EACH of the Big 3 are begging for a bailout so they don't go bankrupt"

No, Ford was NOT "begging for a bailout". Ford was involved to support GM and Chrysler because if ANY of the domestic makers goes under it means disaster for the entire country, as well as a good part of the world. Ford has plenty of money to weather 2009, and by then the tide of renewed patriotism and support for American industries will have put them back in good shape financially.

And in spite of all the ranting, Ford STILL is losing less sales than Toyota and Honda. No company that is afraid to offer a decent warranty is going to inspire a lot of buyer confidence.

22nd Dec 2008, 15:34

Toyota is reporting a loss this year. They should learn how to build cars so that would not happen.

22nd Dec 2008, 18:53

Toyota's sales are down as well so what's your point? Forgetting about sales volumes or politics, what specific reason do you walk in and then buy a new full size truck? I buy function and applications rather than run a talk show/stockholder meetings at a new truck dealership. It's not just a car that you jump in and turn a key. Utility, function, features, benefits, warranty and even appearance the Ford F Series is much sharper. Maybe the mechanical reliability has hurt Tundra sales or value...

At any rate it's not making a dramatic dent compared to the new domestic full sizes. Maybe you had issues in 1980 not seeing any problems whatsoever in our new trucks.

23rd Dec 2008, 11:25

Both the high cost of fuel (which has now temporarily dropped) and major reliability issues have hurt Tundra sales. It never was any serious competition for the Big Three trucks among company owners are others looking for reliability and serious hauling capability. It is great for someone such as the reviewer, who leaves it sitting in the garage most of the time. For actual daily use a domestic truck is generally a better bet.

23rd Dec 2008, 12:42

19:24 how does your Camry comment differ any than the best selling truck in America? Plus go to consumeraffairs.com and look at Camry issues? Toyotas sales are down the past 2 quarters, and the Tundra sales were never that great to be significant as compared to the domestics. Since this is a full size truck review, it is quite pertinent to compliment the highest rated domestic full size trucks on here. People are not buying a lot of Tundras vs. Ford F Series. I drove them myself, and compared and did not buy a Tundra.

23rd Dec 2008, 20:52

Ford makes junk. The F-150 is a piece of junk. I wouldn't take one for free, which might be Ford's next sales ploy.

I switched to Toyota a long time ago and never looked back.

Ford, GM, and especially Dodge are a joke. Their time is over. Obviously. Better products are available and people are buying them.

23rd Dec 2008, 21:21

The first thing I read when I picked up my newspaper today was a big headline about Toyota losing money. When it was the Big Three losing money it was always "because they build crap". I guess someone else must be building "crap" now too?

Tundra sales are tanking, so, oddly enough, are PRIUS sales.

24th Dec 2008, 12:21

"Ford makes junk. The F-150 is a piece of junk"

An interesting comment about a vehicle that has been tops in sales by a huge margin for 3 DECADES.

24th Dec 2008, 13:25

Yes, Toyota posted an annual loss of 1.7 Billion dollars. It is the first loss in 71 years for their company. I knew that you domestic guys would jump all over that, but before you do, perhaps it helps to see just how much money GM alone has lost over the last several years. In 2007, GM posted a $39 Billion dollar loss for just the 3rd quarter. In August, 2008, GM posted a $15.5 Billion dollar loss. In November of 2008, they posted a $12 Billion dollar loss.

So in less than 2 years, GM alone has lost close to $63 Billion dollars, or approximately 17 times the amount lost by Toyota.

Once again, the story here shows what most people already know, which is that GM, Ford, and Chrysler are in deep, deep trouble, and what's more, they didn't do it by building great cars or in managing their companies appropriately. In our capitalist country, money talks. That's the cold hard facts, and even if Ford sells more full size trucks than Toyota, it obviously isn't working as they along with GM and Chrysler will likely be out of business in less than a year.

24th Dec 2008, 15:08

20:52 so what new vehicles are you buying at all to stimulate the economy? Based on what I am reading Toyota truck sales, both Tacoma and Tundra, are way down, as are cars. Why not buy a new one be current and we can read some new on topic full size reviews. Apparently Ford F-150's sales are doing fine as they have for the number one spot for 27 years and Tundra is down. Or is this a small old Tacoma truck comment again.

I have had several cars that I could have kept forever and knock 2009 Toyotas on here... for whatever relevance that may have. On full size truck domain Tundra is not number one... face it. I have zero usage for a small truck so that includes Tacoma, small Rangers and the like. At least I have recent ownership on full sizes... maybe I can write about my new domestic full size truck success on a new Ferrari review and have others scratching their head on relevance.

24th Dec 2008, 22:52

21:21 Incorrect. The domestics have all been crap for over 30 years, and have never built anything comparable to a Toyota or Honda, which is why there is a market for imports in this country in the first place.

Their subpar automobiles are also the reason the imports have had such success in the U.S. and also why the imports have had better reviews for decades.

I've said this all before, but think about it; realize the obvious truth: GM and Ford cars cost less than Toyota's and Honda's... you guys are saying that they are better than the imports also... so if they really were better and STILL cost less, do you really think that Toyota and Honda would have grown to such proportions in the U.S.? The answer is obviously NO.

The fact is, people would rather pay a few thousand more for a Toyota and get a vehicle that will cost less to run, break down MUCH less, get more miles, last longer, and sell for more on trade in because of those facts.

I know it's difficult for some of you Big 3 fans to accept, but that's just the way the cookie crumbles.

25th Dec 2008, 04:50

22:52 Toyota just sells a lot of inexpensive low end economy vehicles, and not all domestics are inexpensive. Low end in my opinion are not necessary the best to own and enjoy. Honda and Toyota are just not as exceptional anymore. How many people own Land Cruisers and Tundras anyway vs. Corollas, Civics, Camry, Accords?

Maybe you have not bought many vehicles, but we have and have seen the complete opposite of mechanically reliability decline of imports vs. newest domestics. I try to narrow my new vehicle comments within a few years, and certainly am not an expert on every single make and model of an entire manufacturers line up, and there are probably few that are. However we have owned 2-3 vehicles new every 3-4 years since the mid 70's.

If in fact all domestics are complete crap as you indicate, then the past 2 quarters posted by Toyota should have shot up dramatically displacing current domestic sales. At any rate, if you have even compared new full size trucks, the domestics are far superior. I tested them and pricing was not the main factor; mainly features, utility, practical applications and far better warranty.

I prefer the best I can buy and afford, and the Tundra was not the best when we compared. And buying or talking about Tacomas that are far to incapable, underperforming on a full size truck review has absolutely zero applications. It's way too small. We can have a 100% functional non compromised utility full size truck and carry light loads as well as individuals in comfort in a new SUV. You can also lock everything up unless the small truck has a cap with the flimsy locks.

Its interesting to wonder why Toyota vehicles should actually cost half as much if the employees want to work for $14 hour. Thats a very low wage by the way.