Motor Trend Truck of the Year!

lizardking · 12-15-2004, 11:40 PM

2005 Tacoma! Glad to see Toyota did well with this truck. I was able to see this truck up close and I must say it's definately a better built truck then the Frontier. The fit and finish seemed real nice, the interior was really thought out and very tight. Everything seemed to fit tight with no huge gaps in between panels. I really liked the Fronty when I viewed it at the NYC auto show but I must say the Tacoma is far superior then the Fronty.

Peninsula · 12-15-2004, 11:52 PM

And your point is...?

lizardking · 12-15-2004, 11:57 PM

The point is I'm glad to see the Foreign Company's doing so well! There being noticed in the truck market.

Tyltan · 12-16-2004, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lizardking

The point is I'm glad to see the Foreign Company's doing so well! There being noticed in the truck market.

Do you still have some left over weed?

lizardking · 12-16-2004, 12:13 AM

Still Smokin'

Peninsula · 12-16-2004, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lizardking

The point is I'm glad to see the Foreign Company's doing so well! There being noticed in the truck market.

Either you have substantial stock in Toyota or your entire family is employed by them. Why else would you root so hard for Toyota profits?
And it's not like they need recognition...entry into the small truck market decades ago wasn't by American, but by Japanese products--and I believe it was by Datsun.

lizardking · 12-16-2004, 12:20 AM

I do like Toyota that's for sure!! It's good to see Magazines like Motortrend recognize this truck. I think the Titan got boned when they named FORD truck of the year last year especially when their other Magazine Truck Trend name it #1. Tacoma is not a small truck no more it's being considered Mid-size. Years ago as you say Datsun the truckS where no bigger then my R/C truck...LOL

HKINGS · 12-16-2004, 12:36 AM

Lizardking... sorry to say, but I must totally disagree with you. I test drove the new 05 Tacoma 3 times already, and as much as I want to like it, it did nothing for me... truly disappointed with the overall power, interior, exterior and options you get for the money. Fit and finish seem fine, but I expect that always from Toyota. While I have yet to drive the new 05 Frontier, I have sat in one at 2 different car shows (They left it unlocked at 04 Motortrend Show in Vegas), and I must say not only is the exterior styling much nicer (Chrome Front Bumper is very nice) but I like the interior better, its even roomer than new the new Taco. I've already read reviews and those that drove the new Frontier that said the truck has some get up and go. In addition, options like Moonroof, heated, power leather seats are also available but non existent on the Taco. I also like the spray in bed liner of the Fronty better than that crap composite thing Toyota is using. (There is already a report of one cracking on the Tundra solution boards from offroading)

Im also curious as to when this test was done because as far as I know Nissan never released any final production vehicles for testing... just preproduction. I like how they compare a 4 Door Doublecab Tacoma with a King Cab Frontier... Anyway, just my 2 cents that I think the Frontier looks to be a much better overall truck, at least for my wants and needs, and I havent even driven one yet... I guess that all could change. However there are a few reviews that rate the new Frontier very well and like it just as much, if not more than the Tacoma. Sorry for the long Frontier post on a Titan board, but I consider the new Fronty to be the Mid-Sized-Titan

Quote:

Originally Posted by lizardking

2005 Tacoma! Glad to see Toyota did well with this truck. I was able to see this truck up close and I must say it's definately a better built truck then the Frontier. The fit and finish seemed real nice, the interior was really thought out and very tight. Everything seemed to fit tight with no huge gaps in between panels. I really liked the Fronty when I viewed it at the NYC auto show but I must say the Tacoma is far superior then the Fronty.

lizardking · 12-16-2004, 12:48 AM

I like the Fronty too! Everyone is going to have different opinions for sure and yours is most welcome. Power the Fronty does have the Tacoma beat but power isn't everything. I'm sure they got there self a production Fronty I don't see Nissan giving them a preproduction Fronty for such a well known test. I think the Frontiers have been produced for a couple months now at least there was some article somewhere about the first production Fronty rolling off the assembly line last month. From what I have read about the Fronty is the ride is really harsh on the Nismo truck but that's to be expected. I was very impressed with the Toy and your right Toyota does have it together when it comes to quality. I'm amazed how much bigger the Tacoma looks then the Fronty. My buddy at the Nissan dealership is going to call me when the first one hits the lots so we can take it out. When I was at the NYC auto show I had to sneak around to get a close look at the Fronty and I was impressed how much better the interior seemed then my Titan but that's not saying much..lol As for the bedliner I can't say I'm very impressed with my liner so I don't see it being much better in the Fronty unless they pulled there heads out of ther butts and did it right. I sure do like that 4.0 liter V6 in the Fronty, I drove the Pathy the other day which has more HP/TQ then the Fronty and I was very impressed.

Tom Roper · 12-16-2004, 01:05 AM

Doesn't the new Taco have big round bezels around the speedo and tacho just like Toyotas from the '70's?

That's what I can't stand about Toyota, is what they do with the interior. I've never liked the Tundra's Ford oval theme on its interior, the Taco reminds me of the Corolla of the 70's.

They should get a clue from their Lexus division, which has awesomely clean and handsome interiors, or Nissan which generally does a nice job, if you overlook the bizarre interior of the Quest minivan.

The exterior styling of the Taco is excellent, as are the previous models. I would wonder if the new upscaled Taco will be as bullet proof and solid as the previous generation, which was very tough and durable, if painful to endure the ride.

lizardking · 12-16-2004, 01:18 AM

Yep, guages are round (retro) seems to be theme this year. As far as Nissans interior being nice that in my opinion is not always true. I think they have some of the cheapest interiors and Nissan is known for cheap interiors. This is one area I wish they would change we have a 04 Maxima as well as a Titan (of course) and the Maxima interior is better then the Titans interior but still CHEAP.. I have had my interior apart during my stereo install and its got to be the cheapest interior I have ever had apart. The materials are thin and flimsy and the fastners they use are equally as cheap. Now when I took my buddies 04 Fronty apart to do his install I must say his interior was better built then my Titans interior. His panels fit better and the plastic wasn't as flimsy or rattled as much as mine. Your right about the Lexus line they sure or some nice vehicles not to mention the technology in the Lexue line. I always considered Toy's interiors has plain but solid and very well built. I remember the Toy trucks of old they where great off road vehicles and they sure ran forever.

Stingray · 12-16-2004, 04:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HKINGS

Lizardking... sorry to say, but I must totally disagree with you. I test drove the new 05 Tacoma 3 times already, and as much as I want to like it, it did nothing for me... truly disappointed with the overall power, interior, exterior and options you get for the money. Fit and finish seem fine, but I expect that always from Toyota. While I have yet to drive the new 05 Frontier, I have sat in one at 2 different car shows (They left it unlocked at 04 Motortrend Show in Vegas), and I must say not only is the exterior styling much nicer (Chrome Front Bumper is very nice) but I like the interior better, its even roomer than new the new Taco. I've already read reviews and those that drove the new Frontier that said the truck has some get up and go. In addition, options like Moonroof, heated, power leather seats are also available but non existent on the Taco. I also like the spray in bed liner of the Fronty better than that crap composite thing Toyota is using. (There is already a report of one cracking on the Tundra solution boards from offroading)

Im also curious as to when this test was done because as far as I know Nissan never released any final production vehicles for testing... just preproduction. I like how they compare a 4 Door Doublecab Tacoma with a King Cab Frontier... Anyway, just my 2 cents that I think the Frontier looks to be a much better overall truck, at least for my wants and needs, and I havent even driven one yet... I guess that all could change. However there are a few reviews that rate the new Frontier very well and like it just as much, if not more than the Tacoma. Sorry for the long Frontier post on a Titan board, but I consider the new Fronty to be the Mid-Sized-Titan

You wouldn't think that way if you worked for Toyoda, ask Lizardking.

falchulk · 12-16-2004, 06:17 AM

I drive a Titan but I sure as hell would not root for Japanese companies!! What sense does that make? Unless you are Japanese, I see no reason to be behind all Japanese auto companies. I could understand rooting for your specific truck but your comments are goofy.

*joekrz* · 12-16-2004, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by falchulk

I drive a Titan but I sure as hell would not root for Japanese companies!! What sense does that make? Unless you are Japanese, I see no reason to be behind all Japanese auto companies. I could understand rooting for your specific truck but your comments are goofy.

Duh!!! Because they make better vehicles than the BIG 3.

falchulk · 12-16-2004, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joekrz

Duh!!! Because they make better vehicles than the BIG 3.

I feel very sorry for you sir. Every Mfg has good and bad cars/trucks out there. They all do at least 1 thing better then the rest. You miss a lot if you limit your thinking to Japanese = the best.