Pickup Wars

PRJ · 11-15-2006, 06:06 AM

Articles from Detroit Free Press...

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...=2006611140399

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...=2006611140400

BKW · 11-15-2006, 06:23 AM

You'll notice that the Alaskan tree killer towed far more weight than the Titan was set up to do. So who's fault is that?

In MT's new truck buying issue...there are a few statements I find fault with.

Regarding the new Silverado...they praise the wide opening doors of the extended cab, saying the hinges are a work of art...LOL...Hey, MT...Titan had those doors in 2004!

They also state they believe Toyota will sell 200,000 Tundras in 2007.

Only the most die hard Toyota fan would consider that ugly beast...with its unboxed frame and confusing dash.

And they rate the Ridgeline as the best pickup....Huh??....uglier than a terd, and worthless for hauling anything other than groceries.

keane · 11-15-2006, 06:35 AM

You guys didn't notice??? Who is this girl???

"Jolie Morris, who runs a firewood business with her husband in Clear, Alaska, thought about waiting for the new Tundra but decided to buy a Dodge Ram 3500 diesel this summer. Morris, 31, owned two Titans, Nissan's first true full-size, before buying the Ram.

Morris said she liked the ride and comfort of the Titan, but she had quality issues. Her first Titan had so many problems she had to exchange it for another one.

The second Titan fared better and was nice to drive, but it could not hold up to the rigors of towing large loads, Morris said. She and her husband routinely tow trailers with loads of firewood weighing more than 10,000 pounds.

The Ram does not provide as smooth a ride, but the truck has no problem towing big loads. "I've had up to 16,000 pounds behind it," Morris said. "It's effortless."

If Toyota added a more capable, heavy-duty truck, Morris said she would consider it. Toyota has a strong reputation for quality, she said. The new Tundra is Toyota's first true full-size truck, a half-ton pickup, but Toyota initially will not have larger heavy-duty versions or a diesel engine.

"If Toyota came out with a 3/4-ton with diesel, I'd probably be looking," Morris said. Other truck owners, though, say they're not likely to give up their American-made trucks anytime soon."

Yup, that is our own Jolie!!

keane · 11-15-2006, 09:40 AM

Maybe if I say Akangl you people will know who I am talking about.

Good to see she got her name in lights!

ciron28 · 11-16-2006, 03:47 AM

That is about all she is doing. Too bad she went all the way back to Alaska and to her abusive husband. People never learn.

Travis

miketan · 11-16-2006, 05:40 AM

Quote:

In MT's new truck buying issue...there are a few statements I find fault with.

Regarding the new Silverado...they praise the wide opening doors of the extended cab, saying the hinges are a work of art...LOL...Hey, MT...Titan had those doors in 2004!

Yeah, but they open a full 170 degrees instead of only 168 degrees.LOL! The windows do roll down unlike the Titan, but that's just a can of worms for squeaks and rattles down the road IMO. Plus, I like the "flush" fitting rear side windows of the Titan better. It looks more streamlined that way. Make a flush fitting side window that can roll down and you got my attention.

Quote:

They also state they believe Toyota will sell 200,000 Tundras in 2007.

Only in their dreams! Toyota will probably sell 60K, if that, the first year before Toyota jacks up the price and scares people away. The late introduction is gonna hurt them. I can only imagine how much Toyota is gonna demand for a fully loaded 4-door crew cab Tundra SR5 with the 5.7 I-Force option. It's gonna be up there that's for sure.

Quote:

Only the most die hard Toyota fan would consider that ugly beast...with its unboxed frame and confusing dash.

True. Don't forget the stupid 5-lug Camry style wheels.lol! The only thing good about it is the 5.7 I-Force and the 6-speed auto. However, when Nissan adds VVT to the exhaust side of the Endurance and comes out with their own 6 or 7-speed auto for the Titan, there won't be any advantages to getting a Tundra. That is, unless you like ugly trucks living on the past promises of old Toyota quality.lol!

Quote:

And they rate the Ridgeline as the best pickup....Huh??....uglier than a terd, and worthless for hauling anything other than groceries.

Whenever I see a Ridgeline driving around, it always some dopey looking, Starbucks coffee drinkin', yuppy wannabee pansie who's driving it. A pickup? Nope, it's just another midsized SUV with a small enclosed bed on it.

BKW · 11-16-2006, 06:03 AM

I was re-reading the Motor Trend Truck issue last night...MT sure loves that Chevy....

In one review, they state 170 degree wide open doors...but in another review, the doors have widened by 10 degrees to 180.

They also praise the new Nitro....according to MT, it's the best thing since sliced bread...Speed Channel had a test drive on yesterday...if anything, the hoopla was worse.

Neither MT or Speed found one issue with the Nitro...but on another forum, I've seen quality issues already...and if your over 6' forget it.

miketan · 11-16-2006, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BKW

I was re-reading the Motor Trend Truck issue last night...MT sure loves that Chevy....

In one review, they state 170 degree wide open doors...but in another review, the doors have widened by 10 degrees to 180.

They also praise the new Nitro....according to MT, it's the best thing since sliced bread...Speed Channel had a test drive on yesterday...if anything, the hoopla was worse.

Neither MT or Speed found one issue with the Nitro...but on another forum, I've seen quality issues already...and if your over 6' forget it.

You may be right. The rear KC doors on the Titan open up nearly parallel with the bedsides so that's got to be close to 180 degrees. I don't see how the doors on the new Silverado are going open up even further unless you remove the bed from the truck or something.

I am sooo eager for this new so called improved '07 Tundra to come out and see all the quality issues that thing is gonna have in the first model year. Of course, the car rags and Toyota loyalists will probably claim that's it's the best truck ever even if it literally falls apart on the Toyota lots.lol!

**P's Titan** · 11-16-2006, 08:34 AM

another Tundra thread...

Who thinks we should have a Tundra section on here ?

**HudsonValleyTitan** · 11-16-2006, 10:40 AM

"""The second Titan fared better and was nice to drive, but it could not hold up to the rigors of towing large loads, Morris said. She and her husband routinely tow trailers with loads of firewood weighing more than 10,000 pounds."""

Well of course not...it's a half ton truck. The new Tundra won't pull that load either. They can claim a 10k LB towing capaicity if they like but....true truck owners aren't dumb enough to haul that kind of load on a regular basis using anything less than a 3/4 ton truck. The new Tundra will probably do well, but it won't touch any of the big 3.

**Carbeaux** · 11-16-2006, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HudsonValleyTitan

"""The second Titan fared better and was nice to drive, but it could not hold up to the rigors of towing large loads, Morris said. She and her husband routinely tow trailers with loads of firewood weighing more than 10,000 pounds."""

Well of course not...it's a half ton truck. The new Tundra won't pull that load either. They can claim a 10k LB towing capaicity if they like but....true truck owners aren't dumb enough to haul that kind of load on a regular basis using anything less than a 3/4 ton truck. The new Tundra will probably do well, but it won't touch any of the big 3.

Ditto. And 16k lbs behind the Ram as effortless? I'd hope it would do it well. Isnt' that what it was designed for?

QShip · 11-16-2006, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carbeaux

Ditto. And 16k lbs behind the Ram as effortless? I'd hope it would do it well. Isnt' that what it was designed for?

That's what I thought too.

MileHighTitan · 11-16-2006, 06:12 PM

I like how she went from a Titan to a Ram 3500 Diesel! Comparing apples to oranges here people! But the statement makes the Titan look bad and uncapable. Sure, when you're towing outside it's designed limits. Go tow 32,000lbs with your Ram then come back and tell us how IT did. Compare the Titan to the same trucks in it's class and it will kick *ss!

As for how I think the Tundra will do, I think it will do quite well.....against people who are in the market for a 1/2 ton truck. Not the guys who are looking for diesels and heavier duty trucks. All the statements in the above articles and statements on here seem like everyone is comparing the new Tundra to the Big 3's 2500 and 3500 series trucks with diesels. Of course the Tundra will get it's *ss handed to it in those comparisons. But in the 1/2 ton market I think the Tundra will win over some loyalits from the Big 3 and it will do it in impressive numbers. Toyota has already announced that they will be slow in the initial production due to management will be watching quality control closely. They've learned from Nissan and I don't think it's a mistake they will make. I drive a 2001 Tundra for work and I've beat that truck up, towed way outside it's rated limits and the drive train still runs as good as the day I got it. Oh and it's got 205,000 miles on it! Toyota's done their research on this one and I don't think it will be anything less than a success.

I don't know if I agree with the statements that the Big 3 have a loyal following. Seems like everyone I talk to either hates their american made trucks or are somewhat unhappy with it in one way or another. Don't get me wrong, there are those who are die hard, I just don't think that the percentage of die hards are that high. If Toyota and Nissan make up about 10% of the current full size truck market, then I feel safe with the educated guess that by 2008-2009 it will probably grow to more like 20% which equates to a higher percentage in the 1/2 ton market.

Smoke05 · 11-16-2006, 06:31 PM

I'm soooooooooooo sick of everytime the Titan gets mentioned the HD comments come out of the woodwork from the Big 3 guys.

BKW · 11-17-2006, 01:26 AM

At the Anaheim Auto Show, the new Tundra chassis on display didn't do a thing for me...it was quite weak, with its unboxed frame rails and skinny crossmembers.

It'll be interesting to read the posts at the Toyota site to see all the whining owners down the road.

I wonder how the automobile writers will treat it...as the norm is...Toyota can do no wrong.

'Course Toyota has already sinned...the beast is fugly!

btw...it seems Chevy/GMC pickups are having severe brake rotor warping issues...which GM hasn't been able to solve.