Why did you pick the Ranger over the Tacoma?

[Des Graziato]

Toyota dealers wanted $15k over msrp and I couldn’t special order a model I wanted. I was on the fence between Taco and Ranger after realizing that my Maverick order was never coming. Glad I got exactly what I wanted with the Ranger.

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[Joconnor]

Traded in my ‘20 death wobbly Gladiator on a ‘22 Tremor and couldn’t be happier. Test drove a Nisssn pro 4X and wanted to love it ( owned 2 Xterras.) The interior was nice but driving it was horrible. The ZR2 looked great but the interior is from 1972 (seriously, it’s a time machine.). The engine had plenty of grunt but was so thrashy. Finally, drove a TDR Pro. The engine/tyranny combo is soooo disappointing. I get it, they run forever, but I just couldn’t get past that engine (ugh!) and the seating position (1st man in the bobsled.). 3k miles in and not looking back.

 

[Willis]

Better payload, towing, ride quality, gas mileage and price is why I went with my Tremor.

 

[Frenchy]

Traded in my ‘20 death wobbly Gladiator on a ‘22 Tremor and couldn’t be happier. Test drove a Nisssn pro 4X and wanted to love it ( owned 2 Xterras.) The interior was nice but driving it was horrible. The ZR2 looked great but the interior is from 1972 (seriously, it’s a time machine.). The engine had plenty of grunt but was so thrashy. Finally, drove a TDR Pro. The engine/tyranny combo is soooo disappointing. I get it, they run forever, but I just couldn’t get past that engine (ugh!) and the seating position (1st man in the bobsled.). 3k miles in and not looking back.

Are you talking about the new Frontier? You didnt specify since the Pro4X is a package

 

[Joconnor]

Are you talking about the new Frontier? You didnt specify since the Pro4X is a package

Yes, the new Frontier

 

[Frenchy]

Yes, the new Frontier

I'm curious as to what ypu didnt like about it. I haven't driven one and I am not a fan of the body at all

 

[Willis]

I'm curious as to what ypu didnt like about it. I haven't driven one and I am not a fan of the body at all

I had a new Pro4x before I bought my Tremor. Honestly it felt like a well built truck to me. The main thing that really bothered me when in cruise if you were on any incline the transmission would drop probably 5 gears and hit well over 5k rpm to gain two mph. I got a great offer from Carvana and took the deal to get back in a Ranger.

 

[AzScorpion]

I had a new Pro4x before I bought my Tremor. Honestly it felt like a well built truck to me. The main thing that really bothered me when in cruise if you were on any incline the transmission would drop probably 5 gears and hit well over 5k rpm to gain two mph. I got a great offer from Carvana and took the deal to get back in a Ranger.

That sounds like my Tacoma but maybe not 5 gears. You'd be driving and the slightest incline that thing would drop gears and rev like it was going to blow up. One day we were driving to Mexico on a flat highway and it just dropped a gear and started surging a bit. My friend looked at me and was like "what the heck was that"?

 

[CB750F]

The price difference was helpful.
Hope I won't use those savings for a new 10R!

 

[Highlander]

I drove a new 2011 Tacoma (auto) access cab, TRD Off Road, for 2 months shy of 11 years. Lifted front and rear, and +1 tires (32"). It was dependable. No major issues. But with back issues since 2000, it wasn't great to drive for any real length of time. WORST seats (seating position) I've been in. And although odd for a truck, only really noticeable on longer drives. I am not a car guy. The button layout was IMHO, was horrible. And several which you would think should be lighted were not. Although I didn't considered the Tacoma, this time around, it's specs were, when making my decision.

The truck before the Tacoma (my first vehicle), was a new 1999 Mazda B-3000 (standard) regular cab, 4x4, which I drove for 12 years. It had a major frame repair. I had a 3" lift, and 33" BFG M+S tires, when it was traded in on the Tacoma. Loved that truck. But nothing lasts forever in the rust belt, but the Tacoma did a lot better. If not for being written off after the accident, I wouldn't be on R5G.

Growing up, I would have called myself a Ford guy, when it came to trucks. The '76 Highboy was always my favorite. When I was ready to get one, the 3rd Gen Ranger clone from Mazda was less expensive, and Mazda had a better warranty and service programme. When it came time to replace it, the Ranger was dead, and had suffered from a variety of issues for multiple years. The only options were the Frontier or the Tacoma. A past Supervisor at work had a 2005 Tacoma 4 cylinder 2WD. He had no issues in 6 years, so it seemed to a dependable truck.

When I needed to replace the Tacoma, I had already been watching the new Ranger. I have a colleague at work, who got a Ranger during the Pandemic. He stopped by so I could take it for a drive. As soon as I got my ass in the seat, it was seating in my old Mazda B-3000.. a legit truck seat and seating position again. Researching the Ranger, I found the Tremor package. It met all my real or imagined needs, and I could keep it stock without playing around with the suspension.. all factory. The Ranger also had better and simpler button layouts. I do hear, on R5G, and the internet, that the Ranger has a dated interior. Compaired to what? I think it's a great look. I also like the look of the truck. I think it has a less fads in it's interior and exterior design, which well keep it less dated looking over time.

I could ramble more, but I think this answers the question. Others mileage may vary.

Frank

 

[Count Desmondo]

I prefer Taco Salad... Vs. a Taco....
Is that the answer everyone is looking for?
All the reasons above and them some until there is a 300 HP Hybrid... Then first to the block wins IMO.

Does Toyota have a big presence in the racing world for trophy trucks etc?

 

[Friday yet?]

(1st man in the bobsled.)

Hands down the BEST description EVER of the ridiculous Taco seating position!!!!!!!!

 

[Jmarler]

The look of the tacoma wasn't very appealing for me. I may have gotten one if i found a deal but they were out of stock. I looked at a sold one and it didn't impress me.

I was also eyeing rangers and it just looked way more appealing. The videos i watched hyped me up even more.

My father in law tried to convince me to get the tacoma and showed off the tailgate damper. But i was like meh. I knew I could just add one to the ranger.

 

[N559br]

Only the ranger and the Colorado baby Duramax were rated to pull this beast. I was already getting out of a diesel and was tired of the $5/gal + DEF.

 

[LifeisaBeach]

Part of me cannot help but agree with your comment. Just old habits, beliefs... and old school "experience." But I also can clearly remember the switch from V8's to 6 cylinders. I used to be hard core "Damn 6 will never last! Just stupid. V8 don't have to work near as hard. Gonna regret it. Dumbass engineers blah blah." Yet look at the automotive world today. When is the last time I even owned a V8? Wow, my 1986 Mercury Cougar. Never thought of that until right now. But every vehicle since then (EXCEPT THAT FRONTIER POS!!!) has been trouble free and long lasting. So much for my V8 attitude.

With Ford engineering I truly believe the 2.3L can have a very long life. Yea we have to deal with carbon buildup. But my Focus ST with the 2.0L Ecoboost has almost 70K miles on it and runs like a top. I maintain the shit out of it. Quality oil and filters (changed by ME!) and only top tier gasoline. No engine mods. Will do the same for my Ranger. (Once I get it. Sigh...) Additionally I will never mod the engine on the Ranger either. (Just me! No hating here for the mod guys!) So all in all I feel very good about the potential longevity of the 2.3L.

When you say "top tier gasoline", do you mean premium?

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