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It is just costs and design from the era that the current Tacoma truly originated from. Prior to the 4th gen 4Runner and 2nd gen Tundra, Toyota trucks and real SUVs from Toyota had rear drum brakes....discs were an extra-cost option for most applications....our LX450 has rear discs, but the North American Land Crusier of the same era had drums as standard equipment with discs being an extra-cost option for the rear...even the Land Cruiser which was updated in 1998 had drum brakes on the base version in parts of the world that are not considered North America. From our experience of Toyota trucks we owned in the 1980s, the rear drums would last a very very long time and they would only require some cleaning...
If I remember correctly the 80 series switched from Rear Drum to Rear discs with the 95 model year (when ABS was standardized), but most 94's would've had rear discs as well as most were optioned with ABS, so all Land Cruisers would have had Rear Discs, same as the LX450 for 96/97.
Very nice! Congrats! Tacoma's are mighty fine vehicles, this coming from someone who doesn't care much for pickup trucks!
Did you consider the Gladiator?
Thanks!
No, I did not consider the Gladiator. I find it to be quite unattractive and I don’t trust the quality of FCA vehicles. It’s also more expensive, topping out at about $60k.
No, I did not consider the Gladiator. I find it to be quite unattractive and I don’t trust the quality of FCA vehicles. It’s also more expensive, topping out at about $60k.
I'm with you there. While the regular Wrangler(Wregular?) looks good, the proportions of the Gladiator just look really off, especially in person. Add on Chrysler quality and the price, and it's a no deal.
The only midsizes I would consider are the Tacoma and the Ranger(GM interiors are hideous to me and Nissan is the Japanese Chrysler)
I'm with you there. While the regular Wrangler(Wregular?) looks good, the proportions of the Gladiator just look really off, especially in person. Add on Chrysler quality and the price, and it's a no deal.
The only midsizes I would consider are the Tacoma and the Ranger(GM interiors are hideous to me and Nissan is the Japanese Chrysler)
I don't love that the Ranger has the turbo 4 in it, though I could potentially get over that. The show stopper on the Ranger for me is that the full 4 door cab is only available with a short bed. I learned from my previous Tacoma experience that the short bed was too much of a compromise and there were many times I really needed the extra bed length.
No, I did not consider the Gladiator. I find it to be quite unattractive and I don’t trust the quality of FCA vehicles. It’s also more expensive, topping out at about $60k.
Gladiator looks odd to me and nope, no way I'd trust the reliability vs a Tacoma either.
ERMAHGERD: Toyota's Really Offering Cash Back on New Tacomas
The rarely incentivized truck is, well, being incentivized.
Toyota's Tacoma is the best-selling midsize pickup and is therefore rarely offered with discounts. Count yourself lucky if you're in the market for a Tacoma, then, because Toyota is putting cash on the hood of its entry-level pickup truck through June 1, 2020. The Tacoma, among other Toyota models, is being offered with cash incentives and zero-percent financing for qualifying buyers. Before you ask, no, the ultra-hot Toyota GR Supra sports car is not eligible for these offers, nor is the iconic Land Cruiser SUV.
The deal is this: All 2020 Tacomas save for the TRD Pro trim level are eligible for up to $1,750 in customer cash, as well as zero-percent financing for 36, 48, or 60 months for qualifying buyers (read: If you have a baller credit score). Toyota also is offering loans of up to 72 months with a still-low 1.9 percent APR—certain regions are enjoying even more cash on the hood that's tied to some financing options. Those who'd rather lease can look forward to spending $199-$299 per month for 36 months, with $999-$1,999 due at signing for certain mid-grade trims.
Some domestic automakers are similarly sweetening the pots for their Tacoma fighters, with Ford offering cash and financing deals (including zero-percent financing for up to 72 months), as well as payment deferrals to tide buyers over through the current health crisis, on the Ranger. General Motors goes even further, offering zero-percent financing for up to 84 months and payment deferrals for up to 120 days. But discounts tend to be the norm for domestic truck makers—that's not the case for Toyota.
So, if you've had your eye on a Taco, now might be the perfect time to strike. Toyota even updated the model for 2020, fitting every Tacoma with a standard 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, the automaker's Toyota Safety Sense suite of safety features (which includes forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, automatic high-beam headlights, and adaptive cruise control), and subtly updated headlights and taillights. Toyota also throws in complimentary maintenance and roadside assistance for two years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Tacoma prices start at $25,445 for the stripped-out SR (before incentives) and go up from there. May we suggest the rugged, tough-looking Tacoma TRD Off-Road trim, with the available four-wheel drive and six-speed manual transmission combo? Unlike the TRD Pro, the burliest Tacoma trim of the group, the TRD Off-Road appears eligible for Toyota's largesse.
Congrats on the sweet new truck. I love that color and overall spec you went with. For a hypothetical small-ish truck I don't know if I'd pick anything else.
Congrats on your new truck! Its beautiful. I've always wanted a truck...everytime I get behind the wheel I always get this scene of Pride and Power. Just hasn't worked out yet. ENJOY
I'm halfway tempted to get one of these myself lol. I mean...$300 a month? Why not?
This probably goes without saying, but, if you are used to the way an LS460 drives and rides, you better get ready for quite an abrupt change with a Tacoma LOL.
I'm halfway tempted to get one of these myself lol. I mean...$300 a month? Why not?
You should. Maybe you will finally understand why some people love their Toyota/Lexus body on frame models and never want to see some of these models become inferior crossovers based on unibody designs
Last edited by Toys4RJill; May 10, 2020 at 09:05 AM.
This probably goes without saying, but, if you are used to the way an LS460 drives and rides, you better get ready for quite an abrupt change with a Tacoma LOL.
I wouldn't replace the LS with it lol, I would get it as a third vehicle.
Originally Posted by LexsCTJill
You should. Maybe you will finally understand why some people love their Toyota/Lexus body on frame models and never want to see some models become inferior crossovers.
I totally understand that. That doesn't mean that crossovers aren't superior at many things and it doesn't mean that Lexus isn't missing out on a huge market by not offering a variety of luxury RWD unibody crossovers. The two can exist together.
For something like a Tacoma, I would never consider say a unibody Ridgeline. However I would never buy a Tacoma to drive as a daily. I'd buy a BOF GX or something like that as a third vehicle no problem, I just wouldn't drive it as a daily.
I'm halfway tempted to get one of these myself lol. I mean...$300 a month? Why not?
You can get the base, no frills SR for ~$200😁 or less if you find a unicorn (or get one through a broker). If if saves you miles on the LS, it might actually save you $ in the long run 😀.
