2005 Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier: Those Baby Pickups Are Grown Up and Ready to

[americantroll]

2005 Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier: Those Baby Pickups Are Grown Up and Ready to Move Out

OR years, while the Detroit-based automakers groomed their cash cows, the full-size pickups and S.U.V.'s that generated much of their sales revenue, Japanese companies concentrated on cars. By the time the Americans turned their attention back to automobiles - Ford called 2004 "the year of the car" - the Japanese were deploying new trucks in their assault on Fortress Detroit.

Now that both Toyota and Nissan have established a toehold in full-size pickups, the companies have set their sights on the single most neglected sector of the automotive market: pickups that aren't truly large but have clearly outgrown their old "compact" label. Sales of less than full-size trucks have fallen by a quarter since 2000, to around 670,000 last year, partly because the offerings have been rather drab and outmoded.

But for 2005, Toyota and Nissan have replaced their old trucks. Dodge has a new Dakota and Honda is selling its first pickup, the Ridgeline. This flurry of activity began last year, when General Motors brought out the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon.

Ford is now the only leading truckmaker without new midsize pickups. Its Ranger, and the similar Mazda B-Series, continues largely unchanged. These are the only true compact pickups left in showrooms.

The new midsize trucks show big gains over their predecessors in sophistication, performance, size and, unfortunately, cost. Base models start around $15,000, but prices jump with optional engines, enlarged cabs and long lists of options. Well-equipped versions can top $30,000, putting them close to full-size trucks in price as well as size.

Nissan and Toyota were among the first to slug it out in small trucks, so it is fitting that they both have new models out now. Here are driving impressions of each:
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[Foxy Box]

It's the American way.

Every model must be bigger, heavier and more powerful every other year, regardless if it makes sense or is necessary.

I figure at this rate, by 2015 full size trucks will be two highway lanes wide and base price will be $90,000 and the 2015 Camry will be the size of a Toyota Crown.

[Bakemono]

Its true that "bigger is better" has long been the American way.
However, I have a feeling that things are going to change.
Lets face it, the gas prices arent going to come down any time soon. If anything, they will only continue to rise.
I think that people are already becoming more aware of how much money they could save if they drove smaller, 4-cylinder and V6 vehicles over the V8 SUVs many people currently are buying.
If you live in a place that doesnt get snow and you dont pull a heavy trailer, why have a big 4x4 SUV??? I think that a lot of people will be more than willing to give up a little status in exchange for less money paid at the gaspump.
Myself, Im currently driving a '99 Ford F-150 (regular cab, 8' bed, 4x4, 5.4L V8, automatic, Off-Road package) and when the time comes to replace my truck I will be looking into getting something smaller. My big truck is not all that bad on gas (it gets about 15 mpg) but Ive come to the realization that I dont really haul stuff all the time and that I could easily get by with something smaller
I will most likely end up with a Tacoma. Im not certain yet if it will be a 4x2 or a 4x4. I currently spend quite a lot of time in northern Wisconsin during the winter months snowmobiling. I can only go up there on days when I can get off of work for vacation and on the weekends and when you consider the fact that I managed to log over 1500 miles this past winter, you can easily see how the gas prices might put a cramp on how many trips I make up there in the future.
In fact, Im considering selling my snowmobile because of the gas prices. I figure that I could get myself a motorcycle and have just as much fun while saving miles on my truck and saving on fuel costs. Also, snowmobiling has a 3 month riding season. On average, the motorcycle riding season is 6-8 months, depending upon the weather. Also, there are far more places to ride a road bike and it is far more practical than a snowmobile is.
I know of a lot of snowmobilers who are having the same thoughts as I am. A lot of them are selling their snowmobiles and getting either bikes or ATVs.
I can tell you this, you see a lot more bikes on the road and ATVs in the back of trucks than you used to.
Cap'n