Advice Needed:: Tacoma owner considering a ZR2

[NevadaLover]

I'm not sure if this was directed towards me or not. In no way am I trying to compare apples to oranges or in other words a base model of one make to the top trim of another, give me some credit here. My comments about the interiors of GM vehicles cover the entire line from the cheapest car they make to the top of the line trim level HD truck or Suburban/Tahoe. Their materials and designs suck IMHO, flat out, no sugar coating it. Go look at the interior of the Corvette Z06 and then compare it to the interior of a GT350 Shelby or Hellcat, there's no comparison, the Corvette looks like a chinese hot wheels knockoff next to them, it has no soul, no character. This applies to the Colorado as well, while the interior appointments of the Tacoma aren't exactly stellar, they are certainly better.

At the end of the day I really don't care because I am not in the market for a ZR2 and I will never be for that matter. I think it's a great truck with many neat options, but it's not for me and I listed the reasons why I don't like GM products, the interiors are only one aspect of that reasoning. It's ok for others not to agree with you or prefer another option and most certainly so when they provide valid reasons for their rationale like I have done in this thread. Not everyone must drink the kool-aide and jump on the bandwagon to get approval. I'm certainly no brand loyalist, I have a Super Duty and a Power Wagon and we've owned many Toyotas and are likely to add a Land Cruiser to the mix soon as well, so there's no cry baby loyalist here.

Not really directed to you, a personal opinion is just that, personal. I was talking more to the hater that gets all twisted and bent and spews his hate for gm all over the site! Disagreeing with someones choice is one thing but the crap this dude spews every chance on any thread he can just gets old, we get it he doesn't like gm but that doesn't mean we want to hear about it constantly!

 

[Dalko43]

Their materials and designs suck IMHO, flat out, no sugar coating it. Go look at the interior of the Corvette Z06 and then compare it to the interior of a GT350 Shelby or Hellcat, there's no comparison, the Corvette looks like a chinese hot wheels knockoff next to them, it has no soul, no character. This applies to the Colorado as well, while the interior appointments of the Tacoma aren't exactly stellar, they are certainly better.

I don't think Toyota's interiors are really all that different from GM's (excepting a few vehicles like the LandCruiser). My 4runner's interior is decent, but I certainly wouldn't consider it high-class or refined. The recent GM products I've seen (mostly trucks) don't seem all that different. Again, when talking about a truck or 4x4 SUV, I think interiors need to be adequate rather than top-notch. These trucks are designed to get abused and used, so having a Lexus-quality interior in a truck makes little sense to me.

If you buy a $50k GM HD, I think you're getting what you pay for in terms of interior quality.
If you buy a $75k GM HD, I think you're overpaying.

The difference between Ford and GM is that Ford will put a little bit more effort into the interior quality of its higher trim levels. That doesn't mean that GM's quality is bad though. And I'd still have a hard time forking over $75k for a Ford vehicle that is ultimately a commercial-grade work truck.

My 2 cents at least.....

Not everyone must drink the kool-aide and jump on the bandwagon to get approval. I'm certainly no brand loyalist, I have a Super Duty and a Power Wagon and we've owned many Toyotas and are likely to add a Land Cruiser to the mix soon as well, so there's no cry baby loyalist here.

My sentiments exactly. I have a fondness for Toyota's, but I find other manufacturers are making equally capable and reliable trucks nowadays and I appreciate that. I think Toyota 4x4's are awesome, but the loyalists get a little too cultish for my tastes. I suppose the same can be said for just about any brand of truck.

 

[skyfree]

For those that switched from a Tacoma to Colorado, how do you feel about the interior storage capabilities? Similar, better, worse? My brief flirtation with a Colordo I was not impressed with the Fisher Price interiors and lack of storage. It was very comfortable and ergonomic, but not very utilitarian. Am I wrong?

I've had 2 Tacomas and switched to a 2018 Colorado ZR2 diesel. The big difference in the interior is the quality of the electronics. The Bose sound system with the subwoofer option is awesome. The nav is not annoying. No glitches so far. The menus make sense. The touchscreen is intuitive.

Interior storage is larger in the Colorado in every way except the center console cubby, which is 18% larger in the Tacoma:

https://www.caranddriver.com/review...pace-and-storage-review-car-and-driver-page-7

 

[DT75FLH]

I really like the off-road mode that you can use the rear Locker in 2 wheel drive up to Max Speed it makes it a fun desert truck.

having front and rear lockers is pretty nice and I've owned a 2013 Power Wagon and a 2015 F150 and for everyone on here that says a full size truck gets the same mileage I beg to differ.
so far driving the same speeds on the same section of Highway, a hundred miles at a time, and I'm getting 19 to 21 miles per gallon with a diesel where my twin turbo F-150 got 15 to 16 and the Power Wagon got 11.

I've owned Jeeps before, and I had a rear Locker in the F150, the only other truck that lets you have fun in 2 wheel drive with the rear Locker on is a Ford Raptor. which is $20,000 more than I paid for my ZR2

 

[Tex68w]

I would hope that a compact truck that weighs 2300lbs less (than the PW), has a more efficient and smaller motor, and better aerodynamics would get better gas mileage than a half-ton truck and most certainly so when compared to the 3/4-ton Power Wagon. I don't know where you are seeing people here report 20-30 mpg's out of full-size trucks that aren't tuned and deleted, but if they are they need their heads examined. A 6.7L PSD F-250/350 is occasionally capable of 19-21mpg in stock form if you keep it around 60-65 mph and keep your rpm's down, but very few of us drive that way or keep our trucks stock lol.

The ZR2 diesel is a cool truck, no doubt, but it's silly to compare it to a half-ton and certainly against a HD 3/4-ton. The ZR2 would never work for me personally, I need to tow far more than it is capable of and it doesn't have nearly enough room inside for my needs. If I were a single and big dog free guy running around the country side it would likely be at the top of my list, that is of course if weren't made by GM lol.

 

[Clutch]

Everyone is arguing about who has the nicer interior and whatnot.

Annnnd I am over here "like", Gimme this...

...I don't know about the rest of you guys. I like to have the windows down while out running the back roads, which is the whole point of enjoying the outdoors. It gets full of dust, mud, bugs, etc. Wish they still offered a super basic interior that you can hose out....ya know for the few us that actually use (and abuse) our trucks.

 

[DT75FLH]

I would hope that a compact truck that weighs 2300lbs less (than the PW), has a more efficient and smaller motor, and better aerodynamics would get better gas mileage than a half-ton truck and most certainly so when compared to the 3/4-ton Power Wagon. I don't know where you are seeing people here report 20-30 mpg's out of full-size trucks that aren't tuned and deleted, but if they are they need their heads examined. A 6.7L PSD F-250/350 is occasionally capable of 19-21mpg in stock form if you keep it around 60-65 mph and keep your rpm's down, but very few of us drive that way or keep our trucks

The ZR2 diesel is a cool truck, no doubt, but it's silly to compare it to a half-ton and certainly against a HD 3/4-ton. The ZR2 would never work for me personally, I need to tow far more than it is capable of and it doesn't have nearly enough room inside for my needs. If I were a single and big dog free guy running around the country side it would likely be at the top of my list, that is of course if weren't made by GM lol.

Thanks for the physics lesson..... I was just saying that I have owned all three of those trucks. I've also owned a 98 4Runner and and an 07 4Runner with a V8.. both of those rigs also only got 15 to 16 miles to the gallon which is surprising cuz one was a 3.4 V6 and the other one was the V8 which I expected a little bit better mileage out of.

And if you really want to get in the weeds, my 2013 Power Wagon weighed 6100 pounds empty and my ZR2 weighs 5000 pounds empty, that's only 1100 pound difference..

Been following this thread for a while.


I can't understand for the life of me why anyone would buy a mid-sized truck that only gets 15mpg when you can get a full size truck that will get 30% better mileage. Maybe I'm just uninformed about Tacoma trucks, but If I was a Toyota truck fan and mileage was the same as a Tundra then why not get a full size Tundra? I looked at the ZR2 on the showroom floor and just not enough room for my family of 5 and gear to go car camping with. I ended up getting a new Chevy 1/2 ton crew cab Z71. Averages 20mpg on 30 min trip to work....pretty sure the Fords get even better. Don't understand why Toyota is so far behind the fuel curve. The fuel savings is significant, if I was the OP I'd be looking for something more fuel efficient or something more substantial that justifies 15mpg like a Tundra or perhaps a land cruiser, but if you live close to work and don't put many miles on it then I'd keep it and run up the miles to 200K. Buying new only makes sense financially if you run up the miles.

Some of the comments have been eye opening. Fleet trucks run by non-owner employee's that care nothing about protecting someone else's investment will always have the most problems. My chevy's have always been pretty good to me. Doesn't matter what you drive if you abuse it on or offroad they will all have problems.

Was referring to this post...

 

[Tex68w]

Thanks for the physics lesson..... I was just saying that I have owned all three of those trucks. I've also owned a 98 4Runner and and an 07 4Runner with a V8.. both of those rigs also only got 15 to 16 miles to the gallon which is surprising cuz one was a 3.4 V6 and the other one was the V8 which I expected a little bit better mileage out of.

And if you really want to get in the weeds, my 2013 Power Wagon weighed 6100 pounds empty and my ZR2 weighs 5000 pounds empty, that's only 1100 pound difference..





Was referring to this post...

Well for starters I am amazed that the older 5.7L Hemi PW's weighed that much less than the current 6.4L models. I am not surprised with the Toyotas though. I had a 2001 Tacoma with the 3.4L V6 and it got 15-16mpg, I also had a 2012 FJC and two late model 4Runners (2015 and 2016) with the 4.0L V6 and they only got 15-16 mpg. Toyota trucks/suv's just suck when it comes to efficiency, if they could change that and keep their reliability they would really put a hurt on the competition. I think it's pathetic that my 2017 F-250 on 37's that weighs in excess of 8,000lbs gets as good of mileage than any Toyota product I've ever owned in their stock form.

If I keep my Alumiduty I plan to delete and tune it, it'll get mid 20's mpg then and make 600hp and 1100 pound feet of torque, as you know, the diesels are amazing power plants that gassers simply can't compete with.

 

[XJLI]

I don't know how you guys with 3.4s got mileage that low. The rusted to hell broken frame T100 I had for a bit got 20-22 on the highway unloaded. Maybe all the pieces that fell off due to rust made a difference with weight reduction. THAT was a cool truck.

 

[Clutch]

If I keep my Alumiduty I plan to delete and tune it, it'll get mid 20's mpg then and make 600hp and 1100 pound feet of torque, as you know, the diesels are amazing power plants that gassers simply can't compete with.

And it is going to cost you how much to get that?

I don't know how you guys with 3.4s got mileage that low. The rusted to hell broken frame T100 I had for a bit got 20-22 on the highway unloaded. Maybe all the pieces that fell off due to rust made a difference with weight reduction. THAT was a cool truck.

Lead foots I am guessing...

Mine and my buddy's Tacoma's would get what yours did.

Even loaded it will do 17-19 average over a trip. Sure not a powerhouse, and that mileage is "ok". But the repair bills doesn't sting like diesels, ********.... just the cost of admission buys me a couple few engines....I mean do you really need 1100 ft lbs of tq to go camping? Never fails, get way back in up some rough road, thinking I am ************...and there is a roached out Subaru, or worse a POS Civic enjoying the same outdoors that I am.

 

[DaveInDenver]

Wish they still offered a super basic interior that you can hose out....ya know for the few us that actually use (and abuse) our trucks.

I don't think there's anything special about being able to hose out an interior. The reason HMMWV are that way is their intended use dictates being open to the elements. But firing positions not being crucial to my use having cloth seats, air conditioning and good door seals is just as valid measure of utility. I completely agree, I prefer simple utilitarian interiors. It does irritate me having over stylized interiors that just take up space and don't provide really useful storage, places for switches and radios. In the final analysis, though, I'd just take an interior that's easy to vacuum over being wash-down rated.

 

[Tex68w]

And it is going to cost you how much to get that?



Lead foots I am guessing...

Mine and my buddy's Tacoma's would get what yours did.

Even loaded it will do 17-19 average over a trip. Sure not a powerhouse, and that mileage is "ok". But the repair bills doesn't sting like diesels, ********.... just the cost if admission buys me a couple few engines....I mean do you really need 1100 ft lbs of tq to go camping? Never fails, get way back in up some rough road, thinking I am ************...and there is a roached out Subaru, or worse a POS Civic enjoying the same outdoors that I am.

It will run me somewhere between $4-5K which is a drop in the bucket for the extra 7-8+ mpg per gallon (240+ miles more per tank) over the life of the truck and most importantly it removes the engine killing EPA hardware thereby easing the strain on the motor and possibly doubling the life span of the engine.

My diesel truck is not for camping, its for pulling heavy loads, at one point I considered building it to do both, but with the addition of the PW that's no longer necessary. Just because you don't need that kind of power for your lifestyle and needs doesn't mean some of us don't. We have a farm and a ranch and big boats, a powerful diesel is necessary to lug things around out here, if I lived in the city and commuted to a cubicle five days a week and then out of town on the weekends a Tacoma would suffice. BTW, who wouldn't take more power lol? I have pulled loads pushing 20,000 lbs with that truck on 37's, with our farm trucks we've touched 25,000 lbs and they sit on 35's.

I can't speak for the others, but a lead foot is not my issue. I live in Texas, we have hot humid air, I am on the coast and from November to June the wind blows in excess of 20-25mph nearly every single day. To top it all off we have speed limits of 75-85 mph on most of our highways and as you know when you push north of 65mph in any vehicle your fuel efficiency plummets. Sure, it's not necessary to always do those speeds, but a lot of the time if you don't you will get run over so you go with the flow. I know a lot of people with Tacomas and 4Runners and none of them get 18mpg, most certainly not when rigged out and sitting on larger than factory tires. If you are then I'd hang on to that anomaly.

 

[Tex68w]

I don't know how you guys with 3.4s got mileage that low. The rusted to hell broken frame T100 I had for a bit got 20-22 on the highway unloaded. Maybe all the pieces that fell off due to rust made a difference with weight reduction. THAT was a cool truck.

Those trucks were cool, a HS buddy of mine had one, what a great truck! The T100 weighed well under 4,000lbs too, that certainly helped with its fuel efficiency when compared to the 5,000lb porkers that are the Tacomas of this day and age.

 

[Dalko43]

I know a lot of people with Tacomas and 4Runners and none of them get 18mpg, most certainly not when rigged out and sitting on larger than factory tires. If you are then I'd hang on to that anomaly.

18-19mpg is the norm for my 4runner's highway driving (granted, I deal with cold weather and hilly terrain). Fuel efficient it is not. Something similar to the 2.8l diesel in the Colorado would be a good fit for the Tacoma and 4runner. I believe Toyota uses such an engine for the 4runner and Hilux sold overseas.

 

[skyfree]

The diesel is not all about fuel efficiency. It's awesome when crawling at low RPMs up steep ledges without momentum. This is why people spend big bucks on the Cummins diesel repower. It's what the off-road crowd have been asking for in the US market for years.