Tundra.... Would you switch from a new Ram Powerwagon?
- Thread starter Judoka
- Start date
JSimmons
Casual Observer
Exactly my thoughts. If you're in the business of selling vehicles, why would you not at least drive something made by the manufacturer you represent? If you at least drove a Prius or Camry you'd reel in the hippy-dippy crowd or Consumer Reports cultists.
Then again, I do like the concept of the PW. I wish Toyota would buck-up and at least import something competitive and similarly priced.
Judoka
Learning To Live
Thank you Ryan, I appreciate your pessimism.
It is likely true that I don't know Jack...or Jill for that matter. However, I am able to afford a new vehicle every year, so I guess being dumb might not be such a bad thing.
Judoka
Learning To Live
I have abandoned the idea of trading my truck. Instead I have resolved to buy a 4Runner. I think that would be a fine addition to the stable and I could make it my daily driver which will allow me to make the Ram more of a dedicated Expedition Rig. That way I can add the modifications I REALLY want!
With the aggressive tone that this thread took, now I know that the real Toyota guys showed up! Don't throw stones. Seriously; defend your point of view. That is the reason I started this thread in the first place. I don't believe everything I read. I ask questions and try to get as many perspectives as possible. Just say what you think and why you think it. After all, that is what this forum was set up for, to discuss, learn, and share.
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JSimmons
Casual Observer
I suppose it is hard to convey emotion across the interwebs; I didn't think my post was very aggressive. I apologize if you thought it was. Also, I have owned several Toyotas in the past but I wouldn't call myself a diehard Toyota guy. I think the brand is somewhat boring to be honest. Again, I'm still thinking about trading my Tacoma on a Power Wagon...
However, to address your point about defending a point of view; at the very least when a salesman can provide me with detailed information on a particular model based off of using it as his or her own daily driver, I find that useful and informative. Useful because they can tell me the "ins" and "outs" and all the quirks of a model or maybe a system used across models (like infotainment touch screens, etc.). Informative because at the very least the salesman wants to present a sort of "confidence in the brand" to the consumer.
An opposite case in point: I recently went to look at the new Silverado in a Z71 package. I was just curious and told the salesman that I really loved my Tacoma but wanted to look into a full-sized rig. I told him he had to convince me that the Silverado was the rig for me and why it was a better fit than the Tacoma. At the end of his pitch, I asked him what he drove. "Oh...uh...I drive a 4Runner." When I asked him why he didn't drive a Chevy product, he looked at me like I had a you-know-what growing out of my forehead. Now, there could be a lot of reasons why he was driving a 4Runner vs. not driving a Chevy. Who knows. He didn't provide me with an explanation (not that he owed me one), but he did convey to me (rightly or wrongly) as his possible sale that he did not have confidence in what he was selling. Ergo, I walked away thinking that if I were to replace the Tacoma with a full-size domestic rig, it would not be a Silverado. Completely anecdotal so don't believe everything you read. :smiley_drive:
BTW - I noticed you're in Arizona. I'm southeast of Tucson. Where are you selling Toyotas?
Judoka
Learning To Live
Please don't take my comment of the "Aggressive" tone of the thread as a bad thing. It is not a bad thing at all! In fact that is actually what I wanted to see! People whom are aggressive in the defense of their ideas are typically PASSIONATE about the subject. It is at that moment, when supported by fact, that convincing points of view become acts of "Conversion" if you will. So, by all means, bring it!
I started this thread with the intention of seeing if it made sense to trade my truck, which I figured it would not be. However I do get excited about new cars, and I like to drive the product I sell. When I got out of my emotions and regained my logic, the decision became clear. Better still, it gave me a "reason" to buy a 4Runner, which I have wanted for a very long time!
As far as believing in the product I sell, it would be impossible to own and drive one of every model of any brand. So, choosing not to trade into a Tundra has no effect on my ability to sell, not to convey my belief in the product. The 4Runner has won me over for Toyota!
If you want any insight into Ram or Jeep, I feel I am quite competent to provide that if you have any questions.
Adventurous
Explorer
I'm surmising your choice to switch from selling Jeep and Ram to Toyota reflects your opinion of those brands as a whole? Or was the swap made for other business purposes?
Judoka
Learning To Live
Honestly, the local dealership for this area is not where I chose to be. I do not have any issues at all with that brand. Actually, I think that they are doing and awesome job; and they have made the biggest improvements in overall quality of any manufacturer...since they had a long way to come anyway maybe. But they are vehicles I believe in. Jeep and Ram that is. If I was not going to sell that brand, then I figured I would sell a brand consistently providing quality vehicles ACCROSS THE LINE. Toyota was the logical choice. Maybe they are fairly simple in some amenities, but they put more focus on functionality and reliability.
JSimmons
Casual Observer
I grew-up in the back of an FJ40, so I was predisposed toward favoring Toyota from a young age. That predisposition led me to owning an '89 4Runner, a '95 4Runner and an '08 4Runner prior to purchasing my current '14 Tacoma. Out of that bunch, the only one that left me "high and dry" was the '95 with the 3.slow engine and auto trans. The '89 was a rust-bucke with the 22RE that just kept on going, however, I eventually decided I wanted something a bit more comfortable and bought the '08. The '08 had the 4.0 V6, never should have sold it. But...I made a foray into owning a WRX STi for a bit at the expense of the '08 4Runner. Long story short; I've never had any reliability or quality control issues with any of the Toyotas I've owned over the years. They may not be big on amenities as you stated, however, if you're planning on venturing into the back country whever you may be, the reliability of Toyota makes for a compelling reason to buy one. The Yotas I've had seem to "just work" no matter what unless you go out of your way to abuse the rig and not perform basic maintenance.
Now, the inverse to that, which a lot of Yota guys imply, is that domestic rigs are unreliable and prone to leaving you in a bad way at the most inopportune time. I'm not sure that is true though. The only domestic rig I've ever had was a '10 F150 that was a nice truck. It did start to do some weird things later on in its life (revving by itself while coming to a stop), but it never did leave me out in the cold. Perhaps the current owner might think otherwise. That being said, I think most manufacturers generally put out a good product and that with basic maintenance there should be no major problems. Although there is always a lemon in the bunch and Toyota is not immune to that. I've heard from a good number of domestic rig owners that they were once Toyota guys who spent the money to buy a 4Runner or Tacoma that let them down.
rabbiporkchop
Adventurer
Definitely not. The Power Wagon is the most durable of the two.
Judoka
Learning To Live
How so?
bkg
Explorer
100% agreed.
Not that it matters now, but I would go with the Tundra just for reliability--in fact, I did.
And I come from a Mopar family. My dad has owned nothing but Cummins powered Dodges, er Rams, since the late 80's.
I loved the older ones, but both my dad and brother have newer Dodges, er Rams (1/2 ton and HD), and have had WAY more problems (and much more significant) than I have with my Tundra.
Anecdotal, I know... .
And I come from a Mopar family. My dad has owned nothing but Cummins powered Dodges, er Rams, since the late 80's.
I loved the older ones, but both my dad and brother have newer Dodges, er Rams (1/2 ton and HD), and have had WAY more problems (and much more significant) than I have with my Tundra.
Anecdotal, I know... .