Time to say good-bye

[Grumpy Bear]

On 6/16/2023 at 8:34 AM, Grumpy Bear said:

 

Frontier is on my radar. 310 hp V6 is about the same power I have now on E-85. Does not have AFM/DOD and is DOHC. SIDI. Looks pretty sophisticated to me. 9 speed automatic with a good reputation. King cab (2 door) is still available. Woo-Hoo. Weights about the same. Haul is half. Not an issue. Go figure. A half ton limited a half a ton. Amazing. Tow is only a few hundred less. Not an issue. About $20K less.   Much smaller and my 6 foot body won't need to lower the truck or climb a ladder to check the oil. Pretty nice inside and the seat is WAY more comfortable. But that's just me dreaming. By the time Pepper is dead and in the ground I will be too. 

 

Wife rented a Toyota SR5 TRD 4X4 CC with a V6 for a trip to Hotlanta and back. About 2K miles total. It is literally about the size of a late 80's full size and the interior would agree IF it had an 80's bench seat in it. More on that later. Naturally I gave it a whirl.

 

First off, the nanny devices on this thing are a total distraction. It going to kill me trying to save me. You don't need this level of intrusive...you need to learn to drive if relying on the crap makes you a 'better' driver. 

 

The brakes are grabby until you get some heat into them. That said the adaptive cruise was kind of fun. This thing has buttons, lots and lots of buttons. This truck does not disguise the use of plastic for everything. 

 

That dog will hunt. A bit less power than Pepper on paper but it's lighter weight and smaller frontal area and more aggressive transmission tune make it feel as stout as a tuned CCSB 5.3. However, the nine speed is matched to a rather high final drive so it hunts the top two gears like a mid 70's Caprice Wagon with a TH700R. Busy little beaver.

 

Mrs. Bear does not let grass grow. 19 mpg for the trip at speeds near 80 mpg the entire trip. And the oil smelled that kind of hot it never should. Only 36K on the unit. With me at the wheel at 65 mph, 28-30 mpg. I would never have an issue with it. 

 

It was fitted with Goodyear Wranger A/T's which looked like they were wearing very well and yet crazy noisy. And the factory exhaust sounds worn out new. There is actually a decal saying this vehicle has a high roll center so watch your speed, Casey Jones. It's a roll over hazard. Passenger side visor is its location. 

 

Seat is comfortable but lateral leg room was sparse. More a function of the intrusive center console than limited interior space. It's tall enough to make getting in a deliberate effort at my age and 6-foot frame but too low for a step bar, IMHO of course. Ya kind of slide out with a few inches between leaving the seat and hitting the ground. It has a distinct "Pre-runner' feel to it. I'm the stereo is pretty nice. I'm deaf so I take her word for it. 

 

Pepper is in no danger of being replaced by a Toyota. Seriously, the biggest put off is being drown in gadgets and buttons and cup holders. 6 within the drivers reach and control and not one of them ergonomically viable. Clutter and distraction. 

[KARNUT]

7 hours ago, Grumpy Bear said:

 

Wife rented a Toyota SR5 TRD 4X4 CC with a V6 for a trip to Hotlanta and back. About 2K miles total. It is literally about the size of a late 80's full size and the interior would agree IF it had an 80's bench seat in it. More on that later. Naturally I gave it a whirl.

 

First off, the nanny devices on this thing are a total distraction. It going to kill me trying to save me. You don't need this level of intrusive...you need to learn to drive if relying on the crap makes you a 'better' driver. 

 

The brakes are grabby until you get some heat into them. That said the adaptive cruise was kind of fun. This thing has buttons, lots and lots of buttons. This truck does not disguise the use of plastic for everything. 

 

That dog will hunt. A bit less power than Pepper on paper but it's lighter weight and smaller frontal area and more aggressive transmission tune make it feel as stout as a tuned CCSB 5.3. However, the nine speed is matched to a rather high final drive so it hunts the top two gears like a mid 70's Caprice Wagon with a TH700R. Busy little beaver.

 

Mrs. Bear does not let grass grow. 19 mpg for the trip at speeds near 80 mpg the entire trip. And the oil smelled that kind of hot it never should. Only 36K on the unit. With me at the wheel at 65 mph, 28-30 mpg. I would never have an issue with it. 

 

It was fitted with Goodyear Wranger A/T's which looked like they were wearing very well and yet crazy noisy. And the factory exhaust sounds worn out new. There is actually a decal saying this vehicle has a high roll center so watch your speed, Casey Jones. It's a roll over hazard. Passenger side visor is its location. 

 

Seat is comfortable but lateral leg room was sparse. More a function of the intrusive center console than limited interior space. It's tall enough to make getting in a deliberate effort at my age and 6-foot frame but too low for a step bar, IMHO of course. Ya kind of slide out with a few inches between leaving the seat and hitting the ground. It has a distinct "Pre-runner' feel to it. I'm the stereo is pretty nice. I'm deaf so I take her word for it. 

 

Pepper is in no danger of being replaced by a Toyota. Seriously, the biggest put off is being drown in gadgets and buttons and cup holders. 6 within the drivers reach and control and not one of them ergonomically viable. Clutter and distraction. 

Renting is an excellent way to try new rides. I would have never considered a Toyota car until I rented a Camry the last time I flew. When I got home it just so happened that Camrys were on sale. A new redesign was coming out in a few weeks. I traded my Santa Fe for a Camry. My Granddaughter drives it now. By the way a radio CarPro program I listen to every week claims that Toyota you rented has a reputation of being indestructible. You probably would have been happier with the base V-6 model. Checking in with car and driver the review isn’t complementary. It ranks it at 7 because it’s dated. Probably a plus for me, especially because it available with a stick.

Edited June 26, 2023 by KARNUT

[man00]

I would have kept my Chevy or traded in on another if if I could have found a decent deal. 17 year old things were starting to go south (engine and transmission was fine) upholstery was rotted and falling down, both doors would leak water. Was going to need front wheel hugs again..brake pedal would push back sometimes. about all the dash lights was burnt out.

The truck served me well for 17 years