Toyota compact trucks return in 2010!!!

[firetruck41]

The Mahindra sounds cool, but in my mind, joins several other cars/trucks that are just pie in the sky, until I see them on the road.
I like the idea off the ABAT as a more economical alternative to a light duty weekend project hauler.

[Rick323]

Originally Posted by jtsailjt

If it sounds like it was the backhoe that broke, then I must not have been clear. It was the very heavy cast iron of the Mahindra tractor that broke (I saw it.). My friend was told the part was made in India and in order to make the repairs, it was going to take 6 to 8 weeks to obtain that part so that was one of the reasons he opted to replace the whole tractor instead. If you've had good luck with your Mahindra tractor, then good for you, and please note that I did mention I was sure they all weren't like my friends tractor. But please don't try to revise what happened to my friends tractor without having seen it for yourself as I did.

I'm not saying it didn't happen, I'm sure it did. I guess I was picturing a tractor broken in half--that would be somewhere before the rear axle. I was also saying that not all of their tractors break in half. I go on the tractorbynet site semi fequently and have never heard of part of the tractor breaking off--again I'm not saying it doesn't happen. Cast is not nearly as strong as steel and does break--on anything

I've read that Mahindra is really trying to upgrade its vehicles for the american market. Fit and finish isn't too important in India. I'm surprised to see an auto tranny but again manuals don't sell well in the US.

Personally I would have loved to see dodge put the 2.8L diesel that was in the Jeep liberty in a dodge dakota with a 5 or 6 speed manual trany. I would have bought that before the tacoma.

[007Tacoma]

Originally Posted by Rick323

Personally I would have loved to see dodge put the 2.8L diesel that was in the Jeep liberty in a dodge dakota with a 5 or 6 speed manual trany. I would have bought that before the tacoma.

Here too! I had the 2.8L in an 05' Liberty CRD, and it was awesome. I regularly saw 27-30 MPG even driving in Houston traffic. The bad part - the <censored> automatic transmission couldn't handle the torque! The torque converter would lock up randomly and stall the engine at a red light. Then it would surge as we were going down the highway. The Jeep Liberty was a HORRIBLE vehicle around an awesome engine.

I am currently looking at two options.

1) Get Todd at DieselToyz (www.dieseltoyz.com) to drop the 2.8L VM Motori Turbo Diesel engine into my Tacoma (for which Todd has designed a kit).

2) Wait for the Mahindra Truck to come out and see how it compares. I don't need a big truck, but I need a hauler that does highway.

My 2007 Tacoma AC PreRunner 2.7L has 34,000 miles as of this post (1/17/08). I bought it on 1/1/07. I need something that does the highway well (diesel). I am not concerned about the city (hybrid).

Too bad Toyota doesn't get it...

[sparkyy]

"1) Get Todd at DieselToyz (www.dieseltoyz.com) to drop the 2.8L VM Motori Turbo Diesel engine into my Tacoma (for which Todd has designed a kit)."

I want a turbo-diesel powered compact truck as much as you, but DieselToyz is an expensive option. I am really interested in checking out the Mahindra when it arrives here. They will also come with a 4 year 60,000 bumper-to-bumper factory warranty.

[blackies_owner]

I like the Dodge look over the Honda Bathtub Ridgeline....It should be Toyota not Toyonda or in Toyodge...Rich

[woodsailor]

I would like to see a new Toyota compact truck with traditional styling, not a uni-body type like that. I would pay extra right now for a 2004 size 4 door with 4 cyl engine and manual transmission but it doesn't exist in the US.

Given what we know today about global warming, driving large overpowered vehicles is illogical even if you can afford it. Most Americans don't really need a big truck anyway; take a look at pickups you see on the highway - most beds are empty unless it belongs to a real working contractor.

[lelandstanford]

Same here.

[jtsailjt]

Originally Posted by woodsailor

Given my political views and what my personal opinion is today about global warming, driving large overpowered vehicles is illogical even if you can afford it. Most Americans don't really need a big truck anyway; take a look at pickups you see on the highway - most beds are empty unless it belongs to a real working contractor.

Fixed your post for you...

[007Tacoma]

Originally Posted by sparkyy

"1) Get Todd at DieselToyz (www.dieseltoyz.com) to drop the 2.8L VM Motori Turbo Diesel engine into my Tacoma (for which Todd has designed a kit)."

I want a turbo-diesel powered compact truck as much as you, but DieselToyz is an expensive option. I am really interested in checking out the Mahindra when it arrives here. They will also come with a 4 year 60,000 bumper-to-bumper factory warranty.

Yeah, it is expensive, but I know that it is quality work. I know the truck is solid, and the engine is solid - both from experience. I trust Todd's work.

Think of it this way. A Silverado Crew Cab is around $30,000. Add a diesel engine option for $3,000. If I spend $8,000 on putting a diesel engine in my truck, I can get what I really want (fuel economy in a smaller truck) and pay less for it. The Mahindra will be a bit cheaper, but I am weary about trying a new manufacturer in a new plant on their first year model.

[Gary Olson]

Originally Posted by sparkyy

I think the "no friils" truck styling is rather attractive.

I think this is something less than no frills. Reminds me of a die mold block of metal for an old mechanical elevator counterweight. Ugh! Clank, clunk, thunk, junk.

I like the 2006 Tacoma because it is not a full size truck; and is not a miniature toy truck (Goldilocks was my grandma!)

[YOTALOVER]

I think I might have seen this but it had four real doors not two. I was invited to an auto research thing at the Cobb Galleria Sunday. They wanted opinions own six vehicles there. A Ridgeland, Mazda SUV, Ford Sport Trac, Nissan Xtera, Tacoma and vehicle H. I think H was a A-Bat. It looked pretty cool. It is a solid body but looks much better than a Ridgeline. They would not let us get any close than about ten feet towards it. Sounds crazy but they had complete interior in a shell that you sat in. Interior was awsome and very comfortable.

[headleyj]

Originally Posted by sparkyy

The upper photo shows Toyota's new A-BAT compact truck concept (Lower one is a Dodge for comparison). Built on the same wheelbase (113") as the 1986 Toyota compact trucks, this is Toyota's latest compact truck concept. The new generation Tacoma has gone mid-size and expensive, and Toyota no longer offers a compact truck in America. Well, it looks like this is their answer.

The concept A-BAT (Advanced Breakthrough Aero Truck) pickup features unibody construction, hybrid drivetrain, and a Chevy Avalanche style truck bed. It will be about the size of a RAV4 SUV. I posted 2 of the concepts below. I actually like the lower 2006 black Dodge Rampage concept, but the upper Toyota with "Ridgeline" styling cues really misses the mark in my opinion.

What's your opinion members?

Damn, that fell out of the fugly tree and hit every branch on the way down. WTF are they thinking? Now that Mahindra truck - that's much more along the lines of what I'm thinking.

[MtTrout]

I think they should go back to the size and look (although a little more modernized) of the early 90's trucks. I still think they were the best looking trucks Toyota has EVER made.

I am one of the many who agree the concept is ugly!!!

[lelandstanford]

Originally Posted by MtTrout

I think they should go back to the size and look (although a little more modernized) of the early 90's trucks. I still think they were the best looking trucks Toyota has EVER made.

I am one of the many who agree the concept is ugly!!!

Totally agree.

The 7th gen HiLux (last gen HiLux in NA) are the best Toyota trucks sold here. Perfect balance and combination of payload/comfort/MPG/durability/economy.

[ncj01]

I don't think those prototypes are too ugly.

The real test for me is if they will carry a motorcycle in the bed or not. No = no deal.