So How Will the New 2024 Ranger Raptor Fair Against the New Tacoma?

[Ranger#5?]

So what is a reasonable time for ROW map for the NA market? Remember the 6G Ranger was unveiled to the world Nov. 24, 2021… so coming up on about two years before we get the 4 trims in one bed/cab configuration. That’s pretty pitiful and disappointing to me. I’m driving a 21 1/2 year old F-150 bought new in Jan of ‘02 and I’ve been more than patient waiting for Ford to straighten out rampant quality issues and the hot mess that is MAP.

Don’t get me wrong, I would rather own a Ford, but my patiences is at its limit and I’m not willing to wait another 2 years for a SuperCrew/longbed… and that’s a big “if”. I’ll wait until the Tacoma Trailhunter starts showing up in dealerships before I make my final decision. If Ford doesn’t respond with a confirmed SuperCrew/longbed in Tremor trim in the pipeline by then, I’ll likely leave the Ford brand after 30 years.

As for the availability of getting a Tacoma built to my specs? I’m not concerned with the number of trucks they are capable of building in not one, but two Mexican factories. Plus I live in Charlotte, NC with multiple large dealers, with decent supplies continuing to grow. With that said, the likely hood of me finding what I want is pretty good. MAP’s constrained line can barely handle the Bronco and low volume 5G Rangers at the moment, so we’ll see how well they can handle the increased demand of the new Ranger?

reasonable is what a reasonable person considers reasonable. Don't know why people keep expecting we should have had the 6G Ranger on the same timeline as other parts of the world? You can't make a valid comparison of "it's been out elsewhere this long, and we haven't had it at the same time, so therefore we have been "waiting 2 years" already. Ford decided not to make that commitment for their own reasons, and it is what it is. They stopped selling the Ranger here from 2012 to 2018 but kept selling globally during that time and I didn't feel deprived then either. Likewise, I don't think they care how long me, you, or anyone else has kept their current ride, so that doesn't even figure into my thinking or that Ford is to blame for forcing me to keep a current vehicle longer than someone else has.

My current DD is a 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee I bought new and I have no plans to ever get rid of it. I just add to the stable as the need arises. I have a 2022 Maverick and barely drive it. Same with our 2018 F-150 we bought new and will never sell at our age and low miles driven per year. Out E450 based RV was also bought new in 2004 and not going anywhere. I have a bunch of Yamaha motorcycles from the 1970s that I still like and plan to keep most of them until I can't ride or wrench anymore- but that's just me.

Lastly, I think you are really overestimating the roll out of new Tacomas too. How many current generations have you seen collecting dust on lots offered in multiple configurations? They made a decision a couple years ago they're going to build and sell what they want to ship to dealers a few at a time and customer be damned. Nissan has followed the same strategy now and I haven't seen a single 2024 GM mid-size on nearby lots either. It's a different world now and I'm finding my perspective on buying my new vehicles had to adapt along with it, and I don't see it going back to the way it was or getting any better in the future either.

Of Course I could be wrong ?‍

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[JimG_AZ]

... They stopped selling the Ranger here from 2012 to 2018 but kept selling globally during that time and I didn't feel deprived then either. Likewise, I don't think they care how long me, you, or anyone else has kept their current ride, so that doesn't even figure into my thinking or that Ford is to blame for forcing me to keep a current vehicle longer than someone else has.

I think they do care how long you keep your cars. If the vast majority of buyers decide to keep their current rides until the wheels fall off, the automakers would be in big trouble. Their sales figures would plumet. They love leases, since this huge group of buyers buys a new car @ every 3 to 4 years. If they lost those sales, how could they not be in trouble.

Lastly, I think you are really overestimating the roll out of new Tacomas too. How many current generations have you seen collecting dust on lots offered in multiple configurations? They made a decision a couple years ago they're going to build and sell what they want to ship to dealers a few at a time and customer be damned. Nissan has followed the same strategy now and I haven't seen a single 2024 GM mid-size on nearby lots either. It's a different world now and I'm finding my perspective on buying my new vehicles had to adapt along with it, and I don't see it going back to the way it was or getting any better in the future either.

Of Course I could be wrong ?‍

If you watch some of the YouTube channels on car buying, you will see that most Toyota lots are quite empty for new vehicles. Toyota dealers have been quite successful with getting the cars under contract before they even hit the dealers lot. From just driving by the Toyota dealer near my office (Right Toyota in Scottsdale, AZ) there are not a lot of Tacoma's on the lot. Unless they have them hidden on some remote lot...

 

[Ranger#5?]

I think they do care how long you keep your cars. If the vast majority of buyers decide to keep their current rides until the wheels fall off, the automakers would be in big trouble. Their sales figures would plumet. They love leases, since this huge group of buyers buys a new car @ every 3 to 4 years. If they lost those sales, how could they not be in trouble.



If you watch some of the YouTube channels on car buying, you will see that most Toyota lots are quite empty for new vehicles. Toyota dealers have been quite successful with getting the cars under contract before they even hit the dealers lot. From just driving by the Toyota dealer near my office (Right Toyota in Scottsdale, AZ) there are not a lot of Tacoma's on the lot. Unless they have them hidden on some remote lot...

Try looking at financial reports and actual industry information on how much longer the average person holds onto their vehicles now instead of YouTube channels. The reason lots are still empty of many popular vehicles is because manufacturers are not producing and delivering enough of them to dealers, not because they are under contract in advance. 2 years ago my neighbor tried to purchase a new 4Runner to replace her old 1. The dealer wouldn’t actually order it for her to her specifications, but put in a request to try and find 1.

It took more than 3 months and several false starts before they notified her they located 1 in transit that was “similar” to what she wanted but she had to act fast to buy before someone else grabbed it. They jerked her around on the timing of arrival and caused them to cancel a planned vacation. She felt pressured to settle for the vehicle that was “close enough” and jump through hoops to close the deal or risk coming away empty handed.

There are plenty of other people experiencing the same thing. Nissan told me they can’t submit my custom order either, but would “try to find me 1” and played a bunch of games with multiple additional charges to get it for me after I gave them several exact VINs and dealer information that had them. I told them to pound sand on that BS.

Some people don’t want to accept reality the good old days of lots of choices and local availability are not coming back, but reality tells me otherwise. YMMV.

 

[goalieThreeOne]

Try looking at financial reports and actual industry information on how much longer the average person holds onto their vehicles now instead of YouTube channels. The reason lots are still empty of many popular vehicles is because manufacturers are not producing and delivering enough of them to dealers, not because they are under contract in advance. 2 years ago my neighbor tried to purchase a new 4Runner to replace her old 1. The dealer wouldn’t actually order it for her to her specifications, but put in a request to try and find 1.

It took more than 3 months and several false starts before they notified her they located 1 in transit that was “similar” to what she wanted but she had to act fast to buy before someone else grabbed it. They jerked her around on the timing of arrival and caused them to cancel a planned vacation. She felt pressured to settle for the vehicle that was “close enough” and jump through hoops to close the deal or risk coming away empty handed.

There are plenty of other people experiencing the same thing. Nissan told me they can’t submit my custom order either, but would “try to find me 1” and played a bunch of games with multiple additional charges to get it for me after I gave them several exact VINs and dealer information that had them. I told them to pound sand on that BS.

Some people don’t want to accept reality the good old days of lots of choices and local availability are not coming back, but reality tells me otherwise. YMMV.

Interest rates are sky high and we’re diving head first into an economic recession. That should reduce demand to some degree and maybe bring things closer to being back to normal.

 

[Ranger#5?]

Interest rates are sky high and we’re diving head first into an economic recession. That should reduce demand to some degree and maybe bring things closer to being back to normal.

Agreed. Industry reports have shown the average new car loan now is between $700.00-$1000.00 per month! That's crazy $hit and I am sure a lot of people will be upside down and panicking overnight if the artificially postponed overdue recession finally takes its natural course. As far as I can tell, the vehicle demand side is not the problem currently, it's the manipulation of the supply side.

I did see 1 positive sign yesterday I'm pretty much resigned to the fact the Nissan Frontier King Cab S fits my needs best and have been watching inventory at dealers within 1 day drive. Not going to jump right in now for multiple reasons, but yesterday I saw 1 without the ridiculous and unjustifiable $1360.00 ADM tacked on! That gives me hope we might have better fortunes coming our way in the near future

 

[Mikknj]

I’m not sure I agree that these new legislations are all bad. After all, we have come a long way since the days of 7L V8’s with 220 HP. I don’t think Toyota’s engine choice was based on legislation either. After all, Ford can still sell forced induction engines with 710HP. I’m enjoying this new era of high output, low displacement 4 and 6 cylinder engines we’re in. We have 400HP Explorers and Rangers now which is insane!

No I think that Toyota attracts a certain type of buyer and they know that. The type that really views cars as an appliance to get from A to B and nothing more. And they know that type of buyer is okay with very little power as long as they “don’t have to worry about it”. Hell they sell a “TRD” version of a CAMRY with zero engine changes. It’s just a different kind of buyer. Basic, uninformed, and practical above all else. The kind of people that actually read the IIHS reports and use Eco mode day to day. They type of people that can’t merge onto the highway and stay home when it snows a little.

I agree with you 100%

 

[Mikknj]

gotta admit its always surprising when people complain about things that improve the health of people in the long run.

True enough, got to admit it, we have come a long way from the pollution I grew up with. And we still have a lot of cool trucks!!

 

[JimG_AZ]

Try looking at financial reports and actual industry information on how much longer the average person holds onto their vehicles now instead of YouTube channels. The reason lots are still empty of many popular vehicles is because manufacturers are not producing and delivering enough of them to dealers, not because they are under contract in advance. ...

The figures that I find most interesting are the market days supply and what is going on at the auto auctions. You can find out a lot about that on some of the YouTube channels that you do not seem to like. Also, you would learn about many (not all) Toyota dealers being very successful about pulling car under contract before they arrive at the dealership.

 

[ssjx7squall]

True enough, got to admit it, we have come a long way from the pollution I grew up with. And we still have a lot of cool trucks!!

That’s what’s awesome. We have a lot of cool vehicles and more on the way and it’s getting better and better for the environment

 

[nappy]

What gen Tacoma are you talking about? I owned two 2nd gen Tacoma - 2008 v6 TRD Sport PreRunner and a 2011 v6 TRD Off-Road 4x4. Both had the 4.0L v6 and both were great trucks.

"Those old Tacomas with the 5 (or is it 6 speed) transmissions were terrible, not to mention gas mileage."

Current generation or the older generation, both sucked on these dimensions. Driving on anything that resembled elevation was a flat out joke with that tranny. The Ford Ranger is markedly better in comparison. I should add, I've always been fan of Toyota's, but I've lost interest in the brand knowing what you can buy today in comparison. I own a Ford, Acura and BMW now. But for sure, there are some thing I still like about Toyota, however, luxury and comfort aren't top on the list.

 

[JimG_AZ]

"Those old Tacomas with the 5 (or is it 6 speed) transmissions were terrible, not to mention gas mileage."

Current generation or the older generation, both sucked on these dimensions. Driving on anything that resembled elevation was a flat out joke with that tranny. The Ford Ranger is markedly better in comparison. I should add, I've always been fan of Toyota's, but I've lost interest in the brand knowing what you can buy today in comparison. I own a Ford, Acura and BMW now. But for sure, there are some thing I still like about Toyota, however, luxury and comfort aren't top on the list.

Serious question: did you ever own a 2nd gen Taco? I never had any issues with driving around Phoenix or pulling mountain grades with either of the G2 Tacoma's I used to own. The 4.0L was fairly well paired with the tranny. Now the G3 Tacoma is a different story. The G3 is awful on the low end. You have to rev it to get power. For the record, I have never owned a G3 Tacoma, but I have driven one a few times.

Here is a picture of my 2008 Tacoma with my 20' PJ trailer with 2 quads and a Polaris RZR. With this load, it was probably @ 3500 - 3700 lbs. I also regularly hauled 2 Polaris RZR's on this trailer. The 2 RZR's and the trailer were close to 4000 lbs total weight. We used to alternate pulling the trailer and the two RZR's between the Tacoma and my friends 2010 F-150 extended cab 4x4 with the 4.6L v8. During the summer, we would commonly haul from Phoenix (@ 1,200' elevation) to Happy Jack, AZ (@ 7,500' elevation). Both trucks pulled mountain grades at the same mph. Basically no difference in pulling power or towing experience. With that being said, my 2021 Ranger would have outpulled either of those trucks.

I went from a 2011 Tacoma 4x4 to a 2021 Ranger FX4. At that time, I owned a 24' travel trailer that weighed 4300 lbs empty. Both trucks pulled the trailer, but the Ranger was definitely the better puller. The Ecoboost had better low-end torque and better gearing with the 10-speed.

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