Rental Car thread

[GoCougs]

The Tacoma has drum brakes because they're cheap. Drum brakes have have more swept area so they can hold better at standstill (and why drag racers preferred drum brakes for dat brake torque launch) however, they underperform in all other areas. FWIW, the all-new 2024 Tacoma now has 4 wheel disc brakes (and in most trims, rear coil suspension).

Anywho the headlights are terrible. Holy hell. However, she has good scoot, even on the freeway. And I will say, the drive is much more relaxing - far fewer people cutting me off, pulling out in front of me, trying to pass me, or wanting to goad me into beta male racing. Maybe it's the size?

[AutobahnSHO]

The Tacoma has drum brakes because they're cheap. Drum brakes have have more swept area so they can hold better at standstill (and why drag racers preferred drum brakes for dat brake torque launch) however, they underperform in all other areas. FWIW, the all-new 2024 Tacoma now has 4 wheel disc brakes (and in most trims, rear coil suspension).

Anywho the headlights are terrible. Holy hell. However, she has good scoot, even on the freeway. And I will say, the drive is much more relaxing - far fewer people cutting me off, pulling out in front of me, trying to pass me, or wanting to goad me into beta male racing. Maybe it's the size?

And maybe thinking the insurance payout would be way high?..  Most normal drivers don't understand the difference between sedan and Expensive sedan, but know trucks cost a lot?

[GoCougs]

Finished up my time with the Tacoma. Overall rating: 4/10. Quite disappointed TBH. I expected much more. Makes me question the midsize truck market - not much cheaper than the 1/2-ton trucks but the features/function/performance isn't anywhere near par (IOW, now I see why the full-size trucks outsell the midsizers by ~5x). The Tacoma was ancient but BY FAR the best midsize seller.

Good:
Decent power
Decent tranny response
Decent brake and steering feel
Decent ride NVH
Decent looks (got complements on the blue)
Decent mpg (or, at least better than my SQ5)

So-so:
Interior
Lots of cheapness (pop rod hood, drum brakes, engine-mount cooling fan (noisy AF at times))

Bad:
Ridiculous size vs. utility ratio (esp. WRT bed size)
Bad highway manners (bounding and porpoising)   
Darty off-center steering (felt tipsy)
Terrible headlights

[AutobahnSHO]

I think purchase price and MPG are about the only reasons people "downsize".

I just read a guy said he traded in his Ford Maverick on a Lightning. He was waiting to see the hybrid AWD version (new for 2025) but the price on that is literally only a couple thousand less than the deal he got on the Lightning.  

[giant_mtb]

I could have a full size truck for what I paid for the Taco. But I prefer the smaller size for being in the woods. It's more maneuverable, can fit down tighter trails without worrying about scratching the hell out of it, and requires a lot less room to turn around if you get to something blocking a trail or a giant mudhole you aren't too sure about.

It's a bit nonsensical to have expectations from a mid sizer on par with a full sizer.  That's like wondering why an Equinox doesn't have the same amount of room or towing capacity as a Traverse.  They are different things for different people.

[MrH]

I think most Taco buyers fit in that mold.  They intentionally want something smaller than a half ton.

After driving a half ton for awhile, I also get why they sell in huge volumes over mid size trucks.  I feel like it's 50% more utility for 10% more cost.  It's a no brainer for most people.  Tacoma has almost a worthless backseat.  The Lightning has a bigger backseat than pretty much all full size luxury sedans.  Gas mileage for ICE versions aren't that far apart either.

[AutobahnSHO]

Funny that Maverick forum has people comparing Colorado, Ranger, and Tacoma to Maverick. Which has a bigger backseat?!?!?!

My wife is 5'4", I'm 5'9" and we both keep the driver seat all the way back- not much room for rear passenger that way. We could definitely move it forward some for passengers.

[Morris Minor]

My brother-in-law has always been a Nissan guy. Not my cup of tea, but they work for him. He told me over the weekend that when he's on the road his rental appliance of choice is always Nissan simply because, whatever the model, the way of doing things (menus, buttons, & switches) is more or less the same. So whether Altima, Murano or Sentra... drive out of a dark rental garage and you know where the light & wiper switches are going to be. Zero learning curve.

[AutobahnSHO]

My brother-in-law has always been a Nissan guy. Not my cup of tea, but they work for him. He told me over the weekend that when he's on the road his rental appliance of choice is always Nissan simply because, whatever the model, the way of doing things (menus, buttons, & switches) is more or less the same. So whether Altima, Murano or Sentra... drive out of a dark rental garage and you know where the light & wiper switches are going to be. Zero learning curve.

Yeah, makes sense.

I like that one guy who always used to rent a Ford Taurus on work trips, and dominated the drag racing where you hit your specific time on the weekends....