GTwannabe

No, but *certain people* here would have you believe that F-150 is the best selling truck in the world with 600k annual sales. It's not.

Name ONE thing that's modern on the Tacoma. Or, which of the following Tacoma attributes do you consider modern? - semi-boxed frame - non-direct injection motors - drum brakes - 18mpg highway on 4-door models - circa 1995 interior quality Tacoma is technologically much closer to a 98 Ranger than a 2011 F-150.

GM's strategy seems reasonable. They're heavily invested in variable displacement pushrod V8 technology; they'd have to scrap it to do something like Ecoboost in their full-size trucks. A Colorado-sized truck weighs 20% less and can be powered by the same DOHC 4-bangers they use in their sedans. If that Colorado doesn't have the usual small truck failings (cramped interior, lousy MPG's, no premium content), they will sell well and help GM's CAFE numbers.

4-speed automatics are so 1970's.

The market for god-awful, ancient, small, cheap, gas guzzling trucks is 200k. That's not T6. That's not new Colorado/Dakota.

1st gen Colorado was basically an S-10 reworked by Isuzu... total POS. 2nd gen is a clean sheet in-house GM design.

And GM's 1/2 ton twins (Silverado 1500 and Sierra 1500) outsold F-150 by 80k units... your point? http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2011/01/the-ultimate-guide-to-us-pickup-truck-sales-in-2010.html

Insurance companies aren't stupid; they know it costs significantly more to repair/replace a $27k Focus ST than a $17k Focus SE.

Mustang and Mustang GT are just different trim levels, but the 5.0 costs more to insure.

6.2L isn't even an option on most of the F-150 line. Again, new competitive mid-sizes are coming. Chevy is bringing the new Colorado stateside. Dodge is working on a new Dakota. If you want to stick your head in the sand and think F-150 sales numbers will remain rosy forever, go ahead.

1. The 6.2L is only available in a tiny subset of F-150 (HD, Platinum, Raptor, etc). Since we're talking sales volume, I'm limiting consideration to the real volume sellers (XL, XLT, etc.) 2. There are currently no good mid-size trucks on the market. Tacoma is the "best" but it's still outdated, inefficient garbage. A good mid-size (new Colorado?) will siphon off F-150 sales from people who have been settling because they can't buy what they want.

Debatable. F-150 is currently the best pickup on the market in terms of interior quality, power, and fuel economy. It's never had to face competition from a smaller, more efficient mid-size that's "big enough" for the typical truck buyer who commutes every day and hauls/tows moderate loads on the weekends.

"But F-150 can tow 11,300lbs!" No, it can't. Or at least most of them can't. It only tows 11,300lbs if the following conditions are true: 1. It has Ecoboost 2. It has the Max Tow package with Class IV hitch A significant number of F-150's on the road either don't have a hitch, or they only have a Class III and are limited to 5000lbs. Downsizing to 8000 or 9000lb tow rating is not going to hurt sales, since most people don't order the max tow package.

Another way to look at those numbers is that buyers overwhelmingly want Ford's SMALLEST truck. Shrinking F-150 doesn't lose Ford any F-series sales because: 1. Buyers can upsize to F-250 2. More appeal to active lifestyle professionals who don't want an F-250 sized truck (current F-150)

Mazdaspeed3 is just a 263hp manual Mazda 3, but when I priced insurance on it, it was obnoxious. You're paying a "hot hatch" tax as the vehicle class attracts thieves and boy racers who are much more likely to wrap a telephone pole at 130mph.

*Some* F-150 buyers buy for capability. *Most* F-150 buyers buy because they want a NICE truck. Shrink the F-150 and you lose a few "capability" sales, but those people can step up to F-250. Ford would gain buyers like me who won't buy the current F-150 due to its obnoxious size and bulk.

Yep, this would make a fun little commuter without the massive insurance hike of the ST.

When did this site turn into 4chan?

That's nothing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffm-ZnbR_dU Do want the LHD version of that truck.

Why? Still more payload than Tacoma/Frontier. In fact, the nicely equipped off-road versions I looked at were only 1200lbs payload due to the weight of skid plates, locking difs, roof racks, and such.

This. I will have no problem dropping $30-35k when a quality product of sensible proportions comes along. Could I get a decent F-150 for that cash? Aboslutely... but it's too damned big and heavy.

Here's the thing... when GM and Dodge release new versions of their 1/2 tons, they're going to shoot for higher power and payload numbers than F-150. If Ford wants to keep playing the 1/2 ton advertizing game, they will need to grow the F-150 again to keep it ahead of the competition. But the F-150 is essentially a 3/4 ton now, and growing it would duplicate and/or exceed the capabilities of the F-250. So, Ford has 3 options: 1. Drop out of the 1/2 ton wars and shrink the F-150 back down to traditional 1/2 ton size and capability 2. Grow F-150, ditch the dated Super Duty platform, base the new Super Duty line on the beefed up and enlarged F-150 chassis, and add a downsized F-100 to the lineup for the sake of CAFE 3. Ride the F-150 gravy train until it derails due to new competition and CAFE standards

- Max load in the bed is 1100lbs - Max load in the trunk is 300lbs - Overall payload is 1550lbs So 150lbs remaining for the driver or you adjust the loads to compensate for driver/passengers.

1550lbs payload. Bed limit is 1100lbs. But you can also store 300lbs in the trunk. FYI, that's more payload than either doublecab Tacoma or Frontier.

180k miles and years of road salt exposure are eating away the frame. That's if Ford's flawed cam sync doesn't grenade my motor first. Buying an econobox daily driver means I'd need to buy a used truck in 2-3 years. I'd rather have one vehicle that does everything.