I'm going to continue keeping my mouth shut on the heckling thing....
I'd love to see some smaller efficiency sized diesels on the market. I'm not really sure what the reasoning is (perhaps if our noncommercial diesel consumption was on par with Europe's the price of diesel would be even higher?) but if the Tacoma came with a small 3-4 cylinder diesel I'd have bought that in a heart beat over the gasoline 4 cyl.
It is politics. Toyota, Nissan, Mazda- they all have small, powerful, fuel effecient diesels. But, they can't keep up with the ever-evolving EPA mandates. VW stays a couple of years ahead- that is why they are the only small diesel in the US.
My friend, a missionary in Haiti, has a 2011 Toyota Landcruiser wagon. 5 speed, inline 6 diesel, bulletproof. Nothing made here in the states compares- I have been all over that truck, and his previous one, and will attest to the fact that the US manufactures just won't build a vehicle like that- they could, but aren't doing it. It is super heavy, and loaded with 8 adults and bags full of meds (doing medical clinics), off road a good part of the time, it averages 18 or so. I calculated that myself, not someone telling me what it gets.
http://s65.photobucket.com/albums/h205/br549_red/?action=view¤t=Haitimedical11034.jpg
Eric, I have owned a lot of Ford's, and have an 85 Bronco down in Haiti. My dad has an 03 F350/V-10. I am open minded- I would own another Ford, but I love my Dodge. To each his own, but none are better than the other. I have had Ford's with bad transmissions, a Ford that they repainted because the paint didn't bond, a Ford with a bad engine in 120,000 miles (well cared for, should have gone longer), a Ford that I repeatedly had to replace the slave cylinder, concentric, on the transmission. Bad design, plastic, no aftermarket replacement that was any better. All vehicles have their flaws.
And, for what it's worth, I'd much rather have my Cummins inline 6, where I can reach, work on, and see the ground, than a powerstroke that the cab has to be removed to do any work to it.
Eric, you are a catbird. Needle all you want- I personally don't take offense, and anytime you want to see how tough that bronco is, I have a heavy chain behind my seat...
Love ya, bro.