TORT: The ONSC Rant Thread (4 Viewers)

[Fort Knox]

Just piping in to say I love my 2015 Tundra. Ain't nothin' wrong with bells 'n whistles in some vehicles. I have a 40. I have an old 4Runner. I love them both and I enjoy driving them. I daily drove the '95 4Runner for a long time and it was great. However, when I'm going on a long trip and towing one of them behind.....I'm snug as a bug in a GD rug in my leather'ed up, infotainment system'ed, plastic-filled, reliable as eff, 2nd Gen Toyota Tundra.

 

[lt1fire]

In terms of what cars get me excited there are very few post 2000. I just don't like newer designs that much compared to old ones.

 

[mtweller]

Nope. The first gen tundra was almost perfect, as car designs and executions go these days. Second gen got bloated looking, too bulbous and rounded and tons more plastic and way too busy interior. Gauges got worse too. MPGs were pretty awful as well (good power though) One small example of why the 2nd gen got worse: Why complicate things with a different door handle for the front and back doors for ext cab models? That adds cost and complexity to the design team, the engineering team, the manufacturing team, and the end user. There was really nothing else to focus design and engineering time and money on? The truck was 100% dead nuts perfect and reliable, so you had a few days and a few hundred thousand dollars to throw at a problem that didn't exist? Even the FIRST gen Tundra had the same door handle front and back on ext. cab models. If they are that dumb, just imagine the hundreds of other stupid decisions they made on the second gen and now the 3rd gen. This is an issue across the board....they get focused on things that don't matter....like complicated and expensive tailgates and bedsides with press formed logos, fancy door handles, way over styled grills and headlights, giant screens, and shifters that fold and disappear (F150) just to get started. All that costs millions to design and develop, when it matters none. I know they claim 'focus groups' but their 'focus groups' are well tailored and groomed, just like trial juries. No one has ever asked me what I think of their over styled, over designed, over complicated, and unnecessarily expensive designs.

Toyota is not stupid. Again, they aren't designing for us few thousand that appreciate those features (or lack thereof). Especially considering we hold vehicles for decades, not years. They are designing based on the market trend and bottom line. Guess who started killing it a few years ago? Ford... who is even more egregious in the kind of thing you describe, best I can tell. But they are killing it because the masses want big shiny gadgets with an engine somewhere in the mix. We've seen whole ad campaigns around tailgate options. Dumb AF to you and me, but guess what... it sold vehicles. I hate the trend too, but they aren't doing it because they are short sighted, I can assure you that. $$$$$$$

 

[uzj100]

Toyota is not stoopid however just from a marketing standpoint and kicking the wrangler and the bronco in the nuts, please bring in something to compete. ;<)

OK - back to ranting about modern trucks. I really don't understand how people daily drive these HUGE azz vehicles daily. It would drive me crazy. I've been in 2020 F150, 250 and F450 dually and I am not sure how people put up with all that vehicle all the time. I would like to here from folks that drive these daily.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

I got a F550 with a flat bed, but I wouldn't say I drive it daily anywhere. Crew cab long bed is a PITA to park in small lots and in cities in general. Not a commuter type vehicle IMO.

 

[lt1fire]

Toyota is not stoopid however just from a marketing standpoint and kicking the wrangler and the bronco in the nuts, please bring in something to compete. ;<)

OK - back to ranting about modern trucks. I really don't understand how people daily drive these HUGE azz vehicles daily. It would drive me crazy. I've been in 2020 F150, 250 and F450 dually and I am not sure how people put up with all that vehicle all the time. I would like to here from folks that drive these daily.

New trucks are some of the only ones I like. Never really had an issue.driving them anywhere.

 

[onemanarmy]

GMC wouldn't sell as many trucks if they didn't include a $5000 tailgate? Toyota wouldn't sell all the Tundras if they didn't style it like a comic book character? I'm not saying don't embrace modern tech, but $1000 headlight assemblies and fully integrated, ripe with glitches, screens and control panels don't make the truck any better. There are proven, cheaper, but still modern/efficient/safe designs that will get the job done for 99% of all the car buyers.

 

[mtweller]

GMC wouldn't sell as many trucks if they didn't include a $5000 tailgate? Toyota wouldn't sell all the Tundras if they didn't style it like a comic book character? I'm not saying don't embrace modern tech, but $1000 headlight assemblies and fully integrated, ripe with glitches, screens and control panels don't make the truck any better. There are proven, cheaper, but still modern/efficient/safe designs that will get the job done for 99% of all the car buyers.

You don't think they are doing multimillion dollar expert analysis on this stuff? By people that know how to generate big sales and revenue. They are probably turning a 500-600 dollar profit every time someone options those 1k headlights, for instance. Why sell 25k basic cars at a 35% margin when the masses are proving they'll buy 60k and up at (probably) an even higher margin??

Look, I totally agree that it is fundamentally stupid, but at the same time when I turn on the radio I think to myself "how do people listen to this s***" from guys that sell so many albums they have more money than Davy Crocket. They build what the market demands and where they can make the most money, period. If that means building cars that sell at a premium that last a long time (see the 80s and 90s Toyota) to an evolving model where the masses want high tech and churn cars more than I do jeans, that's what they do. I look at people I know, including family, that have 60k new vehicles in their driveway every 2-3 years and shake my head, but the manufacturers are just watching their wallets get fat.

And I have to admit I geek out on the engine tech, in spite of the complexity in maintaining and god forbid, troubleshooting and repairing.

 

[Fort Knox]

Toyota is not stoopid however just from a marketing standpoint and kicking the wrangler and the bronco in the nuts, please bring in something to compete. ;<)

OK - back to ranting about modern trucks. I really don't understand how people daily drive these HUGE azz vehicles daily. It would drive me crazy. I've been in 2020 F150, 250 and F450 dually and I am not sure how people put up with all that vehicle all the time. I would like to here from folks that drive these daily.

I can't speak for others, but I have a 5-mile commute so I don't really have to contend with a lot of traffic. If I was still living up in DC, no way would I daily drive a full-size truck. Parking the Tundra is not that difficult. I just avoid the tight spaces. If we're going into downtown, the wife and I just take her 4Runner, which is our small vehicle.

 

[JohnVee]

I was watching Magnum PI from 1981 last night. He got rear ended in the Ferrari 308 and the bumper crunched. “$2700 for a new bumper on a $60,000 car? That’s insane!” I actually LOL’d at that quote.

 

[pawwright]

I was watching Magnum PI from 1981 last night. He got rear ended in the Ferrari 308 and the bumper crunched. “$2700 for a new bumper on a $60,000 car? That’s insane!” I actually LOL’d at that quote.

omg I watch old Magnum PI's all the time and I know exactly what episode you are talking about......so great. Higgins was not happy, but that could be said of every earlier season episodes, ahahahahhaaahha.

 

[weejub]

OH . .I'll prolly buy the hybrid Tundra someday . . . . I am like @mtweller 's long lost cousin likely . . .I just don't like the way they are rolling out a press release with a view out the window and pretending its "something" LOL.

1st Gen Tundra's use of the A340 behind the 2UZ was a big misstep.

Never really "loved" the 5VZ on 1st Gen Taco and 3rd Gen 4Runner

OK - a lot of my chest there . . . I'll go back to reading up on the Cybertruck and the F150 Lightening now . . .

 

[fourtrax]

DD the F250 till i save up to get something more economical. it's big but, parking isn't too bad. easier to leave if you just back into spaces though.
it's a diesel so MPG is better than the trundra was but, operating cost are a little higher. But, tows way better when its no on DD duty.
whats with the rims on the F150 lightning.? i think they are fugly.

 

[JohnVee]

Finally unloading the 40 from CRR. All the gear shifted back and is holding the lock closed. Even a fast, hard brake down my driveway a few times couldn’t shift the blockage forward enough to free it up. Unloading through the side doors to get to the problem is proving be just a wee bit inconvenient! At least the sun isn’t on me, and there IS a breeze this AM!

 

[Comet]

@JohnVee I thought I took enough from you that it wouldn’t be a problem.

 

[NCFJ]

First the driver calls, he's bringing a truck for some work. Confirms time, OK. Confirms address,

Driver "I can not get my truck in there".
Me " plenty of trucks have been here including 53" box trucks"
Driver "There are lots of trees" He's looking at google I'm sure
Me: "I Know, I prune them all, you are fine, all kinds of car trailers have been through here"
Driver: " I can not deliver the truck"
Me "Look dude, you can get in an out of here without backing up"
Driver: You guessed iit
Me: " Look, I don't give a damn if you deliver the damn truck or not. It's not my job, it's yours"

I hung up

5 minutes later, same conversation with his boss in NY. I tell him this shop has been getting deliveries of freight and vehicles for 12 years, no issues.
He wants too know "What shop, I don't see a shop"

Me "Deliver the truck or not, I just do not care at this point, bye" CLICK

Now for the Elephant in the room. How the hell is it my problem they can not deliver the vehicle? Did they not check Google when they booked the job? They have one job................................

 

[NCFJ]

This is like a bad episode of shipping wars.. So far Mr. New York has threatened me that he is going to leave it in storage, or I can pick it up in PA if I don't drive 20 minutes from my shop. I sent him street photos of the 1 PLUS acre circle he needs to drive. He called me a dumb ****, an ass hole and a hill billy. If I had feelings they'd be hurt.

His truck apparently is the most special car hauler on the road. Because all those other haulers and 53' trailers were sub standard that have delivered here for years.

 

[NCFJ]

So the saga continues this morning with a call from U-Ship shipper of the month, person #3. Same song, different story teller. The fact that plenty of trucks have been through here bears no meaning for this guy, he's seen it on Google and it can not be done. Holy Sh@t! Same Threats of putting it in impound and I would have to pay. On what planet? So I tell him I am over trying to explain logic to you and the fact that I am not the customer somehow eludes you, Bye Bye

Hour and a half later I get a call from the owner, truck is coming on a flat bed. Cool. It gets good now. Guy dropping it off introduces himself and tells me about the "yahoos" that he got it from. He recognized the address as the Cantrel place where he hung out with my neighbor Donnie and his dad in what is now my shop. He told me "I knew right away that they could roll through here without a problem, but I was not telling those clowns"

Original shipper did not complete the contract of delivery from point A to point B. They have no signed Bill of Lading. At the very best they can hope to get their price less the cost the owner paid for the flat bed.

Never go with the lowest bidder

 

[lt1fire]

So the saga continues this morning with a call from U-Ship shipper of the month, person #3. Same song, different story teller. The fact that plenty of trucks have been through here bears no meaning for this guy, he's seen it on Google and it can not be done. Holy Sh@t! Same Threats of putting it in impound and I would have to pay. On what planet? So I tell him I am over trying to explain logic to you and the fact that I am not the customer somehow eludes you, Bye Bye

Hour and a half later I get a call from the owner, truck is coming on a flat bed. Cool. It gets good now. Guy dropping it off introduces himself and tells me about the "yahoos" that he got it from. He recognized the address as the Cantrel place where he hung out with my neighbor Donnie and his dad in what is now my shop. He told me "I knew right away that they could roll through here without a problem, but I was not telling those clowns"

Original shipper did not complete the contract of delivery from point A to point B. They have no signed Bill of Lading. At the very best they can hope to get their price less the cost the owner paid for the flat bed.

Never go with the lowest bidder

You should make a video of a.similar truck pulling in and out and tag their Facebook, IG account with this story.

 

[Bryanseye]

So the saga continues this morning with a call from U-Ship shipper of the month, person #3. Same song, different story teller. The fact that plenty of trucks have been through here bears no meaning for this guy, he's seen it on Google and it can not be done. Holy Sh@t! Same Threats of putting it in impound and I would have to pay. On what planet? So I tell him I am over trying to explain logic to you and the fact that I am not the customer somehow eludes you, Bye Bye

Hour and a half later I get a call from the owner, truck is coming on a flat bed. Cool. It gets good now. Guy dropping it off introduces himself and tells me about the "yahoos" that he got it from. He recognized the address as the Cantrel place where he hung out with my neighbor Donnie and his dad in what is now my shop. He told me "I knew right away that they could roll through here without a problem, but I was not telling those clowns"

Original shipper did not complete the contract of delivery from point A to point B. They have no signed Bill of Lading. At the very best they can hope to get their price less the cost the owner paid for the flat bed.

Never go with the lowest bidder

Badaboom!