Test drove some Toyotas today

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knoxtom
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8:38p, 4/18/26
Went by the local Toyota dealership because they have some really good deals and I wanted to check some of them out. I planned on driving the Tundra, Camry, Crown Wagon, and Tacoma. Ran out of time so I only got to drive the Tacoma and Camry. Just sharing some thoughts. The dealership I went to has no add on bump sticker and no doc fee. You pay the negotiated price and taxes, not a cent more.

Camry - I drove this first, an XSE which is the high level sporty package. I can see why they sell a million of these. Even with AWD it is rated at 43 mpg and the internet says it gets it. It is comfy, super quiet, great stereo, etc. Buttons make sense, it is just easy. It is also boring as heck, but what do you expect from a Camry. It makes no sense whatsoever that a rav4 outsells this, it should be the best selling boring car in America. I can get the XSE for around 38k or the plain SE for 32k.

So then I went for a drive in the Tacoma. 4wd TRD off road package with the premium package. Sticker is around 55k but they will knock off 6 grand. Again, no fake items on a bump sticker and no doc fee. First impression is that the hood is massive, like so big you have to wonder what the heck in under it. It has piped in fake engine noise that is obviously not from the actual engine. It rides rough, has great acceleration, bounces all over the place. In a nutshell there is no reason why I liked it as much as I did. I really liked it a lot. I can get the one with the premium package in teh 40s or hold the premium package and get it for $42k.


I am going back to try the tundra and Crown Sepia (which seems like a name of a borough boss in Dungeon Crawler Carl).

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Green2Maroon
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10:25p, 4/18/26
AG
My parents just got a new RAV4 hybrid. They came down here to Denver a couple weeks ago for Easter. It is a very nice car overall. Sort of between my Tacoma and Prius. You might want to check it out. The new Tacoma and Prius are pretty nice too.
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TXAG 05
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10:36p, 4/18/26
AG
What is it that you are looking for/needing from an automobile? You are kinda all over the place
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SnowboardAg
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10:52p, 4/18/26
AG
I struggle with the price of these vehicles with a 4 cylinder turbo. Maybe it's just me.
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1agswitchin4lanes
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In reply to knoxtom • 6:41a, 4/19/26
AG
knoxtom said:



I am going back to try the tundra and Crown Sepia (which seems like a name of a borough boss in Dungeon Crawler Carl).



I think it's signia
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ChoppinDs40
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8:27a, 4/19/26
AG
Did you look at a Sienna?

/TexAgs auto board
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Roger350
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10:44a, 4/19/26
AG
What dealer is this? Finding one that doesn't do all the add-ons and document fees is rare.
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Ribeye-Rare
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11:08a, 4/19/26
AG
Legit question -- I've got to buy my wife a new car and have decided that after a lifetime of buying Fords, they've run me off for good with problematic reliability.

So, I figured I get some of that 'legendary' Toyota reliability. But, now I read that Toyota is having their problems, too, and that I should look at a Mazda if I need something that can be counted on.

Any thoughts?

I guess the alternative is to buy whatever brand catches my wife's eye, and pay for a factory extended service plan. I've fixed my own stuff for years, but some of these 'modern' issues are just above my ability to tackle.
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ChoppinDs40
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In reply to Ribeye-Rare • 2:13p, 4/19/26
AG
Not gonna lie, the Mazda suv. The big one. Looks real nice.
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knoxtom
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In reply to Roger350 • 5:07p, 4/19/26
Roger350 said:
What dealer is this? Finding one that doesn't do all the add-ons and document fees is rare.


Toyota of Colorado Springs... NOT Corwin Toyota

The combination of no dealer fees, no add ons, and big discounts is pretty rare these days
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knoxtom
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In reply to TXAG 05 • 5:13p, 4/19/26
TXAG 05 said:
What is it that you are looking for/needing from an automobile? You are kinda all over the place



Yes I am all over the place. I have a lot of moving pieces over the next 2 years and I will buy 2 cars over that time.

My son is 14.5 years old and if I get the Tacoma it is to see if I want it and to see if he wants it as his first car. With a price of 42k for a trd off road with no dealer fee and no add ons I can get back 100% of what I pay a year and a half from now. I live in Colorado, these trucks bring all the money on the used market.

On the Camry it is all about having a car to put big miles on. I have taken some new projects on all over Texas and both my wife and I will be traveling all over. A 2026 Camry AWD gets 45 mpg with enough room to be comfortable. Since we have to drive to a lot of these projects it makes sense to do it in the most efficient total ownership cost car made. Tacomas don't really lose value for the mileage, but they suck on gas.

Last thing... if I get the Camry I am probably selling my adventure van and getting a 6-10 year old power wagon to convert into an ultimate adventure rig with 37s and a Tune M1 Camper.
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Roger350
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In reply to knoxtom • 6:56p, 4/19/26
AG
Sweet, outside of the oppressive Gulf States Toyota district too! I'll keep them in mind for future purchases as that's not a bad ride from where I am in Wichita. Thanks for the info, and good luck with your purchase decision - it sounds like there is no bad choice given your explanation above.
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dubi
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9:06p, 4/19/26
AG
Drive a Highlander Hybrid. Great mileage and room to stretch out on road trips.
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aggietoolman
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2:18p, 4/20/26
AG
My issue with current Toyotas is that they are charging subscription fees for things like remote start. That's an immediate pass for me.
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YouBet
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In reply to ChoppinDs40 • 3:25p, 4/20/26
AG
ChoppinDs40 said:
Not gonna lie, the Mazda suv. The big one. Looks real nice.


I've driven twice now on two back to back vacations. It's a nice vehicle but I couldn't own one simply because of the gear shift. Absolute POS that doesn't work well. Getting that vehicle in and out of Park is the most ridiculous setup I've dealt with on a car. On both vehicles, the shift catches and hangs up forcing you to f* with it almost every time you shift in/out of Park. There was one other thing I didn't like but can't recall what it was.

Other than that, it was a nice vehicle.
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txags92
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In reply to Roger350 • 4:07p, 4/20/26
AG
Roger350 said:
Sweet, outside of the oppressive Gulf States Toyota district too! I'll keep them in mind for future purchases as that's not a bad ride from where I am in Wichita. Thanks for the info, and good luck with your purchase decision - it sounds like there is no bad choice given your explanation above.

We bought a 4runner from Mountain States Toyota in Denver back in late 2021 and they did not do all the insane markups and dealer add-ons either, even back when everybody was marking them up over MSRP..
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knoxtom
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In reply to txags92 • 4:53p, 4/20/26
txags92 said:
Roger350 said:
Sweet, outside of the oppressive Gulf States Toyota district too! I'll keep them in mind for future purchases as that's not a bad ride from where I am in Wichita. Thanks for the info, and good luck with your purchase decision - it sounds like there is no bad choice given your explanation above.

We bought a 4runner from Mountain States Toyota in Denver back in late 2021 and they did not do all the insane markups and dealer add-ons either, even back when everybody was marking them up over MSRP..



I heard that is the one other dealership that doesn't do the bump prices. I don't think they drop below msrp much though
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milkman00
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9:49p, 4/20/26
AG
So how good is the catalytic converter cover or shield on the Tundras? Is it worth it?

Have a friend in your position looking at Toyotas now so appreciate the reports.
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JKAG10
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11:59p, 4/20/26
AG
Recently bought a slightly used '24 Camry SE. Can confirm it gets in the 43mpg range. Worst I've gotten is around 35 with a strong head wind.
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txags92
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In reply to milkman00 • 12:04a, 4/21/26
AG
milkman00 said:
So how good is the catalytic converter cover or shield on the Tundras? Is it worth it?

Have a friend in your position looking at Toyotas now so appreciate the reports.

Go get a Talons Garage cat shield skid and install it with security hardware and you will be fine. They moved their shop from Houston to Somerville recently. Local product from a veteran owned business.
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dubi
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In reply to txags92 • 8:20a, 4/21/26
AG
txags92 said:
milkman00 said:
So how good is the catalytic converter cover or shield on the Tundras? Is it worth it?

Have a friend in your position looking at Toyotas now so appreciate the reports.

Go get a Talons Garage cat shield skid and install it with security hardware and you will be fine. They moved their shop from Houston to Somerville recently. Local product from a veteran owned business.

We installed a cat shield on our '05 Tundra that was ordered from an offroad place in Dallas.
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BlueSmoke
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9:32a, 4/21/26
Had mine stolen on a road trip. 5.7l, so what I started it, the sound was glorious, until I tried to accelerate.
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txags92
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In reply to dubi • 9:50a, 4/21/26
AG
dubi said:
txags92 said:
milkman00 said:
So how good is the catalytic converter cover or shield on the Tundras? Is it worth it?

Have a friend in your position looking at Toyotas now so appreciate the reports.

Go get a Talons Garage cat shield skid and install it with security hardware and you will be fine. They moved their shop from Houston to Somerville recently. Local product from a veteran owned business.

We installed a cat shield on our '05 Tundra that was ordered from an offroad place in Dallas.


Probably Caliraisedled? I had theirs on my Tacoma but swapped it out for the Talon's garage version when I added the full skid plate package from them. Both are good and will deter random thieves looking for an easy score.
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knoxtom
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11:11a, 4/30/26
I bought the Camry XSE.

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drumboy
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In reply to BlueSmoke • 11:41a, 4/30/26
AG
BlueSmoke said:
Had mine stolen on a road trip. 5.7l, so what I started it, the sound was glorious, until I tried to accelerate.

My Tundra's got stolen at the gym; I auto-started from the locker room, walked out and thought a Civic next to my truck sounded like shlt. Then I realized, looked under, and saw the giant gap in the exhaust pipe.
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RightWingConspirator
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In reply to Ribeye-Rare • 8:30a, 5/1/26
AG
I just bought my wife a 2027 Kia Telluride X Line SX Prestige hybrid. The technology on it is fantastic. Who knows about the reliability. We got it ceramic coated so don't think we've even put 40 miles on it. It's something you should at least consider.
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1agswitchin4lanes
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1:56p, 5/1/26
AG
I wish Toyota would offer a higher performance powertrain.

All their cars have the same hybrid. Peppy enough but those who want more are left to buy their higher models or Lexus brands.
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txags92
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In reply to 1agswitchin4lanes • 2:04p, 5/1/26
AG
1agswitchin4lanes said:
I wish Toyota would offer a higher performance powertrain.

All their cars have the same hybrid. Peppy enough but those who want more are left to buy their higher models or Lexus brands.

I suspect there is a bit of self selection in Toyota's clientele that contributes to their longevity. Make utilitarian vehicles that are not attractive to the hot rods who rag their cars (and their drivetrains) into an early demise. They are probably just as happy to have somebody who wants to drive a car hard get something else.
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Green2Maroon
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In reply to txags92 • 2:55p, 5/1/26
AG
I think it's that along with most Toyota owners being more attentive about maintenance.
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txags92
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In reply to Green2Maroon • 4:25p, 5/1/26
AG
Green2Maroon said:
I think it's that along with most Toyota owners being more attentive about maintenance.


That and their engineering is almost certainly most of it. But I suspect there is probably significant overlap between the kinds of people who buy cars for longevity and resale, and the kinds of people who aren't flooring the gas to do burn outs at every green light.
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knoxtom
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10:34p, 5/5/26
The car is doing exactly what it is supposed to do. The first tank of gas got 43 mpg with AWD. That is hard to beat. I expect after breaking in a little this car will average around 45 mpg. I wanted to add something to the fleet that got huge mileage and this does it.

Tomorrow I will see how it handles snow since we are supposed to get a bunch tonight.

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AlaskanAg99
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In reply to SnowboardAg • 9:38a, 5/13/26
AG
SnowboardAg said:
I struggle with the price of these vehicles with a 4 cylinder turbo. Maybe it's just me.


My Pilot apparently has the V6 pending grenade motor...id love to look at the Grand Highlander but the only option is the 4banger turbo. No way.

Same pilot is having the transmission repaired under warranty because it too has a torque converter grenade option...that blew.
aTm '99
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Corps_Ag12
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In reply to 1agswitchin4lanes • 10:34a, 5/13/26
AG
1agswitchin4lanes said:
I wish Toyota would offer a higher performance powertrain.

All their cars have the same hybrid. Peppy enough but those who want more are left to buy their higher models or Lexus brands.


I imagine that's the point.
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tk for tu juan
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11:39a, 5/13/26
Based on observations in the Houston area, the paper-tag Altima drivers have moved on to driving the Toyota Camry (and Hyundai Elantra), so there will be some Toyotas out there being "hot-rodded" and weaving through traffic. Just a little late stage QC testing for the cars' durability
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