Still Fishy? Consumer Reports responds to Pickup Comparo Controversy

[emh]

Originally Posted by windvale

Is it possible that CR is an honorable bunch, and just made an honest error on the Silverado/Tundra comparison - or is there a conspiracy here ?

IMO, CR is incompetent rather than malicious. They compare cars the same way they do vacuum cleaners or washing machines. There is no such thing as "comparably equipped" for washing machines -- so they have no notion of that. There's no emotional appeal to vacuum cleaners, so CR doesn't get that. I'm not talking about this one comparo -- that's what their auto reviews are in general.

[GMCdriver]

Originally Posted by Chaz_23

I have no idea what truck buyers look for in the design of a truck, but the Turda is a mighty looking truck. It even looks slightly revolutionary with the forward tilt of the rear of the cabin and the raising hood- that helps a lot.
The Silverado just looks wimpy, weak, boxy, flat and boring. Still doesn't look as good as the design two generations ago. It can be fixed though if they expanded the lights toward the center, make the upper and lower lips of the grille thicker. and put chrome on the sides of the bumper cover.
I too think that the Sierra looks better than both. The Sierra should have been the Silverado.

That is just it. CR is staffed up with car buyers and car buyers don't know what appeals to truck buyers.

It's like letting your homosexual friend evaluate your next girlfriend for you. He doesn't even like girls, how the hell would he be able to pick a good one?

[Weirdguy]

Originally Posted by ByTheLake

I still think CR has an import bias, but in the picture above, the Tundra really looks so much nicer. Who green-lighted the Silverado's styling?

Wow buddy. You must be blind... Or on crack, because that Toyota looks like the turd I just flushed down the toilet... Only uglier.

[88Fiero]

Originally Posted by Butz

Blah Blah Blah, the usual CR Lies and Propaganda.

Ralph Nader is still trying to get even with GM.

[88Fiero]

Originally Posted by Weirdguy

Wow buddy. You must be blind... Or on crack, because that Toyota looks like the turd I just flushed down the toilet... Only uglier.

Amen. toyota should be ashamed with the styling of their products. I'll take a Aztec over a corolla. And why didn't they use a GMC which is definitely better looking than all the other trucks.

[M_RABID]

Originally Posted by smokyn454

So that is like saying "we tested a Honda Accord vs. a Toyota Camry. More people buy the 4 cylinder accord and more people buy the V6 Camry. Now the Camry wins because it is smoother, faster and has more power."

WTF, who cares what combo is more popular? You can't compare two differently spec'd vehicles.

BULLSEYE!

[88Fiero]

Originally Posted by Butz

Blah Blah Blah, the usual CR Lies and Propaganda.

You are so correct!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[red_rider]

Originally Posted by Weirdguy

Wow buddy. You must be blind... Or on crack, because that Toyota looks like the turd I just flushed down the toilet... Only uglier.

I'm certainly not on crack, and I definitely think the new tundra is a pretty muscular looking truck (from the front end). I like the new GMT=900 twins' styling (especially the sierra) about equally to the tundra, but I'd take the GMT-400 styling over all of em. But if we're talking new trucks I love the exterior look of the ram.

<img>http://us.autos1.yimg.com/img.autos.yahoo.com/aic/dodgetruck_ram1500regularcab4x2_sltswb_2007_440x22 0.jpg</img>
<img>http://www.speedsportlife.com/photopost/data/951/thumbs/07_Tundra_Regular-Cab_01.jpg</img>
<img>http://images.military.com/road/pics/rw_show_060712_3m.jpg</img>

[ToyFanBoy]

Originally Posted by GTODemon

The point is clear - CR doesn't really understand how and why consumers choose the trucks that they select. They didn't make a mistake, per se. They put together a "comparison" that was based on their flawed belief that you can compare trucks like you compare washers, gas grills or baby diapers. These guys aren't car experts - they probably don't even really enjoy vehicles. They look at things through an analytical lense and rate based on objective criteria that they have established. Seriously, you want info on a car - read Car & Driver or Motor Trend, you want to learn which dishwasher cleans the best quietly, read CR.

I agree completely.

[ToyFanBoy]

Originally Posted by SpanielRage

, but who in their right mind would put a 4.30 gear in a 1/2-ton? Toyota probably dosen't even get any dealer orders for a 4.30 rear (if they do, it's probably from the moron trading his Tacoma and wants 35" tires on his new Tundra),

It's almost impossible to get the 5.7 without the 4.3 gears. It may actually be impossible.

[To simplify this for the Toyota crowd, the ring gear gets thinner as the number gets bigger, which weakens the ring gear (and is the reason for larger and thicker ring gears under 3/4- and 1-ton pickups).

Thanx, I think?

CR should test the life expectancy of a Tundra's transmission and rearend pulling at the factory max towing capacity, and test Toyota's warranty coverage.

I think that would be a great test for all trucks. It would clear up a lot of cheap talk.

[ToyFanBoy]

Originally Posted by smokyn454
So that is like saying "we tested a Honda Accord vs. a Toyota Camry. More people buy the 4 cylinder accord and more people buy the V6 Camry. Now the Camry wins because it is smoother, faster and has more power."

WTF, who cares what combo is more popular? You can't compare two differently spec'd vehicles.

Good point.

[member12]

Originally Posted by ByTheLake

I still think CR has an import bias, but in the picture above, the Tundra really looks so much nicer. Who green-lighted the Silverado's styling?

I think the Tundra's front end is a weak point. The single cab with a body colored grill would look okay, though.

I much prefer the Silverado's styling over the Tundra. The only thing I don't like about the Silverado is that it doesn't sit level, esp the regular cabs.