At some point, I think it is time to move on.
And here is why.. it is all about profit point. The 4th gen represent a "pre-crash" profit model. This model relied heavenly on after purchase financing and dealer point hold back to make a profit..
What this means is that Toyota, like everyone else, took for granted easy credit and were less concerned with the build profit from the truck.
It means that Toyota put so much into the vehicle, and sold it at such a price point, that cash only sales were dangerously close to no profit for Toyota.
They were OK with this, when they designed this in 2003; due to the roaring economy and the easy credit. Practically NO ONE bought with cash.
Everyone has commented in numerous threads the loss of some features in the 5th gen. This is a result of Toyota returning to the much more traditional profit built into the vehicle build, absent financing.
In layman's term... the profit margin has been moved much higher in the 5th Gen because they had to...
In terms of minor, not really anything, other than annoying to a few people issues: There is 0 profitability in it.
You can hoot and holler about "customer support" and building loyalty, but the reality is; they still have to make a profit. 4th gen vehicles are NO LONGER a profit source for Toyota. The 09's are now finally coming off financing and the vehicle simply does not have the profit built into it to justify Toyota coming out and shelling 500 bucks per truck to fix a minor annoyance.
The "thump" is way over blown. Every 4wd, rear wheel Toyota I have ever owned has had this; to a degree. My '90 had it.. and my '92 had it. It isn't a usability issue. It isn't. It is a personal opinion issue.
The 5th Gen has a healthier profit margin and is a current, profit making vehicle. Dealer work makes money for the dealer, not Toyota. The moment that baby is paid off, Toyota has to look elsewhere for money. Asking Toyota to eat 500 dollars a pop, or more, for something that isn't even an issue is kinda crazy.
This is basic ECON 101.... I know, you see the 5th gens getting it fixed, you see the Lexus, getting it fixed.. and I can tell you; the profit margins on those vehicles is such that Toyota has been able to financially justify it.....
The 4th gen is a double edged sword. All you alpha's that love to comment how you consider the standard feature list and "build quality" to be better on the 4th gen; well here is the con to that. Toyota gave us a ton more on the front.. and as a result, cannot afford this on the back.
This is my take.
