My pickup is a '94 xtra cab 4x4. It looks quite different than the newer trucks of course. But I'm wondering, do you guys like the open-mouth grill on the modern Tacoma trucks? That's the one feature of the current body style that I'm not crazy about. I think Toyota introduced that grill with the 2016 model year. Looks like a large mouth bass to me. Thoughts?

 

No, I see it too. Lots of new cars and trucks look like grumpy, slack-jawed fish gliding down the road.

 

They're fugly and over-bearing. Fish mouth / Street Vacuum grille, angry-eyes (that compete with Heeps)and foglight surrounds that remind me of predator fangs...



The 2010 was more under-stated, not over-bearing...



Why fix what is not broken?
This for sure is not broken... why fix it?


The L.R. Defender, the FJ70, the G-Wagon overall look have not changed since they came out. I don't understand why Toyota has to change what it already did so well.

 

I am not a fan of the comically large grilles on new cars, especially on Ford and Chevy trucks. They look like toys that have been made full size, like they have something to prove and need to tell you. Nothing says tough like a massive plastic grille! Toyota Trucks don't quite have as ridiculous grilles as other manufactures but seems to be heading that way.

I do understand why Toyota has gone with the other manufactures though. They would have been criticized by everyone except for people like us and lose sales. Remember, most people buy cars on looks alone (for some strange reason) and don't want a brand new car that "looks old".

 

I think they look tough and I can't wait to buy a used one that someone spent a bunch of money on to make it a capable off road vehicle. I'm patient... lol

 

The resale value is so high that you'll sure need that patience until they're good and cheap. 15 years? 20? And by then, it'll be an old, out-dated, grumpy, open-mouthed fish-truck.

That said, if you love the look and want one, good for you. It means you're probably more on the pulse of what's relevant.

 

I'll give it about 10 years. Already have 1 diesel truck for work, one diesel truck for going to church and pulling my 5th wheel then my old 90 4 runner for fun. I'm in no hurry......

 

I don't really care for them in stock form, but I've seen a few with plate style aftermarket bumpers and they look pretty mean.

 

Agreed! I thought I might've been alone in this pattern of thought.

Haha! Regardless of how obnoxious I think the grill looks, Toyota's hold their value well and they're proven as you know. Yeah, this is new news, right? I'm in the same boat in terms of waiting, waiting, waiting for someone to sell. I like my 94 so I'm in no hurry either. :-)

 

When I see a 5th gen 4runner front end I think of the whale shark in Finding Dory

 

LOL!
Speaking of whaleshark, here's one we saw in the wild... As you can see from its chill demeanor, nothing bothers it because it is in its natural habitat, in a protected (but not from the U.S. Navy - LOL!) area 7 hours by boat from any inhabited island... In tourist-infested areas, they'll only stick around for a few seconds, enough for frenzied swimmers to take selfies - LOL!

 

I like the 5th Gen 4Runner front end

Nick C.