Why no sport truck/ muscle trucks anymore?

I recall the first year the WRX came to the USA, I think it was 2003. I was checking out the lone unit the dealer had on the lot. It was marked, "not available for test drives" and priced about 5k above MSRP...

 

Yes, I wanted one so bad when they first release in USA. I couldn't afford one at the time, so I had to save my pennies. I was finally able to get a 2007 WRX wagon, I loved it! That is one car I regret selling.

 

I am surprised at how well my tundra with the trd rear sway bar handles especially coming from a Dakota r/t.

 

I remembered the dealer wanted $100 to test drive. I could not afford it at that time, but finally bought one in 2005, a 2002 model. Still have it today.

 

Interesting...how many miles on it? Have you tuned it or left it stock?

 

I had it for years running on open source stage 2 very smooth and good power, until few years ago at 110K, the rods broke during track day 95+ degrees. Most likely oil starvation during tight corners. Almost sold it, but ended swapping in a JDM EJ207 V7 with 30K miles. Went to track days and rally crosses a few times since, much smoother and stronger in top end. Around 160K now overall, still on original suspension.

 

I doubt that Toyota is going to offer a 'sport' truck anytime soon, but you can make your own with aftermarket help. Hanging the leaf packs under the axle and adding an anti-roll bar to the rear made a huge difference for me. And long tube headers done correctly may be a better option than the super charger, cheaper to.

 

I wish they would bring those back! I'd get one in a heart beat.

 

Guys have been reliably tuning Ecoboosts for a while now. Seriously cheap too!

Oh and the fond memories of my old manual bug eye 02 WRX! Fun little car with intake, DP, exhaust.

 

I can't speak toward any tuning on the Ecoboosts. Never really had an interest in them, but I don't doubt it can be done.

I just feel that the more tuning and boosting of the numbers the higher the risk. The percentage of stock WRXs that blow a motor or suffer a catastrophic failure is going to be much lower than the percentage of "built" engines that go nuclear.

Nothing wrong with tuning up your ride if that's what you want, but I did get tired of people complaining that the motor was inferior or defective because they modified it beyond it's design. I have no issue with anybody modding any of their vehicles, but I tend to be more conservative on that front. I don't have the budget to have a separate toy vehicle that can be out of commission for mods or breakage.

 

I like my rear wheel drive truck, because it's a truck with a great view from the elevated seating position. 4X4 trucks are fine if that's what you need (I have & need one), but a rear wheel drive truck is perfectly fine for 99% of what most people do with trucks. I never liked the El Camino because it sits low like a car.

 

I bought 4x4 for occasional off roading and just in case get stuck driving recreationally.

4x4 is not necessary in most uses. Most real work trucks all over the industry are not 4x4 and not raised higher than necessary. Actual usage for a truck are for transporting and towing use and I doubt those delivery, tow trucks, electric company, construction site, ambulance, semis, etc. are 4x4. Unless maybe in extreme climate areas.

 

Where I work, all the trucks are 4x4, but that's because cell towers are out on top of mountains.

 

Lol, I am not sure I would use WRX's are a model for how to properly mod and tune a FI motor. Too many kids who moved on from crank walked DSM's to WRX's, or know nothing teenage flat bill bros who just throw MBC's on with no engine management onto pretty weak 2L's with glass transmissions.

I believe the much more modern and robust 3.5L TT EcoBoost is a better example of what type of reliable gains can be had on FI trucks. Not saying I will do it on my new Tundra when / if it comes out, but Toyota motors are notoriously overbuilt and have always responded well to adding FI (ie. factory supercharged Tundras and Tacomas), and who can forget the factory twin turbo 6 2JZ from the Supra and how it is the benchmark for which all modified 6 cylinder engines should be judged in terms of potential and reliability (yes i know its a straight 6).

 

You're not wrong about the idiots modding Subies....