by "HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
Published 05/12/2017 at 12:44
by "HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
Published 05/12/2017 at 12:44
No Tags
STARS: 2
First off, I think the ZR2 is great, and what a treat that GM is finally throwing the colorado a bone, but its not going to be cheap: Starting at $41,000 and moving up from there, some are saying as high as 50 large...is it worth it?
I mean you get some amazing stuff - better angles, rock rails, great tires and the headline grabbers: Lockers and multimatic.
But you expect amazing for money right?
So I looked into it a little, what kind of Toyota could you get for $41,000.
Well an ARB front locker with associated air system would be about $1500
Rock rails are about $750 for decent stuff
New tires are about $1200 (for a spare as well)
And for suspension since you can’t replicate multimatic you would have to find a high end alternative, like ICON stage 5 ($3500)
So, Tacoma TRD Off-Road
$34,000
+$7000 in parts
= $41,000 Tacoma TRD with front and rear lockers, rock rails, 31" (up to 33") duratrac [or bfg if you prefer] tires, and a killer suspension system (remote res, new long travel UCA’s, height adjustable coilovers, etc)
Granted you will need to install it all, but its not out of the skillset of most people (with the possible exception of the front diff, add $500)
Also it doesn’t net you a diesel, but neither does $41,000 (the diesel is expected to cost ~$3,500...which buys a lot of gas) on the plus side, you can get it in a manual.
It also doesn’t leave any room in the budget for new bumpers but truthfully, thats never really been the Tacoma’s problem (Tacoma TRD Off-Road Approach angle is 33.5, Colorado ZR2 Approach angle is 30) so aside from looking cool its not really a pro.
Im not saying you shouldn’t be excited about the ZR2, I think its great! But you get what you pay for, or rather you pay for what you get.
"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
05/12/2017 at 12:53, STARS: 0
A proper cross-shop post. I think a GM dealer will offer big incentives though, so the prices may end up being closer than listed.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
05/12/2017 at 12:54, STARS: 0
I gotta wonder if they will be offering incentives on their flagship off-road truck. I mean, Ford sure doesn’t. They might though.
"benjrblant" (benjblant)
05/12/2017 at 13:02, STARS: 0
http://oppositelock.kinja.com/spicy-tacos-1788466803
An excellent comparison between the two even if it predates the ZR2 trim package.
I’m more disappointed that the snorkette didn’t make it into production.
"hedbutter" (hedbutter)
05/12/2017 at 13:06, STARS: 2
Also, one thing to note is that everything on the ZR-2 would be under warranty from Chevy, were any additions to the Tacoma could void it (the standard build vs bought argument)
"Eberle-Hills-Cop" (Eberle-Hills-Cop)
05/12/2017 at 13:06, STARS: 0
It’s probably sub 40k if you replace TRD Taco with Pro-4x Frontier!
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
05/12/2017 at 13:06, STARS: 0
Yeah, I keep thinking about that. I mean, even with a lift, the ZR2 is only barely on level with a stock TRD Off-Road for clearance. In many ways, the Stock TRD Off-Road is still superior (better approach angle for example)
"benjrblant" (benjblant)
05/12/2017 at 13:10, STARS: 0
Excellent point. One of the biggest pros for ordering a decked-out trim package a la ZR2 or TRD Pro. Notable that abuse and “excessive” wear are not normally covered, so take it with a grain of salt. Might not cover your front end replacement after all those sick jumps.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
05/12/2017 at 13:10, STARS: 1
Additions to the Tacoma wont void the powertrain warranty, im not sure if it would void the bumper to bumper either, since dealers around here sell lifted brand new trucks all the time and have no problem with warranty claims. Icon is only a 1 year warranty and ARB is 2 but its better than nothing.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
05/12/2017 at 13:11, STARS: 0
Yup.
"hedbutter" (hedbutter)
05/12/2017 at 13:14, STARS: 0
They shouldn’t, but we’ve seen how many articles where someone put an aftermarket accessory on and had a ton of issues with warranty. I font disagree, I’m just saying that risk is out there (I’d personally get an old XJ for 3 grand and spend 8-10 lifting/rebuilding/bulking it up, hahaha)
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
05/12/2017 at 13:20, STARS: 1
I guess it depends on the claim. If your axle housing is bent and you’ve got an ICON suspension on there...yeah I could see that, or an axle shaft in front busting from the ARB locker...sure, but thats expected, right?
"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
05/12/2017 at 13:35, STARS: 0
$50k will be for a crew cab diesel. An extended cab with a gas engine will be $41k, like your comparable Toyota. I’d rather have the ZR-2 and have a factory warranty on all that stuff.
Honestly, I don’t think you’re going to wrong either way. I say get whichever you like better. For me, that’s the Colorado because it’s more comfortable.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
05/12/2017 at 13:37, STARS: 0
FYI the 34 grand figure is for a quad cab Toyota, so take off 2 grand for a base model TRD Off-Road.
"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
05/12/2017 at 13:41, STARS: 1
Gotcha. OK, so the Colorado is $2k more. I’d still pay that personally for the factory warranty and extra comfort. I also just think it’s a better looking truck.
I’d never fault anybody for buying the Taco instead though. They’re both great trucks.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
05/12/2017 at 13:43, STARS: 1
I wouldn’t fault you for buying the ZR2 either, not even a little. Just making a comparison to where your money goes.
"WiscoProud" (wiscoproud)
05/12/2017 at 13:55, STARS: 0
My guess is incentives will come into play a few months after they start hitting dealer lots. The key is that once you get too high, many people are just going to opt for the full size. There aren’t really that many of us who would use a front locker.
I think they’ll sell decently, since there is likely a lot of pent up demand for a true GM off-road product, but the real deals will be on the used markets in 2-3 years.
"Mach-inator" (Mach-inator)
05/12/2017 at 14:01, STARS: 0
I don’t think the off-road modder market is who Chevy is aiming at with the ZR2. It’s more for those who don’t modify their vehicles and want something ready out of the box, in much the same way that people buy computers instead of build them. GM is very market conscious and risk averse, this explains why their cars are bland and boring (probably why there’s not sports car below the Camaro in their lineup).
I agree with you, for the off-road modder, there are a multitude of other cars that would be better than the ZR2. It appears GM isn’t going after that market.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
05/12/2017 at 14:04, STARS: 0
Like I was saying to Dr. z...I don’t think they are going to be discounting these. Smaller production numbers and niche market. I mean, Ford doesn’t offer raptor deals.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
05/12/2017 at 14:05, STARS: 0
What market are they going for if not the off roader? Thats like Saying ford or FCA isn’t going after off-roaders with the raptor/power wagon. Sure some will use them for peacocking but my bet is that most pay the premium to use them as is, or as a base platform to build out.
"BahamaTodd" (bahamatodd)
05/12/2017 at 14:17, STARS: 0
GM might not be offering discounts, but some dealers are offering $1k-$2k off.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
05/12/2017 at 14:22, STARS: 0
Again, not for the zr2
"JR1" (type35bugatti)
05/12/2017 at 14:22, STARS: 0
Wouldn’t you also void the warranty?
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
05/12/2017 at 14:24, STARS: 0
Possible
"TDIGuy" (owenrosier)
05/12/2017 at 14:27, STARS: 1
Yeah I think the ZR2 is badass but, like you said its not a smoking deal. But I don’t think there is an awesome deal to be had in the segment, they are all a lot of money. The real question is to the people who will be buying them. Will they be using the extra 8K in capability or will the be pavement queens just like most raptors ?
"Saracen" (manualdoucheelitist)
05/12/2017 at 14:31, STARS: 0
I’d go ZR2 because diesel.
"BahamaTodd" (bahamatodd)
05/12/2017 at 14:33, STARS: 0
That link has only ZR2 selected.
"E92M3" (E46M3)
05/12/2017 at 14:34, STARS: 0
No, I could never off-road a $45k truck (not until my Net Worth goes up significantly). $4500 truck?..sure.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
05/12/2017 at 14:36, STARS: 0
I didn’t think they were for sale yet. Hmm
"hedbutter" (hedbutter)
05/12/2017 at 14:37, STARS: 1
hahaha, thinking of the Raptor bent frame “issue”?
"Saracen" (manualdoucheelitist)
05/12/2017 at 14:39, STARS: 0
So, I just checked the site, and the ZR2 configurator is up and running.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t spec crew cab long bed, so I went extended cab long bed. I hate short beds.
Supercab Duramax: $43,500
Crew Cab Duramax: $45,125
The only option I felt was a must was the $500 nav system. Mayyybe the catback.
It’s only $50k if you choose to load it up with useless fluff accessories.
"Shoop" (shoopdawoop993)
05/12/2017 at 14:42, STARS: 0
This is for people who would rather not modify their own car. All of the systems on the zr2 will be fully integrated, and warrantied for 75k miles or whatever. A lot of people do want bought not built, and the built not bought people wouldnt buy this anyway. Different markets.
"benjrblant" (benjblant)
05/12/2017 at 14:47, STARS: 1
ALL THE JUMPS!
"Hammerdown" (hammerdown32)
05/12/2017 at 14:47, STARS: 0
Agreed. If I’m shopping for a new vehicle the ZR2 catches my eye, but I can get a pretty well optioned full size for that. I’m probably not going to do that much offroading, so the fullsize wins out.
Also, If I am doing some hard core offroading, I’m not going to take my brand new $50,000 pickup out to do it. I’ll buy a $6,000 trail rig as a second vehicle.
"Wacko" (wacko--)
05/12/2017 at 14:49, STARS: 0
OPPO’s massive hard on for Toyotas is showing again.
We must now change our name to tOPPOta.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
05/12/2017 at 14:52, STARS: 0
well 3 years bumper to bumper, and 60k powertrain. Im not saying you shouldn’t want it because of the fact that its expensive, I just wanted to show that its the same price a-la-cart as it is packaged.
"Wacko" (wacko--)
05/12/2017 at 14:53, STARS: 0
Wouldn’t the Tacoma Pro TuRD be closer to the ZR2?
Try a stock colorado and throw all those off road parts on it.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
05/12/2017 at 14:53, STARS: 0
nah, I think the Zr2 is pimp. This is just to illustrate you have a choice and that it wont really be a big difference in price.
"Wacko" (wacko--)
05/12/2017 at 14:57, STARS: 0
I’m just fucking with you, but see my other reply it’s a serious reply
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
05/12/2017 at 14:58, STARS: 1
TuRD?
Now whose bias is showing?
Anyway, the TRD Off-Road was chosen because its very close in equipment level and already has a selectable rear locker, which you can’t get on anything but a ZR2 (The G80, is an autolocker)
"Wacko" (wacko--)
05/12/2017 at 15:06, STARS: 0
Ha, thats toyotas marketing departements fault.
I just never liked the TRD name.
But wouldn’t the pro trd have most ot the upgrades you are talking about?
FYI i also call the dune beetle a dung beetle. An eco-boost an ego-boost. No one is safe with me. I also call my pathfinder a pathfounder and at times a mallfinder.
And that will be the gif that keeps on giving
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
05/12/2017 at 15:09, STARS: 1
Trd pro is a ripoff and I’ve made no bones about it. A lot of the additional cost is sunk in cosmetics that are meaningless. Start with a TRD Off-Road and if you want you can get the pro suspension from TRD directly (though the ICON system is better) and still come out on top price wise versus the pro.
"Mach-inator" (Mach-inator)
05/12/2017 at 15:09, STARS: 0
The rich, casual, grocery getter, bro-truck, bought not built off roader?
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
05/12/2017 at 15:11, STARS: 0
I know thats typically thrown around but truthfully raptors and power wagons get used...their owners just clean them afterwards cause they are expensive nice trucks. The result is that when you see one around town the reaction is to call them mall rated grocery getters. well, sure...they can also get groceries.
"Wacko" (wacko--)
05/12/2017 at 15:12, STARS: 0
So all show and no go
I didn’t do my research first.
"nermal" (nermal)
05/12/2017 at 15:13, STARS: 0
If you’re comparing pricing, you need to compare stock vs stock, for a comparable model, from the factory.
The primary competitor to the ZR2 is the Tacoma TRD Pro model, which is $42,960 starting for the automatic version. Relative to that, the ZR2 is competitively priced, due to the lockers and magic suspension among other things. The Toyota offers a manual, the ZR2 a diesel, niether offer both.
Comparing a modified lower trim vs a full factory option is a fun game, but you also need to do the same for the Chevy, and might as well add a Nissan in for good measure. Where would you end up with a Frontier or Colorado with $10k in parts added?
Relative to other factory options, the ZR2 at $45k is a good value, even taking into account other options at that price point for both factory and modified vehicles.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
05/12/2017 at 15:15, STARS: 0
No the suspension is good stuff, just not as good as the Icon stuff. The rest of the package is heavy on the fluff though.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
05/12/2017 at 15:18, STARS: 0
As I mentioned to Wacko, The Pro model was specifically not chosen because you would have to throw away a lot of it to get to the same place, and it doesn’t add anything other than a suspension system that is inferior to the one I specd. The TRD Off-Road is the closest spec wise (for features) to the ZR2 that can be brought up to the ZR2 for the same price.
i.e. the trd off-road and ZR2 are the same trucks minus about 7 grand in perofmance parts.
The TRD pro is an overpriced mild tune with cosmetics.
"Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire" (arch-duke-maxyenko)
05/12/2017 at 16:17, STARS: 0
So, ZR2 or Raptor?
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
05/12/2017 at 16:18, STARS: 1
Which would I?
ZR2.
I don’t really care about high speed bombing, I want lockers and diesel range.
"Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire" (arch-duke-maxyenko)
05/12/2017 at 16:53, STARS: 1
What about an LS swapped ZR2 with a manual? Cause that would be a dream truck of mine
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
05/12/2017 at 16:54, STARS: 0
That would be a lot fun. I mean I would be terrified depending on whoever did the swap (especially if it was me) and im out in the middle of nowhere, but I like the idea a lot.
"Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire" (arch-duke-maxyenko)
05/12/2017 at 17:27, STARS: 0
But for real though, I really want an old Blazer with a stick and 4x4
"hedbutter" (hedbutter)
05/12/2017 at 20:16, STARS: 0
Also true, and the raptor frames are an example of this as well.