Talking Tacos: Truck Guys Discuss Toyota’s Quality, Durability & Reliability

Talking Tacos: Truck Guys Discuss Toyota’s Quality, Durability & Reliability
Ford Mustang Stole Muscle Car Sales Crown from Chevy Camaro in 2015
2015 Auto Sales: Winners and Losers
Top 10 Best American Sport Sedans
Toyota Camry is America’s Best-Selling Car for 14th Consecutive Year
Poll: MINI Cooper S or Ford Fiesta ST?

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Why do Tacoma owners love their trucks?

Who better to answer that question than a group of loyal drivers?

So that's just what we did. After getting the chance to experience what it's like to drive the new 2016 Toyota Tacoma on- and off-road, five members of the CustomTacos.com forum community gave us their thoughts on the Tacoma's reputation for quality, durability and reliability.

Why did they buy their truck? How reliable has it been? Would they consider a competitor's truck? And is the new 2016 Tacoma on their shopping list?

Watch these owners give us their frank opinions in the final installment of our Talking Tacos series above.

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Ford Mustang Stole Muscle Car Sales Crown from Chevy Camaro in 2015

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The Ford Mustang has regained the muscle car sales crown from the Chevy Camaro in 2015.

Last year, Ford sold 122,345 Mustangs, while the Camaro sold 77,502. For Ford, those sales represent a large 48 percent sales jump year-over-year, while the Camaro actually slid by 10 percent compared to its 2014 sales. The Dodge Challenger remains in a distant third spot, moving 51,462 units during 2015, a record high for the car.

Yearly Camaro sales have been higher than Mustang from 2010 to 2014.

The new 2015 Ford Mustang started and ended the year with strong sales, while many Camaro customers were waiting for the new 6th-generation car to hit the market in the fall of 2015. This late arrival was predicted to send the Camaro for a late year sales spike, but it never came. That leaves 2015 as the worst sales year for the Camaro since it was reintroduced in 2009.

The muscle car sales battle will be interesting to watch in 2016, as more new Camaros get to dealerships and into the hands of customers.

Discuss this story at our Ford Mustang Forum

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2015 Auto Sales: Winners and Losers

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With the turning of our calendars, 2015 is now officially in the history books. It was a year of triumph and tragedy, but fortunately for the auto industry there's plenty to celebrate … except for Volkswagen, of course.

Thanks to an unexpectedly robust December and strong sales throughout the remaining 11 months, just shy of 17.5 million cars and trucks were sold last year, a performance that eclipsed the previous record that was set back in the year 2000. This is huge news and something to cheer about.

Overall deliveries were up 5.7 percent compared to 2014, which itself was a strong year. At long last the devastation wrought by "The Great Recession" is behind us, just in time for another economic downturn …

Several brands posted blockbuster gains last month. For instance, Volvo's year-over-year sales were up just shy of 90 percent with more than 9,300 deliveries. Bentley increased by 41 percent in December, Scion grew in excess of 44 percent while Nissan was up almost 19 percent. The final month of 2015 was damn impressive with more than 1.6 million units sold, which represents an 8.9 percent increase compared to the same period in the preceding year.

But how did individual brands do for all of 2015? Well, here's a list of the sales winners and losers.

Winner: Volvo +24.3

Volvo had an epic December, but its performance for all of 2015 wasn't too shabby, either. The Swedish-Chinese automaker's sales for the year increased by 24.3 percent compared to all of 2014. A hair more than 70,000 units were delivered last year.

Winner: Jeep +24.9

Jeep is on FIRE, as it has been for what seems like years now. If there's one brand that's really keeping the FCA empire financially stable this off-road focused division is it. Sales in 2015 were up nearly 25 percent with more than 865,000 units sold, which is close to twice as many vehicles as Ram sold last year.

Winner: Tesla +26.7

Some pundits think Tesla is the greatest thing since the birth of Christ, others are shocked it's still in business. Like most things, the truth is probably somewhere in between. Whatever the case may be, this all-electric brand's sales were up almost 27 percent in 2015. Overall deliveries totaled nearly 23,000 for the year. For a little perspective, that's more than Jaguar and smart COMBINED.

Winner: Land Rover +37.1 Percent

Now, Jaguar may have had a poor sales showing last year but its sister division, Land Rover, was kicking a**. This mud-slinging British brand's deliveries increased by 37.1 percent for all of 2015 with total sales eclipsing 70,500. Its year-over-year performance in the month of December was even stronger, growing by nearly 47 percent.

Winner: Alfa Romeo +629 Percent

Land Rover may have had a dynamite 2015, but it's nothing in comparison to how well Alfa Romeo did. This purveyor of exotic Italian cars saw its sale increase by an unfathomable 629 percent! Of course the brand's overall volume is minuscule, with just 663 cars sold throughout all of 2015. In comparison they delivered just 91 in 2014. Curiously, Alfa's December sales were DOWN nearly 15 percent, with just 57 units sold.

Loser: Fiat -8.0 Percent

But not all of FCA's divisions were so lucky. Fiat didn't fare nearly as well as Alfa Romeo did. For 2015 the funky Italian brand's sales declined 8 percent. Total deliveries for the year were just shy of 42,500. Curiously, Fiat's sales increased 0.6 percent in the month December with 3,805 cars and crossovers delivered.

Loser: Jaguar -8.3 Percent

Land Rover continues to be a smashing showroom success but Jaguar, its stablemate brand, has been in a painful decline for months. Comparing last year's performance to 2014's, the big-cat brand's sales dropped by 8.3 percent to just 14,466 units. But perhaps more troubling than this, its December deliveries collapsed like a burning building, falling by nearly 29 percent!

Loser: Maserati -9.6 Percent

On a percentage basis Maserati's year-over-year sales fell just shy of 10 percent in 2015. Total deliveries were nearly 12,000. However, like Jaguar, this brand's December sales were much worse, declining by 24 percent last month with scarcely more than 1,000 cars delivered.

Loser: Dodge -9.9 Percent

Dodge's sales in 2015 declined by 9.9 percent compared to the previous year. Things are moving in the wrong direction, but if nothing else the brand sold more than 517,000 cars and trucks. If there's a little bit of good news to share, Dodge's year-over-year December deliveries increased by close to 6 percent, hitting nearly 50,000 units.

Loser: smart -28.4 Percent

And finally we come to smart, a brand that just can't catch a break. In 2015 its sales fell by nearly 29 percent compared to the year before, with fewer than 7,500 vehicles delivered. That's a heaping helping of not good, but it gets even worse. For the month of December, smart's sales fell by more than 31 percent with just 669 cars delivered. Hopefully their redesigned fortwo can help turn things around, but with gasoline prices where they are today, there probably isn't much demand for fuel-sipping city cars.

[Source: Automotive News]

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Top 10 Best American Sport Sedans

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Even if the world has gone crossover crazy, there are still several tire-shredding, pavement-pounding American sport sedans that are both practical and fun to drive.

Available in sizes ranging from compact to full-size, these red, white and blue sport sedans are sure to satisfy a deluge of tastes. How many cylinders are wanted – four, six, eight or none at all? Would front, rear or all-wheel drive be preferred? Should the transmission be manual or automatic?

To help sift through the choices, we have listed 10 of the best American sports sedans on the market today. Here they are in alphabetical order.

Buick Verano Turbo

A Buick may not be the first manufacturer that comes to mind when discussing performance sedans, but the compact Verano has all the goodies to back up this claim. Packing a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine that makes 250 hp, the Verano is easily the most powerful American compact sedan on the market.

SEE ALSO: 2015 Buick Verano Review

And even if the thought of front-wheel drive doesn't get the blood pumping, there is one item that should – a manual transmission. Paired up with a decent chassis and large 18-inch wheels, the Verano is definitely more fun than the average compact sedan.

Engine: 2.0 L turbocharged four-cylinder, 250 hp, 260 lb-ft
Transmission: Six-speed manual, six-speed automatic
Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive
Starting Price: $30,095 after destination charges

Buick Regal GS

Wait, another Buick on this list? What's going on? The Buick Regal GS with all-wheel drive weighs a hefty 3,981 lbs and only makes 259 hp. How is that sporty?

The answer lies in the details. First, there is torque. With 295 pound-feet of grunt on tap, the Regal GS has more torque than the Ford Fusion, Chevrolet Malibu or even the V6-powered Chrysler 200S.

SEE ALSO: Buick Regal GS Review

Next is the handling. Available with front or all-wheel drive, the Regal GS comes standard with Buick's innovative HiPer Strut front suspension and optional 255/35ZR20 Pirelli P-Zero summer tires. It's just too bad the Regal GS no longer offers a manual transmission and the pricing isn't exactly cheap either.

Engine: 2.0 L turbocharged four-cylinder, 259 hp, 295 lb-ft
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive
Starting Price: $37,415 after destination charges

Cadillac ATS-V

There may be no V8 in the Cadillac ATS-V, but it doesn't matter. With 464 hp pumping out of a 3.6-liter turbocharged V6, power is not an issue for the compact Cadillac super sedan.

SEE ALSO: 2016 Cadillac ATS-V Review

Cadillac did a lot more than just make a straight-line monster when applying the V treatment to the ATS. Every aspect of the car's controls from the steering, braking and throttle has been quickened. The suspension setup is dialed in with such a neutral turn-in point that a novice driver may find it to be a bit twitchy upon corner entry. Oh, and did I mention it can be had with a manual transmission?

This is a scalpel of a sedan ready to perform precise surgery to any piece of tarmac it can get its rubbery paws on.

Engine: 3.6 L turbocharged V6, 464 hp, 445 lb-ft
Transmission: Six-speed manual, eight-speed automatic
Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive
Starting Price: $61,460 after destination charges

Cadillac CTS-V

If the ATS-V is the rambunctious youthful sport sedan, then the Cadillac CTS-V is the smooth, powerful veteran. Under the hood lies a 6.2L supercharged V8 engine that churns out 640 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque. A quick acting eight-speed automatic sends power to the rear wheels in this monster Caddy.

SEE ALSO: 2016 Cadillac CTS-V Review

Unlike the lively ATS-V, the CTS-V is more buttoned down and behaves more like an Autobahn annihilator than an autocross athlete. Burt that doesn't mean it can't hold its own in the corners, because it can.

Engine: 6.2 L supercharged V8, 640 hp, 630 lb-ft
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive
Starting Price: $85,990 after destination charges

Chevrolet SS

What could easily be the most underrated car on the market today, the Chevrolet SS is a serious performance sedan. For starters, it packs a 6.2-liter V8 engine that makes 415 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. It can be paired to a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission, both of which send power exclusively to the rear wheels. Chevrolet claims this is good for zero-to-60-mph runs of 4.7 seconds.

SEE ALSO: 2015 Chevrolet SS Review

But the SS really shines when tackling corners. Standard equipped includes a limited-slip differential, Brembo brakes and suspension more at home on the track than the highway. Not only is this Chevy sedan fun to drive, but it also sounds great, thanks to the dual-mode exhaust system.

Engine: 6.2L V8, 415 hp, 415 lb-ft
Transmission: Six-speed manual, six-speed automatic
Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive
Starting Price: $48,870 after destination charges

Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack

Paying homage to the legendary Dodge performance cars of the 1960s, the 2016 Charger R/T Scat Pack is more than just a trim and badge upgrade. The R/T Charger gets a thorough overhaul, transforming the big sedan from decently quick to seriously fast.

First the engine is replaced by a meaty 6.4-liter HEMI V8 making 485 hp. Paired to an eight-speed automatic, power is sent to the rear wheels and managed by an electronic limited slip differential. The suspension is upgraded for better vehicle control, the steering ratio is lowered, the tires are higher performance and the brakes are larger, complete with a set of Brembo calipers. The Scat Pack Charger is a serious performer.

Engine: 6.4L V8, 485 hp, 470 lb-ft
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive
Starting Price: $40,990

Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat

But if the Charger Scat Pack isn't quite enough car, don't worry, there is always the SRT Hellcat. Packing a 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI V8 engine, the Hellcat makes a ridiculous 707 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque. Yeah, the car weighs 4,570 lbs, but with this much power, who cares?

Being a true SRT model, the Hellcat receives all the usual SRT upgrades include a three-mode adjustable suspension, massive Brembo brakes and optional summer tires. Taking things a step further on the Hellcat model are exclusive performance upgrades like hydraulic steering and a mechanical limited slip rear differential.

Engine: 6.2L supercharged V8, 707 hp, 650 lb-ft
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive
Starting Price: $68,640

Ford Taurus SHO

Want power, all-wheel drive and anonymity? The Ford Taurus SHO might just be the answer. Packing a turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, this isn't your father's Ford Taurus. Power is rated at 365 ponies and is sent to all four wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission.

SEE ALSO: Ford Taurus SHO Review

Brakes are upgraded to handle the speed and weight of the SHO, as are the wheels and tires. Hey, if it's good enough to be a high-speed Police interceptor, then it's good enough for us regular folk, right?

Engine: 3.5L turbocharged V6, 365 hp, 350 lb-ft
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Drivetrain: All-wheel drive
Starting Price: $41,150

Lincoln MKZ 3.0 Turbo

A Lincoln sport sedan may seem like an oxymoron, but for 2017, that may change. On the horizon is a substantially refreshed MKZ model that doesn't just incorporate new styling – it also houses a lot more power.

Topping the range will be a new 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine that should make around 400 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. That is a hefty upgrade over the current MKZ and to ensure it handles corners with ease, the new car will also be available with dynamic torque-vectoring all-wheel drive.

Engine: 3.0L turbocharged V6, 400 hp, 400 lb-ft. (est.)
Transmission: TBD
Drivetrain: All-wheel drive
Starting Price: TBD

Tesla Model S P85D

What a wondrous world we live in. One of the fastest American sport sedans is an all-electric luxury car from an independent startup. By now, most of the world has heard of Tesla motors and the company's Model S sedan. Constantly improving, it was the addition of all-wheel drive last year that really elevated the car's performance.

SEE ALSO: Tesla Model S Review

When equipped as the P85D, the Model S can make 532 hp and 713 lb-ft. of torque in ludicrous mode from its dual electric motors. That's enough juice to propel the large sedan from zero to 60 mph in just 2.8 seconds. And best of all, it does so in a quiet, unsuspecting manner.

Motor: Dual electric motors, 532 hp, 713 lb-ft
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Drivetrain: All-wheel drive
Starting Price: $106,200

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Toyota Camry is America’s Best-Selling Car for 14th Consecutive Year

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The Toyota Camry is the best-selling vehicle in the U.S. for the 14th year in a row.

In 2015, Toyota moved 429,355 Camry sedans, a 0.2 percent increase over 2014. Another Toyota, the Corolla, captured the second sales spot in 2015, pushing the Honda Accord out of the second position to sit in third. The Corolla moved 363,332 units, a 7 percent year-over-year increase, while the Accord saw an 8 percent sales skid to land in third with 355,557 units sold.

Rounding out the top five best selling cars last year are the Honda Civic and Nissan Altima, selling 335,384 and 333,398 units respectively. The Chevrolet Cruze comes in as the eighth best-selling car in 2015, and is the only domestic vehicle to make the top ten. From sixth the tenth, the best-selling cars are the Ford Fusion, Hyundai Elantra, Chevy Cruze, Hyundai Sonata and Nissan Sentra.

Some notable gains made in 2015 comes from the Chrysler 200, which saw a sales jump of 52 percent, the Ford Mustang, which is up by 48 percent and the Subaru Impreza which enjoyed a sales jump of 20 percent.

Discuss this story at our Toyota Forum

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Poll: MINI Cooper S or Ford Fiesta ST?

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If you were in the market for high performance in a small package, which model would you choose, a MINI Cooper S or the Ford Fiesta ST?

The MINI Hardtop in this poll features a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that's good for 189 horses and 207 lb-ft of maximum torque. When equipped with a manual transmission, that's enough secret sauce to give you 60 miles an hour in a claimed 6.4 seconds.

By comparison, Ford's feisty Fiesta features a 1.6-liter EcoBoost 'banger. This little propulsion unit may be significantly down on displacement compared to the MINI, but that's not reflected in its output figures. It delivers 197 horsepower and 202 lb-ft of twist. A six-speed manual — the only transmission offered — sends power to the front wheels.

BUT FIRST: Compare these two cars side by side

Which of these hot hatchbacks do you prefer? Let your voice be heard and vote below!

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Car Reviews

Wednesday, 6 January 2016