In this week’s post
- The least expensive brand-new Toyota Taco 4×4?
- Will the Fiat 500e be worth it?
- Agree with Tommy, KEI trucks (and cars) should be legal everywhere!
The first question comes from a fan who wants the least expensive, brand-new Toyota Taco 4×4. Yes, I mean “Tacoma.”
Q: (Via AskNathan@TFLcar.com) I want a 2024 brand-new Toyota Taco 4×4 for the least amount of Drachma possible!
Help me Nathan, I wans t brand-new Toyota Taco with 4 wheel drive! But I have no money! It needs to be cheap cheap CHEAP! Is there anything coming this way that is inexpensive?
– Earl S McKinney, TX
A: Howdy Earl!
The least expensive version of the brand-new Toyota Taco 4×4 is the SR. The 2024 Toyota Tacoma Extra Cab SR 4×4 starts at $34,700.
It’s important to note that the Nissan Frontier King Cab S 4×4, which has back seats, is priced slightly less at $34,105. Keep in mind: the Nissan price is after destination fees. Thus, the Taco could be even more expensive. In addition, the Frontier has nearly double the base model Tacoma’s 3,500-lbs tow rating, and a standard V6.
The base Tacoma is more efficient, and you can get a manual – which isn’t offered by Nissan.
The base model Tacoma has a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine makes 228 and 243 lbs-ft of torque. The eight-speed automatic transmission comes standard, and it appears that you actually pay a bit more for the six-speed manual transmission.
The only way you can get a less expensive 4×4/AWD pickup is getting the absolute base model Ford Maverick (if you can actually find one). At just a shade under $28,000 – it is a hell of a deal, but it’s not a true 4×4. The AWD system works just fine in light-duty off-road terrain, but it’s not as rugged/capable as a true 4×4 pickup. If you opt for the capable Tremor package, the Maverick is slightly more expensive than the new Tacoma 4×4 SR.
I hope that helps!
– N
The next question comes from a viewer who wants to know if the upcoming 2024 Fiat 500e is worth the wait.
Q: (Twitter@NathanAdlen) Hi Nathan! I’m thinking about replacing my 2017 Nissan Leaf after many years of trusty service.
I actually got my Leaf during the pandemic at an auction in Phoenix that sold off state cars. My Leaf only had 10,000 on the odo and it was lightly damaged on the passenger’s side. Four years later and I’m still pretty happy with being an EV daddy. I think it’s about time to think about my next step. I would like to get something new and a little bit more fun.
You guys made a lot of videos with Tommy’s Mini SE and I watched every single one. If it weren’t for the range, I would have snatched up one already. Then I heard about the return of the Fiat 500e and I thought it might be worth a look.
Nathan, can you tell me more about it?
– ‘Elo.Me77
A: Hi there!
You have excellent timing, the official U.S. debut of the 2024 Fiat 500e happens December 5th, 2023. As such, I can only tell you a few things (this post goes up December 3rd).
For our market, the base price is reported to be $32,500. That makes the 2024 Fiat 500e one the top five of least expensive EVs in our market, but is about $1,600 more expensive than its closest rival, the (current) Mini Cooper SE.
– N
The last question/statement comes from a comment from last week’s “Ask Nathan” regarding tiny KEI trucks in America.
Q: “The USA is kind of dumb.”
The USA is kind of dumb in the sense its OK to drive around in an old Ford model T or Ford model A or a motorcycle but if you dare drive around in one the KEI trucks its suddenly bed wetting panic time, in closing are Japanese people more brave than Americans since these KEI trucks drive all over Japan? I am sure Japan has high speed highways and freeways just like the USA.
- SCW
A: Got to agree 100-percent with that sentiment.
Sure, if there was a KEI bus imported to the U.S., I totally get the idea of hauling school children might be an issue, but that’s about it. As long as there are motorcycles, trikes and remarkably dangerous old cars on the roads, I don’t see a problem with KEI vehicles. Sure, it might not be ideal for many Americans who are looking for a big, towing/hauling/passenger hauling machine.
I think it should be up to the people top chose. Maybe, if some states are worried about liability, they make the owner sign off on a disclaimer of some sort, during registration. In terms of emissions, I agree that they can be a bit dirty. Some of that can be addressed with additional emission bolt-ons. Besides, have you seen how much crud comes out of lawnmowers, leaf blowers and construction equipment?
I say, if someone brings a KEI vehicle that is legal to import to the United States, they should have no restrictions. Just like importing anything else that’s olde enough. I simply don’t understand why a motorcycle is AOK, and a KEI vehicle isn’t.
Or, is there some sort of bias that these politicians have about this marker?
Let me know what you guys think on the comments below. I should include a tasty tidbit for all of you: we bought a KEI truck! That’s right, we own an older Honda Acty pickup – and it’s all kinds of awesomeness!
At the very (very) end of the video below, you’ll see an action-filled preview of the Honda KEI truck we just got our greedy grubs on!
- N
