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Pigs get fat - Hogs get slaughtered. Wisdom from the farm teaches us that in a capitalistic economy the bigger and juicer a segment of the market becomes the greater the pressures are to slaughter the leader. In the automotive world nothing is fatter and more profitable than the US light truck market, which represents over half all light vehicles sold in America. Ford, GM and Dodge dominate this fatted calf with a whopping 86% of year-to-date sales. But domestics beware, the long knives are out and imports are licking their chops. In fact by the end of November import light truck sales have increased almost 14% YTD over last year while domestics have registered only a 2% growth. The benchmark target of choice is the newly designed Ford-F150, just anointed Motor Trend's 2004 "Truck of the Year". Seeing the feast set before them, both Nissan and Toyota have menu items designed to tempt the discriminating truck palette. This week it was my pleasure to taste the new Double Cab 2004 Toyota Tundra 4X4. Our destination was to Kansas City's ultimate combination Sports Bar/Upscale Restaurant. Nick and Jakes located just East of Metcalf on 135th street in South Johnson County provided a wonderful dining experience and a unique environment that blended rich luxurious ambiance, recipes and service with the adjoining high energy sports bar. Just as the 2004 Toyota Tundra has evolved from the ultra-dependable utilitarian pickup into a rugged but luxurious family vehicle, Nick and Jake's has blended sports with fine dining. Our crab cake appetizer reminded me of an earlier visit to the Bristol and Nick's Tenderloins will compete with anyplace in the metro. The remainder of that huge signature carrot cake is calling my name from the refrigerator even as I write. All of this can be enjoyed from Nick's elegant dining side or from Jake's open sports-bar side of the restaurant. What other sports bar can you take a first date without being called a Neanderthal? Think about it. You can drive to Nick and Jake's in true elegance with the 2004 Toyota Tundra 4X4 Double Cab. Perhaps one of the quietest trucks on the road, this 4X4 pickup rivals the ride and comfort of luxury sedans. The Double Cab Design has the most comfortable rear seat of any pickup with its 24-degree slant angle. The 60/40 - fold and tumble design of the rear seat offers true usable inside hauling space. My favorite feature on our test vehicle was the power vertical sliding rear window which rolls down just like a side window. Pillar mounted rear vents give back seat passengers increased airflow comfort. As the largest Toyota offered in America this nineteen foot long truck is no small competitor. The 4X4 model carries it's off road heritage well with standard skid plates protecting engine, transfer case and fuel tanks. The 26-degree approach angle and 23-degree departure angle makes this full size truck rugged as well as good looking. We expect great value from all Toyotas but don't think this is an economy vehicle. The big 4.7-liter DOHC 32-valve V8 will require a gallon of fuel to push this five thousand pound truck every 14 miles in the city and 17 on the highway. The 2WD Regular Cab Tundra starts at a very economical $16,495 and our 4X4 Double Cab SR5 was very reasonable at $32,972. Opt for the Limited and a few options and you will push close to the $40,000 mark. The 2004 Toyota Tundra Double Cab SR5 4X4 is an excellent full size truck with the comfort of a Camry, utility of a Sequoia and the capabilities of a Pickup. An evening at Nick and Jake's is the elegance of fine dining with the fun of a sports bar. Now what's wrong with those combinations? That American Light Truck Market is getting mighty appetizing.
2004 Toyota Tundra SR5
$28,975 Base MSRP
www.toyota.com Destination
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©2003 - Stan Risener