At what cost? (and I don't mean money)

If you do not want a full size truck I would also suggest you look at the nissan frontier 3.8 V6 310 horsepower and 281 pound feet of torque with a 9 speed auto vs the tacoma 3.5L V6 278 hp and 265 pound feet of torque I drove both recently and liked them both but the nissan frontier PRO-4X had my interest a little more. I would also suggest you get a package with the electronic locking rear differential as it really helps pickups in bad conditions.

quote:

Originally posted by BB61:
My 07 has 217,000 mikes and is still going strong. You won't get that with a Ford or Chevrolet. Honda is a unibody frame with no low range.

This is so tired, and demonstrably untrue, but gets repeated like some kind of Gregorian chant.

My 02 Silverado had 285,000 on the clock when I sold it. Original motor and transmission.
My 13 F150 ecoboost had 162,000 when I sold it, nothing but oil changes and tires. Never even had a check engine light.

But I don’t blame consumers for rationalizing their choices. If I paid 40k+ for a mini-truck that gets less mpg than a full size, I’d probably tell myself some stories too.

The Tacoma is a solid choice, but it’s far from the only good option.

I have the 2006 4 cylinder extend cab. The seating position is terrible and the new one will not fix that. It has been reliable, but it is seldom driven and has 89000 miles. Given the choice, we usually drive a Camry. A utility trailer may solve most of your yard needs and you won't suffer the poor mpg. I would try the Ridgeline, but with low miles per year, the timing belt on the Ridgeline still must be changed at seven years. Depending on your age, that may be once or twice in your expected lifetime.
Extend cab rear seats difficult to use and I would not get another. Rear end likes to slide out because of light weight. Definite yes on posi traction differential. Poor headroom especially entering and exiting. Not big enough to do truck stuff. I do like the low sides on the bed. Makes reaching things easier. Noisy. Pretty much everything Consumer Reports states about this year/model has been accurate.
SR5. Power is usually adequate tooling around town, but if you have to punch it, is is a slow and noisy acceleration. 4 cyl

quote:

Originally posted by bionic218:
My 13 F150 ecoboost had 162,000 when I sold it, nothing but oil changes and tires. Never even had a check engine light.

Are you saying that in 162,000 you didn't have to change the break pads or service the transmission?

I wanted one. A local SIGforum member who was selling his, brought it to the hangar for me to try. Unfortunately, I could not fold my extra-long legs into the driver seat, so I don't have a Tacoma.

I really like my 2019 Off Road and it's been very dependable and fun to drive. Gear hunting spoken of has not been an issue for me. The only times I've experienced this is when using cruse control on hilly roads. I could get a tune to fix this but at this point I don't see the necessity. A lot of the complaints about gearing comes from people who have modified their truck with larger wider tires, lifts, bed racks, winches and such.

In the 4 years I've had the truck, I've had only two recalls. One for the fuel pump and one for adding additional sealant around the TSS (radar emitter) Both 1 hour fixes at the dealer ship.

According to Carfax, my value is very close to what I paid for it 4 years ago.

My negatives are:
Rough ride. It's a truck and rides like one. The stock suspension is stiff.
Gas mileage. I regularly get combined MPG 20-22, with summer gas. Less with winter gas. I know some of the competitors get better mileage.
No power seats (at least on my model) Newer ones with upper trim levels offer this now.
Really big dudes may have issues with seating space and head room.

quote:

Originally posted by NavyGuy:

Really big dudes may have issues with seating space and head room.

I don't recall ever having a problem with headroom in a vehicle, but there are very few that give me enough leg room. I'm not a "really big dude" -- 6'3", with average torso length and super long legs.

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:

quote:

Originally posted by NavyGuy:

Really big dudes may have issues with seating space and head room.

I don't recall ever having a problem with headroom in a vehicle, but there are very few that give me enough leg room. I'm not a "really big dude" -- 6'3", with average torso length and super long legs.

Problem is fixed by adding after market seat jackers (raises and changes the angle of the seat, makes it very comfortable) and no it does not void your warranty.

I will not try to talk you out of a Tacoma.....I got my 2023 Tacoma TRD Off Road in February 2023 and LOVE IT! I like having a reliable 6 cylinder engine. I added a tonneau cover, a front camera (anytime front or rear camera via switch), ditch lights and a swing out case in the truck bed. I have done some light off roading and haven't had to use the 4x4 low, Multi-Terrain Select, or the Locking Rear Differential. Of course once I picked it up, there hasn't been a single flake of snow that hit and stuck to the pavement. All St. Louis region residents can thank me.

My cost was MSRP and I got almost what I paid for my 4 year old car on trade in.

I did research on the competition:
1. Nissan nice basic truck, even the 4x Pro but the turning radius was horrendous. Also the only ones in stock had about 8 to 10K in dealer add ons.
2. Chevy/GMC: only 2022 in stock at time. The 2023 comparably equipped models to TRD Off Road get worse gas mileage. Good towing numbers but I guess the turbo craze is on all the new trucks. I want to see some long term reliability before plucking my cash down.
3. Ford Ranger: Huge mark up on the off road Rangers in my area. Good tow numbers but it is turbo 4 cylinder.......want to see some reliability numbers on how it ages.

For both Ford and Chevy/GMC, 2023 is a new model and engines. the 2024 Tacoma will be the 4th generation with a new engine.....I wanted to stick with tried and true.

They only make 1/2 tons,
Real trucks are 3/4 tons

I don't have a Taco, but people do love them.

I only chime in because I do know people with them, and you are low to the floor in them. It is a little weird to be seated like that in a truck. I am quite tall, which may make it worse than for more normally sized people.

quote:

Originally posted by Stlhead:
Mine did not drip on the feet.

I think it’s a weather where u live issue. When I lived in CA ( almost no humidity ever) I ran the AC equally as much and never had a problem for 5 years of owning it while I lived there then I move to the south and still run AC all the time But it’s hot and humid here and it starts the drip. So I Google it and Tacomaworld forum has many threads about it and they all seem to be from guys that live in humid areas. Odd. Some guys claim to have complained to Toyota about it and they deny the problem exists.

I won't talk you out of the Tacoma, they are great trucks. A couple things to consider though if you've got time on your side. The Tacoma is getting a complete refresh is 2024, so may want to wait to get the "latest and greatest". If that doesn't matter to you, waiting for a little closer to when the 2024 comes out (late in 2023) may be to your benefit from a pricing perspective as dealers typically drop prices to clear out the 2023 models. Dealership inventory is still hit and miss depending on where you are, but check out your local Toyota dealership and if there are a lot of Tacoma's sitting on the lot, then I suspect you could see some pricing discounts later in the year.

quote:

Originally posted by Broadside:

quote:

Originally posted by bionic218:
My 13 F150 ecoboost had 162,000 when I sold it, nothing but oil changes and tires. Never even had a check engine light.

Are you saying that in 162,000 you didn't have to change the break pads or service the transmission?

No, I did go through a set or two. But other than regular wear items - like batteries, tires, etc. I didn't fix shit.

(Never did the trans service - unless it was free from a dealer thing I had back then)

I'm 5'11" and long waisted. Hard for me to get in and out of a Tacoma.

I've got a 1st gen Ridgeline, 08 that I bought new and I still love it. Handy as a swiss army knife - great storage in back seat makes gunshow packing a cinch. I've towed a 20' 200hp bassboat but that's too much for regular use. My 16.5' Alumnacraft is a breeze as is a 14' utility trailer. Mine has 67k easy garage kept miles. Get about 20mpg highway and 14 around town so not a gas miser.

Dealer did the t.belt & water pump for $1000 at approx 62k mi and said belt was still strong. Very surefooted in typical s Indiana winter weather and very comfortable front or back.

I love Toyotas, and currently have 2, but I'd take a RL over a Taco every time and I much prefer gen 1 RL to 2nd gen.

Toyota fixed the seating position problem. The more recent Tacoma models offer very comfortable power seats.

There is no perfect truck. They all have issues and trade-offs. Get a Taco. Or don’t. Get something else if it makes you happy.

The next generation of Tacomas look very nice. You might be able to get one for a reasonable price in a year or two.

I’m enjoying my Taco a lot.

quote:

Originally posted by doublesharp:

I've got a 1st gen Ridgeline, 08 that I bought new and I still love it. Handy as a swiss army knife - great storage in back seat makes gunshow packing a cinch.


I much prefer gen 1 RL to 2nd gen.

Doublesharp, what are you referring to in terms of storeage on your gen 1 RL?

I have an 06'

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:

quote:

Originally posted by doublesharp:

I've got a 1st gen Ridgeline, 08 that I bought new and I still love it. Handy as a swiss army knife - great storage in back seat makes gunshow packing a cinch.


I much prefer gen 1 RL to 2nd gen.

Doublesharp, what are you referring to in terms of storeage on your gen 1 RL?

I have an 06'

Just the obvious, with the bench seat folded up the floor is flat and 2 of the heavy duty XL storage crates, 48 qt I think, fit on the floor easily. The 2nd gen RL made the rear door opening a bit smaller and the door didn't open as wide. Crates wouldn't fit.

Thanks, guys... a lot of things I hadn't considered.

I'm doing a little more looking-around, and may still go the Tacoma route but all of the observations/suggestions are appreciated.

I agree with ORC. At work my foreman inherited a 2018 Tacoma. After driving it for six months, he decided it made more sense for me to have it as I was a few months from retirement.
I would never buy one unless it was a good deal and not my primary vehicle. But that’s just me. We test drove several Rav4s and Highlanders. The price difference were minimal compared the upgrade in the product! I feel the same goes with the Tundras and Tacomas.