I discovered the Taco back in college when I was delivering pizza for Dominos. Our Company truck was a Tacoma. We beat the hell out of it. We used to stop it by throwing it into park. We had a lot of dirt roads and literally used to jump that thing.

After college I finally need a small truck to haul mountain bikes, camping gear and me to my favorite off road fly fishing destinations.

I beat the the hell out of that truck. My Taco has 150000 miles and I have never done anything to it other than batteries, tires and oil changes.

I am 6'06" 220 pounds and It fits me well. It will always be my favorite vehicle.

I owned a 2017 Taco TRD Off Road for a year. I really liked the truck except that terrible transmission shift schedule. It was the worst vehicle I’ve ever driven as far as constantly lugging the engine which had little low end torque. I traded for a 4Runner which is a bit more old school.

Three people I know have them , all of them said they will purchase another in the future.
One has 178,000 miles
Another has 210,000

This message has been edited. Last edited by: bendable,

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Originally posted by bionic218:

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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.

^^^
We are talking compacts NOT full size trucks. A Ford Ranger/Chev Colorado are nowhere near as good as Tacoma for long term reliability. It's why they dominate the market and why Ford and Chevrolet got out but are trying to get back in.

Cave man opinion follows:

Toyota makes good small truck, makes good manual transmission, auto on toyota small truck not so good. IF you want a small truck get toyota. If not want toyota, get other small truck. If not want small truck get bigger truck. If not want truck get car. Any newer vehicle will likely do job. Decide, get vehicle go back to clubbing things on head and eating meat.

Modern vehicles are very reliable. Toyota has no special advantage over the other manufacturers. I would buy on price and features. I have owned a Tacoma and I sold it with over 300,000 miles on it! However, it wasn't half the truck of the current Dakota I'm driving...which has 280,000 miles.

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It's why they dominate the market and why Ford and Chevrolet got out

Ford and Chevy got out because they couldn't convince their customers to pay 38 for a mini truck when the full size had more power, more towing, the same mpg, and was only 2 grand more.

The only reason they're getting back in is because full size trucks are priced in the stratosphere and there's enough wiggle room that they can finally push the small truck idea again.

My FIL has a Colorado with less than 20,000 on it. He bought it because it was easier for him to get in. And he'll tell you that. It's the same high-ass priced insurance, it's the same shitty mpg, and it's the same high-dollar tires and batteries and oil changes as the Silverado 1500 it replaced. The only difference is it doesn't have the motor, trans, frame, or brakes to pull the hat off a democrat.

But at least he's honest about it. He bought it because it would still do some truck things, and it was easy for him to get in and out of.

Like I said, Tacoma is a solid choice. Buy whatever you want, but don't try to rationalize it by pushing the idea that American trucks won't go 200k. It's just not true.

I bought my Tacoma new 10 years ago. It's a great truck and I will probably keep it for another 10 years. It's had two recalls, one for catalytic converter replacement and one for corrosion protection of the frame. Other than that (which cost me nothing) it's been routine maintenance, a set of tires, and a battery. It is a 4x4 with the 2.7L 4 cyl & 4 speed automatic trans. That's been a fine combination for my modest needs. I have driven a V-6 Taco and must admit I really liked the extra power & acceleration. To boot, the mileage is about the same for both engines.

It's a third generation. When I bought it, all the "experts" were bemoaning the 3rd generation Tacos. Apparently they liked the 2nd generation better. This is my first Taco so I don't know. It just seems like you always hear "the older ones were better." All I know is that this is a great truck, well worth what it cost me.

If I suddenly needed another truck, I would buy another Taco unless the Tundra looks like a better deal. Probably would go with the V-6 and the automatic trans.

Might wait for the 2024 model that will be out soon. If you're dead set on a Taco, that is. By all accounts I've read the new generation will be a better truck. Still has the weird seating position though, which is why I won't have one. If not for that I'd be interested. I am interested in the upcoming 2024 Ranger though, but mostly because it's an easy 12k less than an F150.

I drove a Taco and a Tundra and it was no contest. The Taco is the #1 selling light truck in the country, and priced that way. Noooo dealing on it. Nervous handling, weird seat position, and expensive. Looks good, though.

Tundra: competes with the F-150, the #1 selling domestic vehicle in the country. Better deals to be had. Ride is waaaaayyy better, and full-size. I bought the Tundra. When this one dies, I’ll buy another one.

I owned a '82 Toyota Hilux, a '91 4Runner and a '98 4Runner, so take that bias into account.

Pre-2015 Tacomas are great, especially with a manual transmission. This is why they have an absolute cult following. They have their issues (frame rust and early V6 head gaskets), but they are generally solid great vehicles. The early 2010's Tacos to me and just about the perfect medium size truck (which is why they hold their value and folks charge a premium for them).

The post-2015 Tacos with the fiberglass bed and 3.5L V6 are very "meh" to me. I have a couple buddies with them and I feel like they went the wrong direction (and I'm not alone).

We will see what the 4th Gen (2024+) Tacos are like. I'd wait for one of those.

My 2008 Access cab, 5 lug 2WD 4 Cal has 150k I love it. Buy it

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We will see what the 4th Gen (2024+) Tacos are like. I'd wait for one of those.

Link spy shots 2024 Tacoma TRD OffRoad

Link 2024 GMC Canyon AT4X

2024 Chevy ZR2

Wife and I were recently shopping vehicles for both of us. We test drove an Escape, Acadia, Explorer, Tahoe, Silverado, Sierra, 4 Runner, Pathfinder, Ram 1500, and GX460.

The 4 runner was her favorite on looks and specs going in, but after test driving all of them it was our least favorite of the group. All vehicles are a compromise, the problem is that it didn't really stand out anywhere. The 3.5 engine is incredibly underwhelming, the creature comforts were worse than everything else we tried, and it actually rode worse than my 1996 Jeep XJ. We both looked at each other during the test drive and just said no. We didn't drive a Tacoma, but it's pretty similar to the 4-runner and after driving that I'm firmly convinced that the only reason it leads it's segment is that it's been alone in it's segment for so long.

I ended up getting a GX460 which while still underwhelming in the engine department is a step up in literally every direction. She liked the Pathfinder the best and we're going to look at getting one of those in a year or so, but we'll see what all the 2024 models have to offer before pulling the trigger. It looks like they're making a whole lot of improvements to the Tacoma for '24, so maybe it will be back on the table as well but the current model doesn't interest me at all.

I've had two Tacomas, and currently drive a 2022 model. Mine doesn't drip, seems to have sufficient power for my needs, and gets between 22 and 24 MPG depending on how I drive (more on long trips). Regardless of what others say, the door plate on my Taco says it was built in Austin, Texas. They may employ some Mexicans there, I don't know. If you decide on one, PM me and I will refer you to a dealer who charges just MSRP, no extras.

I would probably wait since you’re not in a desperate need. Th next gen is due in a year and it will be a huge jump sinc the current one has been around along time.

quote:

Originally posted by gw3971:
I discovered the Taco back in college when I was delivering pizza for Dominos. Our Company truck was a Tacoma. We beat the hell out of it. We used to stop it by throwing it into park. We had a lot of dirt roads and literally used to jump that thing.

After college I finally need a small truck to haul mountain bikes, camping gear and me to my favorite off road fly fishing destinations.

I beat the the hell out of that truck. My Taco has 150000 miles and I have never done anything to it other than batteries, tires and oil changes.

I am 6'06" 220 pounds and It fits me well. It will always be my favorite vehicle.

That's a great story.

I went through the same thing in 2019 and bought a Ridgeline. Previously owned a 4X4 Tundra and the first gen Ridgeline. I drove everything on the market at the time, including the Raptor, many Diesels, everything. Ridgeline handled pavement the best, and had the best drivetrain for all weather capability. I prefer AWD over a 4X4 because if I’m going off reading I’ll be in a SXS or MX bike, not a 40k or more truck. Ridgeline tows what I need, my pwc on a trailer, will tow the boat I have planned for the future and it’s main duty pulls my motorcycles to the track. 5000 lb towing capacity is more than enough for my needs and it handles pavement better than any truck on the market because it’s not BOF. Love the thing. It’s paid off now, and will be owned for 20+ years. As a tall man the Taco seating position has always been awkward. But if I had need for 4X4 it would be the truck of choice. I’m just happy I got mine when I did. 6 months before the pandemic. RTL AWD and I paid 33.5k + TTL for a brand new one. Felt like I was stealing getting all the truck capability I needed for that dollar amount, new. Immediately modded it to RTL-E levels with the heated steering wheel, full aftermarket audio system, app/phone based alarm, tonneau, new wheels and tires. It’s been great. I love that fucking thing.