Toyota Tacoma - Your Thoughts?

[CompactTractorFan]

My parents are finally reaching the stage that they NEED a new car. They drive a '95 Ford Explorer & '93 Toyota Camry. They are falling apart, literally...

They have somewhat decided...er...I kinda convinced them...to get a Toyota Tacoma. This will be a daily driver that will (hopefully) double as a BX hauler. They are at the "we'll go out to the dealer next weekend just to look" stage...but...a while back we went out "just to look" at a tractor, and ended up buying it a hour later...so you never know...

If we do go this route, we need:
Double cab, 4x4, and V6.

Can't agree on bed size or trim level. What do you think??? We don't need the "top of the line", but I like the sport package.

What about the the BX towing? What kind of trailer would you suggest? (I think there is a thread about this already)
Max towing is around 6500lbs.


So, what do you think of this truck overall???

 

[tractorski]

I had a 2007 double cab short box with a v6 6 speed. It was a great truck. You will never kill it. I wish I had kept it. I didn't tow anything hat big. I wouldn't hesitate for a second to buy another.

 

[bdeboer]

My parents are finally reaching the stage that they NEED a new car. They drive a '95 Ford Explorer & '92 Toyota Camry. They are falling apart, literally...

They have somewhat decided...er...I kinda convinced them...to get a Toyota Tacoma. This will be a daily driver that will (hopefully) double as a BX hauler. They are at the "we'll go out to the dealer next weekend just to look" stage...but...a while back we went out "just to look" at a tractor, and ended up buying it a hour later...so you never know...

If we do go this route, we need:
Double cab, 4x4, and V6.

Can't agree on bed size or trim level. What do you think??? We don't need the "top of the line", but I like the sport package.

What about the the BX towing? What kind of trailer would you suggest? (I think there is a thread about this already)
Max towing is around 6500lbs.


So, what do you think of this truck overall???

Are they looking new? Toyota had a buyout on the first generation Tacomas due to frame rust. Some of the later ones received frame replacements also. That being said my wife has had a 2004 Double Cab since new, has had the dash lights replaced once that is only repair. Hers has passed the frame rust inspections so far, Toyota put some sort of coating on the frame last year. I personally think the seats are uncomfortable and rarely drive it, but she likes it.

My thought is that the 2005 and newer are larger and would be concerned about the mileage compared to a full size.

 

[Carl_NH]

We have a 2000 Tundra bought newand recently Toyota replaced the frame - - Its as good if not better truck today than new.. I looked over the Tacoma when contemplating the parts and replacement frame/parts cost and can say the new larger Tacoma's are 3/4 the 1st Gen Tundra now and with the 4 Cyl 4WD they get 25-27 Hwy and the 3.4 V6 should be around 20-24 Hwy.

I couldnt justify the upgrade to a new machine vs reparing our 2000 Tundra as we spent $3K total for the job and its like new. I liked the room inside the new Tacoma - lots more leg room than my TUndra.. oh well..

You are on the right track with the Tacoma Double Cab, 4x4, and I would suggest getting a 12' trailer for the BX25 - dual axle with brakes might be overkill, as the BX is 3000 lbs and trailer to fit would be around 12-1800 so under 5K total weight should be fine with the Tacoma V6. They are pricy tho, it seems the loaded Tacoma double cab is about the price of a new Tundra xtra cab 4x4 which you can find a good deal on now..

Good luck

Go

 

[ejb69]

The Tacoma is the best small truck on the market.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I did not have a Tacoma but a 1986 Toyota SR22 or something like that truck. It was a 5 speed 4 cylinder 4x4 and it was bought to replace a POS 1989 S-10 Blazzer. Anyway, bought it in 1991 with 35,000 miles on it and sold it in 1996 with 170,000 miles. Replaced the plugs and wires ($30) and the slave cylinder on the tranny ($20) and thats it other than a battery or two, some brakes and it had 3 sets of tires since new. Absolutely trouble free, would go anywhere, and I routinely pulled a 3,500# boat through the hills of Kentucky and Tennessee with no issues.

Chris

 

[Tomtint]

For what you will spend on a new one of those, I would just get a F150

 

[Wnc3]

For what you will spend on a new one of those, I would just get a F150

Ditto...with the ecoboost. Don't get me wrong I love toyota, but for mpg and towing I think the F-150 is a better value for what you want.

 

[troutsqueezer]

F150? Why take a step down? There's a reason the Tacoma costs as much or more.

 

[General Lee]

Forget the F-150, get the Toyota over that. Hands down, Toyota's are ONE of the most trouble free vehicles. Got a 2005 4runner, bought brand new....so far 60,000 miles and it has needed NOTHING. Still on original battery and brakes.

 

[Wnc3]

F150? Why take a step down? There's a reason the Tacoma costs as much or more.

Others may consider it a step up.
Reason being an earthquake and the Yen?

I drive a Dodge diesel, so I don't have a dog in this hunt. Just pointing out another option to consider.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

We were considering the F-150, but we can't even get a new bare bones 4x4 crew cab for the price of a new loaded Tacoma...At least from looking at auto trader...

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...101&searchRadius=50&listingId=315893197&Log=0

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...101&searchRadius=50&listingId=312515425&Log=0

 

[jeffsw6]

Max towing is around 6500lbs.

I do not know about the newer Tacomas, but I had an older one, I think it was around 00 model year, and that thing sucked at towing. I think the tow rating on those things is very exaggerated, more so than other mfrs.

With that said, a BX25 on a trailer isn't huge. If you are fairly sure that is the largest thing you will tow on a routine basis, a Tacoma will probably be good to you.

You are on the right track with the Tacoma Double Cab, 4x4, and I would suggest getting a 12' trailer for the BX25 - dual axle with brakes might be overkill, as the BX is 3000 lbs and trailer to fit would be around 12-1800 so under 5K total weight should be fine with the Tacoma V6. They are pricy tho, it seems the loaded Tacoma double cab is about the price of a new Tundra xtra cab 4x4 which you can find a good deal on now..

They will want a trailer with brakes and probably a break-away system. My state requires both for all trailers over 3000# but I do not know how common that is. It is nice to have trailer brakes especially if you use highways at all.

Single axle 5K trailers aren't as common as tandem ~6K and such. I have no clue why. I don't think a BX25 is 3000# unless you are also including some implements or tire fill. Seems like there are several threads on this forum about what is a good trailer for it though, since that is a common tractor.

More trailer length is usually a good thing.

 

[Ron JD670]

The Tacoma is the best small truck on the market.

I have had almost no trouble with my T100 or our Camary which we gave to my son and would strongly recommend Toyota.

How far will you be towing? I would check the towing capacity carefully. You need a margin of safety. You may want to look at the Tundra or other larger Truck.

I thought I would be able to tow my new used JD670 (about 2500# est. + trailer) with my T100 Toyota 6 cylinder. But when the guy delivered the tractor with a full size dodge diesel and I mentioned my plans to tow with the T100 he felt I would be pushing it for anything but a short haul under good conditions and being careful.

Good luck
RoN

 

[Monster5601]

The Tacoma is the best small truck on the market.

Is there a reason or is this your personal opinion?

 

[Monster5601]

I have had almost no trouble with my T100 or our Camary which we gave to my son and would strongly recommend Toyota.

How far will you be towing? I would check the towing capacity carefully. You need a margin of safety. You may want to look at the Tundra or other larger Truck.

I thought I would be able to tow my new used JD670 (about 2500# est. + trailer) with my T100 Toyota 6 cylinder. But when the guy delivered the tractor with a full size dodge diesel and I mentioned my plans to tow with the T100 he felt I would be pushing it for anything but a short haul under good conditions and being careful.

Good luck
RoN

I've had 182,000 plus care free, trouble free miles on my 2003 Tahoe. I recommend a Chevy.

Better towing ability, more inside room and comfort, and about the same gas mileage.

 

[scesnick]

I also drive a dodge diesel so I really have no personal opinions/experience either. but if the price is about the same why would you want to squeeze into a Tacoma when you could have much more room in an F-150 and have a ton more room in the bed to haul stuff?

I know people say the Tacoma is bullet proof but at the same time didn't they have a HUGE issue with rusted frames? So much so that they were buying back just a ton of these trucks? So they are bullet proof as long as you don't aim at the frame I guess.

 

[Kyle241]

The Tacoma is a great truck overall. I did not know about the rusted frames though and have not researched. If you want, you can find a problem with Chevy, Ford, Dodge, Nissan, Toyota..... My two cents, we considered the Tacoma back in 2006 as I have always wanted one. Always loved the old Tacomas that I would see out there that were 7+yrs old and they just kept on going. Unfortunately we chose against the Tacoma and for no reason other than it did not come in manual shift (or there was no inventory can't recall which) and Toyota would not honour a warranty if we towed it behind our RV. So we traded in our Titan and purchased a Frontier. I wouldn't hesitate to get a Tacoma based on my research I performed years ago. I would check again to ensure they have not had new issues over the last 6 years.

One other point. Towing is not an issue if you get the tow package. Also mpg, a least on my Frontier is not great and it's a 6 speed. Getting around 14 in the city and maybe 16-17 highway.

 

[Dmace]

Unless it's purely an off-road truck or city truck where small size is better, I feel mid-sized trucks are a waste. Compared to a full size truck, they're smaller, weaker, have less abilities yet cost just as much, get the same fuel mileage (less when towing) and can barely fit 4 people comfortably let alone 6...

A crew or quad cab 1/2 ton with a V6 or base V8 will do everything better.
If you really want the best truck under $30k...
http://special-reports.pickuptrucks.com/2011/09/30000-pickup-truck-shootout-introduction.html

Here's a good,mid sized comparison. You'll see all the trucks push $30k.
http://special-reports.pickuptrucks.com/2012/01/2012-midsize-shootout-overview.html

 

[PapaPerk]

Just my opinion but I would buy a Tundra. I prefer full size trucks. Get the smallest V8.