Toyota Tacoma. Who's got one (or at least an opinion on them)

[Goin Breakdown]

I'm looking to maybe get one at some point here. Tired of getting in and out of a car anymore and I don't want to drive a crossover. Any opinions are appreciated. 

[Johnny Hammersticks]

There’s a reason that the Tacoma is the official vehicle of the Taliban.  Great vehicle that will last forever.  Even in the harshest of environments.

 

I just bought a new vehicle last spring.  I shopped around for certified used Toyota trucks.  There wasn’t really much out there, and the trucks I found were WAY out of my price range.  Good luck!

[Augie]

Not a Tacoma, but I have loved my Toyotas (currently driving an Avalon) and my son swears by his 4Runner. If he got a new car today, he’d probably shop for another 4Runner. 

[LeviF]

Typically extremely reliable vehicles, have had some issues in the last couple of model years causing them to slip in the various rankings and reviews a bit.

 

If you don't mind being made fun of the newer Ridgelines haven't had many issues. Biggest downside to them is no 4WD but most people don't actually need their 4WD. Their loaded up price point is a bit lower than the Tacoma.

[Goin Breakdown]

30 minutes ago, Johnny Hammersticks said:

There’s a reason that the Tacoma is the official vehicle of the Taliban.  Great vehicle that will last forever.  Even in the harshest of environments.

 

I just bought a new vehicle last spring.  I shopped around for certified used Toyota trucks.  There wasn’t really much out there, and the trucks I found were WAY out of my price range.  Good luck!

Yeah the price point sucks for sure. There's a 2013 almost spotless down the road from me. 150k for $14,9. Tempted

28 minutes ago, Augie said:

Not a Tacoma, but I have loved my Toyotas (currently driving an Avalon) and my son swears by his 4Runner. If he got a new car today, he’d probably shop for another 4Runner. 

4Runners look cool. Beefy

5 minutes ago, LeviF said:

Typically extremely reliable vehicles, have had some issues in the last couple of model years causing them to slip in the various rankings and reviews a bit.

 

If you don't mind being made fun of the newer Ridgelines haven't had many issues. Biggest downside to them is no 4WD but most people don't actually need their 4WD. Their loaded up price point is a bit lower than the Tacoma.

Ridgeline is another "truck" I've been looking at. I know lol they're not actually a truck haha

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

Truly a useless observation on my part, but I have noticed many repeat Tacoma owners saying that the newer ones aren't nearly as good as the predecessor models.  Relatives of mine are holding onto their 2012 based upon these opinions.

[LeviF]

15 minutes ago, Goin Breakdown said:

Yeah the price point sucks for sure. There's a 2013 almost spotless down the road from me. 150k for $14,9. Tempted

4Runners look cool. Beefy

Ridgeline is another "truck" I've been looking at. I know lol they're not actually a truck haha

 

Honestly if you can haggle it down a bit (private seller or dealer?) I'd jump on that 2013 assuming you aren't driving crazy amounts of miles/year.

[Goin Breakdown]

1 hour ago, LeviF said:

 

Honestly if you can haggle it down a bit (private seller or dealer?) I'd jump on that 2013 assuming you aren't driving crazy amounts of miles/year.

Nah. I drive about 12k a year 

[HereComesTheReignAgain]

I looked at the Tacoma and Colorado at the end of 2023 and went with a 2023 Colorado.  At the time it was a much more modern truck as the Tacoma wasn't getting a makeover until 2024.  I have been very happy with my Colorado, and the 2.7 turbo max is a beast.  Over 400 lb-ft of torque.  I think the Tacoma's reputation for incredible reliability is based more on the trucks of 10-20 years ago than the current version.

Edited August 18 by HereComesTheReignAgain

[ExiledInIllinois]

RedTaco... 2020 TRD OffRoad... Since February 2020, has just over 50,000 on it now.  Tacoma has the composite bed...

 

Not bad... Tow with it, put a 2" front reciever on it, etc. 

42 minutes ago, HereComesTheReignAgain said:

I looked at the Tacoma and Colorado at the end of 2023 and went with a 2023 Colorado.  At the time it was a much more modern truck as the Tacoma wasn't getting a makeover until 2024.  I have been very happy with my Colorado, and the 2.7 turbo max is a beast.  Over 400 lb-ft of torque.  I think the Tacoma's reputation for incredible reliability is based more on the trucks of 10-20 years ago than the current version.

Tacoma doesn't use turbo.  Not sure I want a turbo in a truck... Especially keeping it years later.  3rd Gen Tacos are 3.5 V-6... Atkinson cycle at highway speed to get the better mileage that is mandated.  Gonna be cheaper to fix than a turbo in old age...

[HereComesTheReignAgain]

12 minutes ago, ExiledInIllinois said:

Tacoma doesn't use turbo.  Not sure I want a turbo in a truck... Especially keeping it years later.  3rd Gen Tacos are 3.5 V-6... Atkinson cycle at highway speed to get the better mileage that is mandated.  Gonna be cheaper to fix than a turbo in old age...

They do in their new Tacomas.  Turbos have come a long way in the last few years.  Unlike the past, where a turbo was bolted on to a naturally aspirated engine, the entire engine is designed to be turbocharged.  GM has used the 2.7 Turbomax in full sized trucks for years and the long term durability of the turbo system seems to be pretty solid.  I was initially turned off by the turbo too, but after a lot of research, I became much more comfortable with it.  

[ExiledInIllinois]

1 minute ago, HereComesTheReignAgain said:

They do in their new Tacomas.  Turbos have come a long way in the last few years.  Unlike the past, where a turbo was bolted on to a naturally aspirated engine, the entire engine is designed to be turbocharged.  GM has used the 2.7 Turbomax in full sized trucks for years and the long term durability of the turbo system seems to be pretty solid.  I was initially turned off by the turbo too, but after a lot of research, I became much more comfortable with it.  

Yeah the 4th Gen? 

 

Sigh...

[ExiledInIllinois]

2 hours ago, LeviF said:

Typically extremely reliable vehicles, have had some issues in the last couple of model years causing them to slip in the various rankings and reviews a bit.

 

If you don't mind being made fun of the newer Ridgelines haven't had many issues. Biggest downside to them is no 4WD but most people don't actually need their 4WD. Their loaded up price point is a bit lower than the Tacoma.

Ridgelines are unibody I believe... No frame.

 

Even be careful with F150 Sport.  We got one at work and you can't plow with it.  How stupid.  Dumped it back to GSA, now have a SuperDuty... The thing is a monster.  Full CrewCab... Even I and you would too need a lift up into it. LoL...

 

As long as you can plow snow with it... Why even make say an F150 that can't take any kinda of plow... Even the smallest. 

[HereComesTheReignAgain]

2 minutes ago, ExiledInIllinois said:

Yeah the 4th Gen? 

 

Sigh...

The 2.7 inline 4 Turbomax also has about 30 more horsepower and 165 more ft-lbs of torque than the Toyota 3.5 V6.

 

I always loved the styling and durability of the past Tacomas, but the playing field has become much more level since 2023.

[LeviF]

1 minute ago, ExiledInIllinois said:

Ridgelines are unibody I believe... No frame.

 

 

Correct, but if I'm reading this guy correctly it's really not going to make much difference to him. Pro/con-wise if it's just a daily driver unibody is fine.

[ExiledInIllinois]

Just now, HereComesTheReignAgain said:

The 2.7 inline 4 Turbomax also has about 30 more horsepower and 165 more ft-lbs of torque than the Toyota 3.5 V6.

 

I always loved the styling and durability of the past Tacomas, but the playing field has become much more level since 2023.

Yeah... I put aftermarket running boards on my Taco about 4 years ago so MiL could get in... I hate them... Powder coat is coming off now.  Cheapo aluminum (thought would last)... Now it kinda wrecks lines of truck.

Just now, LeviF said:

 

Correct, but if I'm reading this guy correctly it's really not going to make much difference to him. Pro/con-wise if it's just a daily driver unibody is fine.

Yup... Certainly better MPG...

[Pete]

I have a 2001 Tacoma and I love it! I get offers all the time- its not for sale.

3 hours ago, Ridgewaycynic2013 said:

Truly a useless observation on my part, but I have noticed many repeat Tacoma owners saying that the newer ones aren't nearly as good as the predecessor models.  Relatives of mine are holding onto their 2012 based upon these opinions.

I have a mechanic that only works on friends Toyotas, at his house, and he is a Toyota whiz, and charges very little.  But he will only use Toyota parts, which are super expensive

[AlCowlingsTaxiService]

I’ve got a 2016 TRD Sport. It should run forever, but it won’t win any races and it’s not the fuel miser that you might want a smaller truck to be. After the mods I added (AT tires, lift, led lighting) the mileage is around 17mpg. Newer ones perform nominally better, but I’m not a fan of 4 cylinder engines with turbochargers as far as longevity. It’s no tow vehicle either. If you tow regularly, you’ll want a bigger truck 

[teef]

so a guy i know has a side job of doing collision work on cars.  he was telling me about a toyota truck that was t-boned and was a total mess.  when i asked why they didn't just total the car, he told me it was because toyota trucks hold their value well.  that's all i got. 

[Augie]

2 minutes ago, teef said:

so a guy i know has a side job of doing collision work on cars.  he was telling me about a toyota truck that was t-boned and was a total mess.  when i asked why they didn't just total the car, he told me it was because toyota trucks hold their value well.  that's all i got. 

 

This should come with a DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME warning. Everything else does…..for a reason, I suppose.