General Discussion and BS thread -Safe Haven

I agree with lower resale, due to saturated market and massive "rebates", but quality, that is starting to become a different story. Toyota has struggled with some major quality issues in the frames and leaf springs. While they are doing all appropriate measures to correct these issues, it is still something that has to be done that affects the end user. Toss in lack of innovation, technology and change in looks...and Ford seems to be either be even keel, or up one.

 

I'm going to chime in here because I'm bored. It doesn't matter what you buy, but your on a Tacoma forum talking about Fords, what kind of feed back did you think you would get. That would have been like me going to a Civic Si forum when I had my 2012 Stage II tuned GTI and talking bout how much better the GTI was over the Civic. Why did I pay $34K for my SR5 instead of buying an F-150? For the same reason I opted not to get a 2016 Tacoma, I wanted something that was proven. The Eco boost engine is not problem free, in fact a family friend has an F-150 with the Eco boost engine and he wishes he had kept his Toyota Sienna. But he bought the F-150 over the Tundra for the same reasons everyone here is wanting to buy the F-150. It's loaded with options and it was cheaper to buy. Like I said, he wishes he had kept his Sienna.

I bought my fully loaded Santa Fe Sport 2.0T AWD Limited last year for the same reason, it was loaded with EVERYTHING, was nice looking inside and out - subjective, and was 'only' 38K. Bang for buck you really can't beat it, even in todays market. It was said to run on 87 octane gas - as long as you enjoyed driving a car that ran like shit, so I had to use 91 octane gas in the damn thing. It melted spark plugs every 5K, puked transmission fluid all over the road, had suspension problems and left my family and I stranded more then once, but it sure was nice and had all the bells and whistles. Did all Santa Fe's have engine problems? No, but if you go the the Hyundai forums there are people all over the place having to have the 2.0T replaced, sometimes more then once. It's the first and last Hyundai car I will EVER own.

So the short of the long is this. Buy your F-150 and enjoy it, but when you come to a Tacoma forum trying to sell the members on the idea that it's a good purchase, one has to wonder who you are trying to convince. Us or yourself.

Incidentally I drove my friends F-150 on a three hour road trip BEFORE I bought my Tacoma...and here I am.

Edit: I also drove my friends 2011 Tacoma on the same stretch of road..........

 

I did it all in my head.

 

Not trying to convince anyone of anything. The discussion was over price and the consideration of other vehicles.
I'm also considering the F-150. Just giving my opinions on why.

This is not an argument at all over which is better or worse. Frankly I like both makers.

 

Don't get me wrong, I wasn't thinking you were trying to create an argument. Just chiming in as to why I chose the 2015 Tacoma over the F-150 and 2016 Tacoma for that matter. I've had nothing but problems with any first model year vehicle I have purchased and have seen first hand and read on forums about the problems with the eco tech engine. I think a member here had a F-150 with eco tech and went on about the problems with it. It's not only the F-150, it's the Escape and Mustangs as well.....I'm sure you will be happy with what ever you purchase. Think hard about what you need your truck to do. The Tacoma was the perfect fit for my needs and that's how I ended up with it. If a fifth wheel was in the plans a Tacoma would not have been sufficient.

Also owned enough turbo charged cars not to want to deal with them anymore. Volvo 850 Turbo, Subaru Outback XT, 2011 Golf GTI, 2012 Golf GTI, 2014 Santa Fe Sport. Why so many turbos...because they are stupid easy and cheap to tune.

 

The Eco Boosts are not new though. I believe they have started in 2011, so young but not new.
They have had problems with misfires due to the condensation build up from the turbo. Right now I'm trying to research how well they have resolved those problems.

Researching the turbo is my task at hand right now. I know nothing about them and their maintenance. The F150 would have a lot of new technology I'm not used to working with (like the automatic start/stop features). Trying to figure out what these may mean in terms of maintenance costs. Also what they mean for MPGs. It seems like many guys are getting inconsistent fuel economy. Some are getting 22-23, others 15-16. I wonder how hard the boost is to control while driving and if that is the largest reason for the difference.

 

The above conversation is great. Keep it coming. Friendly, useful, and intelligent info here.

I too, am in betweem the 16 taco and.. Something.. The new F150's are definitely up there on the list of others. The tundra was.. But that gas mileage..

I'm still leaning towards the taco.. Fits my needs better, as well as fits in my garage.. Lol the price of the tacos is whats killing me. That, and the fact they aren't out yet to actually get some hands on experience.

Think I just need to wait till they hit the lots, and compare

 

Sounds like me. The wife says I am looking for a solution for a problem I don't have. Just buy another Tacoma..."you have been with Toyota for so long, and they have treated you very well...why stray now?"

 

That's exactly what my wife said too.. Lol

The only "problem" I see is the price.. But.. Maybe once I sit in one and play with it.. It will change my mind. I have no problem paying that much.. If it is in fact what I want. And that's the problem, not every trim level has exactly what I want.. it's a mix and match of all 3

 

She has a point. Lol.

 

This is exactly where I'm at right now.

 

Well there's a few things to consider..

I only owe $8000 with a $200 payment. I have an opportunity to sell my truck as is with everything for $30,000. That allows me to pay off my truck, pay off my credit card, put some money into the house (backyard designed and renovated) AND get a new truck. A new Tacoma with $12,000 down puts me at around $350. (Pre approved for Toyota's 1.9% financing). That's all based off of guesstimation on prices with options and everything.

 

What do you use your truck for?

 

Yeah not crazy about how they spec them, I like the base model so I can add my own mods...also like manual trans (no manny in the SR V6)...looks like I would have to get the Sport, which the price didn't look all that bad at $32K. Though...upgrading to the OR might be worth it to get the rear locking diff and other gizmo's.

 

Very basic daily stuff. Its my daily driver but I would use it for the occasional hunting trip, camping trip, easy trail (as I'm trying to keep this one clean and simple again it's my daily driver). I won't be doing nearly as many mods as I did on my current truck. I'm just over it. I just want a comfortable, quiet, clean, simple truck.

I think that's my starting point too. A double cab short bed auto 4 wheel drive sport. Everything is color matched already. It's the cheapest of the three. And I can save some of my money from selling the truck to put into some very basic mods (lift, wheels, tires). I'm also looking at doing some upgrades to it like premium JBL (want to leave the interior, stereo, etc FACTORY this time around) and the sunroof, etc. That will add to the sticker, but if I don't have to touch anything and I can just enjoy the truck as is, that just gives me peace of mind and no stress

 

So why consider on F150 if you don't do a lot of hauling and towing?
Just asking out of curiosity.


Also, the Sport is base $34K (without a tow package). Where are you guys getting $32K?

 

The simple answer... the features/creature comforts.

Ive only seen the 34k price point too.

 

Exactly where I'm at and reason I just got the TRD Offroad.. Want to just leave it stock for as long as I can and just enjoy it(though I'm sure it's been said a million times by countless ppl and failed miserably).. But I have my 4 runner to play with and keep building up if wanted to..

 

you know you want the tundra.... lowered with a s/c and no muffler, it has to get reall good ASS mileage.... like 100 panties dropped per gallon. I have a buddy with no muffler duals and an egr delete on a tundra it was BAD TO THE BONE.... and sounded great. made me wanna sell my Tacoma for a week lol.