My quest for a 3rd gen Tacoma is over...

He paid $10k more than I did. That might not be meaningful to some but to me it is!

 

Right, but Limited Tacos run in the $40's too.

40k taco vs 40k ford

No comparison

 

No way I'd pay $40k for a stock Tacoma. I don't care what trim it is.

 

I want a new taco.. But I also agree with this statement

 

Okay but you're comparing the most expensive option taco to the not most expensive ford. Even with that, he paid 45k, not 40k. More than 10% difference there.

All I'm saying is he preferred a more expensive truck in a different truck class. If that suits your needs that's great.

 

Agreed.

 

The most expensive taco is the only one that comes close to being optioned the same as the Lariat Fx4 F150.
Leather, nav, heated seats, sunroof, premium stereo, tow package and off road package.

Tacomas are an expensive unit. I want one but it's gonna be rough paying for it.

OP: sweet truck and good luck with your new rig. I hope it's more reliable then my current ford! I think it must have been built on a Friday lol

 

Compare resale value in 10 years on both trucks and it makes the Taco seem like a much better deal.

 

Well, how many of those folks have had both? Not talking test driven both, but actually owned both as daily drivers.

The sweet driving spot of the 4 liter is around 2800-3500 RPM. Get used to that and drive the 3.5 in the same spot and it will not feel faster. But drive the 3.5 up in the higher rev range, remember both max torque and max hp is higher in the rev range now. Where the 1GR starts to run out of steam, the 3.5 will show it's true colors. It's a different driving experience, and will require a foot/brain calibration.

The 3.5 transmission also likes to short shift to 6th as quickly as possible (for mpg reasons) When I cruise to work on the expressway (50mph) the truck is in 6th gear overdrive at 1100 rpms. The motor almost feels like it's shut off. Don't know why, a lot of people complain about this.. Want to pass, just hit the accelerator, and the transmission will drop 2 gears in a hurry.

Hard to argue the specs though.. 40 more hp is 40 more hp, same torque and the motor is lighter.

 

Which is why I bought a Tacoma over the new Colorado!

 

Each motor obviously has it's pros and cons. Depends on what you want to use it for. Obviously as you point out the 3.5L is better at highway speeds, accelerating while already at speed, MPGs, etc.

But if you are climbing boulders, rocks, pulling heavy loads, etc... you'll want your HP and Torque figures down lower since you're not mashing the pedal.

BTW - With my current Michelin 30" tires I drive in the 1,500-2,300 RPM range.

Once I get my 33's that might have to change...

 

Agree. But only relevant if you buy for the resale.

Some would rather have a loaded truck and pay the penalty of depreciation to continue having the latest and greatest.

 

My OR has the same packages with JBLs, I hate leather so I was more than happy not to get leather that the limited offers over my full packaged TRD.

 

Resale value is relevant for me since I'm not a billionaire.

 

Glad you were able to afford the 5.0 configuration. The only engine I would have gone with on the new F150. Let's see how all those new ford turbo gas engines are holding up in 10 years on the F150's.

Different class of truck than the tacoma, but I gotta be honest and say what you got would have been my first choice had I gone full size, money no option.

 

That '88 is eye candy. I was born in 92 and boy this would be my dream ride. Add a turbo and I'll be in heaven.

 

We're talking 400-600 RPM difference between the 2 motors in reference to max HP and torque.

Unless you have owned both generations like I have and live with both, it's hard to explain in black and white text. The 3.5 feels modern and sophisticated. The 4.0 is an old workhorse. Nothing wrong with either. But saying the 3.5 is a lesser motor because it has less displacement couldn't be further from the truth.

 

I would trade any truck for the 88' you had. That's a gorgeous ride.

 

that 88 looks like marty mcfly's! It is so tempting to get an f150 supercab v8 or 2.7 ecoboost around 3rd gen taco pricing. The only tough factors would be the size, resale and possibly less reliability. I wonder if we can just raise the idle RPM to 2000 so the 3rd gen is ready to go off the line

 

Good luck.