Looking for some buying advice - Tacoma vs F-150 vs Other

I've been researching and lurking on various forums over the last year and eventually got my heart set on a Tacoma TRD Pro. I also considered the F-150 and Colorado. I was worried about some of the issues that seem to be popping up with the 3rd gen. I was also not very excited about the engine output. Still, I thought I had it all figured out, and then I actually drove the new Tacoma....

I was extremely disappointed with the lack of torque, particularly at speeds 40mph and above. When I tried to merge onto the highway and realized the power just wasn't there, it felt like I had just found out Santa Clause wasn't real. So I'm in a situation where I fear that if I do purchase this truck, I'm eventually going to regret it. I understand what a Tacoma is and isn't as a mid-size truck, but I was just very, very underwhelmed by this engine...and that is saying something when I'm coming into this after driving a Forester for the last 4 years.

Now I'm sitting here thinking I have no logical choice other than an F-150 if I want the type of power I'm expecting from a truck. Surely somebody here has had similar thoughts before making a purchasing, so I'm wondering how others have convinced themselves to go with the Tacoma, or otherwise.

 

I bought a Taco because I'm a dedicated MT nutjob, it was big enough for my needs, and my driveway didn't really have room for a full-size.

The engine actually has pretty good power in MT trims, you just have to wind it up, but after so many years driving small-engine sportscars I'm used to that - just funny to do in a pickup.

 

F-150 is a great truck, but I'd compare it more towards the Tundra then Tacoma.

 

I would get a 13 to15.

 

Question like this could start a war here but I'm pretty happy with my 1998 Tacoma eccept for the frame issue, I still don't think it was properly addressed by Toyota. If I was going to drop 30 or 40k on a new truck I wouldn't, I would search for a 67-72 chev or gmc 4x4 and do whatever was necessary to make it like new.

 

How I "convinced" myself to get my first Tacoma.

Have always had V8 full size trucks.
Last truck I bought was a Dodge Ram 1500 in 2009, when they were going through bankruptcy, got it with 4 wheel drive, extended cab, etc. for 29K (10k off sticker). Fast forward 7 years, and I'm in the market for a new truck... ok, start looking at the usual suspects, FX4, Z71, etc. I won't say I have expensive taste... ok, that's a lie, I have expensive taste... But when the hell between 2009 and 2016 did trucks become 50K+?!?! I was like WTF.
So, I had taken a trip to Hawaii this past summer, had seen some really nice Tacomas, and thought to myself, next time I'm in the market, I should take a look at those... so I did. Took some self convincing to go from a V8 to a V6. But what really made the most difference to me was that I just don't tow that much anymore. I used to have a 22' bay boat, but sold that back in 2010, and since I really just don't need the towing power. I tow my hunting Ranger about 20 miles every now and then, but the Tacoma is more than capable of towing that.
More or less, told myself I was giving up power, that I really didn't need anymore, but I was saving at least 10K on a new truck. I got the most fully loaded Off-Road I could last July.... If they would have had the Pro in 2016, I would have got that.... If I would have got the most fully loaded Z71, yeah, 10k - 15k more, easy. And in my personal opinion, the Tacoma looks damn good, once you spend about another 2k in after market parts (which I would have done to a full size truck as well also).

 

Get an F150.

 

Coming from an F-150 EcoBoost myself I can give you my two cents worth and share my experience.

Not comparing the V8 F-150 but simply the V6 EcoBoost and the V6 Tacoma. The F-150 was a great ride, can't argue with that. It drove exactly like it was supposed to and was comfortable. Ford makes some comfy seats too might I add. The turbo lag on the Eco was a let down sometimes but it definitely gets the truck up to speed.

The F-150 is alot bigger than the Tacoma however. It was difficult for me to reverse park it between cars without the security of having some sonar to give me a piece of mind, but I managed it for 3 years flawlessly none the less. The tech package is pathetic as even the mid line models came with a meesley analog display and speakers that came out of a toy car.

Being a bit biased however I am always uncertain with the longevity of Fords, as Tacomas themselves are long proven they can almost outlast their owners.

My Tacoma may not have the turbos but if your looking to go fast, you may not want to consider a truck.

I much prefer the style over the Tacoma as it looks much more rugged and aggressive, as with Ford, all of their trucks no matter what you do to them, always look like work trucks, with exception of the Raptor.

Tacomas also hold their value alot more. My F-150 after a 3 year lease was only worth about $1200 more than the buyout price. Tacomas however after 3 years seems to retain ~80%+ of their value if well kept.

Tacomas and F-150s are apples to oranges, their both fruit and they both taste great, both they both look different and have different properties.

That's my two cents. Whether or not this information is helpful, I appreciate the time your read it in regard to the time it took for me to write it.

 

Wow, didn't think this would be such a controversial thread. I'm not looking for opinions on the classic Ford vs Toyota vs Chevy. Just looking for a little discussion and guidance so I can make the right decision.

 

What do you want in a truck? That's always the first question.

 

I have an '07 Tacoma AND a 14 F-150. They are completely different vehicles best suited for very different uses. As much as I like the Tacoma if forced to choose only one it'd be the F-150 at least at this point. I traded an '02 Screw for my Tacoma in 2007. At that point in my life my youngest had moved out and I no longer needed the room plus the Tacoma got much better fuel mileage than the '02 F-150. It served me well. It is smaller, much easier to maneuver and park and has been very reliable. I'd rate it much better off road because it is lighter and more nimble.

But by 2016 I now have 3 grand kids and need more room. The '14 Screw gets exactly the same fuel mileage as the Tacoma, has a 36 gal fuel tank, pulls a heavier load, is more comfortable and cost more. It is a PITA to park, but serves my current needs better. I don't expect it to be as trouble free as the Tacoma. I've got 177,000 on the Taco now and I'tl probably cost me more to get the Ford to that many miles. But you gotta pay to play, I needed the bigger truck and the Tundra just didn't offer what I needed.

The old Tacoma was worth more to me to keep than trade, so it is still in the driveway and my wife prefers to drive it now. We tend to use it around town and for shorter trips using the big truck for longer trips and when we need the room.

 

You might want to test drive a Tacoma with a Manual Trans, makes the 3.5 feel a bit stronger.

 

https://youtu.be/0kc143SgLQY