Considering buying a Taco, a few questions...

Indeed - we're having a baby and I needed to buy a crib. I could pay $100 to ship it to me or free shipping to go pick it up from a distribution center nearby. Nice to have the options

 

I originally started looking at those, then saw the prices and came to the conclusion it was better to just buy new.

I found the same thing with the Jeep JKU, too.

 

I hear ya. From the rear I think they got a little weird looking, but otherwise I swoon over them.

 

Thanks! Yeah, the one I stopped at is a volume dealer, and theres another such dealer near me as well. I'm going to check out what they have.

 

Interesting! I must be used to the Volvo, as it doesn't feel like it has a particularly large turning circle. I do remember that my old Grand Cherokee turned tighter though.

I'll have to drive the SB.

 

Longbeds in the double and access cabs are harder to find because they get snatched up quicker when they hit the lot.

Shortbeds are EASY to find because you're stuck with not much else to choose from if you want the truck now.



Seriously though, either truck has its merits, decide what suits you best.

It would be nice if the longbed was offered in a manual transmission though.

 

I startered looking at 2nd Gens (didn't know 2nd vs 3rd vs 1st stuff then and didn't care, well still don't) and I found the same or VERY close to the cost of new

 

I was in the same boat as you. I love the Taco, but I was torn between the Taco and Colorado. The Chevy did have lower end grunt and get up and go. With that being said when I hit the gas in my TRD Sport Double short box cab it goes. I have no issues with power and my tranny shifts butter smooth. I have a heavy foot right, and I am getting 17.5-18mpg around town, my g/f lives in dirty NJ and I am in PA a 60mile ride back and forth I get 22.5-23.4 mpg’s without using cruise control and doing anywhere between 55mph-80mph. Funny thing on all the trucks I have owned I never really used cruise control, because traffic on highways and turnpikes; hell once I set the cruise I turn it off in minutes. The short box is great, I can fit my mountain bikes in with no issue; I use the lock mount that attaches to the front header rail with the front tire off tail gate closed. I can still haul mulch and crap from home depot when I need it, if it long lumber is in order I have a hitch rack bed extender that works great and it will tow my utility trailer great and I can haul 4 decent sixed adults in comfort with no issue. I bought the Taco for a few reason over the competition, reliability, stance and look, resale value is nuts. I also do a ton of surf fishing so having a pickup again is great, had a f150crew cab FX 4x4 and it was just too dam big but it was a great truck. I have no regrets with my purchase; I really wanted the TRD Offroad for surf fishing in the sand but my SUV I had and traded in for the Taco was just a basic suv 4x4 and heavy and never got stuck and I plan on adding a winch to the Taco anyway , but the dealer would not budge on the price on the Off-road, I got a great end of the month deal last month with a 1k rebate, dealer incentives, the dealer wanted and needed my sale to hit their monthly quote, I rode out paying $32.5 for my TRD Sport, only thing my Taco did not come with was the roof rack, and nerf bars which I did not want anyway as I am putting on sliders. I think the biggest difference I needed a truck It suits my lifestyle better.

 

There's a reason used 2nd gens did not reduce in value when the new model came out. Many folks like them over the new ones.

 

Yes, buy one. Or not. Whatever.

 

Price 1st gens and see what people are asking for those.

OP recommend you do what I did, spend three months driving both 2nd and 3rd gens back to back and then make your choice. I was sure I was going to buy a 2nd gen sport longbed when I started looking but after driving both many times the 3rd gen just impressed me more. With the longbed now available in OR (not available in the 2nd gen, only SR5 and sport only) it made the decision even easier.

Go out and drive a bunch, don't make your mind up after one or two test drives, keep driving them then go home and cool off, think it over then go drive some more

When you find the right truck you'll know it.

 

Oh I throw mine into trees and rocks a lot but figured crash-damage at least tells a good story - bike on bike action isn't so hot!

The $150 or so for a decent tailgate pad is well worth it (I have the Raceface and it's great), holds the bikes upright and steady, leaves plenty room in the bed, it'll be easier to sling them over the tailgate than into the bed... and they look damn cool!!

 

Mike, I got 2K off sticker price on Oct. 18 for a 2016 trd or ac but not much selection that time of year. I think if you know what you want, you may have to order it. fight hard on the price, and don't trade in anything.

 

The biggest thing that people grind with is the transmission, as you can see with the previous comments ^ do yourself a favor and go with a manual transmission, both of my buddies traded in their 16's auto's to get manuals cause it drown them nuts. The manual drives beautifully, so try to find one & test drive before you make a decision!

The only thing with that is the manual transmission only comes in the short bed but it sounds like you won't be always needing a long bed so why not enjoy the driving part of the truck and make the short bed work how you need it too. Customize it to become your own truck, you can make it look as cool as you want but that auto transmission can turn it from a 10/10 to a solid -10/10

Enjoy! Keep up updated with what you do/decide!

 

Yeah, my buddy has that pad on his Ranger. I was very impressed when I saw it, I like the little blocks built into it to hold the bike in position. I noticed the tailgate on the Taco seemed very thick, but apparently even with the pad it's still possible for the bike to fit comfortably.


I already have a 2 bike hitch rack on my Volvo, so I have that option as well.

 

Thanks man. That's probably what I'll do. I'm in no hurry, my current ride runs good. Actually, it's about to hit 190k, I kind of want to see it roll over 200k. Right now the new vehicle is more of a want than a need. I figure it doesn't hurt to look and get familiar with them, so when the time is right and I spot a good deal, I'll be ready to pull the trigger.

It's a tough decision, right now the only thing I'm 100% sure of is that I want an OR with AT. I'm not even sure of color, haha. I like the QS, but then I'll see a MGM and think how sharp it looks in that color. Or how clean it looks in white. Or how I normally hate red, but wow, that Barcelona looks good! lol

I kind of have commitment issues haha, and this truck is something I'm most likely going to keep for a long time. Gotta make sure it's the right one!

 

I usually get complimented on the color of my QS every other week. You'll see silver, red, white, blue and even inferno orange Tacos from the previous generation, never the quicksand.

It's a great color and never looks dirty. It's especially good with black accents.



Looks great with a PRO grill too


Love that color on the truck, you won't find many like it on the road as you would the other colors.

 

Get the shortbed manual TRDOR 4x4. Get the pro grill. You won't regret it.

 

AFAIK, there is no DCLB with MT option. If you want a long bed you are going to have to accept the AT, and if you insist on the MT you will have to get a short bed unless you're willing to go with an access cab. I am pretty sure there are no Sport, OR, SR5 or any other DCLB MT options.

I have had my truck for a month tomorrow. You need a bit of a lead foot with the AT, period. You can't baby it and expect blinding acceleration. If you want to speed up rapidly, you simply gotta gas it. In that respect it reminds me of years ago. I think people have grown accustomed to a light touch on the gas. Works okay if you want to take it easy, to mosey, but not if you want to get going. IMHO the truck and the transmission work just fine, you just need more proactive, almost exaggerated if you will, right pedal inputs.

 

I got my 2017 TRD off road short bed 4x4 for 1k under dealer invoice. Bought it on January 2nd. They were pushing HARD to meet a year end quota. Went in the day before and they offered 1k under invoice for any tacoma in the lot and they didn't have the one I wanted. Called me the next day with a dealer transfer and offered the same deal. I took the invoice numbers from here with me to make sure they weren't manipulated.

The deals are there. It just seems they hide when you look for them. Appear less than interested with their offer, maybe it will come down.

Most importantly, go in on the last few days of the month. MUCH better if its a week day.