Convince me that a midsize is worth it...

Per Toyota's written specifications, the 2017 TRD Off Road V-6, 4x4, 6MT with towing package is rated for 6,400 pounds with auto trans 6,700 pounds. I believe virtually all in this configuration are equipped with the tow package as mine is.
https://www.toyota.com/tacoma/ebrochure

 

I was just on Toyota site the other day and they had the OR rated at 6100, my assumption for the 6800 is that it's for the 2 wheel drive V6s.

 

see linked toyota brochure chart: https://www.toyota.com/tacoma/ebrochure

 

Toyota does retain value better, but anything 4x4 does pretty good. Apparently the current trend in collector vehicles is old 4x4s.

Anyway, Toyota makes a good truck, but in all fairness, the domestic trucks last just as long and generally are subject to more abuse since many are put to work and harder work than Toyota. Plenty of Chevrolets and Fords with well north of 200k on the clock. I see plenty clapped out domestics for sale. Heck, I sold one before buying my Taco. It was a good truck.

 

Unless you are talking pre SCR/EGR diesels. 1999-2003 7.3 powerstrokes, 2006-2007.5 LBZ duramaxes, the old 12V 1993-1997 cummins and the 2003 - 2007 5.9s are easily commanding used (today) for damn near close to what they were going new....and that's with over 100K miles on the clock. People gladly spend thousands of dollars limping the rest of the truck along around the motors.

However, for naturally aspirated domestics, the Toyotas hold their value much, much better.

I own a full size diesel - however if I did not tow our travel trailer with it, or have to use it to tow for work, I would not own one. It's expensive to operate and maintain, its a bitch to park, I could go on. Most people don't need full size trucks. Those who do, usually do not need to justify their purchase. For most people, a mid-sized truck makes more sense.

 

The resale value on non -diesel Rams is pretty bad. I have a Ram diesel (cummins) and we have moved to Rams for our work trucks this past year and a half. So I can honestly say that people who have issues with their Tacomas are going to go bat-crap insane with all the FCA BS....leaky main seals, wonky electronics, leaky brake lights, creaks, rattles and groans, failing sensors, etc.

 

Don't be a weenie get the Tacoma if your a family man then I'd go full size due to room. But otherwise the taco has almost the same capabilities of half tons of years past. You can't go wrong with it if you have a outdoorsy lifestyle or small home projects.

 

My last truck was an F250 with the 7.3 powerstroke. In the 2 years that I owned the truck, I "needed" a full size truck once... and even that I didn't really NEED. I towed a car across town... about 6,000 pounds... Tacoma probably would have been fine for 1 trip. If you see yourself needing it regularly, go for it. If you have to invent justification for buying a full size truck, a Tacoma will be plenty.

 

Very true. Tacomas do hold their value better than the rest.

 

Not from my porch. For every 20 80s era toyota trucks I MIGHT see some raggedy old dodge.

 

Come on man. Who are you trying to kid? Maybe you get a domestic at 200k. But that's usually after two tranny swaps.

 

You've already gotten a lot of good advice here but I want to put in my two cents too!

I have a double cab long bed and I feel it's a really fantastic compromise. I can really load it up with more gear than I need when I go camping and if I ever get that Jet Ski or dirt bike I want I know it will have no problems lugging those things to some of my favorite places. Frankly, it is already a bit obnoxious to park as it is just so long. I've driven quite a few full sizes and the extra width does give them a bit of a better turning radius, but it also effectively makes every space much smaller. At least where I live, I already have to be ultra careful opening doors.

Fuel economy is also a really huge factor. If I cruise to the campsite at 60-65 I can get 24 mpg on the trip. TWENTY FOUR! In a 4X4 truck with a six foot bed and the "big" engine. That's damned amazing considering the Subaru I had before would do the same trip and get... 26mpg. Over the life of the truck, that is a huge financial difference.

And okay, here's the stuff I feel like I'm missing out on not owning a full size:

1. V8 vs. V6. V8s are inherently better engines. They are more inherently balanced and smoother. The exhaust note is better, the idle is smoother. Power delivery is smoother and stronger. Everything is better with a V8. I would have absolutely paid more to get a V8 in my Tacoma and I'm mad it isn't an option. V6 engines are bean counter compromise engines that straight up wouldn't exist if everyone was an enthusiast. Probably my biggest gripe with the Tacoma.

2. A bench seat. Seating for SIX and my girlfriend can sit right next to me? I want it so bad. SO BAD. I so wish I didn't have to compromise on this and the Tacoma offered a bench. It makes no sense for the cabin layout and would be terrible but I just want one so bad. Plus full size truck seats are just, in general, so big and comfy. Like driving a couch.

3. I've driven a 4 door long bed RAM diesel on a wide open dirt road. Sure the Tacoma does technical stuff better (and is more fun), but you just can't beat the feeling of all the juicy torque hauling such a heavy truck down a nice dirt road like that. Again, I don't have roads like that to drive on; my offroading is for funsies. But if I did... well... things might be different.

 

I see plenty of Chevrolet and Ford trucks from the 80s.... most Toyotas from that era are regulated to camp trucks as the bodies rusted away to nothing. We don't even salt the roads here.

The last three vehicles I sold never had a transmission replacement, never had an engine replacement and two had over 220,000 miles on the clock. Most folks that need to replace those items abused them or didn't do proper maintenance. The SBC variants from the 80s got hydraulic roller cams can last quite a long time if taken care of. Many get 300,000 miles. The GM transmission can last a long time if you take care of them.

You can go to craigslist and look and see plenty of old GMs with 200K+ miles for sale.

I've worked around cars for a long time and mechanically, if it's a rear drive 80s and up Chevrolet or Ford, they are usually reliable vehicles if you do your part.

 

The chev 350 is bulletproof

 

It's interesting to see these opinions on midsize vs fullsize. Consider the size increases in both over the past 20 years. As another poster mentioned, a Tacoma now is bigger than a 15 year old Tundra. If people wanted to tow/haul consistently, were they screwed back then?

The Tacoma is a great all around truck. It can tow a bass boat or a smaller trailer just fine. It has decent payload capacity. I drive/park in the city just fine. The ride is great for daily driving imo. I'm a firm believer in if you don't need it don't buy it. I'm not sure how many people actually NEED the capabilities of a full size. NEED being hauling or towing a significant amount frequently. Also, I've fit 4 adults including myself in my double cab just fine (but the 4Runner would be much better for people carrying).

I'm sure you know all about Toyota's reputation on reliability. Minus a few people that have lemons, I have no reason to believe my truck won't last a while. And if there are issues that Toyota will take care of it. I don't have that same faith in domestic car companies.

I love the confidence that I can go anywhere with my truck, on-road or offroad. And my truck is bone stock (DCLB offroad). I don't get the feeling with full size trucks. Too big and horrible approach angles that make me hesitant to take it on even easier trails.

 

full size is nice but unless your willing to fork out 50k plus for a trim package that actually doesn't resemble a work truck then personally I don't think its worth it. the new tacos are pretty damn nice imo. unless your towing 6k plus all the time you don't really need a full sized unless your just in it for the bigger cab space. I wouldn't even consider a half ton if towing was my main objective either.

 

Any SBC made in the 1980s and later which were fitted with a roller cam are really pretty good engines that will last. The smaller bore engines like the 305 didn't make as much power because the valves were shrouded by the cylinder wall..... they still would run forever though..... if you took care of them.

Edit: Oh, @shakerhood I'm a chevy guy, but I'll say the same thing about the ford engines as well. Especially those fox body 302s with the high nickel blocks and either forged or hypereutectic pistons.... the forged ones you could spray the house down on them and they would hold up great..... as long as you didn't short change the fuel. Awesome little engines.

 

I fully agree with this....and with the sentiment that you need to decide for yourself, what your needs and desires are.

 

The last fleet duty fords we got had all sorts of issues.....diesel issues and tranny issues. They just don't last. Ask any law enforcement agency that has the new explorers in their fleets. The trannys seem to turn to powder at about 85K miles.

The Rams have the aisin option, but only on the 3500. The current 68RFE is a mild upgrade to the 48RFE. However, that's like saying salmonella is a mild upgrade from E. coli.

The GM products are a mixed bag. The Allisons are great - as long as you don't mod the truck. The stock auto transmissions were damn near bullterproof as was the 5.3 motor (just had to keep an eye on the AFM lifters in the latter years). We purchased several of the 2007/2008 crew cab short beds with the 5.3s and they made it well into the 250K mile range. Always had the lifter issues before any tranny problems cropped up.

Our fleet gets serviced every 5000 miles. No excuse for a ford to crap the bed when it's getting that sort of love and attention. After we bought the last set, our mechanics begged us not to buy any more.

 

I don't think the current Explorers are built on a truck frame anymore.... Aren't they a crossover now?

I agree about the diesels. It looks like there are some growing pains with the def diesels.... Maybe part of the reason Toyota hasn't started offering one in the US.