Is the grass really greener on the other side?

It seems that ever since I bought my 05 over two years ago, that I'm always second guessing my decision. Not that the truck hasn't been relatively solid for me, but because of what I perceive as true wants and needs that I don't have.

For one, my biggest complaint is the lack of payload capacity (understandably so given it's not meant to be a 1/2 or 3/4 ton), but I've found that in the last year I've really need more hauling capacity between firewood, concrete, and building materials. The cab room (I have an AC) is sufficient for me, but I hate that I can't ever take my truck when we have people with us (some might consider that a negative, but I enjoy driving, and trust myself more than anyone else). The gas mileage is decent, and is my biggest "on the fence" issue with the truck. Driving 60mph on the highway with about an 80/20% highway/rural mix, I can squeeze out 20mpg in the summer sometimes (usually 19), and never much more than 16 or 17 in the winter (granted I'm on 265/75s). I've always toyed (sorry for the pun) with getting a fullsize, and I've even posted on here concerning this issue only to convince myself that I don't need one, and then the feeling comes back not to long after. I stopped at a local lot yesterday to look at an 06 F150 Super Crew, and I have to admit, it was appealing (I've been pretty much set on an F150 or Tundra if I ever went to a fullsize). I know mpg will be worse, but driving like I do know (babying it), there's no way it would be much more than 3-4mpg difference. I know resale and potential LONG term reliability make take a hit with a jump like that, but it may better suit me in the long run.

The problem is, if I was truly sure of this decision, it would surely be easier to make, right? I mean, if my truck is doing what I ask of it now (for the most part), is the grass truly going to be greener on the other side in the name of a few more advantages? I know a few of you have stepped up to Tundra's and I know that decision would be easier for me if $$ weren't a factor, because I would probably go with the more fuel efficient 4.6, but with the number of miles on my Tacoma (87K), and my unwillingness to enter back into payments, I would be limited in my choice as to what fullsize I might "upgrade" to. Has anyone here been in a similar position? Did you make the "switch?" Was it truly as positive as you had hoped?

 

The grass is the same color on the other side, just the brown spots are in different places.

 

^ well said

 

exactly, if you go with a 4.7 tundy then your going to have a hard time going hi way speeds with a full load.

 

Tha grass is always greener.... until you find out its artificial turf.

 

4.6, not the older 4.7. 6spd tranny with 310HP/327ft-lb would be plenty for what I need, but not really an option seeing as I don't want payments.

 

dont know if its greener,but there is grass over there for sure

 

5.7 tundra Fricken Rules! Buy it and don't look back. MPG is almost the same and the deals are great, if I hadn't just modded my truck and the wife wouldn;t be on my ass I'd be in a '10 Tundra DC or smoken hot deal on a used 08-09 Tundra wiht 30k on the clock right now!

 

go over there....cut the grass....then smoke it!

 

Ok, perhaps the title was to vague since it's eliciting great feedback Has anyone jumped from the Toyota bandwagon to another vehicle manufacturer (Ford in this case) because it met your needs better, and if so, were the sacrifices made in switching (if any) worth it? Ideally, I would test drive the F150 in question for a week to get an idea of mpg, ride quality, parking, etc, but since most dealerships around here limit you to a small cruise with them riding shotgun breathing made up "technical" figures down your back, I'll pass. As such, I have to rely on others who were in this position at one time or another. That's why I'm asking.

 

The only problem is this. If you are buying used Ford are you prepared for all the repairs that will be required? Repairs can cost you quickly as much as new truck.

 

I don't know about greener, but te grass is definitely cleaner on a shaven pussy

 

ya go mow that fricken grass man

 

Well if you're going to jump off the fence to the"greener" side now is the time to do it with all those incentives Toyota is offering !!

 

That's a tough call considering that you're trading no payment and better gas mileage for a full size. How much do you actually drive w/ other people in your truck? How much do you haul that warrants a full size?

I went from a midsize Dakota to another Tacoma, and the grass is greener for sure.

 

I went from a 08 tacoma dc 4x4 to a 2010 ram big horn crew cab4x4 with the hemi 5.7. I think that you get more for your money with the dodge, but it depends on what you can afford and how your credit is. There are smoking deals on brand new trucks right now. Dodge is re-releasing the Powerwagon later on this year. It is going to have lockers Front and Rear, will have factory winch and many other things, dont know how much its going to cost though. The only reason i traded in my tacoma, was because i needed something bigger to haul my desert toys. On my hemi it has the engine managment system ( will shut down to 4cyl's when load is low) I get about 12 mpg when i tow and anywhere from 15-20 when towing...

Hope that helps

 

Whatever suits your needs best... if you need more payload and don't mind a hit in fuel economy, get the Tundra. If you also don't mind a hit in maintenance/repair and resale value, get the F150 Super Crew. Accept the fact that you will miss the Tacoma -- remember you made this decision for your own good reasons. Both will have more passenger room than the Tacoma AC.

 

Figure out your needs and wants !

I really dont need a tacoma, BUT I REALLY WANTED A TACOMA !!

See the difference.

 

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I downsized from a 2007 Tundra 5.7L. If you get a Tundra, get the 5.7L and the real world mileage will be not much different than 4.6L. The 5.7L has super torque (fun to drive too) and will keep you in a higher gear longer, thus lowering RPMs & saving gas.

The real world mileage between a 4.0L Tacoma and a 5.7L Tundra is about 2.5 - 3 MPG and gas is going up.

I would never go back to full size truck again with the Tacoma's size now. IMO, get a truck based on your needs first and desires second.

PS .. Grass unually looks greener on the other side too.

.

 

The grass is always greener over the septic field...


That said, before I purchased this Tacoma, I rented a crew cab F150 and drove it 1800 miles in a week. It was a great truck. I was looking at those and this Tacoma. I still ended up with the Tacoma. The reason? Even though the F150 was great, driving an urban assault vehicle like that gets tiresome after a while. For a daily driver, the ability to get around and fit in parking spaces made the Tacoma about as big as I wanted to deal with. Even though fuel economy on trips (I drive a lot. Already over 9k on the new truck in four months) was similar, the long term operating costs were in my mind. Larger trucks just tend to be pricier to maintain. I can do all the work my self, but it still factored in.

HTH