Considering a Tacoma

Hello, i am new here. That being said i am not new to trucks just the mid size trucks. A little more info, i have had 3 F150's, and just traded my Sequioa for a 2017 Chevy Tahoe.

I am currently driving my wife's old mid size SUV as we bought her a new car as well. I can't stand this thing. Its a nissan murano. I want a mid size truck. I don't know anything about them and i am currently looking at a Tacoma, Nissan Prox 4, and the chevy colorado.

My first choice is the Tacoma, however this will be my commuter car and weekend car. I don't drive the tahoe much unless we are towing our boats, snowmobiles etc...

My concerns are gas mileage with the Tacoma. Seems as all the others are far better especially the chevy. But since owning the tahoe, i am not a chevy guy to be honest. I swore i would NOT buy a GM, but ended up doing so because i got a great price on a new Premier and the Sequioa just wasn't doing it for me anymore. We upgraded our tow boat and the sequioa was limited in towing capacity and the boat goes about 6000lbs loaded.

I don't know much about the tacoma other than my previous toyota's were such reliable cars. I had a few Lexus vehicles that went over 300k with just replacing brakes and tires and my wife's new es350 is a dream to be honest.

If anyone cares to comment on the Tacoma's, i would appreciate it. Help talk me into it or out of it. The bad, the good.. i know this is a tacoma forum but figured i would ask as you guys probably have the best take on what to expect.

I will also use this truck to work on my hunting land, use it in winter for skiing and wonder if its good in the snow. I would insist on the 4x4 model for sure. I would love to know how the 3 trucks i am looking at compare. I will probably buy a used model if i can find one.

 

Hey OP, were you interested in a newer tacoma (2016+)? You posted in the second gen side of the forum(

$90 2005-2015 Toyota Tacoma With 4L Right Petrol intake air snorkel kit high performance system compatible kit Replacement black Rotational Molding (2005-2015)

2005-2015) but what i can tell you from the second gen tacoma is that the 4 Liter is bullet proof. I average around 20 combined with my double cab Long bed 4x4 Taco so gas mileage isnt too bad. A coworker of mine has a third gen and gets 24 mpg easily on the freeway. Good luck finding a vehicle out of the toyota territiory with such great resale value, reliability and an availability for aftermarket support like the tacomas. Its something else!

 

I’m on my 4th one. Been good to me with great resale value. My last one I drove 17yrs.

 

Having owned both a frontier an Tacoma my vote is Tacoma all day. Granted the frontier does have more power an is a solid truck it was uncomfortable for me ride wise an searing position is horrible. Tacoma imho is a better built truck easier to work on an better support aftermarket an like autozone type parts. It has done everything I’ve asked of it without any complaints my advice drive both see what fits you best. Frontier may be cheaper up front but over its life the Tacoma will hold the better re-sale value by a long shot.

 

Good luck getting 200,00k++ miles from the Nissan or anything else but the Tacoma.. Welcome to TW...

 

The Tacoma is for sure the most solid out of the Frontier and Colorado. They're great for hunting with, as they're smaller and quieter than most full size trucks and won't let you down. The gas mileage isn't great, but considering what you get for the price, it isn't too bad.

The worst thing about the 2nd generation of Tacoma is probably going to be interior quality and gas mileage.

Good luck on your search!

 

In February I traded my 2nd Gen Tacoma on a new 2018 3rd Gen. 263K miles on a 2008 and nothing but gas, oil, tires, and brakes. Extremely pleased with Tacoma reliability. Wouldn't drive anything else.

 

Chevy and Nissan have a bunch of bells and whistles but it stops there.

 

Why do you not want another full size truck??

The reason I ask is you more than likely will be dissapointed with any mid size truck after having full size trucks in the past.
Youll likely get frustrated with payload capacity, interior features, space, fuel economy (you will not get any better than a full size), and over all truck capability.

Plus if you are looking at the newer Tacomas... they cost as much as a nice full size and you will get a lot more features (Tundra is the only exception... they are the bottom on the full size market)

 

If you concern is gas mileage then I wouldn't be looking at a truck, much less alone a Tacoma.

If you can look past the fact that you will get 15 around town and maybe 18-20 mixed, then a Tacoma is a home run.

 

its a good question, but i already have a full size SUV. I am looking for my commuter, hunting, fishing, hiking, skiing, camping, snow and bad roads and drive to work car. My current murano gets 19 mpg which sucks. Its also aging at 210k miles. I was just hoping to get the same or better with mpg. I can use a mid sized truck for so much. If i had to drive the tahoe in traffic every day i wouldn't see over 15 mpg and probably 35k miles per year.

 

You wont get better then 19mpg in Tacoma, that is unless you like driving 55mph.

 

Seeing you went through quite a few vehicles....

Go sit in one for a few hours and decide if its comfortable
Then test drive one and see if it is what you like

 

Provided you don’t need to use a truck for anything the Tahoe can’t handle a midsize should be fine.

I will tell you though a Tacoma in the city will get about 16-17mpgs stock. 19-20 hwy if you keep speeds under 60-65 mph. You slap steel bumpers, lifts, and big tires on it you’ll get worse. So you really wont improve on the Tahoe mpgs with any kind of truck.

Plus you can buy a lot of gas for the cost of another car lol.