Need advice: Sell the Taco for a Colorado Diesel

We traded in our 2016 Colorado Z71 diesel in when we picked up the Tacoma. After a year with the baby max, several diesel related sensor issues, two blown inter-cooler hoses, annoying tranny shift points, a host of trim cheapness issues and rattles, our disenchantment with the medium sized chevy reached a breaking point. Modern diesels and their SCR/EGR systems just aren't happy farting around town.

FWIW we also own a 2016 cummins and have owned full sized diesels for years. I have no issues maintaining a diesel and am comfortable with the costs associated with same. The baby max epitomized all that is wrong with modern diesels. I would not touch one of these until they develop a long track record of dependability and serviceability in this Country with all of the added treatment systems that have been tacked on.

 

and to add to the mpg issue. going from a 2004 v8 4runner to a v6 sonata cause back then when gas was $5 a gal, I was thinking I was going to save all this money with a better mpg vehicle. at face value I never took into account the differential. in the end I save maybe $20-$40 a month on gas with the better gas mileage. I was getting 17 mpg in the 4runner but I was only getting about 25 mpg in the sonata.

if you really look at just the gas price difference ...

(I was driving 200 miles every 5 days to work and back M-F)

2004 4Runner
10400 miles a year / 17 mpg = 611 gals
611 gals x $5 gal = $3058 yr

2007 sonata
10400 miles a year / 25 mpg = 416 gals
416 gals x $5 gal = $2080

$3058 - $2080 = $978
$978 / 52 weeks = $18.80 saved per week.

the intangibles you cant figure into that change from a 4runner into a sonata means I should have kept the v8 4runner since the price differential wasnt all that better. that was the last year they made v8 4runners. I never had issues with my 4runner, it had better winter time drivability, etc than the sonata, never had I have to compromise a lot to drive the sonata. ever since, I would never do that again. I hated that sonata for winter time up here, the last straw was getting stuck trying to drive up a slight incline on my driveway and I couldn't even get into the garage.

 

Its not like the third gen Tacoma is the model of reliability though, lets not kid ourselves. It is ranked last in Toyota reliability.

I would own a ZR2 Duramax for sure but not for what they cost. It will be interesting to see how the diesel/SCR parts hold up for the life of the truck. If its like a diesel Mercedes/Sprinter you do NOT want to own one out of warranty.

 

If you are concerned about gas mileage, then I would not buy any truck. If you need a truck, I would get the one you want the most and like the most. I can't imagine you will be towing the boat every day everywhere you go.

 

Let me guess... Consumer Reports? here's one for ya https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/toyota/tacoma/reliability and if you want an explanation of why consumer reports has a hard on for the Tacoma then read this https://www.torquenews.com/1083/con...oma-worst-buy-here-s-what-really-bothers-them

 

But being that they're roughly the same cost, would you take a zr2 duramax over a pro taco?

 

5. How do i "Roll Coal"?

 

No the list was not from CR but unfortunately I can not recall by who. It was posted on this site though. Just a stroll through these pages will tell a story though that this truck is plagued with issues.

 

Do you think the reliability has anything to do with the types of usage. I’m sure more Corollas are used for grabbing groceries and commuting then for hauling stuff behind and in the bed. Plus, the 4WD and other components could be contributing to some issues that pop up. Long term longevity and owner satisfaction is what we are debating.

 

That's a tough one honestly. Ranger Raptor would be my choice LOL. Seriously it would be a coin flip but the nod to the Pro Taco.

 

Everything that has failed/needed attention has been items due to poor quality of parts or software issues not because of use on my truck. Lets take for instance the failing hood bracing,leaking third brake light, door jam rust or the noisy rear diff. Thats just the short list LOL.

 

Hmmm. Last GM vehicle I drove the door handle fell off in my hand when closing the door.

If the engine on the Colorado is good, it’s still going to suck when your wipers don’t turn on or won’t turn off, or when the window won’t roll down or rolls down at random.......I digress.....

 

Hey my last GM vehicle had the possessed wipers too!

 

I agree with the issues you have stated even though they are minimal, fixable mostly, and don’t really affect longevity they are mainly a nuisance. Have you scoured the Colorado’s issue just out of curiousity?

I would be interested to see what minor issues they have. I know the drivability isn’t preferred over the Taco or the capabilities on a day to day basis aren’t as favorable. I would like to know what other quirks they have like our trucks.

 

My brother has a 16 GMC Canyon and he loves it. 20k miles and it’s never been back to the dealer for anything other than oil changes. It’s a z71, and it rides better than the taco and has more power (V6). I hate the interior though.

 

Free hammer in the glove box in case you have to break the door glass to get out in an emergency could be a safety feature (since no one wants/learned to roll down a window). I like simple. It’s less expensive that way

 

Simple solution here is for us to convince Toyota to make a Diesel option for 2020 Tacoma’s.

Well, it’s simple in theory anyway...

 

If you think this type of issues only affects the tacoma/toyota then Id say you are in for a rude awakening.

Every brand / model vehicle I have owned had their own set of quality issues. This situation is also magnified when said product has a forum filled with snowflakes with pitch forks that take any chance they get to pass on the blame and make themselves a victim.

Dont know about you, but my 3G Tacoma has been nothing but SOLID.

 

Get the latest tsb 58-18 update for the ecu and watch your miles go up magically. I went from 16 to 19. Have a lot of hills near me.

 

I don't want to come across as a Tacoma hater as I do really like my truck. I just wish it had more of the old Toyota reliability I remember back in the good ole days. Unfortunately those days are gone for Toyota & other manufactures due to the pencil pushers/bean counters.

Back to the Colorado Duramax I suggest you drive one for a extended time before jumping ship. It is very uninspiring to

Well aware of that as I work in the automotive industry as a Mercedes Technician. I just was commenting that the Tacoma is not without its own issues as I am sure the Colorado/Canyon has its own. I just find it funny when people state that the Tacoma is this perfect/no issue truck.