Am I crazy? Considering trading my '18 F250 for '19 Tacoma Off Road

Drop the Ford, Take the Tacoma.

 

Good morning, I also didn't read thru the whole thread yet. I had a 2016 Tacoma SR DCSB with the 2.7L. I loved it but wanted more power and also thought I needed more space inside and out. Went to a Ram dealership back in March of this year just to test drive and ended up driving home with a 2018 Ram 1500 Laramie crew cab short bed. I loved the extra power and all the fancy goodies the Laramie package adds. Only issue is I work downtown and my parking garage is very tight. I had to fold the mirrors in and buy a shorty antenna because the truck just wouldn't fit otherwise. I also never really used that extra space as it's usually just me or one other person in the truck. In November I finally decided it was just too big for me. After looking at multiple SUVs I ended up at a Toyota dealership where I saw a Cement TRD Sport. It made me miss my old Taco so much I test drove it right after driving a RAV4. I went home to sleep on it and talk things thru with the gf. She reminded me how much I loved the old Taco and that I probably wouldn't be happy in an SUV. So a few days later I went to a different Toyota dealership and ended up driving home with my MGM Sport. I love it. It feels like driving a sports car compared to the Ram. Driving and parking it at work is also much better.

I did lose out when trading the Ram in. Still owed ~$35k on it and only got ~$33k. I paid that off with part of my down payment on the Taco. But I'm much happier with the Taco so I feel it was worth the loss.

 

You forget that half the people in this forum don't own 3rd gens (or even Tacoma's).

 

Exact same experience here, except I've had plenty of trucks, which makes it worse. I'd keep the Ford if I were you. I'm going back to Jeep. Tacomas just don't do it for me.

 

Boring. Amen!!! So sad. Way back in the early 90's my roommate had the taco version of that era with a manual tranny. It was light and quick. Fun to drive. The taco now is the same size as my previous 04 f150 but doesnt have the same benefits sadly and not nearly as fun to drive. Toyota take note!

 

...^^^... I loved those earlier Toyota trucks (1980's and early 1990's) .... especially with the R-22 engines and 4 speed manual.

Mine even had single wall bed sides and a single wall tailgate side .... very light and quick and fun to drive.

 

Max tow

• For towing up to 12,200 lbs.
• Includes:
  • 3.55:1 electronic-locking rear axle
    • Changes to 3.73:1 electronic-locking rear axle if ordered with Heavy-duty Payload Package (627)
  • 4-/7-pin wiring harness
  • Auxiliary transmission oil cooler
  • Class IV trailer hitch receiver
  • Integrated trailer brake controller
  • Pro Trailer Backup Assist with tailgate LED (47E; optional on 100A Fleet only and 101A)
  • Smart Trailer Tow Connector (std. on Lariat and higher)
  • Upgraded front stabilizer bar
  • Upgraded rear bumper
• Requires:
  • 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine

 

Agree 100%

 

I did it with no regrets. You will have to adjust with storage and I really suggest you get the long bed but if you decide to keep the F250 I have quite a lot of after market parts

 

That thing is a beast. What made you switch to a Tacoma?

 

why are the pair of boots the only thing with a spec of dust on them?

 

Good info. I still won’t do 12k with mine. Lol.

 

I know it’s crazy but the F250 radiator cracked at 17k and then the water pump went out at 35k and with it being a diesel I could not trust it’s reliability
It was under warranty but what do I do after that runs out

 

Personally, if I was coming from a 2500, I'd test drive a 1500 v8 chevy, f150 and tundra. No turbo bullshit. Simple v8 double cab short bed with a locking diff added. Then try the tacoma last and see if you still want one.

 

Could you guys go over to the Ford forum and discuss your Ford truck's towing setups over there? Thank You.

 

Personally I would not tow over 8k on any 1/2 ton built semi floating rear axles, that is their weakness...I want a full floating axle on anything in excess of the 8k for towing.

 

Why no turbo's I had the 3.5 and it is truly the only engine for the truck unless you go with the 2.7 for a little better fuel economy. I was getting 21 mpg on the highway, 17 town driving with the 3.55 locker max tow package screw sport 4x4. It pulled my trailer better than the 5.0 that I had just prior to it.

The only reason I went to the Taco is it fits better in my garage and I did not want the $55k in my driveway for one more winter.

 

Hello OP,

(all my own opinion and thoughts below, simply wanted to share)

I had a similar experience and wanted to share my thoughts. Since 2003, I have owned 8 different Toyota trucks, 6 Tundras and 2 Tacoma. The best part about them, I honestly never was negative on any trade/deal I made which I think speaks volumes of the market value of a Toyota truck. In 2008, I drove every full size truck offered (except Nissan) and decided to go with my first Tundra. In 2014, I test drove every full size truck again, and again decided to go with Tundra. I was on the fence with a GMC Sierra then, but due to the cost/trade differences the Tundra worked out better for me. Sorry for the long story, but wanted to provide you some background. For a family, the Tundra works really well in the double cab size (imo)..its on the larger size for the double cabs on the market (not quad, but extended). When the Gen3 Tacoma came out, I knew I wanted to drive it and see how it compared to my Gen1. I also knew I wanted a manual transmission, which really narrows down your choices for trucks. Overall, I really like the Gen3 Tacoma after owning it for about a year. I only town/haul a few times a year and my trips are typically less than 200 miles.

I have listed a few things below for you to consider:

Pros:
- Manual Transmission Option (very limited selection for manual transmission)
- Size and maneuverability
- Off road capability
- Value, one of the highest residual value vehicles on the market

Cons:
- Engine feel/performance (the engine performs at higher rpm, limited low end torque)
- Towing capability (compared to full size, but is expected)
- Manual Transmission availability (quad cab with 6' bed would be nice)


Let me know if you have any further questions, I'd be happy to help.

 

Having purchased 15 of these for our fleet some years ago, we got a wide sample of what "Built Ford Tough" means. None of what you said sounds crazy - we had issues with almost every single one of those F250s.

 

I just like the simplicity of a V8. Less crap to break and as with most any engine made, a larger engine barely working lasts much longer than a smaller engine working much harder. Stress, load, heat, etc all cause wear. Also, no one is retiring early saving a few mpg. A $40-60k truck isn't a good investment no matter what. Lastly, who doesn't like the sound of a V8?!