Need help before purchase

Hey guys thinking about picking up a Tacoma but got a few questions first. I am currently driving an 04 f150 4x4 with a 6inch lift , its a very nice truck but gas is killer right now. What kind of real world MPG are you guys getting? I drive all over florida for softball tournaments so I really gotta save on the gas money. I also tow my boat about once a week. Need a quad cab. Leather would be a plus. May want to do a little 3inch or level in the future. What would you guys recommend on me getting for my needs? Also what kind of price should I expect to pay? Any help at all would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Chris

 

anyone?

 

Assuming you keep with a 4x4, from what I've read here, here and here most folks are averaging 16-18 mpg stock. The last link above has poll data going back to 2007. Lift it a bit and put on some heavier tires and you're likely looking at 15-16mpg all around. Go a bit mod crazy and you'll probably be pretty close to what you're getting now.

I can say these trucks will get damned good gas mileage if you work at it (see my Fuelly below) but it ain't easy.

 

The best I have got so far was 23.4 on a trip with no stops going around 65-70 mph. But on an average I get around 19 mpg. If your looking for a truck with leather, I don't think the Tacoma's come with leather. Some guys on here mod there's with aftermarket leather. But if you go with a Tacoma you won't regret it, the fuel mileage is well worth it IMO! Good luck!

 

I have an 08 TRD/OR, DC - stock. I avg 18 mpg in suburban driving. 20 mpg hwy (only a few long trips). Have never towed.

 

Yeah I kind of have to have the 4x4 since I do tow, never know if anythings gunna happen lol. Yeah I dont mind getting an aftermarket leather, after some searching I saw some people with the trd leather covers and those look pretty nice. My main thing I wanna improve on is my MPG on the highway and I think a tacoma will help!

 

Do yourself a favor. Take the number of miles you can expect to drive on a annual basis. Divide that number by your current mpg, and by what you can expect to get with a Tacoma. Pick 18 for the Taco, extreme accuracy on the number isn't the point here. Take the difference in gallons you would expect to buy with your Ford, and (assuming that is more than with a Taco), subtract the number of gallons you would buy with the Toyota. Take this number and multiply it by $3, just for an approximate gas price. Take the resulting number and divide it by 52. This is the money you would "save" weekly, if you were to ditch your truck and buy the Tacoma.

Compare this number with what you would have to spend to get into a Tacoma, specifically one that you like. Lift, leather, DC, I know you have wheels and tires on that F-150. Lot of money, huh? To save not so much money, right?

People get wrapped around the axle when they talk about gas prices/mileage. I traded in a Tahoe a few years back, on a brand new '05 Corvette. Gas prices were high then, everyone was dumping SUVs, and the sales guy started the spiel about how there was no value for my Tahoe. I told him to stop, told him that I had run the numbers like I mentioned above, and that the difference between $3 and $4 gas for that Tahoe was $50/month. And if he wanted to stick it in my keister to "save" me that $50, he had the wrong guy. He look surprised, and told me that no one ever gets the calculator out. Do yourself a favor, and make the right decision. Tacos are great, but make sure you're buying one for the right reason.

 

I know what you mean man and I totally understand that the amount I would save would not be the great but another reason for selling my truck is it is just not practical for everyday use and the driving I do around town and long trips. Even for my towing I only tow a 17ft boat which I think I dont really need an f150 to tow that. I may be wrong though and may be it would not be worth it for me to get one. Gotta think about it lol

 

Well, there are needs, and there are wants. Figure out which this is, and that will guide your thought processes a little better. Good luck.

 

mileage on a tacoma sucks. I would trade in for a newer f150. you can expect 16-18 on a v6 tacoma (autotranny), 14-16 manual. anyone who tells you they get better are lying/driving under the speed limit at all times, and ONLY travel on the highway.

 

guess im keeping my truck than lol

 

yeah but, they have a standard shift option. and well, its a toyota truck, i mean come on

 

I drive 120 miles round trip to work every day. With cruise set at 70 I am getting 23mpg with my prerunner.

 

mans thats really good, in my f150 im not getting anywhere near that

 

I did notice a small increase with my mods.

 

is urs a 4x4?

 

No. Prerunner

 

Is there a sticky anywhere on the difference between all these trucks? I feel like theres a million different models lol

 

Your best bet is to spend a little time on the Toyota website an learn all you can. There is quite a few packages to choose from.

 

Any advice or preferences on a package for towing and 4x4. Yeah I will do some reading, thanks alot for the help bro