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Why did you pick your Tacoma over another choice?

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by NotaTruckGuy, Aug 12, 2020.

  1. Aug 12, 2020 at 7:24 AM
    #41
    xerogs1

    xerogs1 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 27, 2019
    Member:
    #297609
    Messages:
    290
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    New Mexico
    Vehicle:
    2019 TRD OR DCSB AT Silver Sky Metallic
    Bartact Seat Covers, Cali Raised LED molle bed system, radio knobs and Subaru Tweeters, OCD interior parts, OEM Exhaust tip, dash cam, hood protector, various theft deterrent items. Still a WIP
    I spent a lot of time researching trucks before I went with Tacoma and in terms of reliability and capability it outmatched the other trucks I was looking at. I was set on getting a Jeep Gladiator but when it finally showed up on the dealer lot the price point and build quality really pushed me towards a Tacoma. I could get more for less and still make it my own through upgrades. I always knew I needed a truck and I am finding new uses for it all the time, its quite practical. It also fits in my garage where my other options would not.
     
    NotaTruckGuy[OP] and Bamadrifter like this.
  2. Aug 12, 2020 at 7:31 AM
    #42
    ORtoCOTaco

    ORtoCOTaco Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 18, 2020
    Member:
    #316468
    Messages:
    206
    Gender:
    Male
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2018 White Tacoma TRD Off Road DCSB 4x4
    BodyArmor 4x4 HiLine Winch Bumper, Warn Zeon 10-S, Uptop Bravo Roof Rack, ExtremeLED Super Stealth 40" LED Light Bar, DV8 Offroad 20-Inch BRS Pro Series LED Light Bar, Truxedo Roll-Up Tonneau Cover, Automatic Tailgate Lock, Trailgate panel, cheap Amazon ditch lights.
    I'm closely aligned with this. My additional detail:

    • Reliability
      • I don't like replacing vehicles that I grow attached to. I wanted a vehicle that could go 300k with good maintenance. It's my DD for now, and may become my second vehicle down the road, I just want it to keep going.
    • Reputation
      • Along with this comes resale. Blows other similar trucks out of the water.
    • Capability
      • I looked at the Tacoma and the new Ranger. For off-road performance, the Tacoma wins.
    • Looks
      • Eh it's a good looking truck. I think I like the heritage more than I think it's an attractive truck.
    • Aftermarket support
      • I like to off-road and there is no better option for adding things on than the Tacoma. Too many options in some cases.
     
  3. Aug 12, 2020 at 7:33 AM
    #43
    Rockomuchaco

    Rockomuchaco Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 16, 2020
    Member:
    #324890
    Messages:
    75
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Rocky
    Haslet, Tx
    Vehicle:
    2020 TRD OR 4x4 Quicksand
    It had been twenty years since I had owned a Tacoma. I liked it for its size and capabilities. My last three trucks had been f350's and didn't need a fullsize truck any more.
     
  4. Aug 12, 2020 at 7:36 AM
    #44
    QwickC

    QwickC Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2020
    Member:
    #335951
    Messages:
    231
    Gender:
    Male
    OH
    Vehicle:
    2017 Silver Tacoma TRD OR
    This is my 1st Toyota. Several friends have had Toyota. Needed a mid size truck or SUV. My decision was between Tacoma and 4Runner. I needed a daily, hunting, fishing, camping, outdoor, off road capable and looks nice. Tacoma was better decision for me when I wrote pro/cons down and really thought about them. Jumped on forums and anywhere I could to read up before I made decision. Having a bed even 5ft just to toss stuff in without having to worry about it, don't need v8. Wanted quad cab not for passengers in back but for gear. Let's face it if I'm not driving I'm riding shotgun.
    Reliability
    Reputation
    Capable for my needs
    Looks
    After market accessories (like to mod for my needs and make them my own)
    I have Ram 1500 5.7 to fill towing and full size capabilities when needed. 2 other cars for fun.

    Had a Silverado Z71 5.3, motor is solid. 4L60 transmission junk, replaced 2. Rockers, bed cab corners, bed rusted out. Probably be ok if you don't plan to keep them but for couple of years.
    Passed on Colorado and Jeep GC.

    Ended up with 3rd Gen TRD Offroad.
     
    NotaTruckGuy[OP] likes this.
  5. Aug 12, 2020 at 7:38 AM
    #45
    tahoeskitaco

    tahoeskitaco Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2019
    Member:
    #291023
    Messages:
    200
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    KLH
    North Tahoe
    Vehicle:
    2002 SR5 Xtra Cab + 2019 TRD OR Dbl Cab
    Stock. Custom hettich bed slide
    I have a 2002 Tacoma and 2019. I got the 2019 since they still offered a MT.

    I primarily use them for camping/ ski / bike trips.

    Tacoma’s are reliable and are great off-road and in the snow.
     
    NotaTruckGuy[OP] and Junkhead like this.
  6. Aug 12, 2020 at 7:42 AM
    #46
    OdiN1701

    OdiN1701 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2017
    Member:
    #210998
    Messages:
    1,975
    Gender:
    Male
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2017 Quicksand TRD OR DC SB
    There was another choice??
     
  7. Aug 12, 2020 at 7:49 AM
    #47
    ManInTheMaze

    ManInTheMaze Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2017
    Member:
    #221467
    Messages:
    828
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matt
    Mendo
    Vehicle:
    2003 and 2017
    Everything I do, I do for TW
     
    NotaTruckGuy[OP] likes this.
  8. Aug 12, 2020 at 7:50 AM
    #48
    davidstacoma

    davidstacoma Friendly Curmudgeon

    Joined:
    Nov 2, 2019
    Member:
    #309695
    Messages:
    4,652
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    David
    NC
    Vehicle:
    2019 Tacoma SR Access cab - Utility
    *OEM Mods: Intermittent wipers, Fogs, Keyless Entry, Lomax
    1. Reliability - several friends have a lot of miles on their Tacoma’s without any major issues. I’ve had a Ford F-150, S10, GMC, and my last was a 2007 Colorado that started having problems at 130k miles.
    2. Value - trucks are overpriced, I wanted a basic long bed truck and found a new 2019 SR Utility Package perfect for what I needed at a decent price. Toyota needs to include intermittent wipers and keyless entry at the same price on the SR, I had to add those myself.
     
  9. Aug 12, 2020 at 7:52 AM
    #49
    MonsieurHodge

    MonsieurHodge Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 25, 2020
    Member:
    #329341
    Messages:
    421
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Nick
    Carmel Valley, CA
    Vehicle:
    2014 Blue Ribbon TRD Off Road AC 4x4 V6 6MT
    I was torn between the Colorado ZR2 Diesel and this. I was coming out of a Focus RS (lol) because I needed more practicality and I knew I wanted a midsized truck. I had been in performance cars for 5 years (STI's, the focus RS, and a cayman), and I was totally lost on what to really look for in a truck. The reliability of the Tacoma, the popularity and, honestly, the community of enthusiast owners made the decision easier. Not to mention the 0% APR and 5k off MSRP I got from the dealer ;)

    Couldn't be happier.
     
    NotaTruckGuy[OP] and ORtoCOTaco like this.
  10. Aug 12, 2020 at 8:03 AM
    #50
    Chuck X1

    Chuck X1 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2020
    Member:
    #332177
    Messages:
    98
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chuck
    NW Indiana
    Vehicle:
    2020 Tacoma TRD Off Road
    I bought mine for reliability and resale value, although if you check out a few of the posts here (including mine) you’ll find That maybe Toyota is slipping in reliability. Consumer Reports ranks the Tacoma “middle” for reliability. I think the truck overall is well built, but Toyota still has some bugs to iron out. Mine has broken down four times in 90 days and been in the shop over 30 days.
     
  11. Aug 12, 2020 at 8:04 AM
    #51
    OverlandExpress

    OverlandExpress Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2020
    Member:
    #329187
    Messages:
    397
    NE Ohio
    Vehicle:
    2020 Taco TRD PRO
    First time coma buyer...
    Most of the above... but in my case, the coma dealers were more willing to meet my offers than the others.
     
    NotaTruckGuy[OP] likes this.
  12. Aug 12, 2020 at 8:06 AM
    #52
    Bropsyden

    Bropsyden Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2019
    Member:
    #311688
    Messages:
    43
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brian
    Vehicle:
    2019 TRD Off-Road DCSB
    I wanted a truck, but I live in the Hampton Roads area of VA and didn't want to deal with a full size truck in traffic. It's got enough room for my little family, and we're all under 5'7, so it's a good size. I also love the fact that I can go almost anywhere in it.
     
    davidstacoma likes this.
  13. Aug 12, 2020 at 8:18 AM
    #53
    tektaco84

    tektaco84 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 29, 2020
    Member:
    #320681
    Messages:
    59
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tyler
    Winnipeg Canada
    Vehicle:
    '17 Tacoma TRD Sport 4x4 (DCLB)
    Reliability, practicality, quality (for the most part), and resale/trade-in value down the road. It's also nice to look at and pretty fun to drive. The compliments from friends and family are nice, too. :D

    I picked up my '17 in December 2019, a few months after starting the search for my first home. A pick-up seemed like the right move - and it was. Since buying my house in May of last year, I've used this vehicle so many times to haul stuff and it's been invaluable. I debated on a full-size but a Tundra was out of my financial comfort zone and the entries from Ford, GM, and Dodge didn't tickle my fancy much at my desired price range. So, mid-size was the ticket and the Tacoma checked off all the boxes.

    I've also wanted a fishing boat for a while now and so a pick-up seemed like a no brainer. I'm still working on that part, though.
     
  14. Aug 12, 2020 at 8:20 AM
    #54
    STrooper

    STrooper For HIS glory!

    Joined:
    Jan 27, 2019
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    2,131
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    Male
    First Name:
    Jack
    NC
    Vehicle:
    2018 TRD Sport QuickSand / 2020 TRD Sport Cement!
    ^^THIS RIGHT HERE^^ Reliability and resale value is one of the biggest thing in my opinion!:thumbsup:
     
  15. Aug 12, 2020 at 8:22 AM
    #55
    Malvolio

    Malvolio free zip ties for Stun

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2018
    Member:
    #260236
    Messages:
    3,242
    SoCal Dumbgeon
    Vehicle:
    2017 DCSB SR5 2WD
    Reliability and longevity (also, the reputation of reliability and longevity), styling, the huge aftermarket for vehicle modifications compared to Ford, Chevy, etc.

    I’d say that in my region, Southern California, many buyers also have fewer hang ups on the outdated concept of “American” v. “Foreign” automotive products (they’re all globalized). That’s not to say that people don’t have brand loyalty for Toyotas, it’s just that their loyalty comes from a different source.

    It’ll be difficult to speak broadly and accurately about a place like Texas—which has something close to 40M people—without talking about regional differences. The city and the country trend differently.

    Get out of the Gotham sometime, city slicker!
     
  16. Aug 12, 2020 at 8:24 AM
    #56
    Lawfarin

    Lawfarin Who me?

    Joined:
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    First Name:
    Beetle Juice
    NY
    Vehicle:
    2024 GMC Sierra
    Price was it for me. Wanted another fullsized but was going through a divorce at the time. Could of still got a fullsized but wouldn’t of had some of the features I wanted. There wasn’t a lot of competition in the midsize at the time so Tacoma was really the only choice. I had a frontier previously and buying the same exact truck 3 years later wasn’t going to do it for me. I had a 2003 Tacoma years ago and liked it. Toyota finally after 11 years made a somewhat new Tacoma. However this Tacoma isn’t anything special. I don’t care for the powertrain in it. If the Ranger was available at the time I probably would of got that instead. By spring I’ll probably end up having a new truck and it won’t be another Tacoma.
     
    Last edited: Aug 12, 2020
    jetfishn and NotaTruckGuy[OP] like this.
  17. Aug 12, 2020 at 8:25 AM
    #57
    VirusCage

    VirusCage Overwhelmed with fun

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2017
    Member:
    #223232
    Messages:
    1,468
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    First Name:
    Bruce
    Allison Park, PA
    Vehicle:
    2017 TRD Sport DCSB 6MT 2015 Highlander XLE
    Hood deflector, window vent visors, stainless steps, kb voodoo bedrack, bed cubby cap seals, meso ext fuse cover, meso lower switch panel, 4xhella horns, power tray aux panel, 2wd lo mod, rear FU lights, bed led lights, BPF SKID and Hook, rear view mirror usb power ports, front and rear dash cam, front and rear cam anytime mod, cherry air freshener! Anytime 400watt, inside 110v outlet, BPF Skid plate, BPF shackle mount,
    1. Test drove other midsized, none fit my height awesome, but the Tacoma was best
    2. The price when I bought was competitive for what I got.
    3. Manual transmission, 4wd
    4. I have had very good luck with Toyotas and Hondas (but better with toyota the last 10 years)
    5. Trim level didn't concern me too much. I have lockers on my land cruiser and to be honest, I don't use them much. If I were seriously offloading then I would have cared more.
     
  18. Aug 12, 2020 at 8:25 AM
    #58
    4x4spiegel

    4x4spiegel Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    #281807
    Messages:
    5,063
    Mr OP , lot of info here . hope you post your write up for us members . have a good day
     
  19. Aug 12, 2020 at 8:29 AM
    #59
    Toy1985gc

    Toy1985gc Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2015
    Member:
    #157815
    Messages:
    419
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    Male
    First Name:
    G
    Vehicle:
    2020 TRD Sport 4WD DCLB Tech Pckg Cement
    3 & 1 leveling kit 32 BFG KO's x17 Method Roost wheels/ TRD Skid
    This was my second Tacoma, came from a 2013 and now have a 2020. Reliability and resale value was a big factor in buying a second Tacoma. I was originally gonna upgrade to Tundra. I was set on going from my 13 Tacoma to 20 Tundra.

    After much research, considering horrible gas milage on Tundra. I purchased my second Tacoma as I had such great luck / experience with my 2013 Tacoma.

    Another member mentioned this, and I agree hands down and have been saying the same thing- Toyota makes a great product . However, lack of technology and always being late to the game/ race is very disappointing. Sad to say, even GM & Ford have better tech packages . That’s my only 2 cents .
     
  20. Aug 12, 2020 at 8:35 AM
    #60
    EchoDeltaSierra

    EchoDeltaSierra Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2015
    Member:
    #153078
    Messages:
    415
    Gender:
    Male
    Georgetown, TX
    Vehicle:
    2020 TRD Off-Road
    Nitro 4.88 gears OME suspension ST/Maxx 255/85R16s
    Just bought my second Tacoma in 2020; upgraded from a 2010. I looked at several mid-size options and these were my primary factors that kept me in a Tacoma.

    Interior - Compared to the Ranger or Colorado, the fold flat seats and interior layout is far superior for an adventure/utility vehicle.
    Wheel base - I was considering a Tundra and we rented one a couple of times to see if full-sized was for us... nope.
    Mods - Lots and lots of options available.
    Reliability - not just US auto reliability, but global reliability.
     
    davidstacoma likes this.

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