Purchasing a New Tacoma--what to watch for?

Hello,
I am considering purchasing a new Tacoma and would like to get opinions on what to look for, what's important to people. I am coming from a Ford Super Duty. I am looking to downsize the truck and I simply don't need the Super Duty, which is essentially a purpose-built heavy towing vehicle. The Tacoma would be used for daily commuting (up to three people), picking up construction materials, and towing a utility trailer (GWR 3500lbs). I'm very interested in the manual transmission because I do miss having a manual transmission. I'm looking for something that can go off-road to access fields and hunting land, but certainly not rock crawling or anything high speed. I'm looking for feedback on the different options that are available. For example, are the halogen headlights acceptable (or are they horrendous like they are on a Super Duty)? Is there anything to gain or lose when changing bed length (on a Super Duty this changes the fuel tank size substantially)? Thanks for your input.

 

I went from a 2018 Ford F-250 Gaser to the Tacoma. I no longer needed the towing power since I bought a Class C Motorhome. I like the automatic but I am getting up in age so it works for me. I will say the fuel economy will be much better in the Tacoma I average around 19 my 250 got around 11. I miss the big truck some but the midsize is all I need. I also know that the Tacoma will go off road much better than the 250, to much weight.
Good Luck!

 

Bed length changes wheel base by about 14", that's about it.

 

Welcome to TW. Find a quiet time and start searching and reading. More stuff here than you ever want to know.

G.

 

If your going to tow 3500 lbs, you'll be sorry!!

 

Really? 3500 lbs is well within the tow rating, isn't it? Even so, I'm talking about occasionally around town, not everyday.

 

Gamason told you the truth. Believe him.

G.

 

Ok, I'm just trying to understand what he's saying. You can't tow a utility trailer or jon boat with a tacoma? Why?

 

it will pull 3500. Now its not going to pull 3500 like a real truck but it will do the job

 

I would recommend giving one a thorough test drive. Power is not bad but a lot seem to forget what they are buying and are disappointed. I love my manual transmission but it drives like a truck and not my manual Subaru. It can be slightly fatiguing at times if doing lots of city driving. You also lose a multitude of options such as long box (6') as well as push button start, factory remote start and proximity key etc. I come from years of shit boxes so have still upgraded by far. Factory halogen projectors are not bad but weak compared to other brands. However given it is a projector a set of drop in HID's make a world of difference without much work. I cannot speak for towing but imagine you would be able to pull 3,500# just fine. I would highly recommend installing an add a leaf. Suspension is soft and likes to bounce around. I love the simplicity of these trucks.

 

Do not buy a Tacoma if you’re towing 3500lbs. Like they said above. It can be done but you will not be happy.

 

Welcome aboard!
It will do what you need it to do. It will certainly tow your trailer. As long as you are aware it’s not a full size truck, you’ll be fine. I don’t love my headlight output, if I were buying new I would get the led lights, but they aren’t the worst.

 

If you get the manual 3500 won’t be as bad. Just don’t go bigger then 33s. It’s true Tacoma’s don’t like pulling things or pulling other trucks out.

get the manual throw some aggressive 33s on it and call it a day. Or do a regear and go as big as you want and you can tow.

 

yes, you can. However, you won't be very happy and neither will the truck. It will struggle, but it will do it. ECT on, S mode, and 3rd and 4th gear. Also you'll be lucky to get around 11 MPG.

Not my opinion. Fact.

G.

 

prepare for the weird shifting transmission which seems to be a common complaint. I test drove an SR last year and although it was a short test drive I knew to expect some oddness with it if I bought the truck.

I didnt buy it and waited to get a nice used 2nd gen within my budget

 

Are you towing everyday or every week or once a month? What part of the country? Any major passes or mountains you will be going over alot?

I have a 2nd gen manual (2015) and I am so glad I got it. I was also missing shifting through gear and for me definitely helps while towing.

I tow this every other week usually, sometimes over 800 miles one way. I've towed heavier with not much a problem. I dont know how much the camper weight but have no problem. MPG drops from 19-21 to 13-16. I haven't taken it out west but travel alot in the windy mountain roads in Western North Carolina.



I know the 3rd gens are a bit different like different engis but im very happy. I came from a 1995 2wd automatic tacoma to a 2015 4x4 manual last year. Still have the 95, love that truck and this one

 

Won't be weird shifting with a manual transmission which is what the poster said they were leaning towards. Im also guessing s mode isn't in the standard shift but don't know because I don't know what it is

 

The Tacoma is a marginal tow vehicle. That said, an occasional 3,500 lbs, on a utility trailer that's low and not catching air like a travel trailer,,, you'll be fine. You'll definitely want a brake controller, but you probably already know that.

As mentioned, definitely go test drive. These things are built and tuned for maximum efficiency, not performance. The engine has power, but in the upper rpm range, when not "on it" the transmission is upshifting until it runs out of gears. I like the way the truck drives, and understood what I was buying,,,,, some around here? Not so much.

 

This is true only if comparing Double Cab short bed vs Double Cab long bed.

 

OP
I too came from a F250 and was going to order a new one but thought as you state.
Age60 didnt really need a big truck and this taco appeared on the radar for cheap.

I really want to like my trd pro but it certainly is not a big truck.
If given the chance i would trade/sell the taco for a big truck again.

That said if you want to tow or carry human size passengers in the back i would not get a taco
Good luck