If Buying Today, Would You Still Choose the Tacoma?

Right now I would buy the Tacoma again because I liked it the best out of the mid sized trucks I looked at and test drove. I wanted a mid sized so it would fit in my garage. It's fun to drive and handles all the light hauling and towing I do.

When I get the itch for a new truck I will look at everything that's available and buy what I like. I'm not married to Toyotas even though we have two now.

 

I recently was in a similar position, I also heavily considered the ford ranger (and a few others not on your list like the honda ridgeline and nissan frontier). Quite simply, for the money the tacoma has a great reputation for capability and reliability. I spend alot of time on old dirt tracks trying to find hidden trails in the mountains, I need something that won't let me down in +30 or -30 degree (celcius) weather. And I can sleep in the back with the 6 foot bed.

Its early days for me (6000km), but I'm so far really happy with it and would buy exactly the same again. This winter I'm hoping to drive up to the arctic ocean to see polar bears and the northern lights, I have every confidence that this truck will do so safely and without fuss.

 

I'm still on the fence. For $18K I could have a nice GX with a mild lift and the bulletproof 4.7 V8. But with a new Taco, 6-Speed MT!

 

You will get sick of the manual in traffic. Lol

 

I got my truck back July 19, so I had roughly 2 months with the Nissan Frontier.

I did like the truck, though I'd get an access cab (Ideally a single cab but IDK if that's an option) versus the double cab I had. More truck than I have need of in that regard. The V6 was nice but I'm happy with the 4 cylinder.

I'd have to research the brand in current days before really deciding if that would be a potential purchase but I didn't hate it. Didn't have a lot of frills but that's okay with me.

 

Not to mention the Tacoma manual just doesn’t feel all that good compared to other manual transmission vehicles

 

Right this moment? Nah.

The MT is perfectly fine. It's a truck, not a sports car.

In 16, I had much the same needs as the OP and made the choice, and don't regret it. That said, 'among other midsize', that's still the truck I'd get.

If the Tundra comes with a PHEV in 22, it'd be pretty tempting. Or maybe just the R4P with my name on it, right now we're keeping it for paved use but without the Taco, I'd get a flatbed trailer for hauling light amounts of things, and make it a little bit more offroad worthy.

 

I looked at the ranger. And I've never seen such a feminine looking truck. The interior looks like a Honda civic and the exterior looks like a ford escape. Couldn't pay me to drive that ugly thing. Every chevy my family has owned was just a pile of junk. Interior falling apart and paint fading and broke down frequently.
Every toyota truck I have owned (4) has been solid and ultra reliable.
This is not even a debate. Toyota hands down.

 

I’d look at the Tundra and the Gladiator very seriously. Not sure if I’d buy another Tacoma today.

 

I never did and that was driving for 20yrs in nyc traffic and then 10 in la.

THAT being said when I got the 17 taco I went auto mainly because of the better towing capacity and when in sand the auto is better.

***The KD Max tune has been a game changer, the hunting transmission bullshit is gone.

 

I agree, the manual is annoying in traffic. But, my better-half teleworks and wants me to drive her automatic Sonata daily becuase it is much better on gas than anything I would buy. So, I'm not too worried about that sore left leg feeling.

 

Options are nice. When my truck was at the dealer I initially had a 2019 or 2020 Chevy Malibu. Didn't care for it much but I gotta say 40mpg from a gasser isn't horrible

 

Nope. Would not buy another 3rd gen. After 3 years of ownership, I sold mine and I won’t be getting another one.

I love all the Toyota trucks up to the 3rd gen, so when I get another truck I’ll just get one of those.

it’s not like there are other mid size trucks on the market that I would want. I think the mid-size market as it is right now is not very impressive.

until there is an EV or hybrid mid-size (and on the smaller size of mid-size) truck. Count me out.

 

No shit. The number of people that go on and on about how awesome it is, and I'm thinking...you guys are out of your mind, it's sloppy and finicky at the same time.

The most precisely functioning and absolute joy to drive manual transmissions that I've ever owned were in my 1970 MGB and 1988 RX7. The Tacoma shifts more like a school bus.

 

Two years ago I traded in my 2011 std cab Tacoma 4x4 "work truck" with a 4 cyl and manual transmission. The 4 cyl. manual was HORRIBLE on the freeways with our 75MPH speed limits in Michigan and it sucked for towing anything. I replaced it with my 2017 TRD Sport access cab. Not sure I could ever go back to a 4 cylinder or a manual again but I would definitely look at a 4th gen Tacoma when they eventually come out. The six Toyotas we've owned have been the most reliable vehicles.

 

Nope...not a chance.

 

The 4 Cylinder 5 Speed MT was discontinued after 2017 anyway.

 

I hate the “it’s a truck, not a sports car” such a stupid argument. As if since it’s a truck it should just automatically be shitty or something

 

Of course I would buy again. There are only 2 options to choose from IMHO. The Tacoma or the Gladiator, every other truck or soon tobe trucklet on the market are slushy tranny only. Life is too short to not get what you want. I'll be driving a toaster soon enough...

 

I had 2007 2.7 MT 5-lug standard cab, and it was great. I never had any issues with highway miles on it. Traded it in in 2017 with no issues and all Original equipment