Another One of Those Before I Pull The Trigger Threads…

Most hard tonneau covers can be opened so as to not obstruct the bed. They are also more secure than a little layer of vinyl

 

Can you tell me which Chicago dealer you used? I'm from Chicago and all local dealers are asking way over MSRP.

 

Just bought a 2020 Sport at the end of last year, $34,500 with 35,000 miles on it. My first truck in a long time and loving it. Especially the MT. Could have got an Off-Road for around the same price but honestly like the color of this one. I do not do much off roading unless I am on some dirt roads headed out to the Mountain Bike trail. I have a Gator hard tonneau cover on it, I like it because it sits flush with the bed, plus a bit more secure than the roll ups. But I don't have access to the whole bed because of it. It is easy on and off if I need it though but truly I do not do a lot of "truck Stuff". There are some hard covers that fold up against the back window to give full access to the bed though. I found my cover on Facebook Market Place locally. A lot cheaper than new and in Like new condition. Would recommend you look there first as there always seem to be a lot of options. As far as fuel economy, I get what's advertised... But I assumed that going in.

 

They only have 1 that is marked down now.

 

BTW, I am in the Metro Detroit area, seems like there are always trucks around here, and Kalamazoo
seems to have a big community of them there

 

Thanks. I dislike silver cars, wanted a white or black Taco, but this silver looks excellent actually.

 

They're really easy to work with, pricing doesn't look as good as it was but could be due to where we are at in the calendar year. I worked with Stephen the sales manager and Tyrese if he is still there in sales. Both good guys, finance was in and out in 4 minutes. Asked if I wanted a warranty or anything, I said no he printed off papers.

 

Dammit. Quoted wrong person.
They are near Chicago. I got mine here January of 2022.

https://smartpath.stcharlestoyota.n...eries=tacoma&source=t3&zipcode=60174&type=new

 

As far as the tonneau cover, the oem tacoma one, thats a tri-fold is pretty good, but on the heavy side. I've had one on my truck since march of 2020, and its held up great.

 

Wow, thanks for all the replies! I appreciate it---good info…

It was tempting to wait for a hybrid but I'm guessing they will be a lot more money and I'm at the end of my budget with a Sport or Off Road. I should buy stock in Exxon with my every-other-day fill-ups in my Wrangler. It usually runs around 20 mpg.

I don't buy a new rig very often but I definitely want to buy one that is physically on a lot. I got in touch with one dealer who had what I wanted on their website but when I checked, it was gone. They said they are working on a five month backlog. At least some of the websites show the Tacos supposedly "in transit." Others are being built But when they get here, who knows.

I may end up with a roll up cover. I will be hauling some things---a motocross bike, mountain bike, garbage can, etc. Something that locks might be nice at times but I probably won't be putting a whole lot in the back that's worth stealing.

He's a great neighbor. I spend $800 on stone for HIS driveway and so far, he's bought a couple scoops.

My eyes are wide open and I plan to drive both. I've been bouncing around in a Wrangler for seven years, so I can take a good thumping if I do go with the sport.

Still hoping to score a 2023, just for the "old school" good looks. At least from the photos I've seen online, the newer ones are a little more too "futuristic" with the grilles and headlights and whatnot. I gave the Nissan Frontiers a look but they just left me cold.

I am a little guy (5'8" and 142 pounds of mean man) and comfort is a concern. What I like about the Jeep is that I kind of sit up straight with my feet more downward than outward, almost like sitting in the dining room chair. I do have to revisit the seat height and whatnot and drive more than around the parking lot. I measured the front of the seat height at about 11.5 inches and the Jeep is 13 inches. If my leg will be outstretched pushing on the go pedal all day, it could be an issue with my hip/sciatic.

I didn't take note about the tires, other than the sizes. I think the Sport comes with Toyo's. I doubt OEM equipment will be very aggressive but probably more like all season or at best, all-terrain? I couldn't find much info on line about what tires come as original equipment and it may vary by region. I've been running Firestone Destination AT's on the Jeep with pretty good luck as far as traction and durability goes.

That's exactly what I did on the Jeep!

I'm probably 95%+ roads/highway and while a rear locker might be nice on occasion, I think I can get by with low range and a good set of tires.

 

If I was looking for something to put a lot of road miles on I'd be looking at an SUV like a Subaru, unless you really need the bed.

 

I definitely need the bed. We've been packing two adults, a Bull Terrier, a big Yeti cooler and a weekend's worth of clothes, food, fishing gear, etc. into a Mazda CX-5 at least every other weekend. And I have a motocross bike I want to haul along with a lot of other stuff that's on my "to haul list."

 

Regarding your trade in - take it to Carmax. A buddy of mine got a significantly better quote on a jeep from them. He took it to the dealership who said they wouldn’t match.

 

Thanks for the tip---JD Power gave it a value of $18,000 with a "rough rating." The stealership offered me $12,000. There is always Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist…

 

Consider joining our Wisconsin Tacomas group.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/wisconsin-tacomas-and-bad-financial-advice.21543/page-1300

 

Also for sure play with the seat at the dealership because I find the seats comfortable but had to get front seat jackers to raise the front end of the seat to avoid back pain. I'm 5'11

 

I love my tuned Sport with a manual transmission.

The Sport does not easily support two batteries under the hood, the other models have room for a second on the passenger side near the firewall. Also that worthless air dam on the hood gets in the way of seeing what's right in front of you when up in the mountains rock crawling. All Tacomas need one of those aftermarket "tunes" you will see mentioned in the forums to bring out the power and drivability. Automatics seem to have more problems than the manuals I've read on here, but a tune may solve those also. You will want to read the threads that list all of the "mods" you need to do, such as the "2LO" mod if you will be towing anything since reverse is geared way too high from the factory.

I love my Diamondback tonneau but it is nearly top of the line, it can carry two quads side by side, rated at something like 1500 pounds of max weight.

 

Off topic but, I agree no matter what get a tune... looking at my bio you can probably guess which one I think is the better option

 

Absolutely second the recommendation of the Diamondback for covers. If you’re getting it for security, durability, and waterproofing then there really isn’t a better one out there. Lifetime warranty is a plus too. I bought their light for the interior of the cover a few months back and the adhesive wasn’t working well, they even sent me a whole new light bar to replace, no questions asked. Fantastic company. Price is expensive, but they have an outlet section with the same warranty on all of the covers there too. Worth every penny, if you got the $ to spend upfront.

 

I hated the idea of a tonneau cover until I found out about DiamondBack covers and it changed my view on them. The cost was a bit much, however the security and versatility was well worth the cost. I’ve had my HD for a bit over 3 years now and no regrets or complaints.