About to go from Ram to Tacoma

Greetings.

I started a similar thread about a year ago. Basically, I’m looking to downsize. My Ram has been amazing but with kids almost gone it’s just me in the big truck. Barely use it for hauling/towing. So it’s time to downsize to a Tacoma.

Also I have a thing for Manual 6 speed vehicles. Found a brand new 2023 TRD Off Road double cab in the blue crush color, with a 6 speed manual. Just put a deposit down. Supposedly this is one of the last 2023 manuals being built. Of course it’s tight inside after the Ram but I suspect I’ll get used to it. Sure seems easier to maneuver and park.

Anyhoo.. anyone here downsize from a full size truck to the Tacoma, how you liking it so far?

My truck arrives at the dealership next week. Eager to hear some opinions.
Thanks,
Rambandit73

 

Welcome To TW…

 

I had a 17 manual. I think I’d hold out and get a 24 with manual.

 

Welcome to TW.

 

Smaller, less capable, lower quality interior, worse fuel economy and low on power. The size makes it a much nicer daily driver though.

 

Had a 92 3/4 chev and went to a 92 6 cyl 4Runner 5 speed 20 years ago that led to the 99 Tacoma 6 cyl 5 speed I have now.

Went from a 2018 1/2 ton 5.3l chev to the 23 Tacoma 6 cyl I have now.

You’ll miss the power. The ability to just cruise and not have to downshift or get a run at hills.

My only advice, don’t come back in 6 months sour grapes and blame the truck. It’s not gonna haul or be big and comfortable or even maintain 75 mph plus like you’re used to. That’s what you’re selling.

You’ll get meh mpg but have a reliable vehicle that’s easier to park and will have great resale and reputation. That’s what you’re buying.

Of all the vehicles, I prefer the 99 Tacoma.

 

Capability is a matter of perspective. You don’t buy a Tacoma to haul, though I used mine for 16 years to carry 3/4 ton of lumber and tools and could park or squeeze in wherever I wanted. Off road capability, the Tacoma obviously wins if you’re looking for aftermarket or live in a place where full sizes can’t get around as easy (ie lots of trees/tight trails)

I remember well my brother driving his long bed ext cab Cummins downtown to bring me something (which I told him to absolutely stay home in the sticks) and him getting into verbal altercations with people over either cutting traffic islands or having to do 3 point turns around them.

 

I hate to pile on, but several who have test-driven repeatedly a Tacoma and a full-size like the 1500 do come back and say:

The cabin really is too small
The interior is creaky and plasticy and chrome-filled
The transmission gear-hunting really is getting to me

2024 is the first year for the turbo-4 in Tacoma.

I like the size ... I doubt I would have adjusted to a 6-ft doublecab, much less a Tundra (my 250k non-offroad was a 2007 Corolla). Other things bother me but I do not complain, at least here. If I want big I will accept a Tundra ... they will have worked out the kinks in the current Tundra gen by then.

 

Just a few months ago went from 1/2 ton Ram to 2021 Tacoma. Ram had nicer interior, more power, nicer trim (bells n whistles), clearly more space (cab, storage, bed), more hauling capacity.

That being said, I really like the taco. I’m only 5’9 so space inside isn’t as big of a deal. I have two small kids, the car seats and kids fit just fine. 95% city driving by myself. Nearly never hauled a trailer, boat, ATV, etc. So the taco just fits my lifestyle better.

I took the 2 kids tent camping this weekend and thought I wouldn’t have enough room compared to previous truck. Everything fit just fine and I was very happy with the results.

 

I'd test drive a Frontier, Colorado, Ranger, Ridgeline & Tacoma. I know you said 6M but getting older the autos are nice. Nothing beats a full size for all round flexibility. With our 2020 Tacoma long box i't works for our family of 4 with compromises. Mom, Dad, a Teen and a 10 yo.

 

Welcome to TW, that color is going to look nice

 

Fair warning ... several knuckleheads here will be more than happy to help you with suggestions for

 

Thanks for the replies. Really appreciate the perspective. My deposit is refundable if I don’t like the truck, so I’m keeping my options open. I didn’t realize I could still get a manual with the new ‘24s so maybe I’ll wait and see how they look and perform.

I fully realize the amount of power and space I’d be giving up. That’s absolutely legit and it was making the decision difficult. However I truly do want to downsize into a truck that’s easier to maneuver/park and don’t really need all the space even though it’s been super nice having it (especially doing road trips when then the kids were still home.) Lately it’s just me driving back and forth to work in the big truck. Im also super stoked at the possibility of driving a manual (I’m 50 and grew up on stick shifts.)

Do you all think the ‘24s with the 4cyl turbos will be better performers and an overall better truck than the current gen?

Thanks. RB

 

First off, Welcome to the forum! Lots to read and learn if you want to, but also a decent place to just hang out if you don't have the mod addiction.

I downsized from a 2019 Tundra to a Tacoma last November. The ease of driving a Taco compared to a full size is a huge boon, though I do on occasion miss the growl of a bigger engine. I compensated by upgrading my trim and it's been a solid move. If you don't need the heavier hauling or towing of a full size, the Taco is a fantastic truck. The biggest gripe I see come up is the shifting of the automatic transmission, but it hasn't really bothered me much, and it won't be an issue for you in a manual! As long as you stick within Toyota's limits for payload, towing, etc. and don't have delusions of it being anything but slow, you'll do fine. I love it.

As for the 2024.... I wouldn't buy one purely because of the risk of a rough launch that an "all new" vehicle carries with it. Look at the 3rd gen Tundra launch and the headaches of early adopters. Sure, Toyota is getting the kinks worked out and the trucks are getting better, but that was little comfort for those with torn apart trucks in need of early warranty work. Personally, not a risk I'd take when the final model year of the current gen Taco is an option. If you are willing to take that leap, I'll happily follow your journey on here and hope it's a smooth one!

 

Welcome to the forums. I currently own both a taco and a ram and you will definitely feel the lack of power moving down from the full size. You'll get used to it. Before I removed the taco from the road it was indeed convenient driving a smaller truck around parking lots and whatnot. In my opinion, if your considering a 4th gen I would hold off for the first few years as the first few years of new generations have problems and quirks that get worked out after about 3-4 years. If you don't mind constant trips to the dealer for tsb's/recalls and whatnot than by all means get a 24 as it'll all be under warranty. Not saying it WILL happen but tends to happen on first year runs of new models.

 

Thanks for the intel on the ‘24s . This forum is great.

One thing I do like about the one I am thinking of buying - is that it’s the last edition of the V6 with a stick. Personally I’ll always prefer a V6 over a 4 with a turbo.. no replacement for displacement!

 

can't go wrong either way - the current 3rd gen is a great truck and the new 4th gen looks like it'll be awesome too

 

Yep it definitely seems like a great truck. I’m not as concerned with the power loss as I really babied the Ram Hemi. I’m a geezer driver lol. It was definitely tighter inside but I’m sure it’s something I’ll get used to.

 

Less torque, less HP, worse fuel efficiency in the V6 than the 4, and this coming for a guy who owns the truck you have a deposit on.

 

If you know anyone that has a Tacoma, go for a drive with them. That was what did it for me. For perspective I had an SR5 Tundra that I had put slightly larger tires on and upgraded the suspension with Falcon Tow/Haul shocks and coachbuilder shackles. His Tacoma was a 100% stock base model SR with a black appearance package (wheels and fender flares) on it.

I had my Tundra, a buddy had a Taco, and we were elk hunting in the mountains. The Tundra 100% went everywhere the Tacoma would, and the first day we were in my truck. No problems, got everywhere we needed to go. The Tundra is a beast, and I loved it. The second day we went out in the Tacoma, and he had me drive it. Holy crap. It was so much easier to poke around the trails and such because I had options for routes. Both are great trucks. Because I wasn't towing anything large and didn't haul more than a taco could handle, I really did fall for the Taco.

The Tacoma had an easier time on some of the more technical rocky hills because it was narrow enough to move around obstacles, and it's a bit lighter. The Tundra was less finesse and more brute force. It would go through or over whatever the Tacoma went around and, while it worked, the Tacoma was more fun and pleasant.


TLDR: Drove both my Tundra and a buddy's Tacoma in September of 2022 and traded my Tundra on a TRD Pro Tacoma on Black Friday of the same year. I miss the grunt and growl of a V8, but I won't trade the Taco for anything.