2023 Tacoma DCLB

Long time lurker.....Have had my eye on a 2023 SR5 DCLB for a while and feel this may be the last chance to get a new NA V6 that isn't a Nissan. Have no real need for the bed outside of homeowner stuff and have another "baby" car so it would be a daily vs family ride.

Having a tough time deciding whether or not the Long bed is worth loosing 4x4. No real off road plans but something tells me that would be a regret to get a 4x2. Plan to keep it till the wheels fall off.

Ultimately 4x4 DCLB is the goal, but with dwindling options and a 40K plus tag, May have to settle for either 4x4 short bed or a 4x2 LB. Looking for the experiences of members here to get out of this paralyzing experience of car shopping combined with what seems to be the worst time in recent memory to have to buy a car.

Things I've learned so far from TW.....

White as a color is a ticking timebomb
Anything at MRSP is great, below is amazing but rare
AC Mod seems like the first logical thing to do

Things that make me hesitant from TW.....

Another 4runner is awfully appealing considering it is JAPAN made (wifes current ride)
Concerning posts about driveline vibrations
Concerning posts about finish on a 40k vehicle


Need to replace my current Accord within 2/3 months

Thought about just getting another sedan and calling it a day but have always wanted a Taco and every other sedan I looked at (Camry, is300, ES) are all close enough to price in my mind to justify the extra $$$. The resale of a Taco also has me thinking even if this isn't it, the hit will be small come trade in time if so.

Thanks!

 

The DCLB is a great option if a larger bed would benefit you....but since you said you have no real need for the bed outside homeowner stuff, that to me says go with the 4x4 DCSB. If you have any doubts about 4x2, I'd definitely go with 4x4.

 

Get another 4Runner….also interesting takes on your TW observations lol

 

You won't regret getting the DCLB.

 

This was my initial thought but I don't live somewhere it snows (FL) & by the time we possibly move back to a climate that does I could justify trading whatever we eventually get in for a Full size. Right now slight edge is to the Long Bed seeing as I think I could use the extra room more times than I would need the 4x4 with no real off roading planned.

Every time I see the 40k on the price tag I more and more lean towards this in that I would be able to get a CPO or light used Limited for 33-36 and still come out at the same price more or less after tax and interest % on used vs new. Part of me still thinks I would be giving up a lot of possible utility use out a bed vs. having two of the exact same vehicles

Appreciate the insights.

 

Long bed has an noticeably worse turning radius. Be honest with yourself and ask what homeowner stuff you can do with a 6ft bed that you can’t with a 5ft bed. I have a DCSB, use it for homeowner stuff, both beds require the tailgate to be down to haul 4x8 plywood so I’ll let you guess how I feel about it.

AC drain mod is highly dependent on where you live. I live in CO, it’s dry enough for me not to worry and snowy/cold enough for me to prefer it doesn’t freeze shut when I have my defroster on in the winter. I didn’t bother with that “life hack”.

Trigger warning: white is ugly AF and the Super White is the only current color with paint issues based on what you read around here. Get a real color and you won’t regret it, that’s pretty straightforward to me.

Last but not least, a sedan is gonna be way more comfortable in every way.

 

Personally I feel the 4x4 will have a much higher resale value if you ever plan on selling it/trading it in the future. Plus you never know when the 4x4 will come in handy such as driving onto the beach or in snow.

I have a short bed and the only regret I have not getting a long bed is for camping in the back. Other than that the short bed has served me well for typical home owner use

 

If you are just using the bed for homeowner stuff then I’m not sure it’s really worth it. Sure, you’re giving up some utility use, but you’re also gaining some versatility and usage from the cargo area of a 4Runner. If I didn’t have a camper in the bed of my Tacoma I would be driving a 4Runner (or even a lifted RAV4 ) , no question.

 

My advice is to get the long bed. I had an F-150 for a long time before getting a 22 DCLB. I never used it or my new truck for anything other than homeowner stuff. But that includes buying 8 foot plywood and sheet rock, fence posts and more recently helping kids move into apartments (and also Boy Scout Christmas tree pickup). I do notice that I have a little less space to work with in my “new” truck. I’m sure it’s possible to move many of these items with a short bed, but I’m really glad for the long bed when I feel I need it. I’ll admit that’s probably less than 10% of its use (90% is hauling around golf clubs now), but well worth it for the 10%.

 

Just bought a wind chill pearl (white). Looks amazing to me without the "white" paint issues (I hope). I believe only available in the Sport and Limited though.

 

FL so it gets muggy. Agreed white will not be the color....Shocker its the most popular color left!

Your not wrong about the sedan. I just have a tough time getting over the fact the sedans I'd look are not much cheaper than the Tacoma all said (V6 Camry, Hybrid Camry, IS350, ES350) minus the utility a of a bed. My daily commute is under 30 miles 90% HWY so not bad at all.

I guess I just felt like for the price, I'd regret not having a LB.

This is a good perspective and what had me second guessing the 4x2 LB initially. The long term resale. I'm sure it's marginal in the first 2-5 years, but after that something tells me the 4x4 will fetch a much higher resale down the line with price paid & return.

Already have a 4runner so anytime things need to be stowed "inside" we would use that. I can see what you mean by the bed though...If I'm being honest its more of a what if fear than a need, and I also think the long bed looks wayyyyyy better. Part of me is starting to think the major benefit of the long bed is pretty much camping and huge things (which I don't anticipate nearly enough to justify) and don't camp at the moment with baby time.

 

Other observations:
MT owners make sure that everyone knows they own a MT (guilty of this)
Long bed owners like to accuse SB owners of not having a real truck and anything less than a 6' bed is inferior to the far superior LB.

 

Tacoma or 4Runner are both good choices, however lean 4R if you need back seat space. Go with 4x4 for resale, steer clear of sedans b/c depreciation.

It’s only about once every 10 years or so that you can get a significant discount on any vehicle that will actually retain nearly 80% of its value after 5yrs. Those two vehicles right now are Tacoma & 4R, so you’re on the right track. Move quickly if you go with Taco b/c people are cherry picking the last ones. Good luck.

 

Availability might be a bit trickier in some regions but shopping around is paramount right now, some dealerships are desperately trying to get rid of the last of the 3rd gens. I would put money that I could get a 23 for under MSRP at some dealerships here that are trying to unload their last 3rd gems before the end of the year. Might not be exactly what you want, but they gotta fill their quotas by the end of the year and aren’t gonna want many 3rd gens sitting around once the 4th gens start rolling in.

 

Don't over think it. Get a Tacoma. 4X4 if possible. You already have a T4R.

 

Laughed pretty hard when you mentioned the manual and bed being inferior. Think I've seen the MT comments more than anything else. Don't forget about seat jackers!

The few that I have been talking to in my area (SWFL) seem pretty content on not offering much off it at all. Also might be running into the last fruits left in that many have additional crap added that I'd hope nobody would want to pay more for....gotta love the added 2k for paint protection, floor mats, and tint!

Where I'm leaning right now!!!!

Appreciate the insights.

 

In my experience, if you are serious about buying, most dealers will find ways to get it under MSRP this time of year, and even early next year with this becoming the “old gen” YMMV obviously, but this the best time to be looking at 23’s.

 

I live in South Florida as well. Own a 22 DCSB sr5. 4x2. In 13 months I haven't needed 4x4 yet, but that's because I've avoided spots on purpose. However there have been several times the long bed would have been useful.

 

Id rather have 4wd than a 6ft bed but that’s just me

Can always rent a utility trailer