Considering a 2012 Tacoma

I'm in need of a new vehicle and considering a Tacoma. The availability of the supercharger is a consideration, though I haven't gotten to test drive a stock model yet. I was playing with configurations on Toyota.com and I'm sort of pissed I can't get the 4x4 V6 w/Automatic in a regular cab. I prefer the regular, and the price difference for the extended cab is damn near what the supercharger would probably cost me. Not fair. I also find it incredibly odd that I see this problem with every type of truck I configure on the manufacturer sites: best drivetrain equals no regular cab. You can't even get a freakin F-150 regular cab with a V8. Those are a bit wider than I'm used to anyway, but I had to explore options.

I'm used a an '85 Ranger with a 350 small block. Yeah, we put a Chevy V8 in a Ford. I'm not a speeder (5mph over), but I like my power. I can't stand vehicles that can't get out of their own way. I like to be able to make quick turns and jump into traffic. I'm not a patient driver. I had a '95 Sonoma for a while (V6 Vortec?) and couldn't stand it. I was trying to pass somebody going up hill one time and the damn thing wouldn't break 65. My Ranger eats hills. I actually started running the Sonoma without the overdrive because it felt like it took too long to get out of it when I slammed the pedal.

In any case, I like small vehicles, but I like power. I hate cars cause they sit too low. I'm 6'1 with back and neck problems and it makes it hard for me to get in and out of them. 4WD would be great, considering winter around here. My 1700ft driveway alone almost requires it. My Ranger sure never got far in the snow. If it had a posi, it might've been worth a damn. As is, it gets stuck entirely too easy even with studded tires.

Any thoughts/warnings/etc? What kind of gas mileage can I expect with/without a supercharger? Do they require the more expensive gas w/SC? Is it within reason to demand a dealer do the SC install for free if I'm buying a new truck and SC from them?

p.s. What's with the lack of leather options? I swear every truck I looked at lacks an option for leather. It's 2012 for christ sake. Leather should be an option in anything.

 

You can get the 5.0 V8 in the F150 reg cab and it runs like a scalded dog if you like a huge truck that will not even fit in most garages and you need a step ladder to reach in the bed.The F150 is a nice truck but it needs to be down sized for many people to like them.

 

Oh. There's 2 V8s listed. The bigger one forces the crew cab. Oh well. And you're right, they need a smaller model, especially if they're dropping Rangers in the US. The Chevy Colorado is probably the only thing I'd actually consider besides the Tacoma, and Tacomas look nicer.

 

Think twice before you consider a chevy colorado.They are being discontinued or may already have been because or reliability issues.

 

If you find a dealer that throws in the S/C with new truck purchase, please let us all know...

 

The SC requires premium fuel.

You also can't get heated mirrors. That bothers me a lot more than lack of leather.

 

He didn't ask to have the sc thrown in, he asked whether it would be reasonable to ask them to install the sc for free. Which I think Is perfectly reasonable. Next time read properly before you make sarcastic comment!

Ps- op don't buy a Colorado, I drive one for work and not only do they feel underpowered, they just feel like a POS all around.

 

Ram 1500 Regular cab 390HP.

 

The Colorados and Canyons are inline 5s arent they?

 

There's a V8 option, but it's apparently not for regular cabs. Irritating.

 

You have gas mileage concerns ......w/ the way you described your driving habits?
1. As per leather, yeah I totally agree but a ton of members here have added the leather seat covers fr & bk, that are ( from what I've found ) around 600-700$
2. Heated mirrors- I just read late last night on TW where a member installed motorcycle grip heaters on the back of the mirror which looked to work incredibly well ( VERY detailed description on how to install them )
3. Go test drive and also think about buying your Tacoma from Costco...what I did.
4. There's also a pretty extensive thread on here talking all about SC's...hit those folks up and pick their brains about a free install ( although from what it looked like to me it takes a full day to do that install...and I could be wrong about this but I "believe" not all Toyota techs are certified to install an SC so that might be something to ask them about also).

 

How come covers are all I see mentioned anywhere? Isn't it possible to find a nice set of bucket seats in leather to replace the original ones?

 

I was a little disappointed when Tacoma shopping that leather wasn't available as an option either. Then again, I have cloth seat covers over my leather interior in my Suburban. Doh!

 

I'm looking at the interior pictures on toyota.com and I'm almost tempted to look for a 2011. Are those white strips everywhere seriously on every model? That's almost as dumb as the white roof on the Cruisers.

 

Move on, buy something else, all you've done is bitch about what you don't like about how toyota offers tacomas.

 

I would not go with a Colorado if i was you, heard nothing but bad things about those trucks, they are terrible for safety too. A 2 star side impact rating? With today's technology there should be no excuse for any vehicle to score under 4 stars in side impact, front or rear impacts. All i can say if you want a V6 regular cab, go get a older one with a 4 banger, then find a V6 in a scrapyard with a salvageble motor and do the swap. Or just do the URD supercharger on the 4 banger, that will boost you up to 211hp and the stock V6 is only 236hp

 

FWIW, I chose to buy a 2011 when I had the option of getting a 2012, I am just not a fan of the new look, and it's exactly the same under the hood. Also, I got almost 10 grand off the price because it was the last one and they wanted to move it. So if you can find one, go 2011. But it may be tough to find what you want because you seem like you have very specific taste.

Just my 2 cents.

 

Well, I finally got around to actually looking at a new Tacoma. I hate to say it, but I really don't want one. They look nice on the outside, but they're total garbage on the inside. Nissan trucks look a lot nicer inside. The Toyota dealer had a 2011 FJ Cruiser special/limited edition there that I found rather interesting though. Darker interior, all green on the outside (no white top). I hear the 2012s are red though.

 

We got that after your first post.

 

Then don't get one! Get a Nissan if your decision is based on looks, and that's what you like the look of!