WHICH 2012 TACOMA DO I CHOOSE???

Ok here is the deal. I plan on getting a new Tacoma but I can't figure out which tacoma is the best for me. Maybe you guys can give me some insight on these different choices. First off, I live in Ohio so we occasionally get bad days in the winter that may require 4wd. I REALLY want the 2012 4x4 V6 Access w/ TRD pkg but I don't like the $31k price tab and possibly 16 mpg, especially with the forecast of $5/gal gas possibly coming up. The up front extra $10k sticker price is not nice either.

I'm thinking I could save some serious coin by going with a 2wd reg cab I4 auto w/ sliding glass window added for only $18,501 OTD with 19 city/24 hwy, 21 mpg avg. Not only will I save $13k upfront but I will save 3 mpg, which adds up to hundreds of extra dollars a year and thousands over the lifetime of the truck not to mention lower maintenance costs for the I4 engine. I could always put a good set of Michelin snow tires for the winter.

OR

I could go with a reg cab 4cyl 4x4 w/ sliding glass for only $22,755 OTD offer and 18 mpg city/ 21 mpg hwy , 19 mpg avg which is about 1mpg more than the V6 4x4 taco BUT we are talking about $8k less in upfront costs and less maintenance costs.

I always liked the extra space of the access cab and the bucket seats but the space in the access is not much at all and adds extra weight and I could always add bucket seats to the reg cab. Also, the reg cab is easier to park.

Honestly, I really don't care too much about the extra power the V6 offers b/c it just ends up getting me speeding tickets, I would rather feel how fast I'm going in a slow 4cyl. saves on speeding tickets. Police around here like to generate extra revenue by pulling people over for going 5mph over and it's very easy to do in a V6.

I absolutely don't want a manual b/c I had a manual civic back in the day for 6 years and I grew tired of constant shifting. I like not having to work while I'm driving and just chilax and listen to some tunes. Also, other people can drive the truck that don't know how to drive manual.


Question: Can I get by with a 2wd here in NE Ohio if I just put on a good set of snow tires? When I lived in CO I had a new 2001 frontier 2wd 4cyl and it wasn't too bad in the weather but the power in the truck sucked going up the hills where I literally I had the pedal to floor and crawled up hills and had horrible gas mileage, but Nissan frontiers suck when it comes to mpg anyways and the power in the 4cyl sucked in the 2001 4cyl trucks.

Question: Will a reg cab with transplanted buckets be ok to live with over the Access cab? I'm single guy and don't have any kids.

I would appreciate some feedback from you guys that have these trucks.

****I absolutely need a Pickup truck to haul a dual sport DRZ 400 dual sport bike (300 lbs)*****


Here are the deals:

 

I somewhat agree but $5 a gal will absolutely suck with the v6 4x4, also a $10k upfront savings and long term lower maintenance on the I4 adds up.

Do driving the 4cyls suck that bad? I guess I will have to test drive one to figure that out. My goal is to actually go slower and feel how fast I'm going to avoid these cash-strapped cops out here in NE Ohio.

 

Many people live in the North/West have 2wd cars, and they make it alright. If price is a big issue, get the 4cyl. I, personally, would get the 4x4. You never know when you will be in a muddy field with the bikes on the back stranded with the 2wd.

 

I have the reg cab 4x4 and I have about 3000 miles on it so far and I'm getting 21-23 mpg in the city and I don't drive easy. Def. the better choose unless you can just really afford the extra of the already nicer toy. But at the price you can make a reg. cab sweet and still be alot less than a dc.

 

Also sticker on mine was 21,900 with the sliding back window

 

Given your situation I think it sounds like the 4 cylinder 4x4 would be the best option. I may be mistaken but i think Toyota recommends synthetic oil in the 4 cylinder, so that could impact the "less maintenance cost" aspect of it. These trucks run on oil changes anyway. I also think a lot of people oversell the value of a couple miles per gallon, however the smaller initial investment is substantial. I have read that a lot of people dislike the automatic behind the 4 cylinder, so you might read up on this and drive a couple options before you make up you mind. Resale seems to be especially good on all 4x4 models as well.

 

Yeah but I need a truck to haul my bike on occasion and saving at the pump is a bonus.The main reason I'm getting a truck is to do light hauling. Many members here are reporting at worst 20 mpg in their 4 cyl tacos compared to members with the V6 4x4 getting below 16 mpg at worst. Even 1 mpg adds up over time. Also, the extra $10k upfront costs could be put on a SWEET NEW Motorcycle or better yet in savings.

If I didn't have to tow a bike and wanted to save a bundle in gas I would get a VW diesel wagon.

 

couldn't you get the 4.0 Access cab w/o the TRD package to save $$

 

VW diesel wagon with a receiver hitch attached. Problem solved

 

V6 SR5 4x4 AC

 

I can afford the sweet truck BUT $8-$10k in upfront cost savings is no joke. The extra $10k could be spent on more fun toys. If I buy the sweet truck I'm paying cash so I would literally be broke for the truck. I don't believe in monthly vehicle payments b/c you not only make the banks rich but you run the risk of losing your truck if you fall on hard times.

 

I voted for the V6 4x4 because its what you really want. Like my home, my truck is an investment. If I'm going to be making the payments, I'd rather not settle for less than what makes me happy.

 

Yeah but I don't have room for a trailer and trailers suck, maybe if I had a 3 car garage. Isee many people on here hauling their bike in their bed with zero probs. It's not like I will driving everyday with a motorcycle in the bed. Also, the truck will be my daily driver.

 

As someone else suggested what would a V6 4x4 access cab without TRD run? Might split the difference. As far as speed I've had quick vehicles and slow vehicles and I find it just as easy to find yourself over the limit. Personally I'd never want an auto 4cyl truck myself. I don't worry about gas. It sucks and it is what it is. My last vehicle got 10mpg city in the winter so the Taco is an improvement lol. Good luck on your decision.

 

It all comes down to what your long term plans are for the truck.

Do you plan on towing a trailer for the bike, if so the I4 will be gutless on the highways.

I drove both when I bought my 09, and honestly trying to pass on the highway with the I4 was tough.

Go for the access cab, the extra space will pay for itself whenever you need to move anything, or if your travelling with any gear. Nothing like leaving a suitcase in the bed when its cold.

Don't know if this is an option for you in the US, but in Canada there is an SR5 package, its a V6 access cab, power windows, sliding glass, and has almost all the perks of the TRD Sport, less the LSD, and rear power point.

Drive reasonable and the V6 is actually pretty fuel efficient.

 

saves about $4k over the TRD but $5k more than the reg cab 4cyl 4x4, BUT factor in the mpg savings plus the lower 4cyl maint costs......

 

I will be towing the bike in the bed, from all of the research I've done you can even fit two light motorcycles in the bed with no problem. I have no room for a tailer, the reason I'm getting a pickup is for hauling the bike in the bed.

You may be right about the access cab, I've always appreciated an access cab so I think I will get the access cab and you make sense with just settling for the v6 4x4 sr5 instead of the TRD. I highly doubt I will be doing much 4x4'ing except may some light dirt roads in the various mountains on a rare occasion. I wouldn't want to wrap my brand mew taco around a tree, lol

 

Why don't you get a 4x4 AC with 2.7L. That's what I have, and it's a good compromise IMO.

 

yeah, I've heard the frustration with the 4cyl automatics being slow but I hate manuals unless I'm racing on a track somewhere. So I guess a v6 auto 4x4 without TRD could be a good choice for me. I don't think I could cope in a reg cab as I'm 6ft and I occasionally like to recline the seat and take a nap.

 

yeah but you have the manual which I hear is the best option for the 4cyl BUT I loathe the constant city shifting.