Last day before I get my 2012 Tacoma

Just got back to the states last night from 4 years in Okinawa Japan and I've got 1 day left before I pick-up my 2012 DC TRD Sport Silver streak Tacoma!!!


I need some help from the members on this forum. I've got like 10 vehicles I've been looking at and researching and there's only so much you can do on the internet versus having a lot to look at everything.

Does anyone regret purchasing their Tacoma over a full size? The gas mileage is the same and in some cases worse and the build quality (read luxury feel) is obviously not comparable to that of a full size.

If money wasn't an object, would you sacrifice getting a Tacoma over a Full size for the looks and feel of a smaller truck?

I'm not here to bash or promote smearing of any other vehicle and I know there is pride in ownership, but I just wanted to see if I could get honest feedback if you could do it over again would you.

I'm getting a really good deal for a loaded Tacoma $31,500 with everything, not including TTL so I am happy about that. I guess the biggest problem I have is the current 4.0 seems to bring a lot of dissension among even the best tacoma followers and I'm wondering if I'll notice that too. I had one dealer here say that his maintenance guys hate the 4.0 for the spark plus, crappy gas mileage complaints and radiator fans going out and overall the 4.0 is a loud motor. Reading on the forums as well there seems to not be a lot of good about this thing either.

So, any last minute honest persuasion in either direction would help. I've scoured the forums and I know there's a lot of good and bad, but I'd like to know straight from the 2012 owners what you have to say. Thanks

If all goes well, I'll be driving my '12 tomorrow. Just need to avoid the GMC/Chevy lots on the way because I've always been a GM guy and the Z71's are quite appealing. Just FYI, I have priced and quoted and at one time last month had a Chevy 6.2L Crew Cab with z71 appearance package on hold and that thing is a BEAST. I can get it for $37 OTD with all my discounts so let me tell you it is hard to pass up. Not to mention with comparable gas mileage to the tacoma I was torn. I am going with the Tacoma because of size (wife loves smaller trucks), the look (love the '12 Tac look), and the price.

So anyway, that is why I'm here!!

-Ry

 

Well I don't have a 2012, but I don't regret anything about not getting a fullsize truck. My personal belief is that you should only drive a full size truck if you need a full size truck. For work/towing/haul etc... Other than that I don't think people really need a full size. If you have it for reasons other than that, its for show or you need to compensate for something! I never understood the need to have The "biggest" truck. But thats IMO of course. Kind of whats the reason for a Damn Cadillac Pick up or a Licoln Pick up, I'll never understand WTF people buy those for. On that note, I had to laugh when I was buying my Tacoma. The deal was done and I was having a smoke outside the show room and talking to the salesman I just sat with for 6 hours working out a deal. Outside in the lot was a very pretty Tundra I think it had what was called the rock warrior package on it. It was a beautiful truck, but to pretty to be hauling anything with. I said to they salesman, I really like this truck, but I bet this guy is compensating for something. We both had a little chuckle, and then the guy who just bought it walks out. He was all of 5 foot nothing, and had to jump into the truck. Thats was when we both held back our laughter until we went back inside. It was just funny how I just said that and it was obvious the guy was making up for his height. lol

I had a full size Ram, and at the time, I used it. When I had that truck, I just bought a house and needed the bed size to haul things for projects for the house. But it was also my DD, and at the time where I worked it was a tight parking lot, I could get that thing into some pretty tight spots, but I'm not going to say it was always fun. Unless of course I was with friends and I would see a small spot and I would say, "watch this shit!" Other than that, it sucked. Also streets around here are tight depending where you are. All the neighbor hood streets around here its parking on both sides of the streets and its 2 way traffic. So driving a full sized truck around here is a hassle in itself.

So I will never regret geting a smaller truck. Its all in what you need really, to me. And the Tacoma works out perfect for me, and my needs.

 

So far no real complaints, I did not have a need for a full size biggest reason it will not fit in my two car garage. Fuel mileage sucks compare to the full size it comes down to what works for you.

 

Big things come in small packages.. not that the Tacoma is all that small though.. *looks at the Ford Ranger*

 

Mmm.

 

I drove a 2003 Avalanche for awhile, it got 12mpg.

I'd go for a Tacoma over a fullsize anyday. I don't want or need a fullsize. I can tow 6,500lb s with my Tacoma, go off road, and still pull great MPGs (see my sig?). I've got 92K on my Tacoma, and all the MPG below was with 32" BFG AT which are not exactly a light tire.

 

i could have gotten a fullsize. but theyre just too big!! cant wheel them(have eperience dont hate). enough room for me and my dog, dirtbike, and a bitch.


have fun with it man! 2012's are sweet

 

I love my truck. I hated my bmw and like it better than my z.

 

Well, not much to offer in the way of advice. Tacoma's are great. I've never regretted buying mine new in 06. In fact, I am tossing around the idea of getting a new one.

FYI- I was on Okinawa for 2.5 years in 84-87. 18th SPS. I don't remember much of those years though............

 

With one of theseunder the hood would be so much nicer, too.

 

I've had this 2 weeks. Love it. Don't need a full size truck, and don't want one. It's what I need for a daily driver work truck. I'll probably not tow anything, but can if I have to. So, there is my 2 cents. Good luck

 

Just picked up my new 2012 Tacoma Dbl cab TRD sport short bed. This is my fourth Tacoma and I have never had any regrets. I had a Honda Ridgeline between my 05 Taco and my 09. The ridgeline was a regret. Nice ride but not a true truck and too soft to take off road. There isn't a full size truck I like. Even the Tundra cause it is just too big for everyday. If I need a big truck for one day I'll rent one. Tacoma does it all and does it well. No Regrets!

 

I'm absolutely loving mine. I have the same as what you are getting only I bought mine a year ago. Love it love it. I've had large trucks and this is so nice being narrow, not having to worry about hitting mirrors so much. I did have the heater fan replaced and had a bad drive shaft but they did replace it and it is smooth as butter.
I'm getting the full 20mpg if I want but but I don't drive it like a douche. 16-17 beating around town mostly.
If you compare the seats of the sport compared to the Z-71 (my buddy bought one), there is no comparison, they are soft and unsupportive. I was in agony for 5 hours both directions on a snowmobile trip in the Z-71. Completely turned me off and pretty much narrowed down my choices and ended up with this.

 

On my 2nd one, no issues and no regrets!!

 

I love my 2012- more than enough power for a daily driver, and the bed is more than big enough for this electrician!

 

I would have purchased the Tundra Crew max if my garage was big enough to fit, could only get my wifes vehicle and the tacoma in there. Hate parking outside. It also have been nice to have a bit more room in the rear for the dog and kid with the crewmax. There is good room in the double cab, but more would have been nicer. I have an 11, TRD off road Double JBL.

Other than that love the Tacoma, going to keep her for a long time till we grow out of it as a family.

 

I just bought a 2012 DCSB TRD OFF ROAD in December. I love this truck! I traded in an '06 Chevy 2500hd with the dura max/ Allison. I do a lot of hunting, and I was so tired driving that crew cab up on the logging roads here in wa. State. I've put a Toytec 3in lift and spidertrax wheel spacers on it, it's lookin good. As far as the 4.0, I have absolutely no complaints. Good power and gas mileage. Plus unleaded is about 50 cents a gallon cheaper than diesel. It really is the perfect size truck, i wanted one for quite a few years. I had a toyhauler trailer so i needed the full size. So.....no regrets at all!

 

right on i agree tons a room being an electrician and ibew member aswell

 

i love my tacoma, but i would love to have duramax as well lol.

 

Thanks for all the replies and I'm hoping I feel the same way when I pick mine up tomorrow. Looking forward to finally driving it and seeing how it feels off the lot. I went and looked at some today but obviously the lot was closed and that's about all I could do. The shot bed looks to be very small, I was unprepared for that, lol. I have a dog kennel and 8 bags from flying and I think that I might have some issues. This won't be the norm so I am good with it but seriously that bed looks to be about useless. Thanks again for the input, I'll have to post some pics when I get the chance.

-Ry