Do you consider a new Taco worth the upgrade?

I have a 2006 4v4 TRD, tow package double-cab which, of course being a Toyota, still has many, many years left on it.

However, I notice that the newer models have several features that were not available in 2006 (or at least not included on my Taco) such as electronic stability control, downhill assist, side air bags, 4-leaf rear springs (are these stock on new Tacos?), etc.

Do you consider these new features worth trading in for or do you think that I should just wait a few more years and see what the future brings as far as new models go?

Also, I've owned Toyota's small trucks exclusively since I was discharged in 1980 but I've wondered recently about moving up to a Tundra, especially since the Tacos and Tundras are moving closer together in terms of size, mileage, and features.

Any thoughts?

 

Are there enough benefits for you to upgrade, it's your wallet not mine. Can you live without a backup camera and sidecurtain airbags, can you live without traction control?

 

I personally don't see the need to upgrade if there is nothing wrong with your truck. If you feel you need the additional features, then there is a reason to upgrade. From a financial standpoint there is also an optimum time where you still get a good trade-in value which will lower your monthly payments on a new one, so there are many factors, but it is ultimately your decision.
My truck is 10 years old and I have no desire to trade it. It is paid for and does not cost me anything. I rather take the extra money and upgrade my wife's vehicle (family van) more regularly so she stays happy and comfortable, and I am happy too.

 

While side-curtain air bags might be a nice safety feature, I drove trucks for 40 years that didn't even have airbags. However, I was curious as to how good the electronic stability control was on patchy ice and snow roads and whether owners of newer 2nd-gen Tacos considered it something that they really liked.

 

Don't ask me. I'm going to give up my 06 DC 4x4 SR5 (96k) for a new 2012 DC OR 6MT in a month or so....................

 

Personally I wouldn't.

 

Your truck is worth maybe what? 15K in trade? That leaves you on the hook for 17K to get a few gizmos. Being an older driver myself, I hate all these stability controls etc. Just look at all the people disconnecting their ABS for driving in snow and ice.

For 17K you could buy a whole new suspension, back-up camera, Go pro camera, new tires and wheels, a supercharger, a new stereo system, new bumpers, 250 cheese burgers, ARB's front and rear. Maybe not your wish list, but you get the picture.

 

I plan on keeping mine forever....

Why you ask?

Because it's paid for!

 

I had an '87 (the one with the turbo) that I pert near did keep forever (about 20 years). I really liked that truck but I like the 2006 even more, though I sometimes wish the rear-end was a bit beefier (I never got the TSB because I really only notice it bottoming out when I have five 200 lb. hunters in the cab and a couple of hundred pound labs and all of the gear in the back under the topper).

One thing I like about the 2006 is that it doesn't have the downhill assist, which I've heard some people don't like much. If I want to creep down a hill I can downshift myself but if I want to save gas by coasting up to stop signs I can too.

My truck does wonders in 4WD, if the conditions warrant keeping it in 4WD. For instance, in the big snow we had when I was in Portland a few years back I could get around just fine, while a FWD Ford 250 got stuck at the end of the parking lot and stayed there for two weeks. Same thing for the big snow we got this winter in Kansas -- I towed out a car, a Chevy truck and a Jeep that morning.

I do wish you could just leave the Tacoma in 4WD though like you can most other trucks nowadays for patchy snow and ice. I thought maybe the Tundra would have this option but my brother's new Tundra doesn't.

Sounds like the electronic stability control might not be that big of a deal for someone who knows how to drive a truck on icy roads anyway. However, I'd still like to hear from people who have had Tacoma trucks with and without it and what their views on it are.

 

Or use that 17k to put a diesel in there.

 

Stability Control is a very good option. I know how to drive in the snow, but hit a black ice patch turning onto a bridge last year and the SC kicked in and kept me from hitting the guard rail. It happen so fast I doubt I could have reacted fast enough.

 

If I were you, I wouldn't make the upgrade to a 2nd gen Taco with a 1st gen if yours is in great condition. Just not worth the gizmos and other features. You have a great truck there... ride it out. Now, I did trade my 2010 Tacoma for a 2011 Tundra Crewmax but it was purely for ride/seat comfort and space... I'm a big guy and have spine issues--the seats alone were worth the trade-up. Great truck w/shit-tons of power and speed, but do you need a truck as big as a Tundra or just want one?

Good luck with whatever decision you make.

 

He don't have a 1st gen. He has 2nd gen.

I say keep it and wait couple years.

 

I've had trucks since graduating HS. My 2009 Tacoma is the first one with the fancy ABS and SC (I think it's SC). When the rear end breaks loose and goes left or right if I turn too hard on snow or ice an alarm sounds and I can hear the rear end trying to lock up the gears. It sounds terrible like grinding. I'm sure it's a combination of braking by the computer and the rear diff trying to apply power to one side or the other. I don't have that happen often but enough that I try to avoid it from happening.

I'd keep your truck and get every bit out of it. That's what I plan for mine.

 

I have a 07 and looked at the 2012; basically it’s the same truck. I’m waiting for a total redesign.
Hopefully Toyota will build the A-BAT Concept truck shown in the link below.
http://www.motortrend.com/future/concept_cars/112_0712_toyota_a_bat_concept_truck/

 

Not sure I'm at the same point I have sc though and I like it. Want too upgrade my 2008 has 200,000 km so might be time

 

Sounds like there are mixed reports on the ESC with some liking it and some not. Also, that's a good point that I'd just be trading in for essentially the same vehicle (all my previous trade-ins were for next generation trucks).

To the guy who traded in for the Tundra; are you happy with it compared to the Tacoma? My brother just bought a new Tundra to tow his new boat but I didn't get a chance to drive it over Xmas.

 

That would be a huge waste of money, but if you can afford to throw it away, by all means. it'll help the economy.