Convince me to get a Tacoma

I have always loved the look and size of the Tacoma. Also I love Toyota. IMO fit, finish, and reliability are awesome.

This fall I am getting a new vehicle. If gas prices continue to climb (which they probably will), I may not get a truck. I hope this doesn't happen because my last two vehicles have been sedans.

My choices are these two trucks. Tacoma double cab 4x4 V6 short bed or F-150 Super crew 4x4 with 5.5' bed and Ecoboost engine.

Tacoma Pros:
Cheaper
Toyota Quality

Tacoma Cons:
2nd gen has been around for awhile and a 3rd gen probably will come out within a couple of years which will make my new Taco seem and look old.
Gas Mileage doesn't seem great for the size of truck
May not be able to get as much off MSRP as Ford (not sure though)


Ford F-150 Pros
Cabin seems more luxurious than Taco
More room inside than Taco
Towing and payload probably higher than Taco
Gas Mileage may be as good or better than Taco
Seems like I should be able to get around 25% off MSRP

F-150 Cons:
Price
Price
Size
Some report MPG with Ecoboost not consistent/low

This F-150 setup I see most averaging 17-20 MPG mixed, with a few below 17mpg and a few above 20 MPG.


Put is this way, if money was not an issue I would get the F-150. Since money is an issue, I was thinking of getting the Taco since it is cheaper.

So should I get the Taco?
How would MPG compare to the F0150 above?
Does Toyota usually knock off 20-25% off MSRP?

Thank you everyone for your help and hopefully this fall i will be a proud Taco owner.

 

Why? No one should have to Convince you. You should buy the TACOMA based on your research and final choice.

I researched myself for months and understood my needs and wants. Finance and made that final decision. Truck or sports car.

Good Luck on your purchase.

Toyota will NOT knock off much from the MSRP. Top selling mid size truck that holds value. You have to haggle and search. I got mine for 4K off MSRP sticker price. Thats after I searched for months and haggled.

Your New FORD F-150 is showing 23 MPG and thats IMPRESSIVE. However resale will TANK over the years. . .


Plus, TACOMAS have a bunch of awesome people. Hence TW!

 

Get a 4 cylinder if you want decent MPG.

 

If you want to be awesome get the Tacoma.

 

^ there is no fun in the 4 banger. The f-150 is impressive with the power and mpg it gets. . .

However imho, I'd never buy a F-150. . .

 

i didn't read his OP, but yeah, that ^^^^

 

What are you going to be using this new truck for?

 

What do you tow? Or haul? That would be my deciding choice.


And you're right, the gas mileage on the F150 is actually good. My dad had one for a work truck and with the smaller V8 it got 18-19 mpg on the highway...And sometimes that's towing a trailer.

The tacoma is great for around town...Think about parking spots....The F150 was a pig to park.

I hated the way that you couldn't see behind you in the F150 because the rear end was so high up in the air compared to the front. Backing a trailer was sometimes a pain.

I'd have to say that the seats in the F150 are much more comfortable than my 1st Generation Tacoma. They support very well and I never got sore.

After about 75-80k miles, the F150 got this driveline problem that was never fixed because we turned it in at 90k. My tacoma has never had problems like that.


Those are some points that I see are important to me. If you're towing heavy trailers for extended periods of time: F150. If you're around town a lot, don't tow every day, and just need a good all around, versatile truck: Tacoma.

 

You didn't really mention what you will be using the truck for. If cosmetics and/or appeal is the main crtieria here, you can only answer this question for yourself.

There are also other options. If you are considering either a fullsize or midsize, why limit yourself to these two? The Tacoma is obviously a great truck and you are going to obviously find we are biased here towards the model. But I would expand your selection a bit and do some test driving.

If you want fullsize, you can also find much better deals--Tundra or Ram, for instance. In the end, its your truck and you are going to own it. Whatever you buy its not going to be cheap. You owe it to yourself to do some window shopping and test drives behind the wheel. Taking the suggestions of others will only take you so far when you are about to plop down $30K+ for a new ride. Take advice and suggestions but at least drive one before going down to a dealer and writing a check on the advice of others.

 

I just went through the same scenario. I chose the Tacoma because I don't tow much, and from what I've been reading the ecoboost haven't been getting the advertised mileage. There are also a lot of people complaining about misfires and hesitation with the Eco. Plus the Toyota holds its resale value better.

 

Resale value

 

For what its worth I had a Ridgeline for about 5 years. Loved the truck and considered getting another one (long story why I got rid of it in the first place...wasn't problem related). I looked into the Tacoma at the time I was considering the Ridge...Toyota has come a long way in their fit and finish and reliability. Although I still hear engine seal problems. Nonetheless I just picked up an '12 double cab TRD and love it. So far its a much better truck that my Ridgeline.

 

^^^This.

Do your research and drive both options. Ford's are good truck for the first 100k, then they die. Muahahahahaha

 

Buy whichever you like best and fits your needs best. Id probably get an F150 if i was getting a new truck. They do get pricey quick though. Youll typically be able to get much more in the way of incentives on full size trucks, especially the F150 and Silverado. Could end up making the prices similiar.

 

I know someone with a new 4 door Silverado 1500 and he says it gets horrible gas mileage and I just wouldn't buy a Dodge for several reasons. I am going to test other vehicles Cars, SUVS, and Trucks before making a decision. I am 6 months away from making a decision so I guess I am starting early.
I will be using my truck probably as follows. 90% as a daily driver. I will occasionally use it for carrying large things appliances, couches, mulch, pine straw, etc. I go off the beaten path maybe once a month to go target shooting and I drive long distances in snow a few times a year so I want 4x4.

I really like that color.

I don't know if Tacomas don't get discounted much but a I bought my wife a new 4runner a few years ago and I got it for $23k and the MSRP was 33k so that is about 10k off MSRP. Maybe 4runners are more negotiable. I don't know.

What are people averaging on the 4 cylinder?

 

I don't know what others are getting, but my 4x4 AC with a 3" lift gets around 20 mpg hwy in the winter and 24 mpg hwy in the summer on stock 245/75/16 Dungflops (I only put on the 33"s when I go off road because I have a 280 mile/week commute). Mostly on cruise control set at 70 or 75 mph.

 

you can do this:

 

This^ The fords with Eco boosts have problems. Get a Tacoma. Reliable and everything. If you want good mpg, get a 4 cyl 5 spd manual Tacoma. Or go all the way with a V6 V6 tacomas can get good mpg too. Depends how you drive.

 

I have 170,xxx miles and it still starts every morning. Plenty enough reason

 

Resale end of story.