Tacoma or Colorado as first car?

what would the cost be for a tacoma?, i know it wouldnt happen until like 500k miles lol but just wondering, guessing the same ballpark price though

 

Probably about the same price, but much less likely to occur.

 

Try to find a 5.3 colorado , that's a relative motor . Can't speak for the rest of the truck though . Gm just isn't known for Their reliability but a lot of people love them .

I agree with you on the used taco prices being somewhat crazy .

 

That's a blessing in disguise in that the "Colocrapo" was sold. $8500 for an '06 Colorado pretty much answers your question regarding the quality and resale value of a Tacoma. You won't even get a salvaged title '06 Tacoma for that.(Well maybe a base model 5 lugger).
If your budget is limited, why not look into a 1st gen Tacoma ?

 

My father in law's Colorado 5-cyl only has 130000 miles, and it makes the common 'death rattle' noise in the front of the engine in hot temperatures, likely due to the plastic timing chain guide. Also, can't find clear definitive guidance anywhere on the internet as to what the proper oil capacity...5 qt or 6 qt or more?? The truck didn't come with an owners manual and it was brand new! The damn dealer doesn't even know. When the oil gets changed, I check the stick for him and keep adding oil until its to the full line... This shouldn't be required. Also on startup, the poor truck sounds like its starving for oil for the first 3 seconds as it emits terrible rattling sound (another common sound). Yet another annoyance, the front brake rotors are 'captured' rotors, which means the complete hub and wheel bearing are bolted through the rotor and need removed when it comes time to change the rotors. What is this, the late 80s?? Piece of crap!!!

I guess if you want a solid metal bed and heavy tailgate, then get the Colorado, but otherwise stick with Toyota!

 

Owners manual says 6.0 qt. w/filter for the 3.5 as well as the 3.7

 

Just get a Tacoma everything about it has been proven solid already. Try to find a good used Tacoma and you won't regret it.

 

I'd buy a nice 2000ish Monte Carlo for dirt cheap. 8.5k no way. 3.5k maybe or do it right the first time and just find a Toyota. Especially a cool old one. The older the better.

 

jeez that's harsh, what year? Maybe the truck was a lemon?

 

Somebody wrote '5qt' with a fine tip Sharpie on the engine, presumably during an oil change at the dealer!

Mini gripe on Steering - Colorado power steering is overboosted and is rated by me as having 'slightly less than acceptable' feedback, so you have very little road feel, and the feel is very dependent on tire tread depth/life . On the Tacoma, there is a 'more than an acceptable' level of steering feedback (again, subjective)..so at least you have an idea of how the tires are adhering to road regardless of the tread depth. Tacoma is easier to keep straight on the highway at higher speeds. Tacoma's steering isn't bimmer or mazda steering, but it feels sporty enough for a truck!

 

I believe its a 2006. I've driven it numerous times on I-80 out to Penn State for football games as group. I never liked the way it felt prior to owning my Tacoma (which is my first truck, coming from a car), and now I flat out dislike Colorado in direct comparison to my Tacoma. That truck feels dangerous unless theres a new set of tires and its aligned.

 

My opinion would be to get yourself a nice 1st gen for the 8G, finish up school & when you can get a job & save some cash later down the road you can use the equity in your truck (which is always good with a Taco, 1st/2nd gen don't matter) & get you a nice 2nd gen that you won't owe an arm/leg on with your hefty down payment. That way you know for now your gonna be in a very dependable truck in the meantime & when you got more loot to burn can get what you really want. You also might like the 1st gen so much it won't matter, always a possibility. Sometimes you have to sacrifice a little for now to get what you really want later. With that said, any Taco you purchase will not be much of a sacrifice because they are all darn good trucks!! Don't settle for a Colorado if you really want a Tacoma, it don't make any sense. The quality speaks for itself on these trucks, this is the first vehicle I have ever had that I was NEVER upside down on & that runs a close 2nd to the feeling of it being paid off. Good Luck!!

 

so after having this discussion i think i can conclude that i might as well step out of my budget and go the extra few grand to get the better truck thatll last me a life time rather than the colorado which will most likely cost me a fortune in repairs

 

I have had both. A fully loaded colorado too. A great truck but I would never get one over a Tacoma now.

 

good call.

Some tips on the 1st gen / stuff to look for (went through a month and a half of looking at used 1st gens, and have done maintenance on my dads 04 its entire life)

biggest thing on the 1st gen v6's (the 3.4L) is the timing belt and water pump.. usually done every 100k (there is a sticker that should be filled out on top of the timing belt cover), its ~ a 600-700 dollar job parts and labor. Only other thing is the lower ball joints... on the 1st gen.. if the truck you buy has over 100k and or is a 2000-2004 (they had ball joint recalls), do yourself a favor and spend the 200 bucks for OEM lower ball joints..

and really thats about it on the 1st gens... just be mindful of frame rust, and when you do go look at them. CHECK EVERY THING especially fluids... bring a floor jack, jack up each wheel, spin em, check for loose tie rods, ball joints etc... bring a flash light and go over it with a fine tooth comb.


As far as the 2nd gen... not a whole lot goes wrong with em as far as i know... no timing belt to deal with... no lower ball joint issues.... biggest thing are squeaky / saggy leaf springs and a lil driveline vibration on heavy acceleration between 15-25mph


PRO TIPS.

BEFORE you even BOTHER to go look at the truck, get the VIN number and make sure everything checks out (claimed mileage, accidents etc).

1. go to Toyota owners here --> http://www.toyota.com/owners/web/pages/home and pop in the VIN number to see if any warranty work has been done (this will include if lower ball joints have been replaced on the 1st gen)

2. run a car fax.... YOU DO NOT NEED TO PAY FOR A CARFAX. . simply do the following http://lifehacker.com/get-a-free-vehicle-history-report-before-you-buy-a-car-512856477

IE, use this link http://www.conklincarshutchinson.co...sid=5083706&vin=1G4HR54K14U244736&cid=5050895

and replace the vin number thats between vin= and the & sign... and press enter... walla insta free full vehicle history report.


Running the vehicle history report saved SO much of my time... seller claims no accidents... 1 or 2 reported... seller claims 150k miles... last smog check was at 220k... this happened MULTIPLE times for me.... SO WATCH OUT.

 

I've known several people who have owned Colorado's, none of them seemed very happy. I'd pass on Colorado. Honestly I'd go Frontier over Colorado... The new diesel one may be cool but I'll reserve judgement till I've driven one.

You can't go wrong with any year Tacoma.