College truck-Tacoma or current F150

Hey guys, I'm heading off to college this fall. Moving from the People's Republic of CA to Utah, the state of offroading, the outdoors, and mormons (love the mormons. cool people) My parents worked hard to save for my college, but since I'm now gonna be on an Army ROTC scholarship, they offered to use a portion of that money to go 2/3rds with me on a Tacoma (Saved up working at a 31 flavors the past 2 years). Thought about a jeep, test drove one, cheap, uncomfortable, underpowered. Test drove the Taco, it was fantastic.

Currently I drive my dad's 01 F150 XLT crewcab 4x4. Great truck, I know Ford doesnt have the best rep for reliability but its been pretty problem free ('cept for a couple illegals hitting me head on when they were driving on the wrong side of the road a few months back. nearly totaled my truck, worse for them). Its got 98k miles, so pretty low for its age.

So for driving in the snow (which I haven't done before), possibly being left in the school parking garage (covered ofc) for up to 4 weeks, cruising around the mountains/desert, driving between CA/UT a couple times a year and maybe roadtrips through the western states, which do you think I should take? Taco would be a '14 TRD Offroad 4X4 Double cab

 

Can't go wrong with the taco. Where in Utah are you planning on moving?

 

Ill be goin to Westminster College right in Salt Lake City.

Nice build btw. That thing rocks.

 

if you are going to college, the last thing you need to worry about is a car payment and a brand new truck.

my adivce, keep the one you have, take the money you would spend on a new truck and keep it saved for when you need it.

 

Tough choice, i looked long and hard at the 04-08 f-150s but decided on the 1st gen (95-04) tacoma.
I'm personally not a fan of the 2nd gen (05-current) tacomas (which i assume you are looking at), but i'm also not a fan of the looks of the late nighties, early 2000's f-150s.

I'd say drive both onroad and off road (if possible), look at the known issues for both trucks, and if you're gonna be modifying the truck (lift supercharge, ECT..) look at how much aftermarket support they have.

 

Thanks. Well I have always been against ford and the other American makes based on reliability but you see older ones on the road still so it just depends. I absolutely love the tacoma and it has been great for everything we do in Utah. You won't be disappointed. One big plus for the taco in your situation is going to be parking. It is smaller than the f150 so parking in school parking lots and apartments lots etc will be easier than a full size.

 

Ian,
First of all, congrats on the ROTC Scholarship. I did ROTC more years ago than I like to think, but have loved every minute of it leading Soldiers.

If there is nothing wrong with your dad's 01 F-150, keep driving it. If you start having issues with it one or two years down the road, then start looking for a Tacoma (used that you can pay cash for). Thank your parents for saving the college money and tell them you don't need it right now.

Good luck in ROTC!

 

Hindsight is 20/20. I wish I could go back and save all the money I wasted on vehicles when I was younger. Take the advice of those that say drive the beater and buy something you want later. Very few young people can resist the temptation of a new vehicle so nobody would blame you for taking the Tacoma, but I'd bet 10 years from now you'd look back and say "man, I wish I'd just kept that Ford" A whole new world of opportunities will open up once you commission. Good luck either way.

 

Keep 1 thing in mind, if you buy a tacoma, you won't want to drive it in stock form for long, especially since you have joined tacomaworld and the fact that you now will live in a great state to explore. The mod bug will hit you and not only will you have a car payment (which most of us do) but you will spend all your money on your truck (like alot of us do). That might be hard on you while still attending school. Im not saying don't get the tacoma, because im definitely not a ford fan, but just give it some good thought. All that aside, you know a tacoma is far more reliable than a higher mileage ford.

 

I vote, save up.

Its what i did durring school (graduated last spring). You arnt unfortunately going to have a whole lot of time for out side of school activities, and like stated last thing you want is a truck payment.

Save up during, then do what i did, buy a new truck outright when you are done with school and land the nice full time job.

 

I waited until I graduated to purchase my Tacoma. I drove a hand me down single cab Chevrolet through high school and college, and then treated myself once I got my career rolling. Now im going back to get my masters degree in the fall though...and hoping my truck payment isn't too much of a burden.

If so, ill probably look for an affordable 1st gen Tacoma. Not to mention, college students can be some pretty self centered, me first, frequently intoxicated people and just because your truck is parked doesnt mean it is safe. Let the old Ford take those hits and door dings and burn holes.

 

Tacoma all the way!!! Ford's are terrible and unreliable in my opinion, especially if you won't be using it often/everyday at some points. Plus, Tacoma's are super fun to go off-roading in, so there's that!

 

College and new vehicle does not mix.

It will get beat up, hit and who knows what else.

What occurs at colleges?? Drinking and other events which will harm a new vehicle. Also the payment is not needed for most since landing a job coming out is not always that easy.

If my parents saved up money to pay college I would have wanted them to have a new vehicle not me.

 

Yep. Keep the old truck for driving to college.

Those university parking lots are no place for a brand new vehicle.

Save the money. You'll want it after college for a new vehicle, a house, a marriage, or all three.

 

I drove a 91 f150 to college and then kept it til about 2 years ago. People on this sight trash Ford's for reliability issues, that being said, I wouldn't buy a new one. But that truck had almost 300,000 miles on it when I gave it back to my dad and he's still driving it from Abilene to Athens (TX) and back twice a week. The only repairs needed; one trans rebuild, ac overhaul, and wheel bearings. I'd save your money and drive the "free" truck until you get through with college. I also wouldn't hesitate to drive that old truck cross country either.

 

I bought my Tacoma right before I graduated and went to college and was able to pay it off in a year even with my shitty part time job at O'Reilly. Since I've been here at UTSA I have yet to have an accident or problem with it. Not that I don't agree with what you're saying, I just despise the thought of being a college kid with a Ford You never know when that thing will break down or have problems considering the mileage and the area where he'll be. But then again that's just me and my situation!

 

Keep the F 150 till it kicks, then buy the Tacoma...

Use your saved up money for enjoying college.

Buy used Tacoma for the 2/3rds when the F 150 dies.

 

A new vehicle is single worst financial investment you will ever make. You don't need the payment especially while you're in school. Drive the ford till the wheels fall off and unless you win the lottery, NEVER buy new.

 

I wouldn't look at new ever personally especially not in college. Not every one has parents who pay for them...

Maybe look into trading the ford for an older taco?

 

id look into getting a 1st gen. 2nd gen is nice but for the price for a kid in college and will have debt after.......i would minimize expenses and pay those debts off faster.