SOLD my Tacoma (Toyota FAIL)

Trust me, you don't want all that electronic crap that GM puts in their rigs. They have a control module for everything, and while it's modular and easily diagnosed it's expensive to fix. Plus they don't stand by their products like Toyota.

Then again, I bought my Tacoma because unlike the competition it offered a simple utilitarian truck. It was almost refreshing to not have a high tech information center on the dash and real knobs and dials for the climate controls. Not to mention a standard double DIN head unit.

 

Maybe it's just me but the interior of the 2014 tacos is vastly improved from 2012 or before.

 

X2. I bought my Taco for the crank windows and manual locks. A basic truck with proven reliability....something it's competition no longer offers. I must admit, I do enjoy the a/c on hot days.

 

Get the chevy and make sure it has the push button start..........

 

Just get the chevy, that way you'll be ready for a new truck in a few years when the tacoma gets updated. XD

 

THis is for the old V10 TDI, which was a brutal to repair.

The new V6 TDI has about half the maintenance costs, Denox is like $15 a bottle if you do it yourself. Oil change intervals are 10k miles.

The new TDI also uses a chain since 2009.

 

The GM 'Many Millions Recalls' (and counting) should be a warning on the Colorado. Since the bankruptcy, GM has concentrated on survival and not on quality. Too many departures and distractions. The recalls are just the tip; for every recall there are dozens of other post-warranty problems you'll own. GM always had a focus problem on quality (Cobalt, Cruz, etc.) These recalls were inevitible, [and behind the scenes it is even worse....] GM will do whatever it takes to push the recalls onto bankrupt Old-GM, and refuse to pay for them if possible. Business sense sez they're not worth $30k of risk right now.
For a possible diesel, if you don't want hauling torque (really....in a non-full size truck?) you'll pay for the equivalent of premium fuel price for whatever benefit you get.
I've heard that the Frontier is an ok alternative but for heater mirrors and a power seat, if that important, get a retrofit into a new tacoma. They are not a big deal. Also heard the Frontier will offer poor real-world mileage. but be sure you can actually get the features you want.

 

Just go get one of these. All of that stuff should keep you happy for a while. Personally, I think they look like a geeked up slightly modernized El Camino, but to each his/her own.

2014 Ridgeline RTL with Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™
Automatic Transmission
Standard Features
$38,335
Total MSRP


Technical Features
250-hp (SAE Net), 3.5-Liter, 24-Valve, SOHC VTEC® V-6 Engine
Drive-by-Wire Throttle System
Variable Torque Management® 4-Wheel Drive System (VTM-4®)
Locking Rear Differential
High-Mounted Fresh-Air Intake
ULEV-2 CARB Emissions Rating1
Direct Ignition System with Immobilizer
Heavy-Duty Radiator with 160-Watt Fans (2)
5-Speed Automatic Transmission
Heavy-Duty Automatic Transmission-Fluid Cooler
Integrated Closed-Box Frame with Unit-Body Construction
Fully-Boxed High-Strength Steel (HSS) Frame Rails and Crossmembers with Internal Stiffeners
Steel-Reinforced Composite (SRC) Cargo Bed
MacPherson Strut Front Suspension
Multi-Link Rear Suspension with Trailing Arms
Front and Rear Stabilizer Bars
Variable Power-Assisted Rack-and-Pinion Steering
Power-Assisted Ventilated Front Disc/Solid Rear Disc Brakes
18-Inch Alloy Wheels

Safety Features
Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) with Traction Control2
Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)
Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD)
Brake Assist
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)3
Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
Dual-Stage, Multiple-Threshold Front Airbags (SRS)
Front Side Airbags with Passenger-Side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS)
Side Curtain Airbags with Rollover Sensor
Driver's and Front Passenger's Active Head Restraints
3-Point Seat Belts at all Seating Positions
Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH): Lower Anchors (2nd-Row All), Tether Anchors (2nd-Row All)
Driver's and Front Passenger’s Seat-Belt Reminder
Child-Proof Rear Door Locks

Interior Features
Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control with Air-Filtration System
Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ with Voice Recognition, Rearview Camera and Compass4
Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®5
Power Windows with Auto-Up/Down Driver's Window
Power Sliding Rear Cabin Window
Power Door Locks
Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
Multi-Functional Center Console Storage with Sliding Armrest
Driver's and Front Passenger's Illuminated Vanity Mirrors
HomeLink® Remote System6
Ambient Console Lighting
Map Lights
Sunglasses Holder
Beverage Holders (2 Front, 4 Rear)
12-Volt Power Outlets (3)
115-Volt Power Outlet
Grab Rails (Front and Rear)
Flat Rear Floor
Leather-Trimmed Interior
Heated Front Seats
Driver's Seat with 10-Way Power Adjustment, Including Power Lumbar Support
60/40 Lift-Up Rear Seat with Underseat Storage
160-Watt AM/FM/6-Disc In-Dash Audio System with 7 Speakers, Including Subwoofer
XM® Radio7
MP3/Windows Media® Audio (WMA) Playback Capability8
MP3/Auxiliary Input Jack

Exterior Features
Power Moonroof with Tilt Feature
Dual-Action Tailgate
In-Bed Trunk®
Variable Intermittent Windshield Wipers with Automatic Heated Wiper Zone
Remote Entry System
Security System
Privacy Glass
Body-Colored, Heated, Folding Power Side Mirrors
Integrated Bed Lights (4) with Auto-Off Timer
Integrated Class III Trailer Hitch
Pre-Wired for Trailer Harness
Trailer Harness
Fog Lights
Heavy-Duty Tow Hooks (Front and Rear)
Heat-Rejecting Green-Tinted Glass
Hidden Roof-Mounted Antenna
Multi-Reflector Halogen Headlights with Auto-Off
Body-Colored Door Handles

 

Not sure how the v6 compares to the I4 TDI, but the trans service is crazy expensive too (I had the manual because I like to row the gearbox and to avoid this service).

 

Thank you for the sound advice and well written reply. My initial research claims that the defective engine and poor gas mileage have been addressed. (supposedly Nissan has made some improvements to the Frontier over the years).

Concerning high octane fuel, that is what I was running in my Taco anyway. The owner's manual recommended 91, although it claimed you could run regular. I wasn't aware of the Frontier V6 needing high octane, will have to look into that.

The carrier bearing issue is definitely something worth researching. Although I don't haul, and never really towed, any defect that hasn't been corrected will be a concern.

Although I've stated this several times in this thread it is worth mentioning again, my complaint isn't with the truck itself rather with Toyota for not updating it. Tacoma is the most reliable IMO.

Thanks again for the Intel on the Frontier. I plan to start researching it more on the Forums to hear what current owners are talking about. You've already given me a few issues to check out to start.

 

good luck with that fronty.

 

Okay, let me rephrase.
The Tundra has the worst full size truck fuel economy. And that's before you even lift it.

Buddy of mine has a TDI, good to know...

I'm not disagreeing, but it's a long way from being an overhaul. The only difference is the head unit, surrounding controls, steering wheel, and speedo. All else is the same.

Ha. Lol'd

I remain by my suggestion... Buy a Tacoma!

OP: Have you considered buying another 05-11 Tacoma? Heck, buy one from a TW member! You may be able to get a better deal than you sold yours for. I would buy the Tacoma and then sell it in a few years when the 3rd gen comes out.

That reminds me, do you guys feel comfortable buying the 3rd gen as soon as it comes out? It seems to me a better idea to wait and see if any problems arise... If so, there's some haggling leverage at the very least!

 

Go drive a Frontier. They are very nice trucks, but when it comes down to it the Toyota is much, much nicer driving, looking, and value when reselling. I guess I can understand wanting something different though.

 

Wanting something different is where TW comes in... Time for some mods!

 

x2 Sold my 08 and bought a new 13'. At times I felt stupid for doing this since its basically the same truck. Then again, at times I feel like it was a great decision if the re design is crap

 

I don't see how people reach this conclusion either. Most of the time it seems like people compare their real world MPG numbers to the advertised manufacturer numbers, which is a terrible comparison.

You also shouldn't compare your real world numbers with "joe schmo" on "_____ forum" who said he got 25 MPG, when everyone elses' averages are showing around 15. That is just like comparing your numbers with someone on here who drives like a granny and hypermiles it and under optimal conditions gets 23 mpg on the 4.0L V6. That is an achievement that majority of us will never see lol.

Anyone can go on Fuelly.com right now and pull better numbers to use for a better comparison. Generally the full sizes are getting slightly less MPG than the average Tacoma MPG numbers (hovers around 18-1.5 MPG). Full sizes around the board look somewhere around ~15-16 mpg

So in a nutshell the MPG argument is skewed majority of the time.

 

See my thread:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/general-automotive/281156-i-drove-ridgeline-i-liked.html

 

i recently got rid of my tacoma due to it needing many repairs and being a horribly uncomfortable bench seat reg cab, got an f150 reg cag 4x4 as a replacement, mileage is the same on the hwy and i have an extra 200hp, in town it is a little worse mileage than the taco. it's very comfortable. but the taco was narrower and fit better in trails and other places. i think the frontier is a nice truck, for some reason i completely forgot nissan existed when i was looking for a change or woulda checked them out. another reason for not getting another tacoma was toyota was only willing to give 2k less then everybody else on trade and wouldn't budge on their pricing.

 

OP, since you already sold your truck before getting a new one, do you really need a truck? Why not get an SUV instead (Toyota or other)?

I'd get into a nice fully loaded SUV, and then sell it 5 or so years down the road after the next gen Tacoma has been out for a couple years. There are way better options out there for SUVs than for mid-size trucks, and you could even stay in a Toyota and get the same kind of resale value when you move back to a newly designed Taco. Even outside of Toyota though, you would have many more options to consider and most SUVs have more of the luxuries and technology it seems you are looking for.