GMC Sierra vs Tacoma

This! I couldn't get shit for it on CL, so I traded it in for next to nothing but didn't have to deal with the CL idiots.

 

He sells it so that it's still has decent resale value...not because they would otherwise breakdown. Also he likes new trucks. If I had the money I would probably do the same thing with tacos.

 

I drive a 2013 Sierra V8 6 speed auto all day everyday for work and my daily is an '11 V6 5 speed auto DCSB Off Road.

I much prefer the Tacoma. It handles better, is more responsive, and is easier to park. The V8/ 6 Speed auto combo is absolutely horrendous. I have to keep it in 5 or 4 to prevent the endless gear hunting on highways.

The HVAC controls are easier to operate on the fly on the Tacoma. The Sierra controls have small buttons that require you to take your eyes off the road. The extra cabin room can be nice in the Sierra but there are already rattles developing at less than 45k miles on the odometer.

The extra weight and basic suspension make the Sierra feel like a boat compared to the Tacoma. I can't explain how sluggish, unresponsive, and boat-like the handling is. I've spent a lot of time driving a Nissan Titan and it handles much better than the Sierra, so I don't think it's a size/weight issue.

Let me know if there's anything else you want to know.

 

I understand, I change rigs requently too. I was basically saying "of course he doesn't have problems, he doesn't keep them long."

I'm surprised he gets anything for them after 3-5 years. When I sold cars (ugh I hated it so much), the worst thing to pull on the lot was always a late model Chevy/GMC truck or suburban/Tahoe. They lost such a huge amount as they drove off the lot new, and were pretty consistently 8-12k upside down at 2-3 years. Pretty much the only vehicle that caused the sales force to scatter and hide when they pulled onto the lot.

 

Got it. So we agree after 5 years they're throwaway cars.

 

Yup.... resale value on them is HORRIBLE.... 99 suburban 4x4 purchased for ~ 45k new.... sold for 1/10th the value (4500bucks) at 105k miles in 07.

01 2500hd 4x4 6.0L purchased for ~38k new, sold for 5k @ 145k miles in 2013.....

The 04 tacoma prerunner purchased for 24k new... could be sold for probably 7-8k and its got 240k miles on it.

 

Does your wife drive the Sierra? People refer to them as boats. I would refer to it as an aircraft carrier. She may like driving the Tacoma more.

Do you 'need' to leave the full size market behind? Probably not. Do you want to? I would.

Personally, I drive a mid-size truck because it fits my needs. As a homeowner, I need to haul mulch, lumber, drywall, dump runs (my favorite), my family with a carseat, while being able to get me out into the mountains on weekend off road multi-day camping trips. None of my hauling needs are heavy duty work. The one time I arguably needed a full size, I put 1800lbs into the bed of a built up 89 22re truck and it managed fine. A full size would guzzle fuel far worse than the Tacoma (do not be fooled by epa ratings), it is a PITA to park, PITA to work on, doesn't stand a chance off road in the tight forest trails in WA state, and is not remotely enjoyable to drive IMO. The full size truck will be better at towing, and heavy duty hauling, and offer more room. Until the day comes that I exceed the abilities of a mid-size truck, I will not trade the benefits of a mid-size for the gross bloat of a full size.

 

He has actually gotten quite a bit for his last couple. He babies the shit out of them and doesn't put many miles on them though. Always sells on his own, and it takes a while but it happens.

Let's face it though, for resale value, the only thing to beat a taco is maybe an FJ.

 

nice

 

I certainly wouldn't keep one for longer than that...but then again, I would never buy one in the first place. I love my taco! If I had to go full size I would be more interested in the f150. I think the newer sierras look like an old guy truck

 

hahahhhah 250k miles for $8k we Tacoma guys are definitely out of our minds

 

Well you happen to be lucky on timing, although I don't know how valuable my opinion is. I just so have happened to have traded in my 2005 GMC Sierra and bought my first Toyota, a 2015 DCSB TRD. I LOVED my GMC, the truck didn't owe me a dime. If I was single I would have kept it for another 3-4 years, but my wife's car was paid off and trying to leap frog car payments. Anyway, I've had my eye on Tacoma's for a few years now (looks wise) I just think they're pretty sharp. So far I'm very happy with my decision. Now mind you even though I worked a lot out of my GMC I kept it very clean and took care of it. I'll never understand when people say " its a truck" and don't take care of their property. You are making payments on it just like a car so not taking care of your stuff just doesn't make sense to me. Sorry a little off subject. I'm not working out of my truck now as much, but I believe I still wouldn't have a problem if I worked out of my Tacoma. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

Thanks very much. I appreciate all the insight and advice. I would be the one driving the truck and not my wife. My wife just enjoys the sierra because of the room and she says it has more space for car seats (etc). However my son has only ridden with me one time so that doesn't carry a lot of weight. I had a 98 extended cab Tacoma that I put 200K miles on and loved it. I got into a full size truck and do enjoy it but greatly miss a Tacoma. I have about decided on what I should do but the next question is should I wait on the 2016's. Thanks again for all the responses.

 

FWIW I purposely bought a 15 Taco after a lot!!!! of hours trolling the forum. Not worth a new vehicle first year out chance for me and frankly the atkinson cycle engine was the final deal breaker. Not interested in it. I get that my truck hasn't been changed much in years and don't care. As for GM trucks have owned two and NEVER again. Just my useless 2 cents

 

Not a Sierra, but I drove full 1/2 tons made by Ford, Chevy, Dodge and even a J-10 Jeep from 1976-2007. I traded my 4X4 02 F-150 Super-crew for a 4X4 07 Tacoma Double cab in 2007. For me it was the smartest thing I've ever done. By that time my kids were grown and out of the house so I didn't need a bigger back seat. Grandkids are 2,5, and 7 so they fit back there just fine. My 6'3" 240 lb son is a tight fit and I needed a bigger truck when he was living at home.

My Ford had the smaller 4.6L V-8 and was WEAK. My Tacoma is rated to tow virtually the same, but in reality pulls more weight easier than my old truck. Much more pep and 3-4 mpg better fuel mileage. A properly equipped Tacoma is rated to tow 6500 lbs. You can equip a 1/2 ton to tow 10,000 or so, but most that you see on the road are only rated for 7500-8000 lbs. Just not that much more than the Tacoma. If I can't pull it with my truck I probably need a 3/4 ton.

The 3-4 mpg doesn't seem like much, but after 150,000+ miles I figure it has saved me about $8,000 over what I would have spent if I were still driving the F-150. The Tacoma was also about $8000 cheaper than a comparable Ford/Chevy/Dodge at the time as well. Not to mention virtually zero in repair bills. No telling how much the mechanics would have gotten with any of the big trucks

The only pluses are a bigger back seat if you go with a full size with 4 full doors, a bit better ride and more room in the bed and cab for people and gear. The money saved is worth the trade-offs to me. But, if someone really needs the room you gotta do what you gotta do. To be honest I had considered a Tacoma earlier, but they were just too small. The 2nd gens are more of a mid-size and work for me. If they were still making them the same size as the older versions I'd still be driving a 1/2 ton.

 

I went from a loaded 2008 GMC Sierra SLT Z71 Crew Cab 4x4 to my 2015 Tacoma double cab.

The GMC had to be repaired twice for Active Fuel Management problems on the 5.3 L V8. The last repair was to replace all 8 pistons and rings with only 79000 miles on it.

Knowing of Toyotas with over 200,000 trouble free miles made it a no brainier for me.

Love my Tacoma. Never looked back.

 

Tell her to get back in the kitchen and make you a sammich. Men need the truck they want.

 

I prefer guts over glitz. Have friend that works for a huge logging co in Northern Maine they have both Tacoma’s and full size pickups he told me when they go out into the woods they take the Tacoma’s when they go to town they take the full size. He said with the Tacoma’s in the woods they know they won’t have to walk out.

 

Not around here.

All they care about is Chevy's with a lift kit. Mostly because it was in a country song, and mostly because "chicks" are stupid.

Women are great, chicks are stupid.

 

Myself I had a 15 Sierra dbl cab and was considering trading it on a 19 dbl cab sport trd. But never did. It ended up getting written off in a head on collision. Fast forward a couple months ago I bought a 19 Sierra crew to replace my 15. I don’t like it. Due to my knee injury from the accident, I just can’t get comfortable. Also now living in a condo, I am now rethinking the new Tacoma. Don’t really tow or haul anything except lumber and supplies to the cottage every weekend. No kids, just my wife and I. Gonna see what I will get on trade.