Looking for my first pickup...contemplating a 2016 Tacoma

If you are going to be hauling more than a 1500 +/- lbs trailer, brake controller is a must and either air bags or beefier leaf springs will help with the squat. OEM leafs aren't great.

 

Agree with most of this. Go out and look at the Nissan and GM twins. Try to wait for reviews and drive of the '16 Taco.
Doesn't sound like you want to tackle the Rubicon anytime soon. Look at gas mileage, quietness, interior, ride, features, price.
Some folks have bias toward GM over the bailout "Goverment Motors" or the ignition switch. That's like holding Toyota responsible for their involvement in WW 2 or their "unintended acceleration". Keep an open mind, buy the best product for your needs.

 

I'm trying to hold off for the reviews. It's good that from what I hear they should be around in a week or two. My wife really wants me to get something before the winter sets in. Consumer Reports has always been my friend.

Another question: does anyone know if Limiteds can have long beds?

 

Honda will be unveiling an all new Ridgeline at the L.A. auto show in October. It will be based on the all new Honda Pilot, with 3.5 V6 direct injection, 6 speed auto, with in bed trunk. If you don't need a "real truck", check it out. The inbed trunk is sweet and a 2 way swinging tailgate is a plus and the ride is car like. If you're like me, I just need an SUV with a bed, the new Ridgeline might do the trick but it's a 5' 3" bed (or thereabouts, the bed is said to be a bit longer than the first Gen) and the styling will be traditional truck. Honda has posted a teaser illustration of the back end of the truck, it looks good.

I'm 60/40 in favor of the 3rd Gen Taco over the new Ridgeline because I need a 6' bed to transport my motorcycle cross country. That's the only reason I'm getting a truck to replace my soon to be 15 year old honda van. a 5' bed might be too tight.

 

If you are a consumer reports junkie like me, then stay away from GM brands. I like getting to the mostly RED sections which usually places you round about Toyota. Now if Ford would only reintroduce the Ranger to North America and put a 2.7L Ecoboost in it

 

I don't trust consumer reports anymore. That is all.

 

Consumer Reports has been all over the place. They used to love anything Toyota or Asian, but they haven't been too crazy about the Tacoma. Many New Gm models now top their ratings; the Impala is one of the best cars they've tested. They claim the Eco-boost is not delivering on mileage.

 

I noticed that they were none too favorable about the 2015 Tacoma. Whether that was due to the "age" of the design, or that they didn't like it versus a comfortable luxury car, I wasn't sure.

 

My impression was that they didnt like the way it rode I guess compared to full size trucks. That and the lack of frills probably led to their being cold on the Tacoma. I am interested to see what they think about the 16 now that it's been updated.

 

I was taking what they said with a grain of salt. When I drove the 2015 for a week when I was on vacation, I had zero issues with head room and seating...but they talk about how you sit on the floor and there is no head room. Bear in mind that i am 5'7"...

 

Every consumer report I've seen on the Tacoma is basically, Waaah! It's not a car we don't like that's it's a truck etc. ha

 

Well, I had my test drives of both the Canyon and Colorado. I have to say, they were nice trucks overall. The Canyon with it's more "luxury" suspension was too cushy for me: you could feel the road better with the Colorado. The cloth seats are just as Consumer Reports says: hard. Without lumbar adjustment, the lower seat feels like its pushing into my back, and was uncomfortable. The leather seats with adjustable lumbar, which I also tested, are much better in that regard. The dash layout, gauges, buttons, etc, were all nicely laid out To me, the V6 seemed sluggish to accelerate....but so did the Tacoma V6. I think this is more due to my never having driven trucks before and being used to cars.

I've got a lot to think about...especially since I'm sure it will be a while before there is a 2016 Tacoma available to test.

 

I bet it's the auto that makes them feel slow.

 

It's possible. This is coming from driving either my automatic 1998 Accord or manual 2006 Mustang GT.