17' TRD OR DC tech pack or Colorado Diesel Z71, same price, anyone else contemplate this?

I went back and forth between the GMC Canyon (basically the same truck as the Colorado) and a Tacoma. The GMC Canyon "All Terrain" (Z71 in chevy) is a very nice truck...and I really wanted a "New" truck but couldn't foresee getting new...the 3rd Gen Taco and '15-17 GMC/Chevy's were out of my price range. I just waited a long time and perused autotrader for a few months before my 2014 Tacoma came around for a great deal. I test drove a '17 Tacoma DCSBOR, and a '16 GMC Canyon All Terrain, and both were very nice trucks. GMC beats the Tacoma for interior amenities, power everything, remote start, etc. Tacoma wins for Off-Road Capability, Reliability, Resale Value, and just plain good looks. If you end up looking at the Chevy, make sure it has the Bose sound system, its waaaay better than the standard gm system. Also, the GMC version has an Auto AWD function that is kinda neat, but not sure how useful. I did not test drive the diesel option, so my opinion is based on the gas model unfortunately. In all honesty (before deciding to get my used '14 Tacoma) the GM truck won my pro-con list. HOWEVER, the network on TW, plus the sheer numbers of Tacomas driving around with 2-300K miles on them, and resale value, swayed me back to the Tacoma...and I just think it looks better on and off road. I was a GM guy for my last 3 vehicles, but I love my Taco. Also here is a funny review from an overland blog about the Taco---"Summary: Good enough for hauling 15 Taliban across Afghanistan, so just right for you!" Go with what you really need/want, and just check all the features pros/cons you can before buying, and maybe consider a Used 2nd Gen Tacoma . Good Luck!

EDIT: If Toyota put a diesel in the Tacoma.... the competition would be over!

 

Hey guys thanks for all the comments keep them coming. Ill address some of the comments now though.
-The price of the Colorado has MSRP shy of $41k. It is a 17's and its Chevy truck month. It has added bonuses on it, even the diesel. I am getting a little over $5k off. It is a Z71, so its 4wd.

-I also live in a California emissions state. There are 14 states that use these rules. CT, ME, MD, MA, NJ, NY, OR, PA, RI, VT, WA, CA,AZ,NM Now what that means is that a vehicle has to meet Cali emissions standards. Also, any vehicle wiht less than 7500 miles on it is considered new. Not all manufactures do this. Ford does not, so basiucally when Ford manufactures an F150, then they ship it to a state without Cali emissions. It does not meet those standards of Cali Emissions. It even says so under the hood sticker. Thus, I cannot get a new F150 form a state like say TX, that is having insane deals on F150's. Nor, can I get a used one with less than 7500 miles on it, if it isnt Cali Emissions. Chevy and Toyota are Cali emissions no matter what, so no worries there.

- My pros for the Chevy are, way better MPG, more towing capacity, more reg leg room, nicer seating position, better driving, rear bumper step, nicer interior
-My pros for the Tacoma are, looks way better, Infotainment systems is better, resale is better, off road its better

So its a toss up. Thats why I came on here to see. To me as an everyday driver I feel the colorado would be better. But as a truck guy, the Tacoma just feels like a truck, looks like a truck. But has horrible MPG, yes I know you dont buy a truck for MPG, but when v8 full sizes get the same mpg, Cmon Toyota....

 

Not sure how you finances are, but if kids are in the future and you will need to stay with this ride for a while, take the interior space as a priority. Will you be driving enough miles to make the diesel worth it? What one will you be able to look at and say dam, I am happy I spent my money on this, not the I wish I had bought.

 

Well right now I drive back and forth to my home to let my dog out every lunch hour. So I drive about 30 miles a day in all hilly, suburban traffic that I never go more than 45mph on. So, ya if I stayed here in Pitt I would drive a good amount of miles. However, my company has already said I could work remotely if I ever wanted to move. However, I am not happy at my company and will be looking for a new position in Philly. so I dont know what that looks like or where it would be, so its hard to gauge that.

If you think about it MPG should be a big determination for people besides resale. Think about it.

Lets go on a 20 gal tank of gas with no particular truck in mind, just go by math. Say one truck gets 17 mpg, the other gets 20mpg. So a 3mpg difference. Lets say Gas is $2.50 a gallon. 17x20=340 and 20x20=400 so 60 more miles. 60/17=3.53 that how many more gallons the lower MPG truck needs to get those 60 miles. Which is $8.83

Lets take the 1k average miles driven per month. Still same averages as above. so 1000/17=58.83 gallons a month x$2.5= $147.08 or 1000/20=50 gallons x$2.5= $125
So $147.08-$125= $22.08 and that is the difference in 3mpg, I am financing for 72 months. so $22.08 x72= $1589.76

So if the Tacoma will get say 17 mpg city on average and the Colorado Diesel gets say 23 mpg. Thats 6mpg difference and over 6 years comes to $3179.52 saving. factor in maintinance for a diesel, and about a $.20-$.30 increase in price. the saving would be around $2k, thats the way I am thinking of it as.

 

If you have time, check out TFL truck on youtube, they have some decent reviews of both trucks. However, it sounds like in your case the diesel chevy is gonna be the better option, especially since they are taking nearly 5K off MSRP.

 

I had the "it feels like a truck" point of view about 3 years ago when I first went with the Tacoma. All the pros that you listed were definitely in the equation as well: resale, reliability, mod-ability, off-road prowess, company ethics. For the most part I've enjoyed the mods, and off-road prowess. But I've since started re-thinking the "reliability" point of view and actually considering some of the competitive mid-sized trucks options that are out or will be out soon: Chevy Colorado Z71/ZR2, Ford Ranger, GMC Canyon.

Mostly because I've had some issues...

Fun:

• Modding the headlights.
• Putting in my own radio
• Adding aftermarket parts (Weathertechs, Wet Okoles, Sliders, 2" Ironman lift, wheels, tires)
• Ground clearance
• Good looks

Not so fun:

• MPG (only gotten over 18 on the first trip I took with it)
• Stiff ride (Ironmans have 863lbf/in spring rate... my fault mostly)
  
• Seating position too high (rear-view mirror mod, dealt with it)
• Blower motor buzzing and grinding (replaced with TSB version)
• Vibrations (replaced needle bearing with the ECGS version)
• Seized strut bolts (shop finished the install)
• Vibrations (replaced the carrier bearing)
• Drivers side pull (dozens of alignments from half a dozen different places)
• Wandering (replaced UCAs with Light Racing, removed a leaf spring, more alignments, wheels/tires)
• Water intrusion (finally fixed after re-sealing back window)
• Fixing the timing chain cover oil leak TSB (over $1k, will have to be done again some years later)
• Vibrations (replaced U-Joints)
• Master Brake light (intermittent problem... for now)
• Vibrations (broken rear flange yoke, drive shaft literally fell off)
• Vibrations (repaired/e-balanced and replaced carrier bearing again)

 

lol I watch them religiously. I dont like the tall guy is it Roman? The short thicker guys is the best one. The tall guy is just Raptor this and Raptor that. The short guy loves the Tacoma, however, I watched the Canyon diesel MPG test. It got 31.3mpg on the same route they test every truck. He said he may even buy it he liked it so much. lol. I couldnt find one, besides towing, on the Taco, but the F150 2.7 got 23 mpg on their route.

 

I agree about the TFL reviewers! Tacoma downside.... fuel mileage! I had a chevy cruze previous to the Tacoma... I gave up 14 MPG... your calculations showed me how much money I am losing!

 

I mean its really simple math, and people get caught up in the moment. I have argued over $5 a month difference, lol. So think about it, if One truck is the same price as the other, lets even say same warranty, maintenance costs, ect. However one is 3mpg better, thats going to be a $22 a month difference. The more MPG difference the more that goes up.

 

I debated the same over a year ago and chose Tacoma mainly for the emissions on the diesel. I personally didn;t want to deal with those extra systems a they age. Since the GM twins are so young, there's no real data on how they age though.

One item I'd like to point out is if you plan on using a roof rack/roof storage. The GM has an antenna on the roof that sticks up several inches, making it virtually impossible to install a roof rack and load it. Toyota is a shark fin that is much smaller. This was a major factor for me as I carry a kayak and/or canoe regularly.

 

Ya, I agree that it is new. However, I have faith in Duromax. Those things last forever. Also, the Taco engine may not be new, but the pairing with this tranny is and it seems to be not the best combo. Especially if the most die hard of Taco owners say the old model was better to drive and loking on this forum and seeing so many problems. To be honest, can we really say that the Tacoma would last much longer? Also, I have no use for a roof rack, so that doesnt matter to me.

I do like the Taco with he way it looks though, its pretty sharp and its offroad capability is amazing, along with resale. Thats why this decision is very hard. I am getting a good deal on either of the trucks.

 

Are you going to be offroading on a regular basis or something?

Resale value is good, but consider that the drivetrain combo and fuel economy is not in your favor from the description of where you'll be using it. So, lackluster drivability and poor fuel economy. You might hate driving it every day - maybe not immediately, but maybe in 6 months.. maybe in a year, maybe 2? How long are you planning to keep it?

I wouldn't care about my resale value 5 years down the road, if I drove a car that made me question buying it for even 2 of those years. I'd really not bother with brands or aesthetics, and prioritize your driving enjoyment and economy, first. Then if you really hate how one looks over the other, or don't trust a brand over the other, then let that be the deciding factor. Realistically, asking if you should get a Brand X on a Brand X enthusiast forum is never going to give you a legit piece of advice. For every 100 replies, 3 will go against the tide of the rest, and that'd be the same on the GM forum also.

I'd buy what you can enjoy driving. Neither is a bad looking truck, and if I could get far better driving experience and double the fuel economy with one of two trucks, that'd be the one I go with. An under powered or under performing truck makes a miserable life if you live in hill country, in my experience.

 

Ya, my test drive wasnt the greatest, found myself constantly having to press the gas down more. It felt like it had no power around a turn or going up a hill. My wifes 16 Rogue feels like it has more "zip". But I'm not looking for acceleration in truck, especially if I am looking at diesel, however, the diesel felt like it always had power and was in the correct torque band.

Also, wont be doing too much off roading, but the suspension was wonderful in the Taco with the OR. However, there was some body roll around turns, the Colorado had none of that.

 

So, bear in mind I'm speaking without emotional attachment to either truck and not a fanboy who thinks the Tacoma is best, always. If you're not taking advantage of the offroad ability of the Tacoma (I have no clue how the two compare, but both are plenty capable.. which is more so? Dunno. Tacoma has more support for aftermarket, but stock vs stock I bet it's not all that different). Your benefits to own the Tacoma are pretty much limited to resale value. The rest of your uses are all things the Tacoma is not good at.

If it were my money, I'd not spend it there. The financial return is there, but if that's the only thing I'm buying a car for then I'm not right in the head or I'm not driving much in conditions that make a difference.

 

Ya, I mean a lot of what you are saying makes sense. I do like the fact the Colorado has a 4x4 Auto button as well. Its just a piece of mind to have that on when the conditions are iffy, especially when I have my future children in the truck. I guess its more of a first love feeling. I liked the 3rd gen Taco since the day it came out. However, you are making sense to me, that is why I made this post. I think more boxes check in favor of the Colorado Diesel. Also ran the KBB of a 16 TRD off road and a 16 Colo diesel, the Taco was like $500 more in value after 20k miles. I dunno, we shall see and I will let everyone know. Thank you for the input!

 

Yeah man, good luck. I'm sure neither will be a disappointment, so you're in good shape no matter what.

Just gotta figure out what makes the most sense for your needs.

 

My previous 2015 Gas powered Colorado and 2017 Tacoma have very little difference in gas mileage. Both around 19-20.
I see you are looking at Diesel which is a considerable difference.

 

I'm glad I didn't drive a chevy Colorado with the small diesel in it. I am not impressed with the fit and finish of chevy and the interiors of them. However just need to decide if the drivetrain is worth it pretty much. I'm sure there are also 'tuners' that will come out eventually that could increase the performance of that diesel and also maybe increase MPG. Would NOT do anything until warranty is out though. Tacoma has I'm sorry no improvements for engine performance unless you supercharge it.

If chevy's looked decent I would have probably looked at one. I did have a 97 ZR2 S10 and loved the looks of that truck but the engine sucked. Good luck with your choice if you could get the ZR2 or the Offroad one that is coming out for an additional 1-2k I would do that! Let us know what your decision is.

AGREE look and post on a Colorado forum too!

 

Whats a Colorado?

 

I am originally from PGH, there is no way I would want to drive an 3rd Gen Automatic there, way too many hills and that transmission would be up and down shifting constantly. Maybe you can get an overnight test drive of the different trucks you like and are considering.