Is it worth it?

Hello toyota tacoma owners. I have wanted one for about 10 years now. I currently have a 2009 honda civic hybrid. Everyday driving (when intentionally driving like an old man) gets me 52 MPG. I just drove from FT Lewis WA, to FT Bliss TX and got 61.9 MPG (driving like a slow a hole but spending $72.93 on gas to drive 1,784 miles. I am all about modding a car to get the best mpg possible. I realized a verybig down side to my car is having to cut lumber for home improvements really small INOT (in order to INOT) fit in my car. Any modifications to get better MPG carbon fiber, aero dynamic parts, or anything anyone has tried would be miuch appreciated.
I don't need anything offroad just a pickup truck that gets good mpg

 

You won't get mileage from a Taco. Eco-boost F150 is the way to go. Or diesel GM twin if you trust a GM.

 

The Tacoma is not fuel efficient.

@BamZipPow is the head MPG guy around here, but he's fairly fringe.

If you're hardcore into hypermiling as the main goal, then you'll get a kick out of his content.

 

Going from 52 mpg to 24 mpg will be quite a shock, and that's assuming you get the most frugal 2WD 4-cyl Tacoma model. If you just need to haul the occasional lumber, install a trailer hitch on your Civic.

 

Thanks for all the responses. I didn't expect as many so soon. I'm just trying to visualize the mods i've done to my hybrid transfered over to a pickup truck.
I understand i will never get anything close mpg wise from a pickup truck than i get from a hybrid. I am looking into lowering(not ghetto lowrider, but comfortable ride height) a tacoma and putting low rolling resistance tires on it. If it's worth it i think i can swing the cost of a carbon drive shaft, and some forged wheels. I'm just hoping i'm not the first person who has tried to hypermile a Tacoma, and i don't waste $2,000 dollars on rims that don't do what i want them to do.

 

If you're worried about milage, don't get a truck.

 

I bought my 2009 honda civic hybrid new from the dealership, the salesman made it a point to say at no time should i tow anything. The CVT cannot handle it.

 

In all seriousness, do you even need a truck? Or just always wanted one? MPG will be a shock to ya.

 

Maybe get an old beater truck to tow/haul and keep your Honda. You won't be happy daily driving a truck.

 

I love the reliability/mpg of the honda civic hybrid. I have had the car for 8 years and not had a single maintenance cost other than changing the oil/regular stuff.

 

Use the Civic as a DD and buy the truck for weekend/wheeling/lumber hauling toy. win win.

 

I got a good one though, don't take my testimonial as an advert for the vehicle. A lot of people got screwed over with it.

 

My wife has a NISSAN JUKE NISMO RS that we still owe a pretty penny on. So me having 2 vehicles is out of the question.

 

Can rent this 100 times for forged wheel costs...

But if your goal is to squeeze the most of a truck, I'd think a diesel platform and a 10 speed auto would be a better starting point. But I've never tried before so I'm just speculating.

 

The money you have saved over the years has paid for delivery of your lumber for rest of your life.

I don't see how you can justify the purchase.

If you were honest with yourself and you just wanted a Tacoma because you like them, then go for it.

You will never see 30 mpg. You may see 25 mpg. You will hate the truck every time you fill it up.

 

Welcome aboard!

With all the money you would spend in the name of MPG, it would take YEARS to recover the cost of doing so in fuel savings. Keep that in mind. You would be spending at least a few thousand if not more, to get a few more MPG's. I did the math comparing the Tacoma to the new Colorado, based on MPG and MSRP. A difference of 6-7 MPG if I recall, favoring the Colorado (by EPA estimates). Spending $6,000 more on the Colorado would take me ~8 years (of my driving habits, ~15,000 miles a year) to break even in fuel savings. EDIT: And that's with CA fuel (aka expensive!). I based it on $3/gallon. It would take much longer in most states with cheap gas.

Essentially, by the time the better fuel mileage made up for the extra cost of the truck...I'd be ready to sell it based on age.

 

Keep the car for DD, buy a micro-truck for Home Depot trips.

 

I just looked at that frankentruck with the single wheel in the back.
Maybe i'll look into a removable roof rack for the civic.
I still want a tacoma though.

 

Can't blame you for wanting a Tacoma, but trucks aren't for MPG's. I actually get better gas mileage in my GTO, driving it aggressively. The mods you are considering doing will take a decade to pay for themselves.