Convince Me why I should get a Tacoma.

That looks like a pain to have to exit the passenger side

 

They say time heals wounds. It surely will not bring back not account for the loss of your father, but I do trust you will be well.

I don’t know that getting a bigger vehicle will guarantee you more safety. Like someone else mentioned a 3rd gen would make more sense if your argument was all the safety features. Tacoma’s are higher off the ground with more body roll and depending on how many larger vehicles you’ve driven it might make you more of a hazard.

this is just my two cents and not at all meant to be rude, but I just think you need a little more time to cope. Not a new vehicle. If you start to fear driving for the chance of an accident, that’s not healthy in the long run.

 

Residual value. I'm on my second 2nd gen and the ability to carry anything, precious cargo included, is much better than my commuter. I'd say the Fit is good for basic city driving but other than that, get rid of it.

And sorry for your loss.

 

I carry two kayaks in the bed of my tacoma with no issue

 

Sorry for your devastating loss.
Not knowing which tacoma model you are buying makes a difference. Most here have the more common 6cyl auto which will not be as fuel efficient vs the Fit. The 4cyl would fare better but it struggles with a loaded bed.
Adding a hitch tailgate extender to a Tacoma, loading a kayak is a breeze.
If you plan on using a kayak to explore different destinations, a Tacoma will definitely be the better choice since not all destinations will have a paved pathway for low clearance vehicles.

 

If your worried about gas, get a Subaru Outback. We have a taco and outback, and the outback has proved it’s abilities, it just can’t hold all our camping gear for the week.

 

I have a 2008 X-Runner, and I get 18 in town, and 23-24 on the highway. All X-Runners came with the 4.0L V6.

 

Wont be kind on this post.

There is no excuse for the frames rusting and Toyota not correcting the problem.
They are such great running and dependable trucks for sure but unless you live somewhere they dont salt the roads these trucks turn into junk in 10 years underneath.
In California its one thing but Michigan is another.

 

Hi Jacob, so sorry about your loss. One cannot imagine.

As someone who bikes and kayaks I've found it considerably easier to transport in a Tacoma than say a Matrix. I put racks (from a Vibe) on the Matrix and was able to transport the kayak over long distances, it just was a pain to strap down securely and made the vehicle a little unstable and a handful in crosswinds or when being passed by transports. It did the job and got good fuel economy but made the trips a little more stressful. Also a pain to partially disassemble bikes to stuff them in the back. With the Tacoma, short trips, throw the kayaks in the back, bungee them down, flag on the back since they do hang out a little (not a problem, long bed is better however) and good to go. No muss, no fuss. Bikes? In the bed and drive. For long trips I have a roof rack (DCLB) and the kayak goes on the roof since the bed is full. If I couldn't see it, I wouldn't know it was up there.
Bottom line is both vehicles will do the job. The Tacoma can do everything except get great fuel economy (bank on half the Fit). The Fit will get you great mileage but the utility will be compromised. Just depends on what you want and need and what you feel comfortable driving.

Cheers, and best of luck with your decision.


First post, longtime reader, just waiting until I could add some value to the conversation.

 

Another vote for Subaru.

 

Notice I said average.

 

the cradle folds up after you strap down the kayak. Thule hullavator, look it up if you plan to cartop. This will save your back but will cost you a pretty penny.

 

Don't buy a Toyota. Buy a Mahindra!

How's that? Convinced yet?

 

This is the Mahindra I would get. A Roxor, original jeep clone.

 

You need to be in a Volvo or maybe a Hummer, now that just might be a safe vehicle. I’ve had lotsa cars during my lifetime. Several 60s VW split window type2s, early beetles, Toyota Corolla, Corona, matrix, Prius, Honda Fit, de sol, Nissan hard body truck, 86,99,2000,2006, Tacoma’s, f150, c 10 Chevy, Dodge 100, Cadillac Fleetwood plus many others. Several years ago I was only witness to fatal car accident. Victim was delivering newspapers early AM when a drug addict hit him head on. Victim was driving full size Chevy truck addict was driving Mitsubishi 2000. She was barely injured. In this case size did not matter.

 

Ridgelines aren’t really a truck, they’re more like a Honda el Camino and look goofy as shit.

 

Oh yeah just make sure you buy a long bed

 

You can get killed in any vehicle,so the reality is drive what you want.