New to Tacoma... need some insight/advice

Hey everyone, I am new to tacomas, new to pickup trucks fwiw and I am looking to get into
a Tacoma offroad with MT.

Main reason is... as a recent new homeowner also, I have realized the need for a pickup.
A midsize pickup, if it was a work truck I would probably be looking into a f250.

Second reason is I love to drive MT and I don't really like the look on the gladiator.
I have owned a 2 door and 4 door wranglers both with MT but not too fond of the gladiator.

So my questions are basically for advise...

1. what am i getting myself into? lol have never owned or driven a pickup for longer than a
weekend. I have a family suv so this would be my commuter and weekend trips to the beach
with light offroad use plus hauling materials (small qtys) and "small" equipment (landscaping
stuff and the sort).

2. anyone that has driven JK wrangers with MT how is it compared with the MT in the Tacoma?
I do not mind rowing gears in stop and go traffic. I cannot find a MT within 30 miles to test drive.

Thanks in advance
Fabian

 

Welcome, the OR MT only comes in DCSB configuration if that matters to you, as a homeowner l love my truck as it does everything I need it to.

 

Yes thank you I do need the double cab and don't think I need the longer bed.

 

Good deal, you can add a bed extender in the hitch for extra long items if needed. I haven't driven a Gladiator so l cant help on that comparison.

 

I have the 2017 Sport DCSB in a MT and love it. I would like the longer bed, but for my home projects it is fine. It fit the family well and safely, tows my JD2026R tractor well, have hauled all of my appliances well. My only gripe is the MT reverse is geared WAY to high. I have been happy with it for the last ~4.5 years and 64k miles later

 

Welcome to the forum !

First, these are handy duty trucks not heavy duty trucks, they are great for homeowner or sportsman stuff and will pull a utility trailer or a small camper just fine. The 6 foot bed is a nice bonus if you can get it.

How far do you commute? Thrifty and Tacoma don't really go together, you can expect around 21 mpg on the highway, a bit better if you keep your speed under 70.

These are "cozy" inside, some folks like that others don't. If you are a larger guy or have larger family members this may be a deciding issue. The interior has a sports car vibe going and the manual shifts very nicely - for a truck.

Some folks seem to expect a GTI style driving experience from a manual shift pick up, it isn't and never will be.

I don't know if it is an option in your area, the best test drive would be to rent one for a weekend, it doesn't need to be a manual or the trim you want. This would give you a chance to live with the truck for a day or two and see if you and the truck like each other -- without a salesman pestering you.

If you decide to get a manual you may need to order and wait or search and travel to get one. There is lots of resource here, just start reading the forums. Good luck and keep us updated!

 

Thank you! My commute is ~30 miles each way but not too worried about mpg (I have a hybrid suv if that offsets anything lol) and btw I rarely drive over 70...
I prefer cruising not speeding that's why I love jeeps but a wrangler doesn't really help my "needs". On top of everything else I mentioned before, I work in construction
management so I also need a truck that can handle "offroad" terrains.

My father has owned 4runners for a couple of years now and I drive his every now and then... is there any similarity to the inside "feel" of a Tacoma?
I like/need a truck so not expecting anything close to a sports car driving experience.

Unfortunately, I don't see a weekend rental as an option and not looking to order/wait for one. I'm willing to travel some but also thinking of the risk of buying
sight unseen sort of speak.

Thanks for your help.

 

Another option might be Carmax. They can transfer a truck to your local Carmax if needed. Even if you pay for that and don't buy from them, it's better than buying a new one and a week later wishing you had made other choices. Welcome to the forum and congrats on choosing a Tacoma!

 

Welcome to TW!

What are you getting yourself into?
A whole lot of

Definitely dont check out the “what have you done to your 3rd gen today?” thread
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/what-have-you-done-to-your-3rd-gen-today.399305/page-10434

 

Almost any stock 4x4 pickup will handle anything a reasonable person would attempt at a construction job site, perhaps with the addition of better tires. The better the tires the more your fuel economy drops naturally.

I have never driven a 4 Runner, i believe they are larger inside. Trying to talk my wife into one, she doesn't like the size or the fuel economy.

You really need to do an extended test drive, it seems Toyota dealers offer rentals from what I saw online.
Alternately perhaps you could cut a deal ($$) with a local independent used dealer for a weekend.
You just can't learn much in a 20 minute test drive.

If you are buying new there really isn't a risk (of bad product) by purchasing sight unseen, your local Toyota dealer can handle any warranty issues for you.

 

lol I figured, I went through this with the wranglers
Thanks

 

Yes, and reason #2 drove me to the Tacoma lol a local dealer somehow got one delivered recently so gonna test drive it this weekend and will look into possibly renting
a used one for a week/end. Thank you.

 

where are you located? there may be an owner around here local to you that can help you check it out?

 

I'm on Long Island, NY

 

Personally, if you plan on using the bed often for home depot trips or family trips, I would look at a 6ft bed. It seems like majority of items I haul in the past such as fence boards, furniture, etc, coincidentally are built at exactly 6ft in length. The only negative with a long bed is parking but I have front and rear cameras so not an issue.

 

He wants a MT so no long bed in a Double Cab

 

I've driven a few MT Wranglers - you will be right at home with the Taco. Similar feel, a little smoother feeling in the Taco from what I remember but that also might just be bc I bought my truck new vs. driving used/older Wranglers.

I renovate/flip houses and I have never run into a situation that my double cab short bed can't handle. Invest in a bed rack for lumber/materials that are longer than 10 feet (8 feet and under fits fine in the 5 ft bed). If you can store one, a utility trailer will cover the rest of the things you might need as a home owner (loads of drywall/plywood/landscaping equipment etc. ). I have a 6x12 mostly for hauling my side by side, but I end up using it pretty regularly for other stuff around the house/yard too. If you are over 6' tall the Taco might feel a bit snug on the inside... its deffinitely noticeably smaller feeling on the inside vs. the 4runner. My buddy has a Colorado and my dad has a new Ranger and both have a slightly roomier feel to them too. If you need the manual though those obviously aren't options.

Buy new, used trucks are at an all time high. Not worth the small savings or higher interest rates (if you aren't paying cash), IMO. Plus you have the peace of mind of knowing nobody has neglected anything and fresh factory warranty.

 

Weird, almost all of my home depot trips are to buy 8 foot items with the occasional 10, 12 or 16 foot item thrown in. My short bed can handle 10 ft boards easily with the tailgate still up. I might have stretched it to an occasional 12 footer, but that short trip took the additional purchase of an 8 foot board to counterbalance and then a shitload of straps to secure.

 

Disregard the LB recommendation since you are going with a MT. Point is, it's just easier with a LB.

 

Yes, MT is a must have

That is the next step... a small trailer to hopefully haul small loads of gravel/rca/dirt/mulch etc and/or a bobcat if possible
Yea definitely not buying used, one of the reasons for going with a Tacoma is resale value and specially during this used vehicle price frenzy

I am right at the 6' mark but with a little extra cushion on lol so we'll see how it
feels on a test drive

Thank you everyone