On the Fence

Hello y’all, just joined the forum. So I’m on the fence about getting the next gen Taco. Let me give you a short summary of me
- never owned a vehicle bigger than a sedan
- small family (3 people)
- recent home owner
- located in urban city
- probably drive less than 5k miles a year
- not much of an outdoors man
- not much into the pick up truck culture
So as a person that has only ever driven a truck a handful of times, I’m not sure if getting a “proper” truck would be good for me. We only one vehicle for the moment which is okay but Houston loves it rain so walking my child to school won’t be fun during these seasons. Also, having a pick up for a new homeowner seems very conveniently as opposed to paying delivery fees or renting the flatbed from Home Depot. I really only need a vehicle that can be a “truck” maybe 10% of the time, mostly for large purchases. I probably won’t use the majority what the Tacoma offers. However, I love the look of the new Tacoma from the exterior to the interior. I do have an issue with the back sheet being so small.
Now, the other vehicle I’m looking at is a Ridgeline. I know, just go ahead and ban me now. However, as I have mentioned, I’m not into pick truck culture (not yet anyways). I don’t go outside much, it’s hot here, don’t go camping, don’t climb rocks. From the many videos I’ve watched, ridgeline is the most comfortable ride (unibody), has the most interior space, decent MPG and used market for buyers is good for Ridgelines.
It seems like the RL would be the sensible purchase to make but dangit, there is something about the new Taco that calls out to me. What’s y’alls thoughts on this? Is the rear leg room on the Taco that bad? Thanks for your time

 

Welcome OP. The Ridgeline is a good minivan with a pickup truck bed added on to it. Also it has a dead body storage area in the bed. It will work for 90% of the people out there who own a truck...it is just not manly and requires you to get a corner clipped off your man card when buying. Also look at the Maverick. But if it speaks to you then go find one when they come out and test drive it to see if it is a good. fit.

 

Gen4 Taco is designed to appeal to a much wider audience of truck first-timers like you. However, it seems like you’re making a good case for a Ridgeline. The Honda will have better room, more flexible storage, AWD, and provides an easier conversion from sedan life to truck. Helps also that they’re sitting on Honda lots now and you’ll get a discount instead of a markup. Just hard pass on any HPD appearance packages.

Don’t worry about what others think about your manliness or truck credentials. If you’re concerned, just grow a long beard or something. Besides, even in a Tacoma you’ll still have full-size bro-dozers looking down at you daily. Good luck!

 

You don't need a truck. You need a reliable gas sipping econo box with a hitch and a basic utility trailer.

Use the $10's of 1,000's I just saved you to fully fund a Roth IRA for the next 2-3 years. Think of me when you enjoy that in your retirement.

 

sounds like you need the TRD Pro version.

 

I see a TRX in your future.

 

Anyone judging another person’s manliness by the vehicle they drive needs their “man card” revoked

 

And anyone worried about their vehicle choice being judged by others needs to grow up.

 

Yea, I mean Tacoma are going to be on the pricier side of trucks. If money is not an issue then sure, purchase justified you just bought a very reliable and battle tested truck. However if you're not going off-road or getting to tough terrain places and towing is of no concern why not save a 8-10k and get a Subaru or something with a tiny bed to fit things like 80" tv's and other crap a minivan or suv can't.

 

Unless you’re married to the idea of getting a truck, I’d 100% get an AWD RAV4 or CRV if I were you.

You’ll definitely use weather protected, lockable storage of a SUV more often than the few times you need a 5 foot truck bed. Better fuel economy, easier to drive/park and likely more car for the money.

Now if you know you’re going to be bringing home a pallet of drywall, bulk lumber or a load of landscaping materials home often you should get a truck. But then again, a Tacoma with a 5 foot bed is still not the best option.

 

I feel judged!

 

You are judged. Man card revoked.

 

Thanks y’all for the input. I couldn’t care less about the “man card” aspect of the vehicle. I do miss driving a Manual so I am eyeing the TRD sport. Im not planning to purchase a vehicle for unless 6 months so I have some time to think about it.

 

Ive always been a big fan of the RL for some reason. Friend had one of the first gens and he used the snot out of it.

 

Interior space, ride quality and comfort. I put 30k on onfirst year so I needed something comfortable.

 

Skip the $40k-$60k purchase, put a 200 dollar hitch on your current car, grab a used 1000 dollar utility trailer

 

At the rate we are going, 6 months would be the soonest you could even get your paws on a new taco. We still don’t know pricing, mpg, how it drives…really we know very little.
I’ve damn near given up, seriously considering a F150 lightning.

 

Something like a Ford Maverick might be better for you. But that being said if you really want to choose between a Tacoma and a Ridgeline, wait until the Taco is out. Drive both and see what fits you better and suits your needs and wallet.

 

I'm assuming that's got some type of lift? Any noticable change in the ride quality or power?

 

The lift is 3.5”. It rides just as good as new. I only went up one size for tires so power and speedometer seem same. Tires are a bit noisier but I had the same ones on the Tacoma and was pleased.