Looking at the Tacoma…advice needed.

Hello, all.

I have a 1998 Mazda B3000 with almost 230K on it. It’s been a good truck, but in 2013 I bought a daily driver and kept the truck for utility purposes (hey, it’s paid for).

I’d like to move back to one vehicle, and it has to be able to tow. I didn’t replace the B3000 in ‘13 because nothing on the market could offer me better gas mileage than I was already getting (23-25 mpg).

For me, I need a 6 foot bed. Most everything out there has gone crew cab (4 door) at the cost of a sub 5 foot bed being the only option. Tacoma is a choice I’m considering, but I could use honest insights on the good, bad and ugly. I have honest concerns about the new engines, and while I never needed 4WD before, as I’m over 50, it might be worth having if it doesn’t impose too many drawbacks.

I’ll certainly need to see about renting one for a day or so to see if I like the feel of it. Ford has brought back the Ranger (B3000 was just the Ford Ranger rebadged for Mazda), but it left me unimpressed.

 

When the third gen came out in 2016, I bought a first year of the new model. I'm never making that mistake again.

Toyota knows how to make turbos and make them well. Just first year anything has me gun shy.

I have a crew cab long bed, and it's about as long as a half ton truck. Love the 6 foot box, get cranky having to do 3 point turns on trails

 

How much are you trying to tow?

https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/towing.34/

 

What about a 2-door XtraCab with the long bed?

https://www.gearpatrol.com/cars/toyota-tacoma-xtracab-two-door/

 

I wouldn't worry about the engine. It's been in the Lexus and Highlander for like 3 years now, and while this one is only (I think) 54% shared with those, it's bc it's been overengineered (in a good way) with more robust cooling and such to be able to do the work a pickup truck is going to be doing. Like kairo said, Toyota's been doing turbos for a long time...they know what they're doing.

 

Used car market is getting pretty desperate. Id search for a 2nd/3rd gen and get a nice discount on a mint truck. 4th gen seems destined for massive discounts down the line. If youre financially set, disregard that and enjoy yourself.

 

What, if anything, are you basing any of those statements on? Because in my observations, it's the complete opposite. Used vehicles are still holding their value relative to their brand new purchases prices

 

venture outside your local area- if youre in a hot market, I can see them not discounting much and being on the high end. Ive purchased 3 used vehicles in the last 6 months. each one is at least $6-10,000 difference from 2 years ago pricing with similar mileage.

 

I don’t tow much…at least not since moving from Wyoming to Nevada with a way overloaded U-Haul and motorcycle in the bed. I could likely use a “car” that can tow, but there aren’t many in that camp that have a good reputation…after all, trucks are designed to haul. I just honestly see no point in owning a pickup with a bed so short that one needs a trailer to haul anything more than a home appliance.

Not sure what to think. I have the extended cab, and I have dogs now. Even if not ideal for adult passengers, the crew cab might suit me better long term for the extra space it provides.

 

Other questions….

Where is the Tacoma built? I’ve heard to avoid anything made in Mexico. The quality simply isn’t there.

In the crew cab, are the rear seats removable? Some vehicles make it relatively easy to dismount the seats to free up storage space.

 

Yes, the Tacoma is built in Mexico. The F-150 Lightening is built in the US if you want to buy American. lol

 

Yes, all Tacoma's are now built in Mexico. However, from what I've experienced with mine is the fit and finish of everything is pretty darn near perfect. Better than what my '21 and '22 Tacoma's were.

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say there will be no issues from the engine, besides the really odd failures possibly earlier on. That's what warranty is for. For the first couple years it looks like minor software glitches and some other nick-knack stuff as already seen by the few threads here.

 

What was wrong with the 16

 

I have a dog too. If I do get a 4th Gen it will be a DCSB to fit in my garage.