Torn about changing

I have a 2008 Tacoma which I love but I think I am going to give it to my son as his first vehicle.... or I might just ask for a token 5000.00.

After taking out the 2024 Tacoma and the GMC Canyon AT4X I cant believe how much more I personally like the GMC. Scared about the quality but am thinking of making the switch. Anyone else have opinions on this.

My '08 has been incredible...... Nothing has gone wrong and I mean NOTHING but as much as I love Toyota......... we also have a 2018 Highlander limited........... the quality is not what it used to be. Just look at the new Tundra.........

 

I’m a bare bones kind of guy but if you like it that’s all that counts. I say go for it.

 

Buy what makes you happy. Eliminate the "what-ifs"

 

Just on principle, both of these vehicles are too new for me to personally consider purchasing (1st year and 2nd year of new generations).

If you can, I would wait two years before giving the new Tacoma a chance, and over that time, a lot of real world info will come out on the Taco and GM twin reliability.

Anecdotal data point:
Not as many creature comforts as the GMC, but my dad bought a new Colorado in 2015. First year peculiarities aside, it has not aged as well as my 2012 Tacoma. Seats, everything became pretty ratty after just a few years. Based on you having a 2008 still, I assume you don't buy new cars too often, so you may be more concerned about longevity than most.

 

The local dealers here in mid-hudson valley NY don't even want your Chevy back on trade. I'll call my wholesaler to see if he/she wants it on trade. If that matters or not, up to you. Buy what you feel comfortable with.

 

Thanks for replies. Not it a rush but would not have even considered before these new trucks. I have the new vehicle itch. Been driving my Taco for like 15 years. We have a deposite on the Lexus GX550 for my wife and will be trading in the Highlander............. unless she decides on the 4 Runner instead.

 

Do what makes you happy. I do love the look of the GMC but my financial situation puts me in a tacoma because i do not want any surprise costs. Obviously, there are more responsible people than myself out there and you seem like one of them so get the vehicle that makes you happy

 

[QUOTE=
My '08 has been incredible.....

If its been "incredible" why change?
The 2nd gens are very reliable, Easy to work on, easy to "modify" easy to make different add things too. I have a number of off road friends that went down the 3rd gen path, and recently the 4th gen path and regretted it.
And a few of them have sold their 3rd gens and went back to 2nd gens.

It really all depends on what you are doing with your truck and if the added expense is really worth it.

 

Why not wait a year or two and then make the decision once both models have all their issues worked mostly worked out?

Buying a first year of anything is a gamble, toyota or not.

And I agree with your statement that Toyota quality isn't what it used to be.

 

I have not yet driven either of those two trucks yet. My perspective comes from experience. I am down to considering the Tacoma and the Ranger. Just waiting on reliability info and price drops before I decide. There have always been several features of GM vehicles that I have liked. However, I've had four new GM trucks scattered between 1981 and 2014 and every one has had multiple problems they either could not or would not fix. I got tired of sitting at the service department waiting room just to get my trucks back not fixed but with new damage from careless so called techs. So I finally made a promise to myself, no more GM, ever. One additional factor to consider with the GM is that their engines are direct injection only, no aux. port injection. When I had my 2014 Shakerado, one guy on their forum pulled his intake manifold and posted photos of his valves after only 30k miles. There was so much carbon baked on I was surprised it was running at all. Looked more like a 200,000 mile engine that rarely had an oil change and always had bad gas. So right now I have a Jeep with port injection. I f anyone else still sold PI only, I'd buy it. But since everyone else is DI or PDI, I only consider those with PDI engines. At least there is some degree of cleaning from fuel wash.

 

I have a 4th gen Tacoma and I love it. Had an 88 Toyota PU and it pulled me tru many snow drifts back in the day. That experience brought me back to my 2024. GM is mostly about bling and I wouldn't consider it.

 

My brother had a 2017 Canyon and it loved and never had a single issue. He only switched to a Silverado because he has four growing kids. I'll be cross shopping the Colorado ZR2 when it's time. I just know don't that I can justify the cost of the new Tacomas. And I never, ever thought I would have any other truck.

 

First thing I always check is location of the wheel wells. Nothing else matters if I can’t sit in it for any length of time.

 

Your boy will appreciate it more if he has to pay something for it. I've learned this through experience with my god-daughter.

If you personally like the AT4X more, then you shouldn't let other people sway you away from it. I'll be the first to tell you I'm a Toyota fanboy. 80% of the vehicles I've owned have been Toyotas. That being said, my father, my older brother and my best friend all were/are Chevy/GM guys, and I have a buddy works as a Chevy/GM technician (but drives Toyotas). I'd be a liar if I said that I have had fewer issues with my vehicles than my brother and best friend. My technician buddy says that, as a GM tech, the thing that usually fails on Chevy/GMC stuff is the owners. People abuse the shit out of their cars then wonder why they break. Sure, new vehicles end up in the shop from time to time, but that happens with every brand, even Toyota.

My point is, "dependability" shouldn't be a factor because if you actually take care of your truck, it'll take care of you.

If you are in love with your '08, why give it up? Drive it to 350k or more. Do fun stuff with it. Take what you'd spend on a new vehicle and do some mods!

 

That's a good idea. And he's your kid, you can always just give him back the money, or put it towards college or something, so he's not really out the cash later on.

 

OP, I also had the itch and didn't want to wait a couple of years to scratch it. I really like the styling on the new Canyon and went to check it out. The cab felt more cramped than my Taco and the I didn't love the 4 cylinder engine. Another dislike was the infotainment system controlling the lights. It just seemed weird to me as I prefer physical buttons and knobs. I decided to test drive a Sierra 1500 right after the Canyon and was thoroughly impressed. It had been 14 years in my Tacoma and much longer since my 2000 Tahoe. Everything about the full size just felt right. I also, liked the fact that the 4th Gen Sierra had been out since 2019. Ended up saying WTF and made a deal on the 1500 Denali. Absolutely love the truck and no regrets. Best of luck on whichever route you go.

 

Only reason I want something new is I have been driving this for 15 years. Super proud of it but.............. just want something new. Alos my wife has told me no more mods allowed as she would rather me put the mod money in a new vehicle. She thinks spending more on a 16 y/o truck is kinda crazy.

 

Just throwing this out there - it’s not terribly hard to find a like new 2nd gen for waaaaaay less than a modestly equipped 4th..

I have bought two new models of vehicles after being absolutely smitten with the old ones. Was severely disappointed both times. The Tacoma was/is an honorary 3rd member of that club (I knew people with 1st and 2nd gens, and assumed 3rd gen, being “just a facelifted 2nd gen” would not disappoint and just be a decade newer). I’m now prepping my ‘22 for sale, and am on the hunt for the right 2nd gen..

 

As well as my 2010 Taco has treated me after 215k miles and counting, I will not be switching brands. Longevity matters more to me than anything else. You may have a completely different perspective, obviously.

 

More often than not on this forum you'll get shamed for even considering anything else besides a Tacoma because, well, how could any other vehicle come close to the Tacoma legend? The GMC Canyon looks worlds better than the Tacoma IMO, so I understand fully why you are taking a hard look at it. Lot of Chevy trucks out there and no, there not all stranded on the roadside.