Convince me that a midsize is worth it...

Good luck taking a Quantum Physics and learning it all on your own without the guidance of an instructor.

 

I am on my 3rd Tacoma and I have had a great time and great overall performance out of these trucks for what I need them for and they hold resale value better than anything out there.

 

Tacoma is more capable off road than most full size except the raptor. Its a smaller truck with a smaller motor. It will get better gas mileage without having to resort to undersized turbo motors, 4 cylinder shut off and flappers in the grill that will likely need major work around 100k miles. Also you could put 100k miles on a 4 door 4x4 and sell it for around 60% of it new valueaybe more.

 

I bought mine with the intent on going hiking, camping, playing on the beach, making frequent trips to home depot, and driving in downtown Seattle.

The last item there was a must since I work in the city. I'll never use this truck for towing a HEAVY trailer or carrying more than a half yard of dirt or gravel. The reason I chose the Tacoma over the 4Runner because of carrying taller items or dirty stuff. I bought a Japanese Maple last month, an SUV would have been pointless.

If you want a truck that is basically an SUV with a truck bed, get the Tacoma. If you want a big truck that you see on farms and construction yards, get a full sized.

Drive the Tacoma first, then go drive the full-size. When you get into the full size, you'll either say, "holy shit, this truck is WAYYY bigger than I need" or you'll say, "damn that kiddie toy, that thing is worthless".

But make sure you drive on the road, highways, bumps, and try parking in a parking lot of somewhere you frequently shop.

 

I've previously only owned GM trucks all full size 4 wheel drives 1/2 ton and HD heavy half, Last one was 1500 siera 4x4 SLT. I put 150K on it has A/C problems, dash cracks, and used oil about 1 quart per 1500 miles. Had the 8 to 4 engine. Had a 6 speed Auto. Loved the truck I pull a 13' trailer which hauls everything and 20' tandem trailer bassboat, a 30' FEMA travel trailer. I drive 100 miles per day. I bought a geo metro, rebuilt the motor used it for about 2 years, 44 MPG. New girlfriend did not like the car. Only drove it to work. Now I bought a 2003 4x4 limited with 180k just turned over 200k. back in Feb I bought a 2017 DCSB 4x4 TRD Offroad. have 15k on it in only 8 months swap back and forth form 03 to 17. The 2017 drives great pulls all the above really good I was surprised. I had to add trailer brakes to the 2017, I will never go back to a full size truck. The Tacoma fills my needs great even pulling some partially heavy trailers.

 

The last 10 years I drove a 2001 5.3 Z71. Had 295,000 when I sold it last month. It was well maintained. Got my DCLB OR 4x4 last month. First thing I felt is how tight it feels. Love the cab layout. Almost feels like a cockpit. I haul a 2000lb boat/trailer with no issues. Don't miss the extra 2 cylinders. Wish I would have done this years ago. If I needed to haul heavy stuff I would get a big truck, but I don't. This is a perfect truck for me.

 

The Tacoma wasn't worth it to me this time around. Too much money for something I wasn't completely happy with (3.5L, styling, 2nd gen chassis/steering/brakes)

I bought a used Nissan Frontier Pro-4x with 30,000mi and a year of warranty remaining for $20k CAD. It gets over 19mpg average (6MT) and has no shortage of power. Far less money than a comparable fullsize or used Tacoma.

 

Everyone comes to their own conclusions in the end, for me it was an easy decision. I’ve never owned a full size truck but my Taco is my fifth truck and the largest of bunch. It fits my needs and it fits my garage. I’m a happy camper! Get what fits your needs and what makes you happy.

 

Agree with all of this. Would add:

1. Great to drive to work, but really fun to drive hard off-road.
2. Feels like a good old fashioned body on frame, slightly rough around the edges TRUCK (NOT an oversized 4WD Cadillac).
3. The smaller size appeals to my minimalist/organized side. I love having every nook and cranny optimally filled with absolutely necessary items. When I had a bigger truck, it turned into a bit of a mobile bin for too much junk.
4. Must, must, must have the manual transmission.

 

5. Best part, no chrome, at least with just a few mods to make it that way!

 

Im getting the same impression

 

What's up with all these old posts getting bumped?

 

Guys google it ,and then reply not looking at the date stamp.

 

These are no longer small trucks, they are just about as big as a full size truck 20 years ago, and now the full size trucks are really big. However, the Taco interior feels very small.