Do I need a truck

Hello all,

I came really close to pulling the trigger on a 2nd gen Tacoma yesterday. However, I felt that purchasing one for me might be as little frivolous as I may not be utilizing all of the capabilities of a pick up and maybe I'd be better suited with a car and a bike rack.

two trucks I'm looking at:
http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/invent...lectedEntity=d311&zip=07834#listing=119387949

http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/invent...lectedEntity=d311&zip=07834#listing=117083032

I currently live in a apartment but will be purchasing a house in two years. No kids and am a high school teacher. My commute is 20 minutes, 10 miles through neighborhoods. I enjoy mountain biking and camping but don't bring too much when I do camp. I live in northern new jersey where it is fairly hilly and snowy but streets are plowed quickly.

So the advantages of the taco for me would be

-great for home improvements/ moving furniture
-convenient (but not necessary) for mountain biking/ camping
-four wheel drive for the snow but nowhere to off road around here
-visibility from sitting high

So what do you think Tacomaworld, is a Taco right for me? Or would I be better off with a more efficent car and a bike rack? Is it hard to own a house without a truck? Or do you not utalize your truck that often if you aren't towing off-raoding or using it for work

Thank you very much for your time

 

Hell yes, trust me you wont regret it!

 

if you're looking to buy a house, a truck will be worth its weight in gold. That alone would be enough to convince me.

 

Every household needs a truck

 

Seriously.....You get on a Tacoma website and ask if you need a Tacoma? I wouldn't hold my breath waiting on a dozen no's.....

 

Is it just you or do you often bring people along?


I love my truck but there are times I wish I had a Subaru for doing the same things

 

Agreed 100%. We have a car for family stuff

 

Only one issue with that........
A man needs a house.
A man needs a truck.
But a man don't have time for a old lady.

LOL

 

That is 100% up to you and what you can responsibly afford.
Things to understand:
-Garage space: Your future home will need to fit the length of this truck if you want it to go in one. Normally only an issue with the long bed. Some garages are tiny.
-Gas Mileage: Money adds up, and it adds up fast. $50 a month extra adds to $600 a year and thousands over a lifetime of a vehicle.
-Cab room: You sacrifice interior space with a mid-sized truck.
-Uncovered cargo space: If you want a good cap you are looking at about $600+ for a new cap if you carry a lot in your bed and want to close it off to protect it from weather and grime.

I love having trucks. I don't really NEED one, but I do. I find reasons to use it so I can have one. I love having space I can throw what ever I want in and just hose it out if it gets dirty. It's great to never have to worry about buying something and getting it home or having to wait for delivery.
I just accept that I am spending extra money, and my wonderful SO allows it.

Go spend some time in the builds section of this forum. Look at all the cool things you can do with your truck. That may make the decision for you.
You may decide you gotta have one because you'll want to do all those things you didn't realize you can do. Or you may decide against it because you will go into monstrous debt over mods LOL.

 

Might not want to check out the builds section cause then you will be going to buy the truck today LOL!!!!!

 

Get the truck! You'll use it way more than you think.

 

That's definitely true... Still worth it though

 

Wow I think most of the posters are in agreement. I was definitely leaning towards the truck but just wanted to hear from truck owners how useful they've found it if you aren't off-roading or towing. Thank you for the responses!

I notice a lot of homes without trucks in the driveway, I suppose they just get every thing delievered? Maybe a good question would be, how often do you use your truck for household tasks?

 

*reads title on main page, clicks, ignores initial comment and all other comments*

YES, you need a truck.

*leaves*

 

Several times a month. My wife likes to acquire crap off craigslist, makes it real easy to grab whatever she finds and not worry about will it fit in the car or not.

 

garage space: gf's mazda will most likely occupy that anyway.
gas mileage: this is definitely a negative, but I think I can justify it with the taco's reliability and resale value, especially with the i4
Cab room: it's only me and one other person driving 99% of the time, access cab should be fine.
uncovered cargo space: I intende to buy a tonneau cover, ideally i'd find used truck with one already on it.

I think I agree with your logic, I don't really NEED one but how many things in life do you really need? I am more concerned if I would be utilizing what I'm paying for. For example, if you buy a luxury car (not that I ever would) you don't need it but you are at least enjoying the luxurious cabin everyday.

 

+1 on access cab. Same logic i have. Me, 99% of time and fits in garage when needed, AND you can reach the rear sliding window in an AC and use it, unlike in DC's where its a near impossible reach

 

If you WANT a truck, you don't need reasons to buy it, other than that you want it.
Once you get it, you'll find more than enough reasons to keep it.
HOWEVER, if you don't think you need it, and don't want it, then why buy it.

 

would like to hear from the no voters

 

I was in the same situation not to long ago, and to be 100% honest, you're better off with a small SUV/CUV with roof rack instead. Hell, my 29er fits inside my daily driver Scion TC (2 door hatchback) with the front wheel off.
My only reason for owning a truck right now is to transport my dirt bike.