For those from full sized trucks...

I agree with all of that. Went from an 02 Dodge diesel 4x4 quad cab. Towing and hauling are my biggest problems. I've really got to think about what I haul or tow in the taco. I've learned you can get overweight real quick. Never had that problem with my Dodge. It not really a problem, I just have to take the time to calculate weight and make sure i'm not overloading it.

 

I always drove full size 4x4 but now drive a taco and do I ever miss the gas pumps?

 

I came from a 07' Duramax to my Tacoma and I have to say that I don't really miss my big truck. I'd have to agree with what somebody posted earlier that you have all that torque and good gas mileage to go along with it. Other than that, I got tired of running mine back and forth to the shop for things that in my opinion shouldn't have went bad so early in the truck's life. Within 10K on that truck the dealership replaced a 3rd brake light, reinstalled the side moulding (falling off), power window regulator/motor assembly, tire pressure sensor, clearcoat was peeling on the wheels, and lastly the newest power steering pump was going bad again. The second power steering pump starting to go out was the last straw for me. Two days after the noise started I traded it on my 09. No regrets other than I wish I would have gotten me a Toyota beforehand.

 

lol I was just joking, but ya I aggree it probably does have a lot more torque, throw a super charger on your taco and I bet it would wax it.

 

I went from a 99 f150 to an 09 tacoma. The Ford was a great truck. I miss the stong locking tailgate and having my quad in the back with the tailgate closed. I don't miss the gas consumpion and the 2wd though.

 

Always had tow package GMC's for pulling my boats, and they've been great. My last was a 2004 5.3 single cab that never gave me a problem. Great engine. 18mpg when not pulling. Was sorry to see her go, but no more boats to pull.
Wanted a little better mileage and the taco's rep for durability is awesome. Here in Hawaii everyone has one, now me too.

 

Certainly there are things I miss. But I have yet to find any truck that has it all.
I traded my 04 Quadcab Ram 1500 HEMI 4x4 for my 06 Taco DC 4x4 4.0. The first thing that I miss is interior size. I'm 6'3" 225 and squeezing my legs into the taco always takes a certain move to get the job done and not look like a dork at the same time. Unless I always want to move the seat back each time I get out and then move it forward when I'm ready to drive. But that's not really an option to me.

The next thing I miss is the HEMI. My wife and I used to joke it passed everything except a gas station. It did have a lot of power and would flat kick my taco's butt...off the line, top speed, falling from a plane..etc. and lets face it, I'm a red blooded American...if some is good, more is better and that certainly fits my 1500.

The last thing I miss is ride height. I loved how tall my truck sat with only a leveling job done to the front.

I miss the stock infinity sound system with 6 disc changer and controls on the steering wheel!!


Things I don't miss.
The mpg's that HEMI got. The best I ever averaged was 14.5mpg. I pretty easily get 19.5 with my taco and I'm not taking it easy on the throttle. That part is great!

I don't miss how my 1500 would lean when going around a corner. My taco does great for a truck going around corners and still rides pretty good.

I don't miss how huge my 1500 was when I was in small parking lots. I'm still impressed with how little room my taco needs to turn around!

I haven't had the taco off road yet, but I'm guessing other than lacking a little in torque or hp it should do better than my 1500 did. That is once I get the taco lifted. Right now it feels like a el camino because its so low to the ground. Ground clearence is going to be an issue for the stock taco. But I plan to fix that.

I love all the aftermarket parts that are available.

All in all, for what I need right now this seems to be a great truck and I'm very happy with it!

 

Yeah, but that 2500 has a curb weight of 5800lbs FFS! It BETTER have twice the power. Stock 0-60 times on both trucks are comparable unless the internet is lying to me.

I agree with nad, an S/C'd Taco would outrun it.

But then trucks aren't made for racing, are they?

Tacos are great for a specialized niche...people who need a light truck and like to offroad. If you're going to be doing serious truck work, the taco isn't even in the equation. We're talking about different beasts for different purposes here.

 

I came out of a 2005 Ford FX4 Crew Cab. Loved the look, the ride, the height, and the space...hated the 11-12mph around town and the 14-15 highway and the 10mph towing. Got my 09 Tacoma CC the last weekend of June and I'm loving everything about it. Back seat is not quite as big but I feel like I have just as much leg room in the front. My dad has a 2500 duramax I can tow the tractor with so I'm covered there and the taco pulls my 18ft flats boat with ease. I love this thing in the hunting woods too. It is fun to drive and I don't have to hold my breath while going through some of the tight turns on some of the tight trails we have going to some of our spots. I've been wanting a Tacoma for a long time and I'm glad I finally got one.

 

True the Duramax is MUCH more powerful than our 4.0L's, but you have to remember that the 2500's weigh almost twice as much too!

 

I was reading about some modified diesel rigs in a Diesel truck magazine that were pulling low 12's in the 1/4 mile. With the right modifications, these trucks were cranking out about 800 rwhp and over 1000 ft/lbs of torque!

I doubt the poster has one of these trucks though.

 

My last real truck, was a '97 Dodge Ram 3/4 ton 4x4. It had the 8.0 Liter V-10, with the NV-4500 5 speed manual tranny. That hog could literally pull a house down, especially if it was in 4 low, with the tranny in granny gear. I decided it was time to let it go, when gas hit $2.50/gal. For the size of the motor though, it actually got decent milage. Around 18 on the highway, with no load in the bed. The milage numbers would vary though, depending on how far down you pushed the go peddle. When called upon, that V-10 would shit and git.

 

I know some people around here can run close to that. All with Cummins turbo diesels.

 

I traded a Dodge Cummins 4x4 for my Tacoma I have a rack for lumber and concrete forms and its a lot better than putting it all in the bed. I dont regret it one bit.

 

Holay two negative reps over one joke you guys need to lighten up, and if your gonna leave rep leave your name so I can leave you negative rep for no reason too!

 

I don't think you were off base. Unloaded Diesel pickups are fast as balls. My brothers wife has a Powerstroke f350 and it is faster from a stoplight than his BMW 330. Both are all stock.

I think any new unloaded Diesel would take a 4.0 Tacoma off the line. Especially when its hard to gun the tacoma because the damn thing shakes to high hell

 

Some people are sensitive. It really shows the average age of the people on this forum when someone leaves you negative feedback because you say the tacoma is slower than another truck.

Oh well.

 

I'm not going to lie, the diesel engines these days are downright bad@ss.

 

Keep in mind that those fullsize diesels weight more than a blue whale in mating season.

 

My last was an '05 Avalanche Z71 and as Bulletts said,the thing I missed for the first while was interior space.The door seemed really close when I first got in my Tacoma but other than that I can honestly say I haven't looked back.I'm happier with my Toyota than any other vehicle I've ever had due to the stated reasons.