If Buying Today, Would You Still Choose the Tacoma?

Hi all. I've done some searching but wanted to get some new/updated opinions on the truck's quality & reliability. I'm going to be buying one of these: Chevy ZR2, Ford Ranger Tremor, Toyota TRD Off Road (or TRD Pro). Each of these trucks has their + and - points. I also understand that each brand has their own set of fanboys, some are more rabid than others. You know who you are, haha!

Since I'm looking at spending $45-50,000, I'm trying to do my research as thorough as I can. These trucks are not cheap and I'm looking for this to be a 10+ year truck ownership. So, my questions are:

* If you were buying today, would you still choose the Tacoma? Why?
* If not, why? What would you buy instead? Why?
* What problems have you had that disappointed you in the Tacoma?
* Were these issues significant enough to cause you to doubt the reliability of the truck?
* What other trucks did you look at before buying the Tacoma?
* What did you like & dislike about them?

Thanks for answering my questions. $45-50,000 is a lot of money. I want to feel that I've made the best choice for my needs as a daily driver, light hauler, occasional tower, and hunting/camping/fishing vehicle.

Have a great day!

 

I would definitely choose the taco if I was buying new again. Looks, reliability, resale value and MT option.

 

No one told me there was going to be a quiz! And a freaking essay quiz at that.

My simple response; been a Yota truck guy my entire life. See no reason to change that now.

 

I didn't seriously consider anything else. I've owned 3 prior Toyota trucks prior to the 21 Sport I just bought, and I've had experience in both current-gen and last-gen Colorados, Frontiers, and F-series trucks of all stripes from F-150 up to 850s. I didn't even test drive a Ranger, you couldn't pay me to own one. Same with any Chrysler product.

 

Really depends on the day you ask me. Some days yes and others No.

Today is Yes.

I also look at it - for the money I spent, could equivalent value or better? Probably not.

 

They are all as equally capable. Ultimately I’d rebuy the Taco due to utility (e.g. the ranger has no behind seat storage) and reliability.

 

If you were buying today, would you still choose the Tacoma? Why? - Reliable, resale and low maintenance (my 3rd Tacoma)
* What problems have you had that disappointed you in the Tacoma? - None, nada, nothing.
* Were these issues significant enough to cause you to doubt the reliability of the truck? None, nada nothing.
* What other trucks did you look at before buying the Tacoma? Ranger & Colorado
* What did you like & dislike about them? Didn't like the ride as well as the Tacoma & I liked the Tacoma layout and looks over both the Ranger and Colorado.

 

* If you were buying today, would you still choose the Tacoma? Why?
Yes, third time's a charm.

* What problems have you had that disappointed you in the Tacoma?
Zero problems, no issues, sad that the 3.5 has a cartridge filter underneath instead of the 4.0 easypeasy top..

* Were these issues significant enough to cause you to doubt the reliability of the truck?
Nope

* What other trucks did you look at before buying the Tacoma?
Tundra

* What did you like & dislike about them?
Liked that it wouldn't notice our 5k lb RV behind it.
Didn't like that it wouldn't fit in my garage, my driveway, or my parkade at work.

 

No
If i could do it again I woulda bought any old, small, 4wd beater truck

i was fixated on a tacoma and when i couldnt find a decently priced first gen, I bought a 3rd gen.

i like the truck but i think i’d be happier with something cheaper and more rustic

mechanic told me yesterday that the sheet metal behind the fender is tearing too, a known issue with these new tacomas

 

Will never buy any other truck then a Tacoma. Never have any real issues with mine

 

Interesting that you ask. I sold my 2019 Tacoma TRDOR earlier this year for big $$, with the goal of eventually upgrading to a TRD Pro. I looked and looked and looked for a TRD Pro, Manual at MSRP, but could not find one. I decided to wait until next year to continue my search. While waiting, I test drove (among other trucks) a Gladiator and was very impressed. My wife fell in love with the Gladiator, so there was no way out of that . In terms of resale, there is no beating the Tacoma. We'll see about reliability, time will tell. In terms of ownership\driving experience, and quality of materials, the Gladiator wins hands down.

 

Fullsize anything or a midsize that does not cost $50,000.

 

NO,I would buy an older full size truck.

 

I would still buy a Tacoma today. I looked at the Chevy Colorado and the Jeep Gladiator before I purchased went with my TRD OR 4X4. I wasn't a huge fan of the Chevy interior it just seemed off everything else felt a bit clunky for the price. The Gladiator was completely based on price out the door. I've owned a number of Jeeps over the years and not had many issues until they hit about 65K miles. The Ford Ranger wasn't out at the time but I just don't care for Ford vehicles and probably wouldn't have considered it.

I haven't had any major issues with my Tacoma and look forward to upgrading it more moving forward. It does really well off road in stock configuration and you can add to it to increase its capability. I brought me back to the fun I had with my first Jeep many moons ago. I am somewhat worried about rust issues but where I live rust isn't a huge issue (dry with a few snow storms a year)

I really wanted to have something that would last and my experience with my Pontiac Vibe (Toyota cross over) that performed well from Arizona summers to Massachusetts winters made me lean towards Toyota as my next vehicle. It also helped that out of all my options the Tacaoma was, at the time, the best price for the options and the dealer gave me a good deal on my trade in.

 

I love my truck and given my CURRENT situation, yes I would buy over and over again.

What is my current situation? I live in a city with ONE parking spot. I needed ONE reliable vehicle that could do anything and everything I ask of it (road trips, winter driving, and towing my PWCs). I get about 20-24 mpg depending on time of year and city/highway driving (seems to be atypical for this truck. I have a soft foot) so it's a great road trip vehicle. I put a bed cover on the back so I can carry most reasonable cargo regardless of weather. Why did I not go used? Well I considered it but I had my mind set on Tacoma for reliability as well as resale, the last part being the "problem" when shopping used. Used trucks were costing a very decent portion of the new vehicle. CPO prices were only 3k (maximum) less than the brand new truck that I found and bought, and those had 30k+ miles on them. I couldn't make sense out of the used vehicle price at that rate.

If my situation were different and I had a driveway or just space for two vehicle in general, I'd rather have a beater 4WD and a commuter sedan of some kind. Between two vehicles I can still get all of my needs met and spend LESS money than this truck. For example I used to own a Jeep Liberty and a Scion tC. The Liberty was tired but I needed a 4x4 for winter and towing my PWCs off of a sand boat ramp. The tC was a fantastic commuter car and got about 30mpg. Very comfortable to drive. In most cases, a sedan will have better road manners than the Tacoma. The Tacoma (specifically the TRD off road) is a bit soft and bouncy and the go pedal feels a little dead, all while getting less-than-desireable MPGs.

If I had no limit on money for 2 reasonable cars I would have my taco and one of those Camry XSEs. They look SWEET.

 

If buying today I’d try to find another 05-06 Tundra DC. If I couldn’t I’d look for a 12-15 Tacoma DCLB. But I’ve gotten used to tue space in the first gen Tundra and would have a hard time going back to a tiny cab/bed.

 

I just got mine at the end of last year and I was not looking to buy a Taco, I was more interested in all the other alternatives with the Frontier being first. Mostly due to cost. But after driving the Taco it was no option, Taco it was. I would not do anything different today.

 

I would stay away from jeep gladiator unless of course are a teenage girl

 

I would wait until they aren't 45-50,000.... I am on my 7th tacoma but these trucks aren't worth that much in my opinion. . Since you are looking new I would get a new Tundra with the "Hopefully" twin turbo ...

 

* If you were buying today, would you still choose the Tacoma? Why?
-No, I'd get a Tundra. Out of the options you listed though, Tacoma all day.

* If not, why? What would you buy instead? Why?
-More space, more power, more general truck capability at the expense of off road worthiness. I have needed the former more than the latter since buying a home and property and getting into longer term camping trips.

* What problems have you had that disappointed you in the Tacoma?
-Front body mounts, which blew out twice. I replaced myself with polyurethane. The rear windows also seem really loose in their channels, but nothing is wrong with them.

* Were these issues significant enough to cause you to doubt the reliability of the truck?
-No, but cut corners bother me. I know it's still among the best built, but I would not hesitate to spend $85k on a LC just to know it is engineered to the nth degree. The core support for example is 2 pieces of stamped light gauge steel tacked together. It seems to rip for a lot of people. Mine has not started yet.

* What other trucks did you look at before buying the Tacoma?
-F150, Tundra, Outback

* What did you like & dislike about them?
-I lived in an apartment at the time, camping was limited to long weekends and I had an 06 Tacoma. I could've gotten the Outback and been fine, but knew I wanted some land and a home in the near future as well as more off-road and cargo ability. Another Taco seemed like the right compromise. The F150 value freefall kept me away from them. The Tundra was expensive and seemed like overkill at the time, and I knew I'd have to at least add a rear locker right out of the gate.