If Buying Today, Would You Still Choose the Tacoma?

800hp 0-60 in 2.9secs….500 mile range

May have to sell the taco for a down payment. But who knows, realistically two years away. Hope I’m wrong.

 

* If you were buying today, would you still choose the Tacoma? Why?
I would. Reliability and peace of mind. This will be my third Toyota in-between Fords, Chevy's, and Nissans.

* If not, why? What would you buy instead? Why?
Maybe a Colorado or Canyon - similar capabilities.

* What problems have you had that disappointed you in the Tacoma?
The "learning" transmission. My wife and I both drive the truck, and the Tacoma's tranny is bi-polar.

* Were these issues significant enough to cause you to doubt the reliability of the truck?
No

* What other trucks did you look at before buying the Tacoma?
Frontier, Colorado/ Canyon

* What did you like & dislike about them?
The Frontier was just a bit old - needed a refresh. I really like the new ones a lot. I went to see a Colorado, and one of the headlights was full of water, one of the control knobs came off as soon as I sat in the truck, and the power rear window was intermittent. I thought, if this is what they're showcasing at the dealership - I don't wanna see what it's like a few years down the road.

 

Well the 2017 I bought 2 weeks ago is now my 18th Toyota 4x4. I'm 48 and have always had at least one Toyota 4x4 since I was 18. My dad bought a brand new 82 SR5 4x4 longbed in the fall of 81 and that was my introduction. Man I wish I still had that one. And the 79FJ40 I restored. So yes if I was going to buy another truck I would absolutely buy another one. Honestly I almost bought a tundra this time around but I very rarely tow or need to haul THAT much.

 

Nope! Tacoma's have gotten too expensive and thirsty.

 

Compared to what for too expensive? And the 3rd gen is the most fuel efficient of all of the generations...

 

I've had 5 toyota, trucks and a 4runner. I've always said I wish I had an old Toyota truck, or I miss my 4runner. But F=CK that, with the 3rd gen I just bought. I love it and don't wish for anything else. It's awesome. Engine is solid, mileage is better but still kind of junk but its so awesome. Leaves me wanting nothing. Expect money for MODS.

 

This was perfectly put, I'm with this sentiment completely along with the fact that it could be 80k and I'd still buy a Tacoma. Its just an unbeatable platform.

 

MSRP for new Tacoma is twice as much as what I paid for my current Tacoma and uses 10% more fuel. 3rd gen may be the most efficient but it's gas mileage still lags behind the competition even with it's atkinson cycle engine.

 

I will never buy a North American truck.

 

Buy again?…..
Hmmmmm. That suggests it may not run forever .
I suppose that decision fork in the road may come some day.
But I just rolled over 300,000 yesterday in my 1995 Tacoma.
My 2008 RAV4 with 235,000 mi is just starting to use oil.
My wife’s Sienna with 238,000 runs like new.
I became hooked years ago when I bought a 1988 Celica with 88K mi on it to last me 2 years until I could afford a “better” car. I drove that thing for 10 years, just under 100,000 more mi and I think over that time to buy and maintain it (not counting gas, oil, and tires) cost TOTAL about $6K to buy, maintain, etc.
There are other good cars out there and plenty of one off longevity stories, but Toyota has a pretty good track record to be king of the hill until someone knocks it off.

 

I have better data for you.

1. I purchased my 2022 for 28% more than when I purchased the EXACT same options in 2012. And this included the 10 year warranty that I did not purchase last time. So without that, that's a 21% increase. Not sure where you're getting twice as much, seems like an exaggeration.

2. The 2022 gets exactly 18.75% better fuel efficiency that the 2012. Not an insignificant difference.

 

My first Truck was a 1974 Ford F100 300 straight 6 cylinder. That truck had dents on all four corners, but it ran good with the 3 speed manual. Gas Milage was Dismal at best.

Second truck was a 1969 El Camino, yeah I know not exactly a truck, but it was Bad Ass.

Third Truck was a 1988 Ford Ranger 4x4 extra cab. Dam nice truck. I hated to sell it.

Fourth Truck was a 1979 GMC Jimmy. Gas Hog, but bad to the bone. Bought it in 1994 when gas was .98 cents a gallon. Sold it in 2000 when gas prices started going up.

Fifth Truck was a 1972 Chevy with a bad ass motor and transmission, but gas milage was horrible. I only kept it for a couple of years and sold it. It was free, my dad gave it to me. But I really didn't like it. No A/C, home made gas tank in the bed with no gauge.

Sixth Truck is my 2003 Tacoma Limited 4x4 DC. Will never get rid of it. With only 145k miles on the odometer, this should be the last vehicle that I ever own. Bought it in 2010 with 80k miles for 15K. I can't believe the prices people are paying for the 1st gens today, and the newer trucks are wayyyy out of my price range. It needs some minor work, valve cover gasket job, and a few other small items, but it runs great, doesn't burn any oil, and its the perfect size truck for me!

Would I buy another Tacoma if I had too, yes if I could find another 1st Gen DC with low milage and didn't have to mortgage the house to buy it.

 

Not an exaggeration, but I picked lowest priced Tacoma(very limited selection) available here in Canada. Granted it has a lot more features than my 2011 AC but is still cheapest one available to me. 2011 was $23000 on the road, 2022 msrp is $48708 on the road.

 

same options?

 

I am torn, don’t regret buying it and MT was a huge plus. Never had any issues with my Tacoma and am on the fence about switching to a 4Runner. The 4Runner is just a easier car for the family and dog (larger back seat and enclosed trunk for German Shepard).

 

Not same features. My point being there is no longer a basic Tacoma available in Canada. I just need a reliable practical truck to lug me and my stuff around in relative comfort. Don't need 4wd, 6cyl engine, auto tx, Toyota safety sense, double cab, 6000lb towing ability, big tires, dismal fuel economy, etc. A truck approaching $50000 on the road is just too pricey for me.

 

We all have to do what is best for ourselves

 

No, I need something bigger now. Cramming 5 into this truck is getting crazy and a new truck is too damn expensive.

 

Hottest car in town growing up was a buddy’s 69 El Camino. That was the early to mid 80’s. Nothing could touch that El Camino. Thanks for posting that. Great memory.

 

screwed up story with that Camino. I sold it to my brother dirt cheap, with the understanding when he got tired of it, I would buy it back for the same price. Ask me how that worked out.