Is the Tacoma good for heavy travel?

Trying to get your opinions on if you think this vehicle is a good heavy travel kinda vehicle?
I'm a traveling salesman that puts 40k to 50k miles a year. I get an allowance for work and my gas is paid.
I'm currently driving a 2013 maxima and miss the size of my 2011 Dodge Ram. The ram was the best vehicle I've ever had. Loved the interior space but hated parking downtown. I got rid of it when gas was $4/gal and work was tired of paying $2000/month for my gas. I miss a truck. I want full size for the size and space but I don't think it will fit in my garage and I'd love to be able to park everywhere.

I love the forums and am here everyday living vicariously thru all you owners with gorgeous trucks. I'm wondering what your thoughts are for this truck to be an everyday, heavy travel kind of vehicle? I have 2 kids and take customers to lunch often, but most driving is just me. I really want the KO2s I see on everyone's truck but wonder how often I'd be replacing those? 40k? 50k.

What are your thoughts?

So far, it's between this and some mid size suv. No more cars for awhile. Getting in and out of the car everyday umpteen times a day, even at 35 years old takes it toll. Maybe a new Murano or Durango.

 

I think it's a decent fit for your needs. A 4runner might be worth looking into as well but it doesn't get great gas mileage.

 

you stated gas is paid.

 

I love my Tacoma, it is my third. Very reliable and nearly free from issues associated with many (especially American brands).

However, the fuel mileage is very poor for a smaller truck, especially the V-6, 4WD models. Unless your traveling is a lot on dirt or snow, you may want a more economical and comfortable vehicle?

 

Definitely sounds like you should check out the 4Runner. Has loads of room. Sales guy at my company has one and has 3-4 customers in there all the time with room to spare. As for gas, you can always tell them it is better than the old Ram haha.

 

look into a Toyota Highlander. Lots of space great ride and great space and mpg. I also commute daily but I have always had a truck and I like having the bed to haul fishing stuff and trash ect when needed or tow a small alum boat. I traded in my 15 tundra 4x4 crew tss and man that was great to ride but like you wouldn't fit in garage and mpg was 15 and hard to drive on narrower roads. I do not have any kids at home any longer so just me 95% of time and I commute 80 miles a day rt 40 each way to work. Love my new Tacoma size and looks but what I didn't notice in test drive was seat is hard especially after 40 miles so glad it is only 40 miles one way. Plus ride when rougher roads is more jarring than what I am used too from the Tundra and my previous Ridgeline before that but I am VERY happy with the new Tacoma for me and my needs. If I had kids no way. I have had it 600 miles and 6 days now and heck if I could make that seat more comfy id be in heaven haha. Im getting right at 23 mpg and cant believe it but that was hand calculated. Love the size and glad to be back in smaller truck. Its all trade offs for sure and each of us has to decide what is more important in what we want out of it and then you give up some thing for other things. Also we have a 04 gx 460 lexus suv and my wife has a 14 vw diesel toureg so we are covered for us if we travel. Cant wait to go off road playing now!!

 

Correct, my gas is paid. I don't really care about has mileage.

 

Why are you looking at a truck? Based on having cars you aren't needing the storage. I would look at something a little nicer if you are taking clients out to lunch (I know I wouldn't want to be crammed in the back of a mid size truck and have read some issues on driver comfort which would be a big question mark driving that much). Even though you aren't paying for gas and savings to help your company could be beneficial in the long run.

With that a 4 runner while having better interior room is old tech, not great mpg's and less refined. A buddy got one for his fiance and she doesn't sound too thrilled with it. A mid size more luxury oriented cuv would be a much better choice. Quieter, better mpg, more power, more technology, better ride and handling. Unless it is just a straight macho or absolute need thing I would go that route. Not to mention something like a Murano would make a nice statement pulling up.

Good luck.

Tyler

 

I think you meant to say a Murano Crosscabriolet! A Jalopnik champion! haha

 

Maybe the f150 eco boost? I thought those had pretty good gas mileage. Or maybe a 4 runner? they have tons of space.

 

Let me clarify a few more things. I am in sales in construction. I'm on job sites often. That said, I don't have to have a truck as I have made it just fine in the maxima but I have to park further away and walk more. (Not a bad thing). I will not be hauling work stuff other than samples. A truck will be nice to have for the weekend projects or the need for a truck bed.

I don't remember using the bed of the Ram often but I feel like since I have had the maxima I have said, "sure do miss the truck bed," about 25 times.

 

Oh and another HUGE thing I can't believe I forgot, since it's been one of my biggest justifications of thinking Tacoma. Resale value.

Since I am putting lots of miles on any of my cars in a short period of time, resale is huge. My maxima is a 2013 with 96k miles in it. Stickered at $42k bought it for $28k brand new (with employee discount) (Nissan is a dime a dozen here in Nashville as Nissan US HQ is here so resale is tough due to the flood on the market ).

I keep thinking if I'm going to put 100,000k miles on this in 2 years I want to get the best trade in possible when it's time.

 

So your gas is paid--gas mileage is a non-factor and you miss having a truck bed. Simple solution: Get the Tacoma and put a camper shell or cover on the bed if you need it to keep stuff dry. Resale value on the 2016 Tacoma is estimated by KBB to be the best of any other truck in its class. Of course with that much mileage you're going to thrash the resale value of pretty much ANY vehicle you drive. Diesels are also good for high mileage but I believe the durability and reliability of the Tacoma will be unmatched by any other truck manufacturer.

http://money.cnn.com/2015/12/15/autos/kelley-blue-book-best-car-resale-value-2016/index.html

 

I have a bit off-beat suggestions. I've not heard mentioned the need for 4wd or AWD, so all suggestions are for 2wd varieties.

RAV 4. The new ones are almost as big as old Highlanders, decent cargo space, decent MPG (for your personal miles), well equipped and dependable.

Highlander. If you need something even bigger than the RAV, for the same reasons as the RAV.

Tacoma with a topper. While that's kinda like a Highlander cargo/passenger wise, the cargo is not in cab, so stinky stuff won't matter. With the topper you can have a bit more security for your samples. And it can come off if you have a weekend high hauling project. Or stay on for a camping run.

In any of those, I'd look for one in the '13-'15 year models with 20k-ish on the clock. Depending on actual age/mileage, have all fluids changed, brakes checked/serviced as needed as with tires. (Tires should be highway friendly) and install a Scan Gauge II to monitor things.

At that point, start driving it an enjoy it. Your target should be 400k miles, not just 100k. Easy to do in these vehicles with a little bit of love.

 

I was in sort of the same situation as you back in 2006. I am an RN and back then decided to hit the road as a traveling nurse which meant spending anywhere from 6-13 weeks at a time in a different city/hospital. My gas wasn't covered by the gallon but I still got a travel stipend. the company also provided my housing but I needed a vehicle that would hold all my stuff (mountain bike, surfboard, guitar, clothes, pots and pans, etc) and get me to each assignment. I really wanted a Tacoma back then but gas was expensive and just didn't want to have a truck in a city like NYC, SF, etc., so I ended up with a Subaru Wagon. Yes it wasn't a truck but man, that car treated me unbelievably well. For someone who travels cross country and will encounter all four seasons this country has from coast to coast, mountains, desert, snow, etc. you really cannot beat the Subie. Yes, it doesn't have the "cool" factor that a Tacoma has, but I was getting 30-32mpg (4cyl) on the highway with it and it had been cross country something like 4 times. The wagon also will hold more than you think, and easier to maneuver in a big city.

I recently traded in my Subaru about 2 months ago for a '16 Tacoma DCSB Sport simply because I don't live in the mountains anymore (I don't care what anyone says, the Subaru with winter tires will outperform anything else out there and their AWD is the best available), was getting tired of the anemic 4cyl engine, and just wanted something different. I love the Tacoma, I get way more compliments about it than the Subaru (obviously) and the ladies don't make fun of it, but it also has its shortcomings. I could fit a 9'6" longboard INSIDE the Subaru if I removed the passenger seat headrest. Also could fold down the back seats and fit a longer box from Ikea in the Subaru and still close the gate and have added security compared to the Tacoma because even with the long bed, no way you're fitting something that long in the bed and still be able to close the tailgate. Added benefits though are being able to put dirty items or dogs in the bed and have it separate from the cab. I have a tonneau cover now on mine, but if I was hitting the road traveling, a camper shell would be a must. My factory tonneau is great but it REALLY limits the amount of stuff you can take with you.

I'd say if you're more practical go with the 6 cyl Outback, but if you're more adventurous and don't mind having a truck during the times it might be a small hassle, like in a big city, and you aren't paying for gas, then go with the Tacoma! I personally think either is a win/win. Even though I'm in love with the Tacoma part of me still misses my Subie!

 

I do 40k + a year & did so when I owned a 2012 OR. I got 67,000 out of the OEM BFGs. Woulda been more but, I went for the 4Runner Limited before they needed replaced.

My Taco & T4R were/are both 4x4 and my MPG in the T4R is right at 21. My 2012 Taco was very close...maybe 20.5.

Compared to the 4x4 2012 Tacoma DCSB OR T|X Pro I had my 2014 4Runner Limited 4x4 is a much better vehicle for racking up miles....maybe because it fits my needs better. IMO, the T4R is way more refined, offers more equipment, rides better & offers a better back seat. Of course it's all subjective. If MPG is no concern and or if your not caring about body on frame I'd be looking at a Highlander or Lexus RX. If you want a larger BOF maybe a Sequoia?

 

Make sure you take a hard look at the back seat on a test drive. Fitting 2 full size males in the back is possible but I wouldn't say it's very comfortable. Definitely no where near the same amount of space in a ram quad cab. Other then that it seems like a good fit.

 

Buy a top of the line Toyota Tacoma Limited. Go for it!! If I had the cabbage and a nice garage to park it in I would own one for sure.

 

This is a good point, especially if he'll be taking out clients and what not. I'd be pissed if someone was making me cram into that backseat for an extended period of time.

 

I work in sales too and put 20-25k a year on my vehicles. I'm picking up my TRD OR on Saturday. I'm in the same situation with gas and allowance. THE main reason I'm getting another Taco is resale value. It's a truck so I can have a bed for stuff, I can pull a small trailer, I can travel in bad conditions, and not worry about losing my ass when I get 100k on it. Do it. I used to have an 05 and I drove 30k plus per year covering Nevada/Tahoe. I loved that truck for work.