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Looking for my first pickup...contemplating a 2016 Tacoma

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by LaPorta, Aug 12, 2015.

  1. Aug 12, 2015 at 7:11 PM
    #1
    LaPorta

    LaPorta [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Hi everyone,

    The time has come for me to buy a pickup, and I don't want one of the massive full size ones. My wife and I have talked this over for about a year, and we inadvertently had a week-long "test drive" when we were on vacation and the rental agency only had a Tacoma left. Needless to say, I was extremely pleased with the vehicle, despite being somewhat rough around the edges. I've been reading as much information as I could over the past year, and I like what I see.

    To be fair, I have also scheduled test drives for a Colorado and a Canyon. The Ridgeline is simply not appealing to me physically, so I have ruled that out, and the Frontier doesn't have any good reviews that I can find, so I have ruled that out as well.

    My question is this: for someone like me who is looking for a mid-size to haul around the occasional loads of mulch, wood, etc, and will be taking the truck back and forth as a daily driving vehicle, what would be the best option, in the opinion of those here? If a Tacoma, which model would be preferable?

    One last thing: I would be looking to build one with a manual transmission, V6, and a double cab/long bed.
     
  2. Aug 12, 2015 at 7:18 PM
    #2
    M16

    M16 Well-Known Member

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    so, do you like ornamental hood scoops?
     
  3. Aug 12, 2015 at 7:21 PM
    #3
    LaPorta

    LaPorta [OP] Well-Known Member

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    If that's a serious question, no. No need for that sort of thing if it isn't functional. Then again, if it's included, I guess it's alright.
     
  4. Aug 12, 2015 at 7:22 PM
    #4
    23Skidoo

    23Skidoo A thirsty fish

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    I would wait a few weeks when the facts are released and there is a truck to test drive.
     
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  5. Aug 12, 2015 at 7:25 PM
    #5
    23Skidoo

    23Skidoo A thirsty fish

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    The third gen section is a bit of a joke.... Welcome
     
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  6. Aug 12, 2015 at 7:25 PM
    #6
    2016_dbag

    2016_dbag Well-Known Member

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  7. Aug 12, 2015 at 7:27 PM
    #7
    Jerez

    Jerez SoCal LED Dash Swap

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    just like the 2nd gen tacomas, i believe the third gen tacomas only come with the manual transmission in the access cab or double cab shot bed (same frame size/layout) there was no Double cab long bed manual
     
  8. Aug 12, 2015 at 7:30 PM
    #8
    Clearwater Bill

    Clearwater Bill Never answer an anonymous letter

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    If what you described is what you really want to do with it............... and by 'best option' you consider financial/TCO as a high factor.........

    A well built utility trailer and any number of decent econo box wagons/sedans with a proper hitch would work out much cheaper.

    If you must have a truck, the 4 cylinder 5 lug version would be more than adequate while returning decent MPG.

    What you've suggested you will 'spec' is exceedingly more capable, even in a 2wd version, that your usage requirements.

    Nothing wrong with getting what you want. All I'm doing is matching your stated 'need' to your 'best option' question.
     
  9. Aug 12, 2015 at 7:41 PM
    #9
    BuzzardsGottaEat

    BuzzardsGottaEat Well-Known Member

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    In an honest attempt to best answer your question, I'm looking at your criteria stated.
    Don't want full size / large truck.
    Back and forth Daily Driver
    Occasional Mulch/Wood loads

    In as unbiased assessment of this criteria as possible, if a friend asked me to suggest an automobile based on these, I wouldn't suggest a truck. Especially not a brand new one.

    You can DD and haul occasional light loads in anything ha.

    That's just my honest two cents to consider or just throw out.

    If you're still set on a Tacoma (good choice in truck) I can say that an older style, 01-04 for example is smaller and will haul just as much mulch.

    If you're still set on buying new for whatever reasons you are inclined to then I would suggest what others may not and say get a 4 cylinder, 5 speed. Decent daily driver, slightly better mpg, can haul any small load, etc.

    All that said, just wanted to throw some balance and other suggestions out there. Sometimes when making a $30,000 decision it's good to have more than people just agreeing. If it helps, great. If not, ignore it. Ha


    Wanting a Double Cab and a Long Bed does narrow your options down a whole lot. Down to two. So that should make life easier for you.
     
  10. Aug 12, 2015 at 7:43 PM
    #10
    BuzzardsGottaEat

    BuzzardsGottaEat Well-Known Member

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    Or get a 1993 Toyota Pickup :) that one is biased. Great for actually using as a Pickup rather than a minivan. Ha
     
  11. Aug 12, 2015 at 7:44 PM
    #11
    BuzzardsGottaEat

    BuzzardsGottaEat Well-Known Member

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    This ^

    Sounds to me like you need a Wagon or Hatchback with a hitch.
     
  12. Aug 12, 2015 at 7:53 PM
    #12
    wanna taco

    wanna taco What's my name?

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    You don't want "one of the massive full size ones" but you want double cab long bed? Consider the length of a locomotive. Occasional load of mulch? Realistically, that's all a Tacoma can handle anyway. It's basically a toy for off road rock climbers and mudders, not intended for anything remotely associated with real work.

    Do yourself a favor and buy an F100. I fully expect to be banned for life from TW, but perhaps the time has come for some honesty here.
     
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  13. Aug 12, 2015 at 7:54 PM
    #13
    mike2810

    mike2810 Well-Known Member

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    Honda is bringing the Ridgeline back late 2016 or sometime 2017. Nissan has not said much about the Frontier for 2016. It may be updated in 2017.

    Your smart to drive any midsize truck you are interested in.
     
  14. Aug 12, 2015 at 8:05 PM
    #14
    BuzzardsGottaEat

    BuzzardsGottaEat Well-Known Member

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    My 125 HP 1993 Go-kart of a truck does plenty of work and hauls plenty of loads. I'm sure a 2016 truck can handle much more.

    Also your logic is strange to me. The OP is wrong for wanting such a large truck (DCLB) so suggest a larger one instead. Doesn't need hauling capacity, so suggest a truck that can handle more? Ha
     
  15. Aug 12, 2015 at 8:05 PM
    #15
    tubesock

    tubesock Well-Known Member

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    If you thought the 2015 was a bit rough, and perhaps lacking a lot of modern features then the 2016 looks to be right up your alley and certainly worth a look. There is a media embargo that lifts on the 17th and then you'll get all the detailed information, see reviews and videos, and get driving impressions. I suspect toyota will also put it up on their website. With all that info in hand you can make a more informed decision.

    Then after it hits dealer lots, drive the Colorado/canyon and the 2016 tacoma and see which one you prefer. The GM offerings don't have a manual option with their v6. I personally wouldn't give my money to GM, but I'm a weirdo.

    As others have said, if you require a double cab with the 6 foot bed then you have to get an auto. Access cabs, or double cab short beds(5 ft) can get the manual.

    Ultimately you gotta get what you like. If it's a daily driver then you're the sap that's going to have to sit behind the wheel all the time so you may as well enjoy it.
     
  16. Aug 12, 2015 at 8:08 PM
    #16
    23Skidoo

    23Skidoo A thirsty fish

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  17. Aug 12, 2015 at 8:18 PM
    #17
    wanna taco

    wanna taco What's my name?

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    Actually, your go cart truck is a work horse. The newer T's are over rated toys. Anyone wanting to haul mulch will also want to haul fencing boards and fence concrete, and will discover the limitations of a new T. As many T owners want to raise their trucks to eye level with F100 owners, why not get an F100 in the first place?
     
  18. Aug 12, 2015 at 8:21 PM
    #18
    BuzzardsGottaEat

    BuzzardsGottaEat Well-Known Member

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    I've had a lot of Tacomas haha my 2012 hauled a lot more weight without feeling it than my 93. Significantly more.

    Also, OP doesn't want a Full Size. Back to suggestions that fit the criteria ha
     
  19. Aug 13, 2015 at 3:05 AM
    #19
    LaPorta

    LaPorta [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thank you, everyone, for the feedback. I do appreciate it.

    From the responses, I'll refine what I said earlier. First, I really wouldn't want to deal with a trailer setup, simply because I don't have room around to store one, and because it would require attaching/detaching the thing. As for the long bed/"massive truck" thing, my concept of size has less to do with the actual length of the truck, and more to do with the height/width/"beefiness" of the thing. My wife had suggested a long bed, and I'm less married to one than I am to her! I personally think that the bed in a double cab would be enough for my needs. The double cab is somewhat of a necessity if I need to carry one of my kids, since from my understanding it is near impossible to get a full sized child seat in an access cab rear seat. Also, I am looking into a 4x4 rather than a 4x2 because it snows a lot here in the winter, and is quite hilly. I work at a hospital and can't not show up. My 1998 Accord that I have now isn't the most reliable at helping with that.

    Its details like "the manual can't be combined with a long bed" that I need to know, and are very helpful.

    I also appreciate the honest feedback about the other models, rather than the expected "This is a Tacoma forum, why buy anything else?" comments.
     
    Last edited: Aug 13, 2015
  20. Aug 13, 2015 at 6:14 AM
    #20
    Dwight404

    Dwight404 Active Member

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    The 2016 will be my first truck. While I'm still planning to test drive and learn more when they are available, I'm planning right now on getting a DCLB. I mainly just want a truck and the Toyota is a good size to me and I love their dependability. But I was curious about references above and elsewhere on this site about the Tacoma's towing capacity. Most seem to say that it's not so good for towing. A friend of mine has a boat that weighs, with trailer, about 4,000 lbs. According to be brochure, the 2015 Tacoma with a V6 and tow package has a towing capacity of 6300 - 6500 lbs. Can you tell me what this means in real life? What are the practical limits of using a V6 Tacoma for towing. It's not a must for me so it won't be a dealbreaker but I'd like to understand it.
     

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