New to this century, need help :(

Hi all,
I have reached the point in my life where I feel that it's time to buy a fuel injected vehicle from this century and really don't know where to start. I know I want a Toyota truck and know that the Tacoma would probably be more logical but am hesitant to get a compact truck. Ive always drove big bad gas hogs and loved them dearly but know its time to grow up now. Although I would love another V8 it's in all honesty not imperative. I can only spend 20K. My other concern is the bed size. I am so not a fan of short beds and have always thought theyre on the boarderline of being useless but what do I know, Ive never had one. What are your feelings in the bed size? Does any Tacoma come in a long bed? Tundra vs Tacoma bed sizes? Its going to be a tough transition between having a car payment AND repairs being 10X more expensive, and out of my skillset most of the time, so most importantly Im looking for a year that's just extremely reliable and steadfast so I can feel love for my new truck like I have my old ones... Anybody feel inclined to convince me to get a Tundra? If not, what do you feel is the best year Tacoma? A good balance between quality and price... Bear with me, these new vehicles are so over my head!

Also, is there a badass sports/offroading package I should be on the lookout for? And are there any equipped with those cages that fold out of the bed to make it longer? Im lost.

Thanks! Hannah

 

Also, a bit off topic but I hear oil changes on new vehicles can be silly complicated... For these trucks are they an easy at home project like older vehicles?

 

Whoa, you are on the wrong forum there Hannah. No 3rd Gen here for 20k.

Go over to 2nd Gen forum and ask the question, then take deep breath and get ready to be shocked with sticker price, especially if you are looking for "badass off-road package".

 

I thought i put it on product reviews... Like i said anything from this century is new to me

 

Ignore their pic, but look it over

 

What will you be using the truck for? I have a 5 foot bed and have never found it too small to haul anything. If you want something with all the bells and whistles, get a TRD Off Road.

 

The short bed trucks are utterly useless.

That opinion out of the way, the Tacoma will suit you just fine. I'd recommend buying a used one, 2006 - 2011 with 2008 being my preferred year because it's the last one with a mechanical LSD and no mandatory traction control. Something with about 75,000 to 100,000 miles is still basically a new truck and should be under $20k fully optioned. I haul quite a bit in my 6' bed truck and it handles the weight with ease. Oil changes on the V6 Tacoma are probably the easier I've ever done, and I've done them on a '64 Chevy C10, '57 Chevy 3800, '62 Nova, and '77 Toyota Hilux.

 

The short bed trucks are NOT utterly useless if that's what you're looking for. Either way, they are fine vehicles that hold their value for a reason. Btw, I have a long bed...

 

Why are short beds useless? I have hauled 4wheelers and motorcycles back there...no room for a regular toolbox if you want to but that's the glories of living in this century and they have toolboxes that can go on the sides of the bed...get a used 2007-2014 and you will be good

 

If you don't have kids and don't entertain more than 1 passenger regularly I would go for a v6 access cab. Crew cabs cost more money, and most of them have the short bed. I am not bashing the short bed but if you don't need the extra passenger space you may as well get extra bed out of it. You will also get a newer lower mileage vehicle out of it. If you live somewhere that salts the roads I would try for something 2010 or newer. Nobody really knows if the rust issue is solved after that but there is a chance it was. If you don't live in a salty environment take your pick.

 

Hey Bob, everyone can make a mistake to TW, even the number one man!

 

As someone who has driven some sort of a 3/4 ton for the past 18 years. The last one being a crew cab F-250 that my friend nicknamed the cathedral. There is definitely an adjustment going down to the Tacoma, but it may not as bad as you my think. Although I do miss the torque from a diesel. The short bed hasn't been that big of an issue, but I also haven't had the truck that long and I kept my last F-250 for hauling and towing. If I was to just have one truck, then I would be looking at the long bed (short bed for a full size). Don't know much about the Tundra except that I know a couple of people who have them, and for the most part like them. For the price you are going to be looking at a 2nd Gen as you have already herd. If your looking for something fun, you can get a TRD supercharger on the 2nd gens. Good luck on your search. And post pics of what ever you end up with.

 

@higgyhann10 What vehicle are you moving up from? Knowing what you're needing or wanting to use the truck for (light off roading, crawler build, daily driver, etc.) will help narrow down which options are going to be best for you.

That being said, I have a double cab short bed (5') and I haven't had any issues with the bed being too small for every day use and some light camping equipment. Bed is a bit short to sleep in comfortably though, have to leave the tailgate down if I want to stretch out.

 

Welcome, I moved into this century 3 years ago, haven't looked back. My 2009 regular cab has a 6' bed, that's the long Tacoma bed (long enough for me to sleep in). The cages are an add on item, that's all I know about them. I know no details about Tundras.

Oil change is the same as every other vehicle I've owned, nothing complex.

 

I've always done my own service except when I owned a Mustang and lived in an apartment. I'm fairly certain out of all the vehicles I've ever owned the Tacoma is the easiest one I've ever changed the oil on. The oil filter setup on the 1GR-FE is great. Even changing the plugs was easy.