OpInions wanted Tacoma vs Silverado

That is because Toyota does not sell enough Tundras. They have specials on them like $2750 from the factory, or 0 percent and will give them at invoice. A Tacoma on the other hand dominates its class and you cant keep Tacomas on the lot. Also the resale value on them is through the roof...A Tacoma holds its value better than ANY car truck or suv on the road. Also keep in mind there is only about 7% markup in a Toyota so even getting it at invoice is not going to be thousands of dollars.

GM and Ford would not be in business if it was not for truck's...that is their bread and butter. Thats how they sell truck's because they have 7,8,9, i have even seen 10 grand off sticker. They are getting that money from the factory plus the markup on the trucks is higher.

 

If you want the Silverado, I would definitely focus on the 2014's instead of 2013's. I drive '08 Chevy 2500 HD 6.6L 4x4 QCLB in LT trim for work, and the interior is the ugliest and lowest quality from all the full size trucks of that era by a long shot.

At work I also drive a 2000 Silverado 2500 6L ExtCabLB 2wd, 2003 GMC Sierra 2500HD 6L ExtCabSB 4x4 and my father has a 2002 GMC Sierra 1500 4.8L ExtCabSB 2wd that I get to drive ocasionally. I personally think the GMT800's were a bit better built than GMT900's. Hopefully the 2014+ trucks improved on that.

 

I am also surprised they only knocked $1k off MSRP. Did you bring any ammunition with you when you stopped by the dealer? I'm assuming since it was just a test drive you weren't looking to haggle prices just yet. When I got my Tacoma I got it down somewhere between 1.5-2k off MSRP before TTL. Not much more difference, but for midsize trucks I don't think you will see too much room for negotiation like fullsize vehicles.

 

Hit your head on the roof? You should try driving a Double Cab Tacoma and seeing if that makes a difference.

I hopped out of my current car (2006 Scion xB) and test drove the Tacoma I ended up buying, and I had tons of head room. I'm much bigger than you are, 6'7" 280lbs and 36" inseam.

I used to drive a '98 Silverado ext. cab 4x4 with a 5.0 V8 (305 ci), my girlfriend has a 2006 Trailblazer. Both were great and then became quick pieces of crap. I went through SIX fuel pumps in my truck before it finally blew it's transmission at 133k miles. My girlfriends Trailblazer has seen almost $5k in repairs in the past 4 years and has no reached it's point of we're waiting for the next break down, and hoping it's a couple years away so we can get rid of it. It has 150k miles, IIRC.

The '98 Chevy was OTD the same cost as my Tacoma, and is an entirely different breed of truck.

For that matter, I ordered a Double Cab short bed PreRunner SR5 with the 2.7 and auto trans and it isn't under powered at all. I drive a 1.5 4 banger now with an auto, so I'm assuming you're comparing your test drives to a V8. There's a few of us with the bigger cab and 2.7s here on TW and I don't think any of us have complained about that decision.

I drove an Access Cab with 2.7 on my first test drive, and it drove just fine. It's not a fullsize truck with 335hp, but it had no problems being driven like a Tacoma.

 

I've literally heard that from all but 2 dealership salesman I've ever talked to about any car. Even when I bought my Scion last year, which was a 2006 with 46k miles and sticker priced at 15,999.

I bought a brand new xB in 2006 that was a model year newer (2006.5) than the above car, which I bought, and I paid less for it new than these clowns wanted for a 7 year old model.

 

I agree. Definitely go for the 2014 Silerado vs the 2013 models if you are going to buy a Chevy. The 2014s are redone and much better in many areas including the engines.

 

Taco2112, is yours a 4 x 4? If so what is your actual MPG? I also live in Pittsburgh so my experience would be very similar to yours. I will not be towing with the truck so that is not an issue. MPG is a concern as I commute 100 miles each way to my job. Once there I sleep in the capped bed for 2 nights and the Tacoma will is just long enough by an inch or so to allow that. As far as Chevy and GM being junk I disagree with that. I think Toyota/Ford and Chevy all make fine trucks. It's Dodge that is the piece of junk IMHO. At present I own both GM and Toyota vehicles and love them both.

 

Sleeping in a capped bed for 2 nights every week would suck no matter what vehicle you get! I feel for you, but I am not sure if I would go with a truck or a nice used conversion van.

That said, if you keep your vehicles for any amount of time then resale will be the biggest point, you are looking at 15-20% better resale on a used Tacoma. You will be giving up a lot of bed space, but gaining quality and reliability. I've had all of the big 3 trucks, it's not a question of if you will eventually go Toyota, but when.

BTW, I get about 20-22 mpg on my 2013 With V6

 

Toyota>Honda>Nissan>vw >mini>Ford>kia/hundai>Chrysler>murrey(lawn mower)>gm IMHO. non luxury. anyway (there are several other mowers. I would drive before a gm but listing felt a bit redundant )

 

The headroom getting in bothered me for a long time, until I realized that I just had to get in by grabbing the wheel with my left hand and going head-first. That works great and it's just normal for me now. It's a style of entry thing...

 

Im not sure what my mpg's are. I know it only cost me about 60 dollars to fill up when my low fuel light comes on. I never pay attention to how many miles I get out of a tank, but I do a lot of driving and I have no complaints. Next time I fill up I will check and see. My commute to work is about 17 miles each way mixed city and highway driving. As far as power, I have no trouble at all getting up these hills, or cruising at 70-75 mph down the highway, and I am running bigger tires 265/75/16 A/Ts. Once the motor is broken in you will see a difference. I honestly don't think you will be disappointed with this motor around here. Yes my truck is a 4x4 access cab automatic. I was going back n forth for a while between the 4 and the 6, I do not regret my decision at all. I have been very happy with the 4. If you decide on one let me know, Im in sales at Lexus, I was with Toyota for 3 years and know people at Toyota still that will hook you up on your purchase.

As for the Chevy/GM I say that because i have owned them in the past along with most of my family. Almost every GM car that I have owned or friends and family have owned has a lot of issues before hitting 100k. I had a GMC Sierra that alway's had something wrong with it. The motor was pretty solid other than that obnoxious 5.3 knocking noise, but the rest of the truck didn't hold up lol.

 

I agree with a lot of other people on here that you need to prioritize your needs, then make a decision. I was in the same boat for the last year and finally two weeks ago it sorted itself out and I bought a 2012 Tacoma. I had considered the Silverado but stayed away because I decided I don't need a full size truck. Ask yourself how often you'll need to carry 5 people, haul 10,000 pounds in the bed or tow 12,000 pounds (or whatever a full size can do). I am 6'1", 240lbs, and have no problem fitting into the Tacoma. It even feels roomy to me but then again I upgraded from a VW GTI. Best of luck.

 

Taco2112 you have a PM

 

Since your truck will be your home away from home, space is a premium for you. Get the silverado.

 

I've owned my Tacoma for just shy of a month, trading in a 2004 silverado LS Z71 4x4 reg cab sport side box that I drove from new for almost 9 years. It had the small v8, with 285hp and got the same fuel economy as the smaller v6

This was a great truck, really easy to manoeuvre, great pick up and go power, strong engine and strong transmission. No major issues cropped up.

The reason I switched to the Tacoma was to get a more useable box, step side boxes are unique but a pain to reach over in a full size pu to get things out, a bigger cab, and a more-city sized truck. Even off roading, the wide silverado would often barely fit down some trails.

I didn't want an even BIGGER truck by staying with GM, and as we all know there aren't many small trucks left. Also, not a huge fan of the GM styling recently. Also, I wanted a more nimble truck with a manual transmission.

All and all I have great things to say about my Silverado, but have no regrets trading it in. All comes down to what you need. Forget about price and think of utility first. If you need a bigger truck than get it.

Good luck!

 

I'd wait for the new GMs to roll out before buying this model year. IMO they are the worst half ton out there when compared to other half tons. I'm not saying they are bad but... the others are IMO better.

When I had my taco I consistently avg ~18mgs not matter hwy or city. I drove it nice and easy. Traded it at 10K miles for a more family friendly car.

 

I also get 20-22 MPG average on my 2012 DCLB V6 Prerunner

 

In Central Ohio, the Toyota Dealer that I purchased my Tacoma from received a dozen trucks on an order. In less than a week, they were gone! I've done my time in the trenches dealing with scum bag used car types... This dealer was not lying! Out here in Kansas, I had a guy offer me 24K for my 2010 Access Cab V6 truck with 36K miles just about 2 months ago... The Olathe Toyota dealer had zero new Tacoma"s and only one used Tacoma (2008 DBL Cab 4x4) and they wanted 23K for it and it had 89K miles! The guy that wanted to buy my truck solicited me at the dealership when I pulled in to buy some spark plugs and cabin air filter. WOW!!!

I did not end up buying a "New" Tacoma though... The General Manager at my local Central Ohio dealership was driving the truck I purchased.. He drove it for 9K miles and sold it to me for 22K. I made out like a bandit!

 

If you need a bloated truck look at the Fords. If you expect 20 MPG from a Silverado (or a Ford) don't drive over 50 empty or any where any thing that looks like it might have a stop light.

 

Dang. Glad you ended up scoring. Our markets aren't like that at all!