Taco vs GMC Sierra

Hi all I am in a pickle about 2 vehicles. I have been looking for a Tacoma forever in my price range and it’s not easy. I found a 2007 TRD double cab long bed 4.0 liter v6 136k miles for 14,000. Engine starts right up but when I rev the engine I heard a little vibration or rattle almost and salesman says it just needs to be serviced and it will be taken care of. Other hand there is a 2012 GMC Sierra 1500 se crew cab with 100k miles for 15,500 bucks. Engine sounds real smooth . 4.8liter v8. Just looking for info about how long each of these engines can last...is 136k a lot for a Tacoma and is 100 a lot for a gmc....I been leaning towards Tacoma cuz I kinda always wanted one and the mid sized compared to full....gas mileage improvement. Vibration makes me nervous and I feel like Sierra may be safer with my kid in the back. My head is all over the place as you can see. Any help appreciated about these two vehicles

 

I wouldn’t even consider that high mileage for the Tacoma. No idea about the GMC.

 

Thanks I had to read that twice but I am assuming you mean 136k miles isn’t a lot for a Tacoma

 

136 K miles for a Tacoma is not that high. Consider that a the Taco is 5 years older than the GMC and has more miles but goes for about the same price. There has to be a reason, the market is not always rational however I do not regret purchasing the Tacoma. The Ford was a nightmare. The last Chevy I owned was 30 years ago. I absolutely hate that none of my wish list vehicles are American. Up to and including a Corvette. Get the Tacoma.

 

Yea that’s what I meant. I have a little over 70k and the truck looks new. I think 136k is low, assuming there are no known problems of course.

 

His lips were moving. Which means he's lying.

DO NOT enter a contract until the vehicle issue(s) is resolved to your satisfaction.

After it's resolved, then have it inspected at an independent shop, including a full on frame inspection for rust. Including a borescope inside the frame.

If the frame is ok, use any other findings of your mechanic in your price negotiation. Then when the price is right, sign the papers.

There only being a $1,500 additional cost for a 5 year newer and 35k less mile vehicle should be your clue about value retention based on expected longevity and quality.

 

The Tacoma is Amurican, Toyota is in NASCAR and mine was built in Comiefornia. Amurica son!

I do not buy GM vehicles. Maybe Ford, maybe Chrysler, love my Jeeps, but GM, uh, maybe, uh, maybe probably not.

Has the Toy been dogged abused and the GM neat as a pin and was loved? Look at them up close.

A full size PU is not the same kind of vehicle at all as a midsize/lifestyle truck. And do not mean that in a derogatory way. Short of a Wrangler, exactly what commonly available vehicle can match a Tacoma off road? Pretty slim pickings there. And then drive like a car on the road, oops, there went the Wrangler!

 

Assuming that they were both maintained properly I'd go with the Tacoma all.day. I can't speak for GM but I wouldn't consider that Tacoma high mileage

 

The sierra would get better mileage.....and that's pretty sad to say.

 

While the Gmc has more room and are very good driving trucks in my opinion, to me the reliability is just not in the same league. I've owned two Sierras, one was a 2007 4.8 the other was a 2012 z71 sle with 5.3 . Both of them leaked oil pretty bad . I got rid of the 2012 after 18000 miles because of a bad rear main seal. I'll be sticking with Toyota.

 

General Motors = junk.

Could the vibration you mention be “Taco tick”?

If so, it is normal for these trucks.

 

I wasn’t sure I started up a 2010 Tacoma in the same lot and that vibration/sound didn’t happen when revving engine so it was specific to that truck....truck without vibration was maintenced early in the week and the one I’m looking at has not...tire pressure light on as well....thanks for info I hate making these choices . My dad’s Silverado has 290k miles with minimal issues so that’s why I was torn

 

I was thinking your vibration/rattle at idle could be the heat shield over the front left cat. directly under the drivers seat, like to collect pebbles and road grime. Air hammered my cat shield off and tossed it in the trash.

 

I have owned both. I had a first gen Tacoma and the a 4 Runner before I started a 10 year stint of roadracing and doing motorcycle track days. My towing requirements grew exponentially and eventually bought an 01, and then an 04 GMC 2500 HD with the Duramax. Combined 300k later and the build quality doesn't hold a candle to the Toyotas. I sold my 04 a few months ago and am Taco shopping.

 

I will look into that...i like the Tacoma a lot I’m just nervous to sign papers and such ...dealership basically said you agree to buy the car and then we send it out to fix anything needed on it so you get it back 100 percent . I’ll mention that shield to them thx

 

Thanks for input hopefully I can get that vibration or tick taken care of before I buy it if I decide to go with it. As I stated above I was told I need to purchase or agree to buy then they send it off to get maintained and i would get it back 100 percent lol. I’ll see if they let me take it to my mechanic first

 

This 100%

Vibration could mean bad motor mount or mounts and very costly to replace!

Assuming that's it.
Have them fix it. Get it checked out by a secondary mechanic you trust and go from there.

Good luck

 

Why was this one serviced? Obviously it hasn't been purchased if they're letting you get in and rev it. I would push for a full service followed by a test drive prior to any commitments.

This happen to be a corner lot dealership that lacks a qualified mechanics shop? Or is it an actual manufacturers dealership?

 

Unsure as to why it was serviced. This is a local literally on a corner used car dealership and I didn’t see a mechanics shop on site so I’m assuming they send it out. I will look into it. It personally sounds like a vibration but I’m no longer xpert

 

We have both, and the Sierra is a 2500 V8 extended cab 2005 with 22k on it. It has all the whistles and bells, rides great, BUT gets about 12 - 14 mpg. Used to tow ATV's with it, but in the winter we chain up all 4 wheels and keep the plow on it for the winter in the garage till spring. We had a 2005 Tacoma 4 dr long bed, and traded it at 99k to get a new 2012 Tacoma 4 dr long bed V6. I use this as my vehicle and love it. gets about 20 mpg and have had no problems at all 78k on it now, plan to just keep driving it.
Like others said, before you sign anything have them fix it to your liking, NOT after you buy it. If they don't want to do it that way, walk away from it and find another one that you can feel good with. Usually anything under 100k, you can get an extended warranty, I would do it for the power train at least. Good luck.