Thinking about a Tacoma?

Hi All,

I currently have a 2009 Outback 3.0R. For what it is, I love it. 245 HP 6 cylinder boxer engine and it's loaded with every feature you could get. It's nearing 100,000 miles and although it's not unusual for the drivetrain in these things to do triple that if it's maintained well, I'm itching for something new.

I've come to the realization that I've got the last year Outback that I'd consider...I really don't like the newer generations. If I'm going to have just one vehicle, it might as well be a truck. But I don't need a full size and I've always liked Tacomas. I have relatives, friends, and co-workers with them and they have nothing but praise for them. Plus my Outback is a pig on fuel and really doesn't do a whole lot better than a V6 Tacoma would.

It looks like they hold their value absurdly well, so I'm not sure it makes much sense to pick one up that's a year or two old since there really isn't a big price difference.

I'd be leaning towards a double cab TRD Off Road. I like the idea of the locking rear end and if I'm going to buy new, I might as well go all out. I like the limited features since I've been spoiled by the loaded Outback, but you apparently can't get them with a locker and the better suspension...plus I think the lower profile tires are ridiculous if you're going to actually use it as a truck. I'd probably just swap in heated leather to a TRD Off Road. I'd lean toward an automatic only because I think I'd get sick of kicking a clutch in traffic or in slow off road situations.

I've been impressed with the stock power out of the V6 Tacomas that I've driven. They feel very comparable in acceleration to my Outback...maybe slightly better. It seems the few who have the TRD Supercharger love it, though, so that would be pretty tempting. I've only seen one around here that's definitely supercharged since the guy put a supercharged badge on the tailgate. I wouldn't be surprised if there are no others.

Any input or advice? How beneficial is the locker/stock BFG tires/Bilstein suspension? To me the extra cost over the sport seems justified but maybe I'm wrong? Do they still use Dunlop A/Ts on the other models? I run Yokohama Geolandar A/T-S tires on my Outback and even those look more rugged than the Dunlops. Is the 6-speed MT nice enough to consider over the auto or really nothing special?

Thanks for any input!

 

Welcome! Good luck in your search.

 

Welcome!

If I had the money TRD OR is what I would have bought. Factory locker is a big perk, not that one can't be added later but that would certainly be convenient. I guess the only consideration would be that you can't have a long bed and a double cab with the TRD OR.

 

Short bed doesn't bother me.

I have a coworker with a TRD OR '07 Double Cab and he says he's never actually had a situation where he needed the locker to get out of somewhere but there were a few times it made things easier when he was out in the woods hunting.

I've got to say that even that Outback does pretty respectably off road for what it is. Clearance is good, biggest issue was the approach and departure angles, but even then it's scampered up stuff that a station wagon has no business making it through.

 

Yeah, it certainly depends how you plan to use the truck. Buying a brand new truck I sort of doubt you'll be putting it in situations where the locker would be very helpful. I've had a handful of times where the locker would have allowed me to walk up something that I had to use momentum to get over.

Like I said too, if you don't get the locker and find you really want one later you can put one in. Plus then you'd have OBA

 

You probably have a point there. I'd definitely want to avoid any chance of damage (cosmetic or otherwise) at least until the newness wears off.

 

first thing i got were new tires... Goodyear duratracs the difference is unbelievable while offroad

 

AGREE

These trucks are amazing, only limited by the stock tires.

But put a set of Duratrac's on, and the truck Outstanding.

 

If you test drive one, listen for the ticking noise (stopped, under load, with the windows down, preferably with a concrete wall beside the truck) and ask them why it ticks!

 

I'm in the process of trying to get Toyota to repurchase mine due to temperamental clutch issues. 5 repairs later and I'm done. Just make sure you feel no vibrations or hear any weird noises. I test drove an OR sport because I wanted another Taco but the power steering pump was raising hell. I just said hell no and now I'm buying a Cummins. But other than these issues, I really love my little Taco. It's a very capable off road warrior in stock form.

 

Don't do it, your bank account will thank you!

Just kidding, welcome!

I went with the OR, but I do a lot of off roading for fishing and camping. I've only had my 13 for 7 months, but am already underway with upgrades to better fit my needs. This can be a touchy subject around here so be prepared for all kinds of opinions and posts, but basically it all boils down to how you plan to run your rig and what you want to put into it.

Good luck and keep us posted on your decision!

 

Thanks for all the input.

I'm pretty picky about tires as well. On the Outback we're pretty limited in choices for anything more aggressive than an all season. The Yoko Geolandar A/T-S tires are great for what they are, but on a truck that can take a true A/T size, it makes very little sense to go with them again.

The clutch issues don't scare me since I'd be leaning toward an automatic anyway...guess that gives me one more reason to maintain that decision.

I think my first steps beyond tires would be interior stuff. I want to swap in heated leather (I know, I know, I'm sure many of you frown upon that). Leather is just so easy to keep clean and the heat is awesome in New England winters.

 

Ill tell you the same as I tell everyone when the question comes up " How do you like your tacoma?". I like it, but its really an SUV that is shaped like a truck.

 

oh boy

 

I have a '12 DCLB TRD Sport and love it. Where I live a car simply is not an option, but I have no need for a full size truck either. For the record, I would have preferred a TRD OR, but you can't get a doublecab with the OR package in Canada. I changed the suspension anyway, and an air locker is on my wish list when funds allow. The locker would be hugely useful to me, but whether or not it is to you would depend on where you wanted to go. The stock suspension in the Sport is great on road, but was awfully harsh offroad. The TRD OR stock suspension is better, but you will end up replacing it if you plan on doing any real wheeling.

Want a vehicle that can reliably carry you and your friends/family halfway across the country in relative comfort? How about a vehicle that you can load up with your camping gear and drive to some of the most remote areas on the planet? What about a vehicle that is refined enough to be at home pulling up to your favorite classy restaurant? Have you ever wanted to load your skis and snowmobiles up and drive through a snow storm for an epic weekend of play? What if I told you that you could have all of these things and more, all in a package that held it's value extremely well? Go buy a Tacoma!

A couple tips:
-If you're tall the rearview mirror will be a pain in the ass. There's a guy on here that has made a bracket to raise the mirror and get it out of your way.
-For heated leather look to the aftermarket. Katskins or Clazzio coupled with heated seat pads from ebay or Amazon will do wonders, and you can pick your colours/stitching/etc. You can even go all out and get massage motors and cooling fans for the seats too.

 

Wtf?

Which trucks aren't SUV's shaped like trucks then lol, pretty sure SUVs came around after the fact as well...

 

Wow, you sound like you're in exactly the same place I was when I bought my 2011 TRD Off-Road. Traded up from an Outback too, though mine was a much older model (1998, I think). So it was a big step up for me. I'd been taking off-road/camping trips with friends, two of whom had Tacomas (a 1st gen and 2nd gen) so I was usually a passenger. Both loved them and they could handle anything we threw at them. I debated about dropping the extra cash on the 4x4 w/off road package, but finally convinced myself and never regretted it. I'm not big into spending more time and money on aftermarket improvements, lifts, etc. and then worrying about how well they'll work or whether they'll throw something else out of whack. This thing does everything I could ask of it outta the box. You didn't mention if you were looking for 4WD or 2WD, but I have to say the 4WD OR is fantastic. I don't do crazy sh*t like rock crawling, but I've definitely put it through the paces. Also went with the auto tranny (after driving nothing but manuals my whole life) since I'm fundamentally lazy and was tired of shifting. I always thought a manual was more "real" and made you more connected to the driving experience, but let's face it: this is not a street racing machine. Auto tranny works great. The mileage isn't great, but thankfully I don't have a commute to worry about. Bottom line: DO IT.

 

Thanks for all the input yet again.

It'd be 4WD, no question. I don't even think the dealers up here keep 2WDs on their lot, or at least not many. Only 2WD trucks I usually see are 1500 work trucks that construction companies buy. The Outback has a very good AWD system, none of that wait till it slips then engage the rear end sort of nonsense. 45%F/55% Rear power distribution on mine. It's always reassuring to have a 4x4 vehicle with plenty of clearance when you head home late on unplowed roads. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

I was looking at Katzkins and lots of guys on the Outback forum will put them into the manual tranny Outbacks that couldn't come with factory leather installed. It could also be used as a bargaining chip at the dealer in certain ways I suppose.

I'll miss my heated mirrors and windshield wiper deicers, but honestly snow and ice rarely built up on the mirrors so most of the time I just turned them on to clear fog. The wiper deicers, on the other hand, are genius and I can't believe more companies don't put them on their vehicles.

I had a '97 Outback for a while with a 5 speed stick in it. It was gutless because it was an H4, but it was fun to drive. Every time I drive something with a manual I remember how much of a blast it is, but I also acknowledge that sometimes I just want the thing to shift itself and don't want to deal with using my left foot and taking my hand off the wheel.

Mileage I don't care about. My Outback is lucky to get 17-18 in the winter. Granted, it will do significantly better than a Tacoma on the highway but in daily driving it's really not THAT much better.