Thoughts on going to a taco from sporty cars?

Hi all,

Has anyone gone to a Tacoma or truck in general after only owning sporty cars?

Currently thinking about replacing my 2012 e92 BMW M3 with a new taco since its more practical for me right now. I've driven coupes all my life, never even owned a sedan or truck. Love my M3 but don't have enough room to have both.

 

Welcome to TW. I went from sporty cars -> Jeep -> Toyota trucks. It is completely different. I now value the utility of a truck far more than the sportiness of a car, primarily due to home ownership. You learn to love it for what it is, far more rugged and utilitarian than a car.

If you still want some semblance of go-fast, the 2nd gens have an optional blower, and then plenty of mods you can build on top of that which can make them far more sporty than than the 3rd gen. But it will never be remotely close to your M3.

 

Drive one and see. I had a 2011 civic sedan si with a big Garrett turbo that dynoed at 465 hp. Big difference, truck is more for slow going but I like sitting higher and having the ability to go off-road. Just drive some trucks and see if you like them. I was dead set on a mustang and drove 9 of them but just didn't like the way they rode it drove. Then I wanted a Jeep Wrangler and drove 5 of those, as they just didn't do it for me. The Tacoma I'm happy with, but it's not fast like I'm used to. I think my wife's Chevy Cruze is a sports car when I drive it now.

Good luck!

 

I did just this.

A host of Acura, BMW, and Mercedes sedans to a loaded TRD Sport.

What I liked:

- Ride height
- Utility
- Looks

What I didn't like:

- Interior dimensions
- Sluggish acceleration
- No matter the cost it's not seen as upper crust. Platinums and high countries, maybe.

I'm now splitting the difference and am trading for a 4Runner limited.

 

It took a while to ween me off my Audi after I sold it, but now I never even think of getting back in a car.

 

If you are driving a pickup truck And worried about being seen as "upper crust", you are driving the wrong vehicle. Period.

 

Wait until you go off road. It's more fun than flooring it at red lights.

 

Buy a truck, then buy a bike or project car! I have all three! Love life, but my wallet is screaming for mercy!

 

I came from a sport car background - well sorta - until I had a family, but still I had an E60 V10 M5.

With a truck, you can't really expect nimble handling and stoplight acceleration. You drive it like a truck, which it excels at. Just put it in drive and don't worry about stoplight or freeway entrance racing.

 

I haven't driven a Gen 3 yet, plan to this week.

With utility in mind, I don't plan on forced induction as speed is no fun for me if it doesn't handle well. I had a Genesis Coupe I turned into a track car that was turbo and while fast/fun.. reliability not so much. I've always been into performance cars but lately find myself doing more fishing/outdoor things and I can't quite fit all my equipment comfortably in my M3 lol

 

Just did this 2 weeks ago. From 2004 to 2012 I had a WRX that was STI swapped, regional Auto-x trophy winner. From 2012 till now, had a twinturbo BMW. My near paid off e82 cobb tuned 135i was tboned and totaled. I LOVED that car, my plan was to get a Taco after i pay it off so i didnt have to daily it. When the wreck happened, i had to decide - get another BMW and prolong getting the truck, or get the truck now and another BMW later. I chose the truck. Its cheaper payments so ill get to save for an M4 (drool), and when I do get the M car I wont have to daily drive it.


The part you care about the most probably. Yes, it sucked. Its a huge change going from a 400hp rwd coupe to a 236hp 2.5 ton beast. BUT - im a modder by heart and the aftermarket for Taco is absolutely thriving. Im at 10 days into ownership and its already transforming into "my truck." This point in the game I cant stop looking at parts and its actually quite enjoyable to drive. MPG is better, i dont have to run premium anymore, maintenance isnt an arm and a leg plus someone elses arms and legs.

 

Left a 15 WRX for my Tacoma. Had a Tundra before the car. Of course you miss speed and handling, but I love having the easy driving and the utility. Just fits my lifestyle better.

You won't regret it.

 

I had similar intentions, but without space and wanting a Gen 3... not practical financially. The additional mpgs would be nice, I average about 13 lol. Some bolt ons, intake, tune, test pipes but the car had horrible gas milage to begin with.

 

I have both

 

And you don't have to watch for potholes while you drive, and you can jump curbs if you want to.

 

True words. Leaving work there is a busted up rail road crossing that would give Moab a run for its money. Sailed over it today in the Taco where in the BMW you had to come to a crawl if you wanted your wheels to still be round on the other side.

 

I've only owned sports cars. Now the taco.

Love it. Might not have a lot of pickup (lol), but like everyone else said... It removes every bit of anxiety of driving a sports car. And replaces it with the anxiety of not knowing how to park a truck. Takes some adjustment in that respect.

 

I went from sporty to truck to sporty to truck. Sporty is fun for a little while, but of just does not fit my lifestyle. I need a practical vehicle. I want to be able to throw anything in it and go anywhere

 

i did. but i still have a weekend car so i didn't have to compromise as much.

when you say practical, do you mean 4x4, clearance, pickup bed or towing?

asking because if i were you, i'd consider a AMG45, X5M or SQ5... and such before pulling the trigger. the taco is nice, but you might miss the feel of a euro tuned set up.

however, if you need a pickup, its the one to get. i went with a sport double cab in manual because i like rowing the gears and it likes to rev above 4500 rpm. if you want auto and more toys, get a LTD. the taco is everything you need and nothing you don't. its also less pretentious if you're in sales and, dare i say, ladies love truck guys.

i'm an old fart and i feel younger driving this than i have in a long time.

 

I have a Lexus IS350, first gen Miata, a rockcrawler Jeep Cherokee and my expedition style 2016 Taco. The Taco is by far slowest vehicle in my stable, even slower (off the line) than the Jeep due to gearing. I hate how terribly slow it is and am waiting for the day they develop a SC or Turbo system for it. I used to have a 2011 Grand Cherokee with a hemi that had a but load of power but I traded it in for the taco. Why? Reliability. You can not beat the Tacoma in reliability. Leaving the civilization to go into the desert in the middle of nowhere with no cell reception I am glad to have the Taco. Once someone develops an SC for this bad boy I will be set. I am hoping to find one at the next SEMA.