Why did you chose Tacoma?

I owned a full size truck since 2004-11 Silverado and a Tundra 2011-14. I wanted to down size and the Tacoma was the best choice. You can't beat there reliability and they are one sharp looking truck.

 

I think it's durable, reliable, and gets about the best mpg of any light duty truck.

 

I have owned six quad-cab Dakotas and put at least 200,000 miles on each of them. When the time came for another...they are discontinued. Ford and Chevy did not make a mid-size quad cab. The Nissan back windows are only half windows...passengers don't like that. They also do not have a long bed option. That leads to Tacoma.

 

I had a 2001 Dodge Dakota. If Dodge had not discontinued the Dakota and made it butt ugly the last couple of years they did make it, I might have considered buying another. That being said, I liked the styling, size and reliability of the Tacoma that other manufacturers either did not offer or could not match so the choice was obvious.

 

I just wanted the devil horns on the front of my truck

 

Was it that or the fact that by owning one you could legitimately be a member of the Tacoma forum?

 

Because it's a Toyota. I have a long history with Toyotas, my first being a 1981 Toyota Corolla Tercel. LOVED that car,ended up totalling it after it had been in my family for ten years and 198,000 miles. Pissed me off. Years later, I bought a 1988 Toyota 4x4. Sold it when I got stationed in Korea, then bought a 1998 Tacoma Xtra Cab 4x4 (in 2003). I now have 197,000 miles on it, and it shows NO signs of falling apart or crapping out. Have had several offers to buy, but why? It's been paid for - I don't want or need another car payment (not to mention the LOW, LOW cost of operation of my Taco). You can, however, bet your happy rear end that when it's time to buy another truck, it will be a Toyota (and probably a Tacoma...)!

 

Reliability, right-sized, good looks, and it offers a manual transmission.

 

Been down the SUV route and wanted a truck. Have a Civic for commuter but it doesn't play well outside of asphalt - needed something to play with in the mountains and take off road. Only mid-sized trucks are Nissan and Toyota. Tacoma wins in many categories - bed space, interior room, aftermarket support, looks. Nissan wins for throttle response.

 

Reliability, capability.

 

This is going to sound a little corny. But one of the major reasons I chose a tacoma was you guys. I know that tacomas have a large following and along with large following comes a great knowledge base and a plethora of aftermarket accessories. It's a vehicle I had planned on modifying heavily and I get to read about your modification successes and failures before I try. I don't have to be a guinea pig or wing it when it comes to these things. You guys have already done more than I could possibly imagine with your tacomas.

 

Because best value

 

Because reg cab fits in my garage. Since it is no longer made, it will be my last Tacoma.

 

Well, limitered choices, in this mid-size range

Did the GM route, Sonoma thing 2 wheel,

People kept suggesting the Tacoma,

Then, found this group, ie: Tacoma World

 

All these factors played into why I ended up with a Tacoma. My search started originally with me looking at buying a dual seat 4 wheel drive toy. I went through thoughts on a RZR, Jeep, Full size trucks and so on.
1. It fit through the gate to my back yard. Full size trucks don't.
2. It cost only marginally more than a fully decked out RZR1000
3. It has AC a RZR doesn't.
4. It has a larger towing capacity than a Jeep
5. In 2014 it was better than the Nissan (which is Fugly, IMHO)
6. The dealer gave me True Car pricing
7. Good aftermarket parts support.
8. It could be a primary driver instead of just a weekend toy.
9. resale market couldn't be ignored

 

I've always been a Toyota fan..... once a Toyota fan, always a toyota fan.

So, when it was time to buy a truck = no brainer with no regrets.

 

My 19 year old 4-runner was still running like new... Rinse and repeat.......

 

Ultimately, IMO, it's about the best combination of size, utility, economy (car price not fuel) and styling. For me, as for many others here I'm sure, the decision involved competing SUVs. Having a double cab matches cargo space with pretty much any SUV that doesn't have a third row, and even the short bed (which I prefer over long) adds hauling ability over any SUV.

When you factor that the 5-year residual value is around 66%, it's a no-brainer. The only thing better is a Wrangler, which are no where near as reliable, but held up solely by their off road ability and (awesome) community.

As for size, for a lot of us it's just easier moving around in a mid-size. Some places (TX is one), are built around bigger trucks. I like having the smaller truck as I don't need the big motor.

 

Dad had a HILUX while I was growing up. Odometer went back to 0 (km) after many years of abuse and the thing still kept running.

 

1) I originally had an SR5, which I bought so I would have something to plasti-derp.
2) I loved the relaxing sound of crickets when I turned the heater fan on. Nissan can't match that no way, no how.
2) It was the only Taco I could get into.