Advice Needed:: To keep the Taco or not. Terrible economy.

[bkg]

With fuel prices from here: https://www.eia.gov/petroleum/gasdiesel/
MPG data from Car & Driver and the OP
DEF usage from a forum thread
DEF cost from Autozone
Oil change cost estimated (https://www.idparts.com/chevrolet-colorado-diesel-oil-change-kit-p-5518.html) and guessed $40 for Taco

I've probably missed a few things, but if someone feels like correcting it I can update the sheet. This is assuming one oil change, probably should be two but I'm heading out for lunch and don't have time to fix it.

definitely a better mechanism for comparison than what I used.

 

[bkg]

I'm confused as to why we're comparing maintenance prices for a superduty to that of a midsize pickup...

It wasn't meant to be comparing the SD to the Tacoma, per se. More or less was trying to share that there are differences in maint between the (newer) diesel and the gas. Stated it was rough. is what it is

 

[MattF350]

Man...I wish I got 15mpg!

 

[Dalko43]

Thank you! This is a great visual. I'm still looking around for a good idea of maintenance and cost.

The maintenance costs are pretty easy to figure out.

I have the same 1gr-fe v6 as your Tacoma. Annual maintenance (assuming 15k miles a year) will run about $110 (5.5 qts @ $23 for 5 qts, $17 oil filter and drain plug gasket) if you do the oil changes every 5k miles as per Toyota's recommendations for those engines.

For the 2.8l Duramax, again assuming 15k miles per year, you have: DEF (1k miles per gallon of DEF @ $4.8 per gallon); 2 fuel filters per 37.5k miles @ $40 per set; 1 oil filter ($20) and oil change (6qts @ $23 for 5 qt's) every 7.5k miles. That's going to add up to about $170-$180 in annual maintenance.

I think Jlee's earlier estimations on fuel mileage and costs were fairly accurate. The stock diesel Colorado can get 23-24 mpg combined. The ZR2 drops 1-2mpg, but keep in mind it is heavily modified (air dam removed, suspension lift, beefier tires, wider front axles, ect.). If you add a front bumper, I can see mpg going down a bit further. But even at 19-20mpg combined, you're still getting much better mileage than your current Tacoma.

Does that fuel efficiency pay for the cost of transition from the Tacoma to the Colorado? I don't know. A lot of it depends on your driving style and intended use.

 

[JLee]

The maintenance costs are pretty easy to figure out.

I have the same 1gr-fe v6 as your Tacoma. Annual maintenance (assuming 15k miles a year) will run about $110 (5.5 qts @ $23 for 5 qts, $17 oil filter and drain plug gasket) if you do the oil changes every 5k miles as per Toyota's recommendations for those engines.

For the 2.8l Duramax, again assuming 15k miles per year, you have: DEF (1k miles per gallon of DEF @ $4.8 per gallon); 2 fuel filters per 37.5k miles @ $40 per set; 1 oil filter ($20) and oil change (6qts @ $23 for 5 qt's) every 7.5k miles. That's going to add up to about $170-$180 in annual maintenance.

I think Jlee's earlier estimations on fuel mileage and costs were fairly accurate. The stock diesel Colorado can get 23-24 mpg combined. The ZR2 drops 1-2mpg, but keep in mind it is heavily modified (air dam removed, suspension lift, beefier tires, wider front axles, ect.). If you add a front bumper, I can see mpg going down a bit further. But even at 19-20mpg combined, you're still getting much better mileage than your current Tacoma.

Does that fuel efficiency pay for the cost of transition from the Tacoma to the Colorado? I don't know. A lot of it depends on your driving style and intended use.

Unfortunately Fuelly's data is limited (there are very few diesel ZR2s registered there), but Car and Driver's long term test rig returned 20mpg mixed so I just went with that. Biasing towards mostly-highway would return an improvement for the ZR2, but presumably for the Tacoma as well (my GX470 gets about 12mpg daily driving but about 16 highway).

 

[Ryanmb21]

I would focus on why your Tacoma gets 15mpg or less. I’ve never seen that low with the exception of a full off-road tank.

 

[McFly2003]

I would focus on why your Tacoma gets 15mpg or less. I’ve never seen that low with the exception of a full off-road tank.

I'd really like to know as well. Everything seems to run just fine. Maybe it's the altitude I live at (6500')? I can do high teens on the highway, so long as I don't break 60-65 mph, trouble is, nowadays the speed limits are up near 80

 

[Ryanmb21]

I'd really like to know as well. Everything seems to run just fine. Maybe it's the altitude I live at (6500')? I can do high teens on the highway, so long as I don't break 60-65 mph, trouble is, nowadays the speed limits are up near 80

What size tires, how heavy, roof rack, front bumper?

 

[DaveInDenver]

I would focus on why your Tacoma gets 15mpg or less. I’ve never seen that low with the exception of a full off-road tank.

I just got a bit better than 15 MPG (15.4 calculated) on my most recent tank of fuel, but that was 100% in town commuting which is 7 miles of surface streets. I'm on 235/75R16, stock 3.73 gearing, not a ton of armor, stick shift, 2" of lift, camper shell.

 

[Trikebubble]

Another vote to keep the Tacoma. I'd be willing to bet that once you kit out a new truck, the mileage won't be where you think it should, or wanted it to be.
We purchased a Mini Cooper for $10K for my Wife to drive and our Tundra/camper setup gets used only for outings, adventures, etc. Having a fuel friendly dedicated daily driver also helps in allowing you to work on the truck without having to rush so that you can drive it to work on Monday morning.

 

[Judoka]

I sell these Colorados, and I advocate the new Diesel. That said, if the truck you now own does everything you want and you love it, why take on $13k in payments plus taxes etc.. to save on fuel unless you are driving insane miles like 100+ per day? I say keep the Toyota, and get an old Honda Civic or something for commuting. $2500.00 is much easier to recover in additional fuel economy. Now if you just want one...like I do....Just get it!

 

[Dalko43]

I'd really like to know as well. Everything seems to run just fine. Maybe it's the altitude I live at (6500')? I can do high teens on the highway, so long as I don't break 60-65 mph, trouble is, nowadays the speed limits are up near 80

I really don't think your mpg results are abnormal. Stock 4runner, around town I'm at ~15 mpg. Mixture of highway and rural driving, ~18 mpg.

With armor, lift, tires, the 12-14mpg you're getting seems about right. The 1gr-fe with the 5 speed isn't all that efficient.

 

[tacollie]

Get some p-rated tires for long highway stretches. I went from 255/75r17 p rated to 235/80r17 e rated I'm the same tread and lost about 2 mpgs.

 

[Clutch]

definitely a better mechanism for comparison than what I used.

Nonsense! I prefer the laying it on thicker and heavier as you go method...

 

[Goober]

I'd really like to know as well. Everything seems to run just fine. Maybe it's the altitude I live at (6500')? I can do high teens on the highway, so long as I don't break 60-65 mph, trouble is, nowadays the speed limits are up near 80

I had a 2011 TRD Offroad V6 Tacoma. I averaged 20mpg over 40k miles mostly highway commute, but I did a mileage run from Salt Lake City to Malad Id, 220 mile round trip and kept the speed at 62 both ways and got 26.2 mpg. I sold that and got the Colorado Diesel, Crew Cab long bed LT. Drove form Salt Lake to Mesquite NV and back, 75-77 mph and got 31mpg. Driving at 60mph I would get 40mpg. I have the ZR2 now and at 70 I get 28mpg and average 25 where I got 20 in the Tacoma.

I should mention the creature comforts in the Colorado are better, quieter cab, heated 4 way adjustable seats. At 6'1" I can adjust the seat to fit my body.