Need help deciding, Why a Tacoma over a full size truck?

[Tex68w]

I recently bought a new Tacoma (I buy new as I keep my vehicles a long time). My ideal setup would be a 2500 Cummins Ram with an Alaskan camper. The 2500 for plenty of power and payload, and an Alaskan for long distance travel. However that can be around $100k for that setup, which I’m on a plan to be able to retire someday, and well I'm not retired anyway with that kind of time on hands! My usually trips are long weekends and an occasional two-week road trip.

I did look at a 1500 Ram and GMC. Interesting how you can get a $50k MSRP truck for around $38k! They’re nice with a lot of technology, but having experience with multiple “Chrysler” vehicles in the past, one never knows what repairs will be in order at 8+ years? I expect the Tacoma to have less issues longterm.

The price on the Tacoma was also reasonable in the mid-30s. It’s the TRD Off-road package with the basics, including a rear locker. I also went with an Access Cab with the 6 ft. bed, as I didn’t need the rear seats and I’d rather have that interior space as bed space. My Snomaster fridge also just fits in behind the front seats.

I do like the size of the Tacoma. I also have a 4Runner, which I thought felt big, but I can feel the longer length of the Tacoma. I’ve always had small vehicles, and I'm coming from a Jeep TJ that has a lot of flex and is very maneuverable. Size generally isn’t an issue off-road, but I have had full-size trucks try to follow my TJ and just couldn’t.

With a Tacoma, it looks very easy to run at close to over GVWR. Seems like automatically, even to run at half its total 1140# payload that I need to do some suspension work. I’m not opposed to that, but doing so with also getting a lift and larger tires, and there goes the already not impressive MPG. I’m use to traveling light and watching what options I put on, which has to be done here as well. It can also tow more than my TJ can, should I want to. I have not decided what I'm going to do with it yet? The simplest thing to do is to add a bed rack, and the Tepui tent that I already own, which I can see why a lot of owners do that kind of setup. Or something like a Go Fast?

I don’t mind the transmission with its gearing. It’s actually similar to my TJ. I find the Tacoma fun to drive, visibility, especially with the Access Cab is excellent, the “OR” package has a nice ride, and plenty of options to modify it. Plus, it's nice to finally have a pickup for home duties. I can also "just barely" fit the Tacoma in my tight garage. In 15 years, I think I'll still be happy with it, but at that time I'll be retired and ready for that Alaskan camper...

It's refreshing to hear someone be honest about what they want and what they really need lol. We all fall victim to the want more so than the need, lord knows I have many times. I feel like I have finally found that happy medium myself. There will be another "large" build in the future but I simply don't have the time to make use of it at the moment.

 

[Todd780]

So do ford owners or Jeep owners or Land Rover owners

So do Ford, Jeep or Land Rover owners what? Tow more than they are supposed to?

 

[toylandcruiser]

So do Ford, Jeep or Land Rover owners what? Tow more than they are supposed to?

You know what I’m taking. Don’t pretend.

 

[Todd780]

You know what I’m taking. Don’t pretend.

I really have no clue. If you could expand your comment a little. Are you referring to towing or payload?

You kinda lost me with the Ford, Jeep and Land Rover comment as my comment was't brand specific?

 

[toylandcruiser]

I really have no clue. If you could expand your comment a little. Are you referring to towing or payload?

You kinda lost me with the Ford, Jeep and Land Rover comment as my comment was't brand specific?

Well Tapatalk sucks. That’s not the thread I wanted to reply to. My apologies

 

[Todd780]

Well Tapatalk sucks. That’s not the thread I wanted to reply to. My apologies

All good. Cheers.

 

[Mickey Bitsko]

I think the best selling pre-owned midsized truck is the Toyota Tacoma.
That's saying something.

 

[phsycle]

I think the best selling pre-owned midsized truck is the Toyota Tacoma.
That's saying something.

Yeah, Tacoma has held the crown for a long time. I doubt it will change anytime soon. If I were buying a used midsize truck now, Tacoma would be at the top of the list.

Ranger is picking up steam, though. Almost 90k sales in 2019, with 33k of that coming in December. That's a lot of momentum. I think it will put a good size dent in the Tacoma sales this year. The Ranger has always had a loyal following. They were at the top, or neck and neck with the Tacoma, until 2005 when they came out with the over-sized midsize Tacoma. Now that they're both about the same size, it'll be interesting to see how it will go.

But in 3 years, if you were to ask which used midsize I'd buy, my answer would be a Gladiator.

 

[Todd780]

I think the best selling pre-owned midsized truck is the Toyota Tacoma.
That's saying something.

It does. As does the resale value.

Yeah, Tacoma has held the crown for a long time. I doubt it will change anytime soon. If I were buying a used midsize truck now, Tacoma would be at the top of the list.

Ranger is picking up steam, though. Almost 90k sales in 2019, with 33k of that coming in December. That's a lot of momentum. I think it will put a good size dent in the Tacoma sales this year.

But in 3 years, if you were to ask which used midsize I'd buy, my answer would be a Gladiator.

Agreed. If I were in the market for a midsize. I'd love a Gladiator. But, I just can't justify / get over the $10,000 - $15,000 premium over a similarly equipped Tacoma or Ranger.

 

[phsycle]

Agreed. If I were in the market for a midsize. I'd love a Gladiator. But, I just can't justify / get over the $10,000 - $15,000 premium over a similarly equipped Tacoma or Ranger.

Base trucks, there's about $4-5k difference. Comparing TRD OR to Rubicon, around $8k. Jeeps have always been priced like that. Price you pay for F&R lockers, swaybar disconnect, and removable top.

 

[Todd780]

Base trucks, there's about $4-5k difference. Comparing TRD OR to Rubicon, around $8k. Jeeps have always been priced like that. Price you pay for F&R lockers, swaybar disconnect, and removable top.

The way I would equip them looks about 10K difference. I tried to keep the builds similar. When adding the hardtop to the Jeep it made me pick a soft tonneau cover, so I added on to the Taco build, etc.. Tried to make it as comparable as possible.





The question mark is... in 3 years or so on the used market I think that gap will close substantially due to the Tacomas resale value. (Maybe? who knows)

And, because of that I really don;t think I'd ever buy a used 1-2 year old Tacoma when a new one is usually only a few grand more.

So, my heart says 'buy the Gladiator'. My head says 'buy the Tacoma"

 

[phsycle]

The way I would equip them looks about 10K difference. I tried to keep the builds similar. When adding the hardtop to the Jeep it made me pick a soft tonneau cover, so I added on to the Taco build, etc.. Tried to make it as comparable as possible.


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The question mark is... in 3 years or so on the used market I think that gap will close substantially due to the Tacomas resale value. (Maybe? who knows)

And, because of that I really don;t think I'd ever buy a used 1-2 year old Tacoma when a new one is usually only a few grand more.

So, my heart says 'buy the Gladiator'. My head says 'buy the Tacoma"

Resale values of the Tacoma and Wrangler have always been neck and neck. Neither really drops in value that much. So in 3 years, the delta would most likely be the same.

Base truck, I could get a Gladiator Sport w/ hardtop for $35k. Tacoma SR DC, $31k (maybe $30?).
Rubicon, $42k; TRD OR, $34k

 

[Todd780]

Resale values of the Tacoma and Wrangler have always been neck and neck. Neither really drops in value that much. So in 3 years, the delta would most likely be the same.

Base truck, I could get a Gladiator Sport w/ hardtop for $35k. Tacoma SR DC, $31k (maybe $30?).
Rubicon, $42k; TRD OR, $34k

To me the real kicker though is that I could probably get a similar equipped Ram 1500, Ford F150 or Toyota Tundra for similar money. At least that seems to be the case up here.

 

[calicamper]

Yeah, Tacoma has held the crown for a long time. I doubt it will change anytime soon. If I were buying a used midsize truck now, Tacoma would be at the top of the list.

Ranger is picking up steam, though. Almost 90k sales in 2019, with 33k of that coming in December. That's a lot of momentum. I think it will put a good size dent in the Tacoma sales this year. The Ranger has always had a loyal following. They were at the top, or neck and neck with the Tacoma, until 2005 when they came out with the over-sized midsize Tacoma. Now that they're both about the same size, it'll be interesting to see how it will go.

But in 3 years, if you were to ask which used midsize I'd buy, my answer would be a Gladiator.

My answer would be the least modified and most Adult owned soccer mom option I could find for a logical price. Of which the Tacoma has never made my list given used ones that are Adult owned and stock with sensible pricing don’t exist.

Which is why the only mid sized PU I nearly purchased was a new Frontier (that was before ranger was an option) If I were buying today the Ranger and Gladiator would probably be the only ones I bother looking at. If I needed a off road trail machine the Wrangler and new Bronco would be the only things I consider. With the Bronco probably being higher on my list.

 

[dman93]

Despite the usual forum BS I’ve actually been finding this thread interesting. I’m a mostly happy 3rd gen Tacoma owner, DCSB, but hankering for a longer bed to sleep in when weather or other conditions make ground tenting a hassle. In my town even the “shorter” Taco can be a challenge in tight parking lots and it won’t fit either my garage or my driveway (length) so a DCLB is out of the question. And though the powertrain (V6 and AT) isn’t the best, I’ve learned to live with it over 70K miles. Really, my only complaint is mpg. On a recent freeway trip with grades and heavy winds from Arizona to Riverside County I averaged 14.2 mpg over 250 miles. that’s Tundra territory. A slower, flat freeway run can net 20+ , though, which is still no better than an EcoBoost let along 3.0 diesel.

My friend’s Coyote 5.0 F150 gets over 15 with his FWC mounted and almost 19 empty, and it feels much more powerful with shifting barely noticeable. But my truck is definitely more nimble and my DC is far more comfortable in back than his SuperCab ... a bit apples-oranges, but adding the 6.5’ bed to a Crew Cab really makes for a long rig, and 5.5’ isn’t enough to sleep in. It might be time for an Access Cab Tacoma, or maybe a ZR2 Duramax, and I quit being the shuttle guy, which my Taco’s back seat leads too.