Talk me into or out of my first truck.

[CK_32]

Wow thanks for the replies. I do have a lot to think about. As for the 4x4 even tho I'll hardly or never really need to use it (aside from my off road lacking skills) I want a 4x4 because I use to take my dad's 2wd Grand Cherokee and got stuck twice, once in mud/sand and another in soft dirt with a wet underline. Never again will I trust a truck/SUV that's not 4x4. Again I'll probably never use it or REALLY need to and trust me the 24MPG is tempting. But the reassurance that comes with it is what I'm after.

As for the older models kind of ruins the point of me buying. I'm trying to invest in my first new car and have something I can age out and possibly trade in with good value still left on it to upgrade when/if a new edition or new style of truck that blows everything away comes along.


I have looked into Colorado and f150's, the F150 is tempting cause of the MPG, but Toyota seems to hold value better from what I've seen, as for the Colorado we have one as a work truck and I hate it. For the tundra if I could budget and feed it I would LOVE one. But I feel that's too much truck for my need/first truck. Won't hold much value if I'm running into everything over with it haha


And yes I plan to give it a small frame lift, some lights, tint and rim/tire package. And I have already seen and kinda wanted to but that can be for later but I'll keep researching I just want experienced 4x4/truck owners opinions like you have given me to get some first have information and would have should have wish I dids so I hopefully won't have to.

 

[CK_32]

And to add... I do have a good amount of truck owners mostly my neighbors on my street. And have seen a lot of them including the one directly across the street from me go from a GMC, to a BMW (car) to a 2012 Tacoma.. As well as some others end up with Tundras or Tacoma's again coming back to that I want to skip the woulda/shoulda wish I did stages and get it right the first time.

 

[p nut]

Not from me you won't.

I put more miles on my 2wd Ford Ranger from the 3.5 years I owned it (1999 - 2003) than I've put on my last three Toyota 4x4's put together (bought it new and traded it in at ~93,000 miles.)

I've put less than 85,000 miles on my last 3 trucks (all 4x4s) in 8 years.

Even living in snowy/icy/bitter cold Laramie, WY from 2000 - 2003 I did OK with the 2wd Ranger. Got decent tires on it and knew to just stay home when the streets were covered in snow.

I took that Ranger all over Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, even up into Montana, then all the way East to North Carolina and back. Never gave me a bit of trouble. And I got 26mpg even with a high-rise shell, a carpet kit, and the 3.0 flex-fuel V6. Having it in NC was a dream - the AC in that cab could freeze a side of beef!

I'm at the point now where I can afford a 4wd and that's what I choose, but I wouldn't discourage anybody from getting a 2wd if they were willing to live within its limitations.

Never thought I would say this, but I'm wondering if my next truck purchase should be a 2WD. For my uses, 99% of the time, I don't need a 4WD. $10k difference in price tag is pretty tempting, as well as the MPG, maintenance, etc.

I rarely use 4WD in mine, only use it if absolutely have to. Even then, I usually hit the button for the locker instead of pulling on the lever.

I was going to suggest buying a Ridgeline, can find those a bit cheaper than a Tacoma, and it will do everything he wants. Even has a trunk for his guns.

Let the flaming begin!

I was actually looking at a Subaru Baja on the road the other day and wondered if that is all I would need. I'm not man enough for the motor driven cycles, but my bicycles would fit right in the Baja "truck bed." Wouldn't have any issues stuffing a deer back there during the hunt season, either. If there was a unibody 4-door "truck" that got ~30MPG, I may be sold on that. Ridgeline is a cool rig. I would get one, except the MPG isn't up to par. They're getting close to 30MPG on the new MDX's. Too bad the Honda side can't get the same figures.

Wow thanks for the replies. I do have a lot to think about. As for the 4x4 even tho I'll hardly or never really need to use it (aside from my off road lacking skills) I want a 4x4 because I use to take my dad's 2wd Grand Cherokee and got stuck twice, once in mud/sand and another in soft dirt with a wet underline. Never again will I trust a truck/SUV that's not 4x4. Again I'll probably never use it or REALLY need to and trust me the 24MPG is tempting. But the reassurance that comes with it is what I'm after.

Again, just a suggestion. Evaluate how often you will actually encounter situations where you may get stuck vs. the cost of operating and purchasing a product that may reduce that risk of getting stuck. From my perspective, your situation doesn't call for a 4x4. If anything, a 2WD with a couple of Maxtrax is all you need. (and maybe snow chains)

http://www.sierraexpeditions.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1012

Good luck with whatever you decide to get, though. Tacoma is a great truck and resale value is crazy high. Wish the MPG was better, or I'd be getting one myself.

 

[Clutch]

Ridgeline is a cool rig. I would get one, except the MPG isn't up to par. They're getting close to 30MPG on the new MDX's. Too bad the Honda side can't get the same figures.
.

Pretty much my conclusion on the Ridgeline...it is a neat vehicle, fuel consumption is roughly the same as a Tacoma, might as well get a Tacoma. Seems odd Honda can't get the mpg numbers higher.

 

[Plannerman]

A different perspective on your question: A stock 4x4 Tacoma will be great in Calico. I've been up there in my truck many, many times (all before modding it, too). The Tacoma is a great truck for that area. The 4wd will be appreciated, too. There are several very steep roads where you will appreciate having 4Lo. Do you need 4Lo? Probably not. But life is much easier in 4Lo. Also, I'm sure you know that there are plenty of areas in Calico with very loose sand where you can easily get stuck in 2wd.

I love my Tacoma. It isn't perfect, nor do I expect it to be. And there is no other vehicle I'd rather have.

 

[mike2100]

Pretty much my conclusion on the Ridgeline...it is a neat vehicle, fuel consumption is roughly the same as a Tacoma, might as well get a Tacoma. Seems odd Honda can't get the mpg numbers higher.

I owned a Ridgeline for a year. Not good for difficult trails but it's an excellent vehicle that excels in many ways over a Tacoma: comfort (unibody, independent front/rear suspension, comfortable springs/dampers); full time all wheel drive with traction that rivals Subarus; utility with the in-bed trunk, swing out/down tailgate, and fold up rear seats; and street handling. Plus it tows 5000 lbs.
Considering the old Forester you can find on the front page of this website being used for expedition travel there's absolutely no reason you couldn't do the same with a Ridgeline, but with even more capability.
The major disadvantages? Limited articulation, no low range, and limited aftermarket support. Plus what are the limits on the strength of the frame? What if you were a long way from home and needed a replacement part? The local parts guy might say "a Honda what?"
If your off road plans consist of light trails not too far from civilization, I'd get a Ridgeline in a heartbeat.

 

[BlindingWhiteTaco]

I think a 4 door Tacoma is one of the most versatile vehicles out there. That's why I bought mine. 4 seats and off road capable, a bed I can put a canopy on if need be, tow anything I'm going to need to. Just all around excellent, plus it should be reliable.

 

[johnboytrd]

I think this might be my first post here? Anyways, this month will be my first year of owning a truck, 1st gen tacoma double cab. Freakin' love it. The interior space is nice to have for storage, passengers and the doggies. Plus the bed. I put a softopper on also that can be easily retracted/removed when needed - basically I feel like I get the the perks of an SUV and a truck. With that bike, and no plans to do any crazy off-roading with rock crawling and such, you should def look into the long bed. Also, check out the ext cabs on the newer tacos, as they are pretty roomy. That would net you some bed space without having to go for a long bed dc, which I'm betting will cost a pretty penny .


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk