Silverado To Tacoma

TheGreekIndian · May 6, 2011

First off let me say, I think my Silverado is very nice looking and decent on gas for it's roomy interior and engine, but I still don't seem to enjoy driving it. I come from G6 GTP and Cobalt SS Turbo, so I enjoy a quick and fun to drive vehicle - truck or not. I find my big "rig" a pain in the ass to park and manuvuer around, but it does ride nice and is very roomy. You'd think by now I would have realized GMs build quality is far from amazing, but I keep buying them.

I have a buddy with a tacoma, supercharged, HUGE aftermarket, compact, blast to drive(on and off-road) and build quality is outstanding. But it does lack bluetooth, roomy interior, and gets about same gas mileage as my Silverado.

I think I may be searching for that "fun" to drive aspect I have had in the past, but lack with my current Silverado. Is your Silverado/Sierra fun to drive? I guess I am trying to justify trading up for a newer tacoma over my larger more comfortable silverado for something more "fun". Anyone else thinking insane like this?

Stevens03 · May 6, 2011

Well, a full size truck isn't for everyone But I believe if you would have gotten the 6.2L, you'd have a different impression. It can roast the tires on demand, and still gets about the same mileage as your 5.3L. Just so much more power. I owned the 5.3L and liked it,... I traded up to a Vmax 6.0L and really liked that but now I have the 6.2L and it's leaps and bounds over the 5.3L and sad to say, but the 6.0L too. With that said, your still stuck with the size. Sounds to me what your wanting is something smaller.

Good luck.

gregrocks89 · May 6, 2011

Im not trying to get you to stay away from toyota or nissan, its all your choice, but this is from my experience. They ride nice and have really nice power. But if your in the oilfield or go off roading lots and go down alot of rough roads they dont hold up as much compared to the gm/chevy. When we had them at work for a little bit they were in shop constantly for front end issues, drive train issues, and replacing rear diffs. Also we had one for a year and a half and the frame cracked on us.

But they do have a very nice ride and very nice power. And the gm we had was the 2008/09 5.3 1500.

Matt_ · May 6, 2011

I traded up to a Vmax 6.0L and really liked that but now I have the 6.2L and it's leaps and bounds over the 5.3L and sad to say, but the 6.0L too.

Man.... what happened to all the "6.0 is just as good if not better" talk? TOLD YA SO

Stevens03 · May 6, 2011

I traded up to a Vmax 6.0L and really liked that but now I have the 6.2L and it's leaps and bounds over the 5.3L and sad to say, but the 6.0L too.

Man.... what happened to all the "6.0 is just as good if not better" talk? TOLD YA SO

I'm a believer

PGDriver · May 6, 2011

I went the other way 2007 Tacoma double cab TRD 4X4 to Sierra.

Tacoma's are not a perfect truck, check out toyotanation.com

before you run out and buy.....

05GMCZ71 · May 6, 2011

The Taco Bell's are good trucks, and just like any others they have their share of problems. The problem with the Taco is that it is in a class of it's own, there really is nothing that Ford or GM or Dodge builds that can compete with that V-6. Not even the V-8 that is in the Dakota.

limpalong · May 6, 2011

Most manufacturers, today, build excellent quality vehicles. Each has its idiosyncrasies. Any one truck can have issues. That said...

It's all about what YOU want and how YOU use your truck. Personally, I drive 30,000 to 40,000 miles/year in my truck. I want the comfort of the larger truck. My Silverados have been flawless and I have no reason to go to a smaller truck. But, that's me. With my larger truck...

I don't want door dings on my truck. So, parking is not a problem. I'll park 3 blocks away from a destination and walk, rather than park where other cars can bang doors into my truck. Therefore, parking of my "larger truck" is not an issue. My Silverado is beautiful. She isn't "rednecked", but gets admiring glances. I have 3 different folks who have told me, "When you get ready to get rid of that truck, let me know!" They know I keep it clean and serviced. And, they know most of my miles are highway miles. My larger truck does not get any worse fuel mileage than most of the smaller trucks out there. I can climb into my Silverado, drive 10 hours, and not feel "beat up". Mine is only the 5.3L, but she will run as fast as she needs to on the open highway. She performs well in traffic. She has excelled on ice and on snow and in blinding rain storms. I trust her totally, to keep me 'between the ditches'. Whether or not I could develop that same confidence with a smaller truck is questionable.

When I was in the market for this last truck, I looked at F150s and Rams and Tundras. The ONLY smaller truck I looked hard at was the Taco. I do like the looks. One of the things that turned me off was the lack of bed space. In their 4 door version, the bed is the size of a baby's playpen. I have a large cross box, full of tools and work clothes. Weekends, it is not uncommon to load a bunch of tree limbs from the yard and head to the dump. It just felt like I would be giving up too much, including the ride, if I downsized to the Taco.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

Mckenzie · May 6, 2011

Supercharge any truck and it'll be fun to drive!!!

chev1guy · May 6, 2011

The Tacoma seems like a great truck. It appears that you may be looking for something smaller so that truck may be what you are looking for. My family buys nothing but Toyota's and they have not had any issues. Good luck.

chas0218 · May 6, 2011

First off let me say, I think my Silverado is very nice looking and decent on gas for it's roomy interior and engine, but I still don't seem to enjoy driving it. I come from G6 GTP and Cobalt SS Turbo, so I enjoy a quick and fun to drive vehicle - truck or not. I find my big "rig" a pain in the ass to park and manuvuer around, but it does ride nice and is very roomy. You'd think by now I would have realized GMs build quality is far from amazing, but I keep buying them.

I have a buddy with a tacoma, supercharged, HUGE aftermarket, compact, blast to drive(on and off-road) and build quality is outstanding. But it does lack bluetooth, roomy interior, and gets about same gas mileage as my Silverado.

I think I may be searching for that "fun" to drive aspect I have had in the past, but lack with my current Silverado. Is your Silverado/Sierra fun to drive? I guess I am trying to justify trading up for a newer tacoma over my larger more comfortable silverado for something more "fun". Anyone else thinking insane like this?

You might find that the Colorado with the V8 may suite your style of driving more. They are hard to find but from what I have seen and read they are powerful and can be modded just like the silverado. I feel that GM has the largest variety of aftermarket parts in the market. I love my silverado and its ability to get out of its own way but I also have my camaro for the nice days and when I am bit by the go fast bug. No matter what truck you buy you will never get same handling out of it compared to a car (stock vs stock.)

mhenshaw · May 6, 2011

I loved my old 2006 Tacoma, but it was a compact truck that doesn't get good gas mileage. If you take trips with friends or family you will regret a compact truck. They have no where near the room as a car has.

The V6 are powerful but the suck on gas. Its sad when you can get a full-size Chevy, Ford or Dodge with a V8 and 4x4 and get better MPG than a compact Tacoma with a V6. Plus the Chevy, Ford or Dodge will be cheaper than the Tacoma.

If you don't need the interior room or mpg go for it. They are really nice trucks except for the outdated interior.

chas0218 · May 6, 2011

The V6 are powerful but the suck on gas. Its sad when you can get a full-size Chevy, Ford or Dodge with a V8 and 4x4 and get better MPG than a compact Tacoma with a V6. Plus the Chevy, Ford or Dodge will be cheaper than the Tacoma.

This was the reason why I bought my full size. My buddy has a V8 Dakota and gets just as good or worse gas mileage. My grandpa has a dakota with a V6 and it gets worse gas mileage than my truck and its gutless.

DaveH71 · May 6, 2011

I almost bought a Tacoma before i got my sierra. There great trucks and look awesome but the price is what turned me off. I was looking at a 4x4 trd off road v6 but found out i could get my 6.2l sierra ext. cab for only about 2000 more and thats what sold me. Toyota needs to bring the price down on there compact and it would sell alot more. I know thats what turned me off.

tanked_darren · May 6, 2011

Im not trying to get you to stay away from toyota or nissan, its all your choice, but this is from my experience. They ride nice and have really nice power. But if your in the oilfield or go off roading lots and go down alot of rough roads they dont hold up as much compared to the gm/chevy. When we had them at work for a little bit they were in shop constantly for front end issues, drive train issues, and replacing rear diffs. Also we had one for a year and a half and the frame cracked on us.

But they do have a very nice ride and very nice power. And the gm we had was the 2008/09 5.3 1500.

I agree with greg on the gm holding up in filthy rough enviroments, we have many in our coal terminal and we beat the crap out of them!!! The only issues Ive seen common are wheel bearings (all models) and leaf springs (half tons only)