Downsizing?

[mistermcgoo]

Just curious.. Have anyone of you guys ever at any point considered downsizing to a mid sized truck?

 

I will admit, I do like the look of Tacoma’s and was considering one before picking up my used 2018 Redline.. but I just could not bring myself to pay the same amount for a smaller truck, smaller engine (no gain in mpg compared to with 5.3 with AFM) and less features.

[JimCost2014]

48 minutes ago, mistermcgoo said:

Just curious.. Have anyone of you guys ever at any point considered downsizing to a mid sized truck?

 

I will admit, I do like the look of Tacoma’s and was considering one before picking up my used 2018 Redline.. but I just could not bring myself to pay the same amount for a smaller truck, smaller engine (no gain in mpg compared to with 5.3 with AFM) and less features.

Have you ever sat in a new Tacoma?

 

Being 6'2", it was not a very comfortable fit for me, would maybe consider a Colorado, much more room for a mid size.

[mistermcgoo]

3 minutes ago, JimCost2014 said:

Have you ever sat in a new Tacoma?

 

Being 6'2", it was not a very comfortable fit for me, would maybe consider a Colorado, much more room for a mid size.

 I have not. The interior's do look a bit cramped, more sedan-like than truck-like. Tacoma's seem to have a cult like following too.. not sure why? They do look pretty sharp with the right suspension and tire/wheel combo, but other than that I'm not sure why people tend to go so crazy for them.

[Jaychevy81]

Before I bought my 18 redline I looked at a Colorado 2 sales guys had to pull me out lol. To small for my liking.


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[JimCost2014]

45 minutes ago, mistermcgoo said:

 I have not. The interior's do look a bit cramped, more sedan-like than truck-like. Tacoma's seem to have a cult like following too.. not sure why? They do look pretty sharp with the right suspension and tire/wheel combo, but other than that I'm not sure why people tend to go so crazy for them.

Seats are very low, flat sitting position like a car. We had a 14 4Runner, seats were higher, but very uncomfortable.

Not a lot of head or shoulder room either in the Tacoma, but a lot of both in the 4Runnner.

Seems like they would mirror each other.

 

They are pretty good off road trucks, especially the TRD Pro versions, but they are very outdated on tech, and just the overall platform.

33 minutes ago, Jaychevy81 said:

Before I bought my 18 redline I looked at a Colorado 2 sales guys had to pull me out lol. To small for my liking.


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Wonder if they had the "split" the sale when you bought, since they both helped.

 

If you did not fit in the Chevy, don't even try the Tacoma, it would take the jaws of life to extract you.

[mistermcgoo]

8 minutes ago, JimCost2014 said:

Seats are very low, flat sitting position like a car. We had a 14 4Runner, seats were higher, but very uncomfortable.

Not a lot of head or shoulder room either in the Tacoma, but a lot of both in the 4Runnner.

Seems like they would mirror each other.

 

They are pretty good off road trucks, especially the TRD Pro versions, but they are very outdated on tech, and just the overall platform.

 Yes, I do hear that they excel off road.

 

Does anyone else here feel like Toyota uses their "reliability" reputation as an excuse to justify charging a hefty premium for their trucks while skimping on basic things like regular updates (both mechanically and aesthetically) and features? I don't have a problem with Toyota vehicles in general, but I've always felt that way.. and it comes off a bit greedy to me.

[mcdavis]

When I was looking, it came down to both sizes of GM trucks and the Tacoma. Like you originally said, couldn't justify paying the same money/more money for 2 trucks outfitted the same, but different sizes. Moved forward with a Sierra Crew Cab and have never looked back. If the Tacoma/Canyon/Colorado had been $5,000 or so less, maybe.

[rbrjr1]

I had a Tahoe 20 years ago and drove it until 2012. 

 

I bounced around smaller SUVs and Crossovers for several years finally landing back in a Silverado at the end of last year.

 

I will never NOT own a full sized truck/suv again.

 

[amxguy1970]

I will next go around. I currently have a CC SB Silverado and my dad has a CC LB Canyon. It is smaller, but I am 6'5 and 275 and am very comfortable in it (he is 6'4 and 225), no problem on hours long road trips. I have lots of head room and I don't even have the seat all the way back.. The longer bed is awesome, not to mention the added room in the garage (there is a big difference in room around the two trucks). I do off road in the back country every so often and the smaller size would be fantastic. He continually gets about 4 mpg better than me (3 with the larger tires and level). I would lose some interior room which it is usually just me or my girlfriend. The road trip out west with another couple we took last summer would have been more cramped but next time we do that in a few years where it involves back country off roading he will probably have his truck (a mid size) and we can each take our own and camp out of the back of them. Otherwise we usually take their Traverse or our Rav4 which both are more comfortable than my truck in terms or ride and handling (seating is subjective) and nearly as much legroom. 

 

Either way with deals now going on with the mid size trucks (they didn't have that when I bought my silverado as they were new back in 2015) the midsize trucks are still $14k cheaper trim for trim. Not sure where you guys are getting the same price thing at. Just checking Laura GMC the cheapest Sierra Denali (CC SB 4wd) is $52k after taking $15k off and the cheapest Canyon Denali (CC LB 4wd) is $38k with discount. The mid size truck will get better mpg, be cheaper, it certainly drives much better, I much prefer driving his truck minus the room (I am in no way cramped). It will tow my car and trailer, our two jet skis (and the boat I plan to get), holds my mountain bike, hold over 1.5 tons in the bed and transports my nephew in a rear facing seat or hold 4 people. I am not buying a truck for the status, it is a tool so it isn't V8 full size for life for me. If a smaller truck can do everything I need it to and save some mpg while making parking in parking garages or lots a little easier why not? Plus I would have been more comfortable on Goose Lake Road in a mid size than my full size that is for sure...

 

With the next gen midsizers if they can add an inch or so to the rear seats, put in that sweet 2.7 from the silverado (which should comfortably get it a good mpg bump over the current gen and silverado) while adding a few more features it will be a winner even more so than the current truck is. 

 

Tyler

[mistermcgoo]

24 minutes ago, amxguy1970 said:

Not sure where you guys are getting the same price thing at.

Before I bought my used 2018 Silverado a few months ago, comparably equipped used 2018 Tacoma's were the same price, if not a few bucks more..

[BlueSilvyZ71]

I have constantly debated this; I end up returning to my 17' DC after looking at pricing. I'm just restless? I do like the look of the Tacomas and if I ever went that route it would likely be a 4Runner if I am being honest.

[Penguin VII]

Before I bought my 2016 Sierra 1500 I looked at everything and I mean everything. I test drove just about every truck and SUV that was body on frame and even a few that were not and landed to where I am today. I liked the look of the 4runner and Tacoma a lot, however I remember having a Scion tC back in the day and was not impressed with the interior quality over time. The amount of squeaks and rattles that the thing developed was stunning. I know about the whole Toyota reliability thing and I do believe there is (or was) some truth to it but I think generally speaking if you're doing you're maintenance on schedule it's not an issue and pretty much any vehicle produced today should see 200k pretty easily.

 

At the time I was debating between the three sizes of truck and landed on "full size" mainly because of 3 factors. One was cost, at the time they weren't discounting the mid size trucks like they are today, I could get a better equipped full size for the same or less. The MPG difference between the v6 in the midsize and v8 in the full was basically nothing. I wanted something I could grow a family into. I've got two dogs and now a kid on the way so wanted to have something big enough for us.

 

I'll also be honest and say that I lifted it up and put giant tires on it and I hate parking it in new england. I drove into Boston daily and could only park in 1 garage, and even around rural NH pulling into the gym or walmart parking lot means parking away from others. Not a huge deal, and honestly part of me wants to get a HD diesel because I love them. That said every time I drive my wifes wrangler it makes me miss mine and I have to tell myself that I'm not trading it or switching over to a 4runner.

[PPK]

i had a tacoma for 7 years... the best was the oil filter was up where you get at it and it was water cooled. Sweet on the 4.0 engine. the worst was a cam phasor... every week or so which sounded like Thor under the hood, and the nasty gas hog 5sp auto.. I think the tacoma is a shadow of the 1990 toyota with the gear drive transfer and 22R... Dollar for dollar you get a lot more with the GM and the 5.3 is a V8.

[mistermcgoo]

6 minutes ago, Penguin VII said:

Before I bought my 2016 Sierra 1500 I looked at everything and I mean everything. I test drove just about every truck and SUV that was body on frame and even a few that were not and landed to where I am today. I liked the look of the 4runner and Tacoma a lot, however I remember having a Scion tC back in the day and was not impressed with the interior quality over time. The amount of squeaks and rattles that the thing developed was stunning. I know about the whole Toyota reliability thing and I do believe there is (or was) some truth to it but I think generally speaking if you're doing you're maintenance on schedule it's not an issue and pretty much any vehicle produced today should see 200k pretty easily.

 

At the time I was debating between the three sizes of truck and landed on "full size" mainly because of 3 factors. One was cost, at the time they weren't discounting the mid size trucks like they are today, I could get a better equipped full size for the same or less. The MPG difference between the v6 in the midsize and v8 in the full was basically nothing. I wanted something I could grow a family into. I've got two dogs and now a kid on the way so wanted to have something big enough for us.

 

I'll also be honest and say that I lifted it up and put giant tires on it and I hate parking it in new england. I drove into Boston daily and could only park in 1 garage, and even around rural NH pulling into the gym or walmart parking lot means parking away from others. Not a huge deal, and honestly part of me wants to get a HD diesel because I love them. That said every time I drive my wifes wrangler it makes me miss mine and I have to tell myself that I'm not trading it or switching over to a 4runner.

Pretty much my thoughts exactly. I think (most) modern vehicles these days hold up reasonably well if you take care of them. Which further was me perplexed as to my the Toyota reliability factor still holds so much water with sales these days.

 

In regards to your comments about Toyota interiors.. 

 

I can’t comment on rattles/squeaks that develop over time, but I can say in regards to the Tacoma it looks vastly outdated and borderline cheap. I think it’s best attribute is the aggressive exterior styling, not much else intrigues me about them. The V6 is inefficient/middle of the pack (comparing to competitors), the transmission is ancient and it lacks lots of general features (not even an option for remote start). Yet Toyota charges big bucks.

[Penguin VII]

1 hour ago, mistermcgoo said:

Pretty much my thoughts exactly. I think (most) modern vehicles these days hold up reasonably well if you take care of them. Which further was me perplexed as to my the Toyota reliability factor still holds so much water with sales these days.

 

In regards to your comments about Toyota interiors.. 

 

I can’t comment on rattles/squeaks that develop over time, but I can say in regards to the Tacoma it looks vastly outdated and borderline cheap. I think it’s best attribute is the aggressive exterior styling, not much else intrigues me about them. The V6 is inefficient/middle of the pack (comparing to competitors), the transmission is ancient and it lacks lots of general features (not even an option for remote start). Yet Toyota charges big bucks.

I think as with most things user perception changes slowly over time. Think about how many people still change their oil at 3k miles, regardless of if it makes sense to or not. I still hear from one of my relatives that they would never purchase a used vehicle because they "don't want to inherit someone else's problems" even though todays vehicles are vastly more reliable, we aren't talking about carbureted engines or anything.

 

I know that I've read again and again with how Toyota focused on reliability above all else, they wait till tech is very mature before they integrate it. Toyota has built their brand on reliability, and it's well earned, but I think at this point most of the other automakers have mostly caught up. Honestly Toyotas may last twice as long as a competitive vehicle, but most people don't keep them so long as to notice in the first place. I'm still partial to Toyotas knowing how reliable they are, I'm clearly susceptible to it too I guess.

 

That said, I still went with a GMC because for the price I was just getting so so much more in perceived value than what I would have gotten with a Toyota. Sure it's possible that the Toyota would last me twice as long but considering that tech would have changed so much between now and then I can't say I'd have kept it anyway, but who knows. Maybe I'll find myself in a 4runner sooner than I think, or maybe an at4 2500…