Toyota Tacoma Opinions?

L

LosIllini

250+ Posts
Looking at purchasing a new pickup truck- probably by the end of the year. Thinking about something mid-sized- versus a full-sized like an F-150 or Tundra. Tacoma looks like it would fit the bill.

Anyone have any thoughts on the 2008-09 Tacomas? Pluses/ Minuses?

Seems like the lots are full of Tundras- assuming the Tacomas are going to be popular w/ gas prices, however, it would seem that truck sales in general would be down. Are the dealers 'dealing' on these? Hardly any used 4WD's to be found either.
 
I just bought a 2009 Tacoma TRD sport. i love it. drives great and is bullet proof. check outThe Link . they have a forum there that discusses any and all short comings with the truck and how to overcome them. They are really minor things, though.

Dealers are dealing on the 08's. but, they aren't dealing too much. this is a popular truck and holds its value really, really well. I was able to get mine for $1000 less than what edmunds had the average sale price at.

oh, i use regular. premium is not necessary.
 
I own a 2006 V6 and the truck is bullit proof. I have 36k miles on it and absolutley nothing has been done but oil changes. My co-worker bought a F150 at the same time and has already gone through 3 sets of brakes...... he hates his truck.
 
One of my buddies works for Toyota on the motor mile and one of their employees got an unheard of deal at RR Toyota on a Tundra (motor mile would only offer $9k off msrp). They knocked off $15K off msrp on an '08. This was within the past 3-4 weeks. There are deals to be had from what I've heard.


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Just filled up my 2006 Tacoma at lunch and got 18.5 mpg (most all in town) V6 4x4.

There isn't a better truck made.
 
Another '06 Tacoma owner here. Love it.

60K miles and not one problem yet. Free oil changes at Champion for a lifetime. I was leery of that deal at first. I thought they'd say I brought it in after the recommended mileage or some other excuse to make me pay for it, but it has always been completely hassle-free.

I have the 4-door short bed, V6, SR5 option package. I paid $20,000 even back in 2006. They are probably cheaper now. 20 mpg on the cheapest gas I can find. And I owe at least 136 beers to whoever thought up the idea for the movable tiedowns on the bed rails.
 
Thanks for the replies/ information. Gonna do some more research.

Definitely notice the lack of 4WD Tacomas on the dealer lots- compared to the Tundras. Access cab or crew cab will be a tough choice to make too.
 
I just bought a 2006 Tacoma access cab, 4 cyl, 5 spd manual and I am getting 21.5 mpg in town. I was hoping for better mileage but it is a damn sight better than the 14 I was getting with my F150.

Any of you Taco owners getting a squeak in your rear suspension? Seems like mine is in my leaf spring front bushing.

Other than that I love it. Great truck.
 
Apparently not running any great deals on the 2009's yet- though I read in some of the forums (thanks for the link btw) that there's dealer talk of some nice cash rebates coming soon.

Have seen a few 2008's still on the lots- but, mostly 2wd's. Everything I've looked/ read about these- sounds like great trucks.
 
If you are looking for a 4wd there are very few of those and I would not think most dealerships are going to discount on those very much. It took me 3+ months to find 4wd TRD w/ Sport pkg. If you don't have to have the 4wd then get a Prerunner TRD w/ Sport pkg. Take the fud flaps off and no one will know the difference from looking at it. Same height and suspension as 4wd.
 
I bought an 06 Tundra access cab 2WD in January 07. Nothing but oil changes and recommended 10 and 20K checkups. Getting right at 20 mpg going to and from work (on MoPac) and driving around local neighborhood. We're on nothign but Toyota and Honda from here on out.
 
if you are needing a truck, then Toyota can't be beat by any. I owned an '03 and wishing i never sold it and will be getting another as soon as possible. While we are on trucks...they are designed to haul and pull stuff which requires gearing to do so which would decrease mileage compared to a car. If you are worried about gas mileage than you probably don't need a truck as a good economy car will get 10+ more than any truck.
 
I have an eight year old F-150 that has a six cylinder and a standard transmission. I just checked my gas mileage on my last tank and I'm getting 19.8 around town and 22.8 on the highway.

Considering it's a full size, I think that's pretty good.

Of course, it goes 0-60 in about two years, but I don't care.
 
Just thought I'd add my 2 cents on the Taco. I owned a '98 SR5 extra cab model until 2005 when I had to give it up for a sedan. Infant carriers just don't fit on the jump seats
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It was absolutely the best vehicle I ever owned, and I miss it every day. I never had a problem with it in the nearly seven years I drove it. Sounds like nothing has changed with the newer models either. I plan on buying a new double cab in the next year or two.
 
I looked at the tacos before I bought my F150 Screw. The biggest problem for me was the price - the dealer would not budge where I was able to get a fantastic deal on the F150. Also I would have thought a smaller truck would have done better (the delta between the two is 3 MPG). The only other thing I didn't like was the interior - it felt stiff, cheap looking, and the cup holders were inadequate imo.

In all honestly, it really came down to price. I just couldn't justify dropping almost $30k on a truck. In any case, I know lots of people who own them and while I love my F150, I wouldn't hesitate to buy a tacoma. They are truly great trucks.
 
My 2006 4 door Taco has 13 cup holders........ can't imagine needing more than that at any one time.
 
William Cannon..... have you looked at the 2 that are in each of your doors? Also, there are 2 (deep ones) in the console. Right there is 6, (8) if you have a 4 door.
 
My old 4-Runner had the drink holders that opened up in front of the AC vents in the middle of the dash- blocking the vents. Salesman pointed out to me that was a great feature 'to keep your cold drinks cold in the summer'. Threw him for a loop when I asked 'what if I'm drinking coffee?'.

Hope Toyota has things figured out better these days.
 
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