rmaynard 16,291 #1 Posted July 12, 2015 For the last couple of weeks I have been looking for new wheels. I sold my Ford E150 cargo van which had always been my tow vehicle, and my old 2003 Chevy Astro is dying a slow and expensive death. I have a 6' x 12' utility trailer that I use for hauling tractors to shows. So I have been looking to buy a Toyota Tacoma, double cab, 4x4. I am looking at Certified Pre-Owned, but I can't decide between the short bed or long bed. Rarely would I haul a Wheel Horse in the back, but if I did, the tailgate on the short bed would have to be lowered and a bed extender added. Bed extenders are not expensive. The long beds are much more expensive and seem to be very hard to find around here. Also, the long bed, double cab Tacoma is longer than my old E150 van. So if you are a Tacoma owner, or if you just have an opinion, I'd like to hear from you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JC 1965 1,532 #2 Posted July 12, 2015 I would go with the short bed. I think they look much better. They are great trucks. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 37,196 #3 Posted July 12, 2015 Real trucks have 8ft beds...just sayin'. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,919 #4 Posted July 12, 2015 When I drove full size pickups the only determining factor was fitting them in my garage easier so I went short. If my garage was deep enough or I left them outside I'd go with the 8'. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 43,736 #5 Posted July 12, 2015 I looked at a Tacoma when I got my Tundra. Mind you, I was looking for something for 15 grand or less so a 1 or 2 year low mileage truck was out. I had a 99 Tacoma years ago but it got bought back under the frame recall so I had some Tacoma expierence. My local garage specializes in Toyota and Honda. I had a nice 4 Runner that I sold to my son with the 4.7 V-8. I missed a truck so it was either a Tacoma or Tundra. The garage had an 06 Tundra 4.7 with 162,000 on the clock and an 08 Tacoma with the 3.4 with 98,000. I drove both and there was really no comparison. The Tundra won hands down with power, ride room ect. The Tacoma felt cheap to me. They are great looking trucks and Toyota has no problem selling them. When was the last time you saw an ad for a Tacoma on TV? I don't think I've ever saw one! But it's a Tundra for me and will be the next time unless I lease something that I don't have to worry about after 3 years. The 4.7 will run forever I'm told. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aldon 4,828 #6 Posted July 12, 2015 No opinions on Tundra vs Tacoma.However, if you plan on using as your daily driver as opposed to only hauling, then turn radius might be something to consider.I have driven trucks as my daily driver for years....well I guess decades is more accurate now. My favorite among the many for driving was my 99 chevy 4x4 short cab, short bed. I could turn on a dime and mall or parking garages were no big deal. The longer cab and beds make for driving as if I were trying to put a ship into a slip. My full size Bronco was better for turn radius but not by a ton. Might have been due to the huge tires:) 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Digger 66 3,488 #7 Posted July 12, 2015 (edited) if you just have an opinion, I'd like to hear from you. Always go with an 8 footer . The longest available .You can never have too much bed , unless you keep it garaged .$.02 Edited July 12, 2015 by Digger 66 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bmsgaffer 2,053 #8 Posted July 12, 2015 Depending on WHY you are picking the half size truck, you may consider looking full size like Mike mentioned.I did some pretty thorough research when I was buying and for what I was giving up, I couldn't justify the smaller truck. Its not that much cheaper, and you don't get any appreciable gas mileage differences (unless you are looking at the smallest engines). So I went with a full size, quad cab, short bed Ram. Especially now that I have a family (but even when I didn't) I really appreciated the extra space in the bed and interior. And a horse fits comfortably in the 6.5' bed.So if you are looking at Toyotas, then look at the Tundra. My buddy had one and loved it.But then again you may have other reason for looking at the smaller truck, if so, ignore me! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 16,291 #9 Posted July 12, 2015 (edited) if you just have an opinion, I'd like to hear from you. Always go with an 8 footer .You can never have too much bed , unless you keep it garaged .$.02 Doesn't come as an 8 footer, only 5 and 6 foot. No opinions on Tundra vs Tacoma.However, if you plan on using as your daily driver as opposed to only hauling, then turn radius might be something to consider. After driving the Astro for 12 years, I don't think there is a worse vehicle for turning radius. The Astro was horrible. Edited July 12, 2015 by rmaynard Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 16,291 #10 Posted July 12, 2015 ...But then again you may have other reason for looking at the smaller truck, if so, ignore me! I had two vehicles titled in my name, a Ford e-150 cargo van for work, and an Astro touring van for pleasure. My wife has a Surbaru Outback. Being retired now and on a fixed income, I decided eliminate one or the other or both of my vehicles, and replace them with just one. The Ford was titled to the business, so I was paying for two insurance policies. All three vehicles are old. Though the Ford was the best running and most practical for towing the "horse" trailer, it was not capable of hauling more than one passenger. The Astro was able to haul 6 passengers, but was the most troublesome, and not capable of towing a fully loaded trailer. So the decision was made to sell both and compromise on one. Since I still have to haul grandkids, junk, tractor parts and tow a trailer, the mid-sized pickup seemed most practical. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shallowwatersailor 3,214 #11 Posted July 12, 2015 I had a 3/4 ton Suburban back in Illinois when I was selling fire apparatus. It was great on the highway but I had to plan where I was parking though. Multi level car parks were the worse as I had to find a spot that I could drive straight into. When I went looking for my current pickup, I wasn't comfortable in the regular cab so I went with the extended cab with the 6-1/2 foot bed. It will hold a yard of mulch and if need be, one tractor. For parking in crowded lots, I back into the space and hang the back end over the curb. Then I don't stick out from the other vehicles.I have found Toyota's to be one of the more reliable vehicles. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bmsgaffer 2,053 #12 Posted July 12, 2015 . Since I still have to haul grandkids, junk, tractor parts and tow a trailer, the mid-sized pickup seemed most practical. With those requirements, go with the full size light duty truck. You will NOT regret it, I promise you that.I bought a 2WD 2008 Ram 1500 with the high output 4.7L in 2010 and the ONLY thing I regret is not getting 4wd. (Although I got such a good deal on it, there was no question it was the best choice)I always get the front split bench and I can haul 5 people comfortably and 6 people if I have to. All while towing 8000 lbs. The newer trucks can haul more and have a better ride with better gas mileage. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky-(Admin) 23,138 #13 Posted July 12, 2015 Like you Bob, I'm also in the market for a truck (sold mine a couple weeks ago). Whatever you do don't "under-buy". If you can afford to go with a Tundra with a V-8 do it! If you load up a 6x12 with 4 "C" series machine you have a very heavy trailer. You'll be glad you have the available power.Mike......... 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slammer302 2,156 #14 Posted July 12, 2015 I've been driving a 99 Nissan frontier for over 5 years now extended cab 4 banger very similar to the Toyota its been a great truck and has hauled a lot of horses and is easy to drive around. Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slammer302 2,156 #15 Posted July 12, 2015 Also Toyota and Nissan have great resale value Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JPWH 6,338 #16 Posted July 12, 2015 I don't know about the tacoma but I had an 06 tundra with a 4.7 engine. It was a company work truck. When they replaced it last month it had 340,000 miles on it and still ran like New. We had a 4.3 v 6 and it blew a head at 150,000. I Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 16,291 #17 Posted July 12, 2015 The ones I am looking at are all 4.0L V6. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,919 #18 Posted July 12, 2015 Bob, it sounds like you've got a good grip on what suits YOUR needs at the present time. I had biggies for years since I was pulling boats and many RV's up to 38' long. I just don't need one now. I can't comment on the Toyota 4.0 but I love the 4.0 in my Ranger. It is a lighter truck than the Toyota though. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JPWH 6,338 #19 Posted July 13, 2015 Just research engine repairs on whatever year you decide on. My company stopped buying v6 due to repair cost. It may be ok for your use if you are not hauling or towing often. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 16,291 #20 Posted July 13, 2015 Just research engine repairs on whatever year you decide on. My company stopped buying v6 due to repair cost. It may be ok for your use if you are not hauling or towing often. I don't tow often, and I don't tow far. The 4.0L is supposed to be a good engine. The nice thing about about buying a certified pre-owned is that even though the all inclusive 3 year/36,000 mile warranty is exhausted due to mileage, you are given and additional 12 month/12,000 limited comprehensive warranty, and a 7 year/100,000 mile power train warranty. The 7 years begins when the truck was first placed into service, and the current mileage is subtracted from the 100,000. So the ones I am looking at have a power train warranty that ends in November 2020, or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. Both trucks have under 40,000 miles on them now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JPWH 6,338 #21 Posted July 13, 2015 They are not even broke in yet. Be shure to use the tow/haul switch. It will extend the life of the transmission. We currently have 7 tundras in our fleet. One had to have a transmission rebuilt from not using tow/haul switch. We start looking at replacements at around 300,000 miles. This trucks are used to haul and tow alot. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lagersolut 734 #22 Posted July 13, 2015 I've been driving Tacoma's since 1999, over the years I've owned a little of everything - my '99 Tacoma had 137k miles on it and the moter ran and looked like new - never had one problem with it - wife drives a 2005 Corolla with over 136k on it and it's never had a problem - today I'm in a '11 Tacoma and so far it's also a very dependable truck .I know what problems/ garage bills I've had with Fords , Chevy's , VW'S etc vs the last 16 years in Toyota's and there's no comparison - it was actually a trans/motor problem in a GMC with 13k miles that put me on a Toyota lot in '99 .Now my 2011 is geared more towards luxury with all the bells and whistles ( which we no longer have a choice in ) than my '99 it's been a good truck. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 18,638 #23 Posted July 13, 2015 I went to the New York Auto Show this april as I am looking to replace my 20 year old GMC Sonoma. Looked at Toyota Tacoma found out there will be a new redesigned truck for 2016 which should have better gas mileage and other updates. The current Tacoma is getting a bit long in the tooth. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 16,291 #24 Posted July 13, 2015 Haven't seen any preliminary info on the 2016's yet, but I don't have the budget for something new anyway. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
papaglide 542 #25 Posted July 13, 2015 Real trucks have 8ft beds...just sayin'. and only 2 doors! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites