Mid Size Trucks

[matts5.0]

26k fuck that man go buy a brand new one, i looked at a few in Weatherford 13s 4x4 loaded they were 29k. If you are over 6' tall, i would look elsewhere your head will be in the roof and you'll be staring out of the top of the windshield, they are small trucks. if you are worried about milage honestly the 5.0 and more so the ecoboost get great mileage for a truck.

[jluv]

Tacoma all the way. No comparison between that and the others. Nissan is cheap, generic garbage. We have a 4Runner and an Xterra in our driveway (both 2003), and they are light years apart in terms of build quality, materials, design, reliability, power, looks, comfort, etc.

If Toyota is Dillard's, Nissan is Walmart. Of course, that makes Dodge the Dollar General. Ford and Chevy would be Kroger and Albertsons.

[01vnms4v]

And the Toyota is made in TEXAS.

[Chopped54]

A lot of people do, but I could never drive a foreign truck. I do not think there is a single one that is not ugly as fuck.....
And just because they put a Texas sticker on the back window, it is still a Jap truck. It is great marketing, and by all the people buying and posting that it was built in Texas it works....

That said one of my co-workers had a Colorado with the I-5 and it got ridiculous gas mileage.

[ELVIS]

My dad and baby bro both drive colorados.

God bless.

[sc281]

If getting better gas mileage is the reason it will probably take quit a bit of time to get payback. If you are looking to get a newer truck with better gas mileage this makes more sense. You may be disappointed with less interior space & not too dissimilar gas mileage.

This. Unless you are absolutely going to buy a new vehicle and "Oh I'd like some extra mpgeeez" is an afterthought, then go for it.

You've got a good vehicle that meets all of your requirements. Don't go out and spend a bunch of money just to save 5mpg. Spend a little on the truck to increase mileage, (intake, tune, exhaust, fuel system cleaning, etc) and roll with it.

[BlackGT]

I thought I wanted a mid-size truck when I was in the market. After looking at them and how much they cost vs what you get, I decided on my 2013 F150 FX2. A lot more truck for less money than either of the jap trucks and better mpgees too all while being able to haul and tow a lot more...

[CRASH]

I currently drive a 2001 F150 Super Crew 4x4 & the gas mileage is not to great. Been thinking of getting into a mid size truck. I would like something 4 door & 4 wheel drive. What do you guys recommend? Looking to stay under 20K.

How often do you ACTUALLY use the four wheel drive ? Is it a necessity or something you just want to have in the off chance you might have to get the tires dirty ?

[jluv]

I thought I wanted a mid-size truck when I was in the market. After looking at them and how much they cost vs what you get, I decided on my 2013 F150 FX2. A lot more truck for less money than either of the jap trucks and better mpgees too all while being able to haul and tow a lot more...

If you do any offroading, a 4wd Tacoma would be a much more capable vehicle. The taco will probably last longer and be worth more in a few years, too.

[A_A_G]

Tacoma all the way. No comparison between that and the others. Nissan is cheap, generic garbage. We have a 4Runner and an Xterra in our driveway (both 2003), and they are light years apart in terms of build quality, materials, design, reliability, power, looks, comfort, etc.

Modern Toyotas are way over rated. You'd have a case if you were talking late 80s to mid 90s (but even then they had their issues). The Tacoma is pretty ancient now days. The interior is meh, the powertrain isn't fuel efficient (considering modern full size trucks get the same or better mpg), still uses a 5 speed auto iirc

If you do any offroading, a 4wd Tacoma would be a much more capable vehicle. The taco will probably last longer and be worth more in a few years, too.

Worth more, yes because people think Toyota shits gold.

Last longer and more capable than a new(ish) full-size f-150? That's a toss-up, they'll both probably go just as long if they are equally maintained.

With the huge incentives/rebates on '13 F-150s, it makes no-sense to buy a used Tacoma with 100k miles for $20k

[aggie97]

is the mileage you are complaining about in the city or hwy? A midsized truck is NOT going to net you anything in the mpg department over a newer full size truck unless you are 110% highway.

That old 01 ford probably drinks gas due to lack of cylinder deactivation and not enough power to move around easily.

I'd stay away from little trucks as they are just that, little. I've had a couple Dakotas over the years and felt cramped in them as interior room was just not there.

Try looking at a used full size truck...it just so happens we are selling our 2010 Ram 1500 Laramie. Great truck, great mileage for a full size and it's rather luxurious for a truck. 49k miles, transferrable bumper to bumper warranty and fully loaded except for NAV and sun roof. Has bed rug, tonneau and weather techs front and rear. Probably let it go for $26,000 as I need driveway space. VERY clean and like new condition and very well cared for. Two tone Austin Tan pearl/platinum. New bridgestones 3k miles ago. I'm in College Station but willing to meet. This truck on dealer lots is going for North of $32k.

[Pokulski-Blatz]

Modern Toyotas are way over rated. You'd have a case if you were talking late 80s to mid 90s (but even then they had their issues). The Tacoma is pretty ancient now days. The interior is meh, the powertrain isn't fuel efficient (considering modern full size trucks get the same or better mpg), still uses a 5 speed auto iirc

Toyota still does make a great truck. My brothers 07 has 135k miles on it now, the only thing that makes it feel old is the original shocks are a bit warn. Other than that the interior doesn't rattle, no real mechanical problems, ect.


If you honestly think that US made trucks are anywhere near the level of build quality you are out of your mind.

[bigmuskie]

As an owner of an 09 Tacoma double cab 2wd TRD Sport 4.0 auto, I'll see if I can give you some input.

Tacomas equipped with the towing package are only rated for 6,500. The towing package consist of a factory installed class 4 hitch ( I think it's class 3 myself), transmission cooler, oil cooler, 7 pin connector and prewired for a brake controller. The 3 and 4 leaf TSB upgraded leaf packs couldn't haul the air in the bed, so I had to install a set of Firestone Ride-Rite air bags. Easily pulled a 7x14 tandem axle brake equipped trailer loaded with two ATV's at 70 mph in 4th gear of an 5speed auto, but my mileage suffered.

Without a trailer, I average around 17.5 to 21 mpg depending on how I drive. I can get around 300 miles (give or take mpg) to a tank. Which think is only 18 gallons.

I consider the fit and finish on the interior great with no rattles, but then my truck only has 48k.

If you do settle on a Tacoma, TacomaWorld.com is your friend. Any mods you're considering have already been done.

Almost forgot, don't know about the 4 cylinder, but the V6 is ticking little motor. Owners of these trucks call it the Tacoma tick. My does it, but it has never been an issue. I am just used to the ticking sound and most of the time I don't even notice now.

Anyhow, hope that helps you in your decisions.

[DamonH]

If you honestly think that US made trucks are anywhere near the level of build quality you are out of your mind.

I disagree. I think Toyota makes good vehicles, but I don't believe it's any better then Ford in the full size truck department. Secondly, nobody keeps a vehicle on here more then 50,000 miles, so it doesn't matter anyway.

[jluv]

Modern Toyotas are way over rated.

Everything is overrated. Toyota makes a quality, reliable vehicle. That hasn't changed. I bleed Ford blue, but it's hard to argue against Toyota's build quality and long-term reliability.

You'd have a case if you were talking late 80s to mid 90s (but even then they had their issues). The Tacoma is pretty ancient now days. The interior is meh, the powertrain isn't fuel efficient (considering modern full size trucks get the same or better mpg), still uses a 5 speed auto iirc

Can you name a better midsize truck? I didn't think so. Get one fully loaded and they are far from "meh". Expensive? Yes. Small? Yes. Other than that, they're badass little trucks.

Worth more, yes because people think Toyota shits gold.

Resale value should be an important factor in selecting a vehicle, no?

Last longer and more capable than a new(ish) full-size f-150? That's a toss-up, they'll both probably go just as long if they are equally maintained.

My statement was "if you do any offroading...", and if you think a 2wd F150 is in the same league offroad as a 4wd Taco, you're out of your mind. Heck, even a 4wd F150 can't hang on the trails. Just too damn big. Again, I'm a Ford guy, and I have big hoss of a Ford 4WD that I take offroading sometimes. It can't go half of the places a Taco can. But shit, I can't bring myself to give up the room and squeeze into a small truck for the rest of the time. Once on the trails, I get Jeep and Taco envy quick.

With the huge incentives/rebates on '13 F-150s, it makes no-sense to buy a used Tacoma with 100k miles for $20k

F150 wins on price and roominess, for sure. But the thread is about midsize trucks and he specified 4wd. There is one clear winner in that category, imo.