Any Tacoma owners/drivers?

The #1 community for Gun Owners in Indiana

Member Benefits:

  • Fewer Ads!
  • Discuss all aspects of firearm ownership
  • Discuss anti-gun legislation
  • Buy, sell, and trade in the classified section
  • Chat with Local gun shops, ranges, trainers & other businesses
  • Discover free outdoor shooting areas
  • View up to date on firearm-related events
  • Share photos & video with other members
  • ...and so much more!
  • B40B

    Marksman
    Rating - 100%
    1   0   0
    Oct 29, 2020
    256
    43
    Valparaiso
    Starting the process of possibly looking for a new vehicle. The new '24 Tacoma is where I think I want to land.

    Just wondering about the overall ownership experience with your vehicle and with Toyota. I've been pretty die hard Ford the majority of my life, and I'm not a fan of the new Ranger.

    TIA
     

    Super Bee

    Master
    Site Supporter
    Rating - 100%
    10   0   0
    Nov 2, 2011
    4,840
    149
    Fort Wayne
    My buddy has a 2021 I am guessing. Nice looking truck, he just loves it. It is a crew cab though the back seat is nothing more than a place to put grocerys, there is no sitting room whatsoever. He pulls a little 24ft. travel trailer with it and it does very well.
     

    Bugzilla

    Master
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Apr 14, 2021
    3,624
    113
    DeMotte
    Just got a 2023 F350 Superduty Lariat. Much nicer than the 2016 F350 Lariat I bought new and traded in. But sounds like you may be in the market for a smaller truck.
     

    DoggyDaddy

    Grandmaster
    Site Supporter
    Rating - 100%
    73   0   1
    Aug 18, 2011
    103,747
    149
    Southside Indy
    Just got a 2023 F350 Superduty Lariat. Much nicer than the 2016 F350 Lariat I bought new and traded in. But sounds like you may be in the market for a smaller truck.
    Me: I'm thinking about getting a Fiat 500. Anyone have experience with these?

    Bugzilla: I like my new vehicle.

    1691700795234.png

    :):
     

    snapping turtle

    Grandmaster
    Rating - 100%
    6   0   0
    Dec 5, 2009
    6,508
    113
    Madison county
    My Toyota experience. I name my cars and trucks. (Name) I used to buy chevy's and fords. I doubt I will ever again even with dads employee discount. Class a buyer they used to call it.

    (The vibrator) 2009 Pontiac vibe (Toyota matrix rebranded as a GM product) made in a joint Toyota GM plant in California. 190k miles still runs like a champ (get to work and back) minimum repairs outside of basic maintenance. Inexpensive parts. I bought this with 30k used.
    Pro's was inexpensive to begin with as it is a manual tranny in a world of non shifting drivers. Good gas mileage 33-38 MPG and a bit more if I try to max it out. No rust.
    Con's kinda ugly like me. Kinda plastic like Kim Kardashion. Seat is on the average side of comfortable. No blue tooth no power windows ect your basic car. Ac needs a recharge but it has been what 14 years on the factory charge. I have a pop when braking hard so I think I have a I joint going. When it hits 200k I will have everything serviced back to spec and drive it hopefully for another 200k.

    (Sandy) 2008 FJ cruiser made in JAPAN brother. I also see her as my mistress.
    The California made vibe is built better than most USA made cars but the factories in Japan make the vibe look like a pinto. 90k miles and I did have to put in a radiator that got snacked by maybe a rock. Basic maintenance and service is all and of course a windshield replacement. Needs a recharge on the ac like the vibrator.
    Pros: everything is sweet inside and out built to last. Plus I had wanted this car since 2007 and finally got one.
    Con's again the seat is average on long drives (better than the vibe) plastic like a old porn star and she only drinks 93 octane fuel or as I call it top shelf drinks. I just drive this on expeditions and for fun.

    (Sammy) my first Toyota pickup a 1982 pinkish colored Toyota pickup. 4 cylinder 5 speed 2 wheel drive. Unknown mileage when purchased (aroiund 2001 ) but was told over 200k. The paint was red at one time but had faded to a pinkish tint all over. I believe this was a part's delivery truck for Ed Martin Toyota. I had done some electrical work for a guy on his house and business. He had this truck in his outbuilding and he sold it to me for an SKS . ( more of he wanted to see me have the truck) uncomfortable to drive long distances and not the greatest of rides but this was my work truck for a few years and once again I think I put a battery in it and had a floorboard rust hole welded shut so I could no long drop beer cans out the passenger floorboard. It sat outside since 1982 till I sold it in about 2005 and only refused to start once when it was cold as he/\ out (also has almost zero gas in the tank) I traded the truck for an AK47 in 2005. In retrospect I should have just drove it like a Arab freedom fighter till she no longer had any life left.

    Wife drives a 2021 RAV4 japan import not Canada or USA.. Daughter drives a 2011 Corolla. Youngest drives that Corolla or a Camry I am cleaning and updating for her. I doubt we will but anything for others as all have been workhouses for us. Not as pretty as some other brands or as flashy but solid rides.

    I also have a 1994 ford ranger 4 cylinder manual 2 wheel drive truck that is green and primer gray with about 229k that I have had forever it seems.

    If you go to purchase a taco remember they are made in Mexico I believe and not Japan. Rusting underneath is the very first thing you will have to stop. Taco's have a cult following and a ton of aftermarket parts are available.
    I would get what you want on it but keep the actress to a minimum. You can find lots of take off upgrade parts from these at good prices if you can turn a wrench. If you can find any Toyota made in a Japanese factory and imported into the FUSA (formerly United States of America) I would think about buying one of these as from my experience they know how to make a car/truck/suv. 55k up will get you a new Land Cruiser from japan soon on 2024 if you get in the waiting list. If you need a truck you have the taco and the tundra.

    Good luck with the decision.
     

    Slow Hand

    Master
    Rating - 99.3%
    146   1   0
    Aug 27, 2008
    3,112
    149
    West Side
    not exactly what you are looking for, but I have a 21 4Runner that I have had for about six months. I am very happy with it overall. Previous vehicle was an 02 f150 lariat Super Crew. The 4Runner is pretty fancy and has great off road capabilities. Decent power, not very fast and crap mileage.
    the Tacoma has many more drivetrain options, so you can probably do better with them. 4Runner and Taco’s definitely have a cult following and have tons of aftermarket things available for general daily use and overlanding type of stuff.
     

    cg21

    Master
    Rating - 100%
    25   0   0
    May 5, 2012
    4,700
    113
    Appreciate it, starting now and trying to be in one by this time next year. Nothing crazy, but yes, even a regular off road is going to hurt.
    I had a crew cab stipulation really narrowed my search and raised the price
     

    hammerd13

    Sharpshooter
    Rating - 100%
    6   0   0
    Oct 20, 2015
    350
    63
    Hamilton County
    I own a 2018 Tacoma TRD Offroad. It's a great vehicle. Toyota brand is hard to beat, as it relates to reliability and service imo. First Toyota I've owned. If a "smaller-than-full-size" truck fits your needs...it's a good choice.

    Just recently picked up a 2023 RAV 4 XLE Premium for the wife and she loves it. She got rid of a problematic Ford Escape.

    Since the 2024 Tacoma is an all-new platform (engine, chassis, etc.), I'd be inclined to look for a 2023 or wait until 2025...just to give them some time to work out any major bugs. I typically avoid first-year platform vehicles from any manufacturer. I do like the look of the new 2024 Tacomas, though.
     

    MCgrease08

    Grandmaster
    Rating - 100%
    37   0   0
    Mar 14, 2013
    14,427
    149
    Earth
    I've had a few Toyotas in the family over the years and they are solid, reliable vehicles. I've never owned a Tacoma but I do currently have a '97 4Runner I bought as a project vehicle. 285,000 miles on it and still going strong enough that I have no qualms about sinking significant money into it to refresh all the worn out parts.

    I like the Tacoma a lot but I don't really like new cars. I want as much analog stuff as I can get. I like knobs and sliders. Touch screens not so much. If it were me I would be looking at used options, but even those demand a premium. And the new Toyotas do look sweet. Except for the Tundra. That's a big square box of boring.
     
    Last edited:

    63PGP

    Sharpshooter
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Aug 28, 2018
    367
    79
    Boone
    I have not been in a newer than 2018 Toyota 4Runner/Tacoma but the interiors are usually the same. Check the angle that you have to tilt your foot to the right for the gas pedal. This angle kills my knee.

    I own a 2008 4Runner, have rented several newer models and they all force my leg into this position. I call them 4-hour vehicles. After four hours I have to stop driving because my leg is killing me.
     

    gregkl

    Outlier
    Site Supporter
    Rating - 100%
    33   0   0
    Apr 8, 2012
    11,913
    77
    Bloomington
    Since the 2024 Tacoma is an all-new platform (engine, chassis, etc.), I'd be inclined to look for a 2023 or wait until 2025...just to give them some time to work out any major bugs. I do like the look of the new 2024 Tacomas, though.
    Keep this in mind looking for owners/drivers input. The '24's are different enough to be a different driving experience.

    I'm going to go out on a small limb and state that they are probably fine, but I'm with hammerd13, I'd be inclined to look for the current generation vs the new.

    But that's just me. What I liked about the Tacoma was the "old school" configuration. NA V-6, 6-speed automatic trans(though I prefer a manual), knobs for interior functions and not too many bells and whistles. Even had rear drum brakes!

    I just don't see a turbo 4 cyl having the longevity of a NA six. But I have no data to support my hypothesis, er, opinion. The new engines produce more power when you factor in the hybrid part of it, but I'd rather have the six.

    If I could buy one right now, it would be a current gen SR5, extended cab, desert sand or cement, V6, manual trans. I could run that until I couldn't drive anymore. :)
     

    JCSR

    NO STAGE PLAN
    Site Supporter
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    May 11, 2017
    9,034
    133
    Santa Claus
    Keep this in mind looking for owners/drivers input. The '24's are different enough to be a different driving experience.

    I'm going to go out on a small limb and state that they are probably fine, but I'm with hammerd13, I'd be inclined to look for the current generation vs the new.

    But that's just me. What I liked about the Tacoma was the "old school" configuration. NA V-6, 6-speed automatic trans(though I prefer a manual), knobs for interior functions and not too many bells and whistles. Even had rear drum brakes!

    I just don't see a turbo 4 cyl having the longevity of a NA six. But I have no data to support my hypothesis, er, opinion. The new engines produce more power when you factor in the hybrid part of it, but I'd rather have the six.

    If I could buy one right now, it would be a current gen SR5, extended cab, desert sand or cement, V6, manual trans. I could run that until I couldn't drive anymore. :)
    We recently bought a 2023 Lexus GX460 for much the same reasons. 2024 introduces a turbo 6 that may or may not be as solid as the 2023 and older V8.
     
    Top Bottom