Debating downsizing to taco

Hey guys I'm debating trading my tundra for a Taco anybody done this before ? I mainly use it a camping offroad daily driver anymore, a don't really have the need of a fullsize truck that I once did. Anyone here made that switch that has some insight on it, or that has owned a Taco that can provide insight?

 

Unless you’re a wee lad I’d look at a 2015 or older. The latest gen is too cramped for me.

 

I'm only 5'8 lol

 

If that fits your needs I would definitely make the jump to a taco. I also wouldn’t rule out the new Nissan Frontier. Just make sure the family and gear all fits

 

Good trucks, but small and the seating position kinda feels like you are sitting on the floor. But if it fits your body, is a great mid size truck.

 

I went from Tundra to Taco, and within a year I was back in a tundra. I love the Tacoma, but it was too small for the family. I also rather the power of the tundra over the Tacoma.

 

Yea these days camping is just me and the dog so my gear is fairly minimal. Daily duty consists of home depot , baseball tournaments and work commute. For o forwarding though is the main consideration of down sizing, as I'm finding the tundra to be a bit big for the trails I do. I live in utab so offroading is something I frequent in the mountains and I've gotten to a point where I'm seeing the size limitations of the tundra now.

 

Yea the power thing is a concern of mine, from an offroading perspective, as I would have at least 33s on the taco if I made the switch. Did it feel underpowered or just different vs the tundra

 

I suggest that you hit some of the Tacoma forums, should provide good info. Tacoma is a better trail vehicle due to size.

Honestly, if you dont actually need a pickup, I would consider a 4runner over the Tacoma everytime!

 

I think I had 285/70s on my Tacoma. Without the ECT engaged it felt very underpowered. Regearing should fix that though. I would suggest finding a used one with a lift and tires to test drive. Then you can get a better feeling for the difference.

 

Tacomaworld is a pretty good one.

 

A couple years ago the Wife and I were talking about how the Tacoma looked about the same size as our 2000 Tundra. When we went to the dealer and crawled inside a Tacoma we discovered how wrong we were. When I got my first Toyota truck in 1982 it felt much larger. Maybe that had something to do with being a trim 20-something compared to a fat guy in his 60s... ya reckon?

 

I owned a 4runner and have extensive ride time in a buddy’s Tacoma. If You’re looking for a camping rig and a daily driver the 4runner wins hands down for me. The Tacoma felt underpowered and cramped.

 

My buddy uses his in this exact capacity and loves it. I think his is a 204.

 

For me it’s about the shoulder room, it’s definitely tighter in the Taco. On the plus side, if something falls down off the front seat to the floorboard, you can reach it in the Tacoma, or if you need to reach something on the backseat — much easier to do in the Tacoma.

 

I just switched from a taco to tundra this year. Had tacos for 7 years, 07 and 16. Loved them, but the power (now that I'm in a tundra) is significantly worse. its a nice truck by all means, but I'm 6'3" and I have a 7 and 9 year old that were quickly outgrowing the double cap back seats. If its just you it sounds like it would be fine, but I would definitely drive one first. Agree about the 4Runner as well. If I ever downsize again, I'll likely go to one of those instead of another tacoma.

 

I own both a tacoma and a tundra and they’re different tools for different jobs. If it’s only you and a dog and camping/off-roading, tacoma is the way to go. I have a 2005 access cab (the tacoma equivalent of a tundra double cab) and it’s perfect. Easy to maneuver both on and off road.

Tundra is better for a family, hauling around any decent weight, or larger people.

Power wise, the V6 does fine, those trucks will scoot. If you go larger than 33s you’ll want to regear the differentials though.

 

If I was thinking about it I'd wait and see what the new gen offers I think it's supposed to be 2023. Rumors of a hybrid or prime version.

 

I actually posted over on Tw as well, just wanting to get both sides of the equation on opinions. I do still need a truck however.

 

2023
https://www.motor1.com/news/540880/2023-toyota-tacoma-spy-photos/

 

I owned a Tacoma for 16 years before buying my Tundra. If I didn't tow a camper I would be back in a midsize truck tomorrow. The Tundra is nicer on highway cruising but we use our car for that. Tacoma hands down off road and for city driving.

Im not limiting my choice to theTacoma though if I go back to a midsize. There's a lot more choices now than in the past in that segment.

 

I think they just did a refresh? Not sure. I had a little Nissan hard body 20 years ago.

 

I'll go over there and reply to you cut and paste, lol. TW is way more active. I still spend more time in that forum than here.

 

Lol I posted both places because I wanted views from both sides of the fence

 

I had a 17 Tacoma Quad cab, off-road edition with the tech package. I really liked the truck though it liked to change gears more than I care for and was underpowered. It got 19-20 MPG when driven sanely. My friends and I are over 6 feet, perfectly fine for the front seats but not possible in the read.

I stepped up the 21 tundra platinum and it’s better in almost every way, with the tight turning radius is reasonably easy to maneuver in tight spots. Plenty of power, very comfortable seating for 5, moves when you need it to. Tundra gets 16.5-17 MPG when driven sanely.

Unless I were going to off-road pretty often I think I’d keep the tundra.

 

I go quite a bit. I live in utah and have really awesome mountain trails I hit every Monday. I'm also only about 4 hours from moab lol

 

My main gripe of the Tacoma is the stupid console shifter . . . if they would've kept it on the tree it would free up so much space. Same goes for the newer Tundras . . . cramped for how big they are. I feel like I'm strapped-into the cockpit of a rocket or something. Free-Up some space toyota !!!

 

I really liked my Tacoma but it was a 2nd Gen with the 4.0 1GR-FE. Best mid size truck engine ever in my opinion. I’ve test driven a few 3rd gens and while they are nice the torque curve flat sucks. That said it’s still a dependable truck with a few quirks.

 

Stay away from the 3.5. 4.0 is the way to go in a Tacoma. Still wish I had my 13 Off Road 6 spd MT

 

Every Taco I have owned or driven is just too cramped inside for me period.
Same for the 4Runner and Lexus GX.

If you fit OK and can endure the driving position then the rest you can get used to if you want to.

They are dog ass slow to me compared to any Tundra even the 3.5l V6 I had in my first gen but many are OK with that as well.
It didn't really bother me even while towing but I absolutely prefer the V8 too every day!

They are certainly as rock solid as any other Toyota though and for a lot of us this is what is important as long as you fit in one.