29th Oct 2004, 18:34

Did you ever take it back to the dealer for adjustment?

I sat in an '04 extended cab last August and thought, "kind of tiny." Even compared to a Ranger. Would have bought one if they had one with the traction control.

Glad I waited. Drove a '05 Double Cab TRD, 5 sp Auto last week and was impressed. Big, comfortable and powerful. Expensive.

17th Jun 2006, 05:27

I personally prefer a full size truck with a long bed. It rides better, hauls more, and you can drive a taller clearance vehicle with more power anywhere. When not using the "truck", I drive my import car for economy during the week. I do not see the benefit of a small pickup as it is a compromise between a car and truck; losing the increased load capacity and towing capabilities of the truck, and the fuel economy of the car as well. Perhaps that is why Toyota and Nissan are both manufacturing and selling full size trucks.

24th Sep 2006, 16:53

I test drove the Tacoma when I was looking at small trucks. It was the most uncomfortable and poorest riding of the 5 trucks I drove. It was also slower than anything else I drove (even the 4 cylinder Ranger). I can't see paying 5 grand more for these things than a well equipped F-150 full size truck.

25th Sep 2006, 16:23

The 5 grand "extra" is worth it because then you will not be driving a piece of junk Ford with typical Ford motor trouble.

7th Oct 2006, 19:50

We drove several of our "piece of junk" Ford trucks over 300,000 miles... just when is it they're supposed to start falling apart??

7th Oct 2006, 19:52

Nothing Toyota makes has ever been worth 5 grand more than the worst F-150 that ever rolled off the assembly line.

8th Oct 2006, 14:37

If they are the most uncomfortable and underpowered why would you want to rack on so many miles and/or spend as much as a Ranger or even more? You may be spending even more at the chiropractor if you drive a lot... Widening the frame/cab and drop in a Lexus engine as a V8 option in the Tacoma model could help address the issues.

9th Oct 2006, 18:19

I think that they should make them smaller and reduce motor size in all of them. The one commenter was exactly right; they were never supposed to be big, cushy Fords or Chevy's. The Toyota trucks, (pre-96) and the Tacoma's are meant to go anywhere you point them, unlike the dumb**s F-150, which couldn't pull itself out of a puddle and has no business off road anywhere. So, if anyone at Toyota is reading, keep them small, tight, and simple. That is what made them the best truck money can buy.

10th Oct 2006, 15:16

Not every one wants them that way that's why they call it "options." If you want a very simple plain jane 4 banger with rough ride, no insulation and a plastic dash you order that. If you still like that particular model and have the financial resources than you can order what you like whether it's a six or an eight cylinder. I do not ever plan on working on one anyway or ever turning a wrench... and I would still like a Toyota Lexus motor like others who do it aftermarket anyway on this model. Do not do away with the low end... but do not discount those that want a fully optioned out truck with a factory warranty that is not disrupted.

16th Oct 2006, 21:07

It is strange that people are willing to pay more for a tiny, rough-riding, underpowered truck like a Tacoma than for the F-150, which even the VERY BIASED Car and Driver magazine rates as the best truck on the planet for several DECADES now. Not only that, but if Toyota quality is so superior, why does Toyota not have the confidence in their products to offer the 100,000 mile warranty like Ford and GM do instead of their limited 36,000 mile warranty? That does NOT sound like "superior quality" to me. Paying the same for a Tacoma as for a real truck is not rational.

17th Oct 2006, 10:21

These responses are right on! For the same money as a Toyota Tacoma, I could instead buy a full size GM, Ford, or Dodge, with a V-8 motor, more interior room, comparable fuel economy, etc.

Remind me why the Toyota product is the way to go???

17th Oct 2006, 15:06

Right on! I will pay thousands less for the American truck, get a V-8, more room in the cab, more payload in the box, more towing ability, leather seats, comparable fuel economy, and a better warranty.

Please remind me why I should even consider a Toyota???

17th Oct 2006, 19:29

That's why I bought the new Silverado SS. How can you beat it! Well maybe the Hemi Ram fair is fair... us domestic owners give credit where credit is due.

18th Oct 2006, 21:01

The Silverado is just another piece of GM garbage. Buy a Toyota and get rid of that piece of crap. I can't believe people are still buying that junk. The only way it could suck any worse would be if GM decided to put only 3 tires on them, and in their current situation, that may be next. They've made worse decisions lately, just look at the HHR, whatever the hell that thing is supposed to be. Need I mention the Cobalt; a wannabe Nissan without the reliability. I think you "loyal Americans" would still buy them, though.

2nd Nov 2006, 18:14

Comparable fuel economy? What are you thinking? Toyota's are way better on fuel than big V-8's.

3rd Nov 2006, 03:09

It all depends on the Toyota's you are talking about. If you mean the Corolla or Camry, then yes, they have better mpg numbers than my big V-8. If you are talking about the Tacoma V-6 or Tundra, then no, they get mileage in the teens like my big V-8 based American truck. I know how hard it must be for you to accept this fact.

3rd Nov 2006, 12:12

Your blatant generalizations are inaccurate on an entire manufacturer... its all how they are set up. My GM has a 100,000 mile warranty and is nice. GM sales are ahead 17% Toyota 9% as of 11-01-06...beat up on yourself. I own 2 brand new GMs and will continue.

3rd Nov 2006, 21:22

If you want small and can't use it as a real truck why not buy a Civic? I make a living using trucks not just out riding in the woods. If its just a toy maybe that's different, but I cannot see it. Maybe that's why so many people drive vans or SUVs which haul the majority of things home. I have both... the majority of the time I run an SUV, but need a full size pick up without compromises.