Should I buy a Tacoma?

[Dansflhti]

Last year I had a similar dilemma.I don't Off Road, I just want a mid-size truck..don't want a Honda.I had driven several 23 Canyon/Colorado's. I shuttle vehicles around for dealers. I had a 22 Taco Sport and the twins were so much better highway drivers. So Jan 2023 I ordered a 23 Z-71 loaded..$58k CAD. During the waiting for it to come in GMs production and shipping got all mess up...a bunch of trucks got hail damage...software glitches..tech issues...and the 2024 Taco preview happened in May. I got cold feet on the Z-71 and told my dealer some one else could have it. I was there they day it arrived last June and had non-buyers remorse...lol.
Last Sept I put my name on a 24 Taco Sport +...My thinking is..if I don't like the Taco..I can hopefully get most of my money back in a year or so, and I'll buy a Z-71 or AT4...ignore the poorer resale and reliability. Last Thursday I took delivery of my 24 Sport. My thoughts are now...the GM twins have a very slight edge on the highway, mostly due to the extra power of the 2.7 turbo,and they are a smoother ride on rough potholed roads,my 24 sport is much firmer than my 22 sport was.
With all that being said...I'm very happy with my new 2024 Tacoma..

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[Chileburger]

Looking at the long term ownership prospective and the trade aspect, yes it costs more to become an owner of a Tacoma vs most other comparable trucks; but here is where you get it back. Used car values are not set by dealers or banks, they are set by the consumer. The consumers dictate used car values based on what they are willing to pay. People will pay more for a used Tacoma by a long shot compared to other trucks. Go on to cars.com and do a quick comparison. Consumers go by brand/model reputation and by reviews. So when it comes time to get into another truck what will the Canyon be worth compared to the Tacoma? Tacomas hold their value incredibly well. Next is cost of ownership. I own a repair shop in California and recently bought a 2024 Tacoma. We live in an area that offers a lot of off roading and rugged terrain. Of all the pickups we service, the Toyotas are by far the best built/designed and usually have a lower cost of maintenance. Especially the 4 cylinders.

So in the end, you can almost negate the cost of ownership against the Canyon. I’d go with the one you enjoy driving the most and the one that is least likely to let you down when you’re out in the middle of a trail.

 

[Planoman]

Toyota Fan boy here! No, the Tacoma is not worth 10k more IMO. Unless it can do something the Canyon cannot do that is in your top three criteria. I just do not see the Tacoma overcoming a 10K difference even when your factor in 5 year resale values. Tacoma prices will have to come down. They are charging way too much for their trucks and options. Once they see the sales numbers in about 6 months they will realize it, IMO. Right now people like me who are early adopters are paying it but that is not everyone!

But that antenna on the Chevys & Fords What the heck?? Is this 2010?

 

[Meggyy]

If you’re thinking about getting a Tacoma, I’d say go for it! They’re known to be reliable and great for both work and play. Whether you’re hauling stuff or just cruising around, they handle it well. Plus, they’ve got that solid reputation, which is always a plus when you’re looking to invest in a vehicle.

I recently checked out Village Auto Sales, and they had some great options. The staff there is really friendly and knows their stuff. It’s nice to feel like you’re getting honest advice when making such a big decision. Just take your time and maybe even take a few for a test drive. You want to find one that feels just right.

 

[TrailAdventurer]

Alright, I think I am taking my deposit off of the Tacoma TRD Offroad, Hybrid Max with the premium package and buying the GMC Canyon AT4. Will anyone care to talk me out of it?
<snip>
So is the Tacoma really worth the extra ten to twelve thousand dollars more?

Well...
Honestly, based on everything you've written, I don't think anyone should try to talk you out of the Canyon.

If your primary criteria are ride quality, cabin comfort, seating position, visibility, purchase price, financing cost, and overall daily-driver experience, it sounds like you've already identified the truck that best fits your needs.

The mistake many people make is buying for the 5% use case instead of the 95% use case.

The Tacoma is unquestionably the more capable off-road platform. Rear locker, disconnecting sway bar, Crawl Control, Multi-Terrain Select, aftermarket support, and Toyota's long history in the space all work in its favor. If you regularly needed those features, I'd tell you to stay with the Tacoma.

But by your own admission, most of your driving is highway miles with hunting, fishing, and relatively light off-road use. In that environment, the Canyon may very well be the better truck for you.

I say that as someone who has owned large and mid-size trucks, a built Wrangler, and now a Trailhunter.

What I've found is that the Tacoma's strengths aren't always obvious during a 20-minute test drive. They're the things you discover over a period of ownership: durability, resale value, capability, and the confidence that comes from a platform designed to be abused. Those things matter, but they only matter if they're important to you.

What would give me pause isn't the truck itself—it's GM's long-term track record. Your current Sierra has over 520,000 km on it, which suggests you've had a very good experience. That's great. The question I'd ask is whether you believe a modern Canyon will realistically duplicate that experience. None of us really know yet. We don't know for the 4th gen Taco, either.

As for the i-Force Max, I think expectations got ahead of reality. It's not a Raptor killer. It's not going to pin you to the seat. What it does provide is effortless torque and a very relaxed driving experience. The hybrid system makes the truck feel less strained than the non-hybrid, but it doesn't transform it into a completely different vehicle.

At the end of the day, if the Canyon feels better to you, costs $10,000-$12,000 less once discounts, financing, and insurance are factored in, and accomplishes 95% of what you actually do, then I'd argue you're making a rational decision. I did a cost comparions--for my purposes--over in this thread that you may find of interest.

The only reason I'd tell you to stay with the Tacoma is if your heart still wants the Tacoma and you're trying to convince yourself otherwise.

The spreadsheet says Canyon.

The question is what the smile says.

 

[BTAO]

I'll second what @TrailAdventurer said. It really comes down to what you are looking for with that 95%. I'll add that I really dig the composite bed with sprayed bedliner. It'll last forever, and the spray makes it not slippery. The AT4 has the option for one but not the AT4X. I do have to say I dig the multipro gate on the 4x.

One of the other tough decision making things, is that many people just get used to a style or platform, especially American cars vs everyone else. They have a style and arrangement of knobs and dials and fitment. I like the sportier utilitarian feel of the Tacoma. I fish and boat and play outside every day, and feel the Taco will stand up better long term for my usage. And yeah, the community around Tacomas and the ability to accessorize is the best.

 

[oxi]

First off, it is a GM product.

The Tacoma is reliable despite the bait-click on liners and just look at the re-sale value on a Tacoma, #1 again among all vehicles last I checked.

It is selling very well which will keep the re-sale values high as it is a in demand small truck right now.

And with my 6-speed manual, I get 4.30:1 with a 9.5" axle. GM not even close. Did I mention a manual you can get with the Tacoma and not GM.

 

[OminousSkitter]

First off, he was asking this question in 2024. I hope he made a decision in the last 2 years...

 

[TrailAdventurer]

First off, he was asking this question in 2024. I hope he made a decision in the last 2 years...

Sometimes, all one can do is look in the mirror and laugh .

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