Truck with 6MT? Yes please. Get one while you can.
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What Made You Choose Your Tacoma?
- Thread starter TreadAuto
- Start date
- Watchers 22
- First Name
- Rick
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2026
- Threads
- 3
- Messages
- 82
- Reaction score
- 56
- Location
- Monument, Colorado
- Vehicle(s)
- 2014 Toyota Tundra SR5 TRD 4x4
first Taco was in 2005 with a Silver 4x4 Access Cab. (My "Silver Bullet") When I went to the dealer to buy it, I was looking for the smaller Taco but, in 2005, they made them larger with a V-6.
Put 100,000 miles in 10-years on that and we used her to pull our small camper trailer all around Colorado. Traded in the small camper for a larger one so had to get a bigger truck, so found a one-year old Tundra in 2015 and I'd been driving that for the past 10-years.
We traded in the bigger camper for a smaller one a few years ago so I've been saving up to buy a new Tundra but waited and waited for the engine problems in the V35A to be resolved but they are, still, having them.
Started looking at the Gen 4 Tacoma's a few years ago and, to be honest, a bit concerned with build quality since they are made in Mexico so have been looking at owner's reviews and Toyota recalls since they put the amazing T24A-FTS engine in there that started in the 2022 Lexus NX.
After the V-6 Twin Turbo in the Tundra, this year, still have issues (and, lately, hearing issues with those turbochargers) decided to swap out my Tundra V-8 for a new Taco.
Put 100,000 miles in 10-years on that and we used her to pull our small camper trailer all around Colorado. Traded in the small camper for a larger one so had to get a bigger truck, so found a one-year old Tundra in 2015 and I'd been driving that for the past 10-years.
We traded in the bigger camper for a smaller one a few years ago so I've been saving up to buy a new Tundra but waited and waited for the engine problems in the V35A to be resolved but they are, still, having them.
Started looking at the Gen 4 Tacoma's a few years ago and, to be honest, a bit concerned with build quality since they are made in Mexico so have been looking at owner's reviews and Toyota recalls since they put the amazing T24A-FTS engine in there that started in the 2022 Lexus NX.
After the V-6 Twin Turbo in the Tundra, this year, still have issues (and, lately, hearing issues with those turbochargers) decided to swap out my Tundra V-8 for a new Taco.
- First Name
- Frank
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2026
- Threads
- 2
- Messages
- 106
- Reaction score
- 89
- Location
- Lehigh Valley, PA
- Vehicle(s)
- 2025 Tacoma Limited Hybrid
I bought another Toyota truck based on my 35yrs plus owning them. My 1st Toyota pickup was a used 1988 Xcab, then a 1993 Xcab. 2001 Tundra Limited, 2019 Taco Sport and now my 2025 Taco limited hybrid.
Always had good experiences with them and never let me down. Thats why I am on number 5 for my trucks from this brand. I used them to haul my boats, do landscaping, hauling my motorcycles/atv, bicycles etc. Always dependable and reliable.
Always had good experiences with them and never let me down. Thats why I am on number 5 for my trucks from this brand. I used them to haul my boats, do landscaping, hauling my motorcycles/atv, bicycles etc. Always dependable and reliable.
- First Name
- Dan
- Joined
- Sep 28, 2025
- Threads
- 2
- Messages
- 18
- Reaction score
- 9
- Location
- Southeastern Mass
- Vehicle(s)
- 2025 Taco Limited
Reputation was my main reason, and wanted a smaller pick-up. Gave up plowing with my 2500 HD Duramax.
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Had been driving a beloved 2003 Tacoma TRD Off-Road stick shift and awaiting the long-overdue redesign. Finally got it in 2024 and waited a year to get the bugs worked out. My must-have is the manual transmission, which led to my 2025 plan becoming a 2026 Off-Road in Underground color, which I love every time I see and drive it.
As the only remaining truck with a stick, that's my absolute requirement and I'd get a 4Runner in a heartbeat too if Toyota would bring back the manual for it like I had in 1987!
As the only remaining truck with a stick, that's my absolute requirement and I'd get a 4Runner in a heartbeat too if Toyota would bring back the manual for it like I had in 1987!
I had 2 Tacomas before my 2026. One was a 1999 4x4 and the other was a 2006 PreRunner. Both trucks were very reliable which made me want to stay in the Toyota family. Initially, I wanted a full size truck like the Tundra, but the engine issues scared me away from that choice.
- First Name
- JT
- Joined
- Apr 19, 2025
- Threads
- 12
- Messages
- 166
- Reaction score
- 174
- Location
- Canton, MI
- Vehicle(s)
- 2025 Toyota Tacoma Trailhunter, 2015 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
My journey started a bit differently.
For the past decade, my wife and I have been overlanding in our four-door Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. Over the years, we put a lot of work into building it out, and it eventually fit us like a comfortable glove. But it was getting a little long in the tooth, so I started shopping for a replacement. I always assumed we'd end up in another Jeep.
Our plan was to start towing a Patriot X3 camper in the coming years. Setting GVWR concerns aside, the 3.6L Pentastar was the deciding factor. It's a solid engine, but I'd describe its performance as merely adequate. Not exactly what I wanted for pulling a 3,500-pound trailer through the Rockies or Smokies. <g>
I'd been hoping the Gladiator would get the Hurricane engine, with its impressive power and torque figures. Unfortunately, with all of Jeep's quality issues, that never materialized. So I started shopping powertrains instead of brands.
That led us to explore midsize options from GM, Ford, and Toyota. Nothing against Ford or GM; neither simply appealed to us. From a pure engine-performance standpoint, the Ranger Raptor probably had the strongest offering.
Aftermarket support was also a significant consideration. Having spent a decade building and refining our Wrangler, we knew how important a strong aftermarket ecosystem would be for our next rig. In that world, there's Jeep, then Toyota, and then pretty much everyone else. That certainly weighed in Toyota's favor.
But the Tacoma was the one that really won us over. Both my wife and I loved the comfort, ride quality, physical buttons, 16 cupholders <g>, and all the other little details. I test-drove three different Tacoma trims, including hybrid and non-hybrid versions, as well as a Land Cruiser. For our needs, the Tacoma we ultimately chose offered the clearest value proposition.
As someone who grew up loving V8s, I'd still love to have a V6 or turbocharged V6 under the hood. But I genuinely have zero complaints about Toyota's turbo-four. We've since purchased the Patriot X3 and towed it up some pretty steep grades without a hint of trouble.
We also both really enjoy the Trailhunter's ride quality. I've seen plenty of comments about the rear springs being a bit soft, but frankly, when you're approaching maximum payload, some squat is to be expected. During the off-season, I'll swap out the coils, and we'll be right as rain. (Image: we hit the CAT scales at trip's start. Gross: 10,060 lb Steer: 3,320 Drive: 3,760 Trailer: 2,980)
At the end of the day, if Jeep had put a more capable engine in the Gladiator, we probably never would have looked elsewhere.
For the past decade, my wife and I have been overlanding in our four-door Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. Over the years, we put a lot of work into building it out, and it eventually fit us like a comfortable glove. But it was getting a little long in the tooth, so I started shopping for a replacement. I always assumed we'd end up in another Jeep.
Our plan was to start towing a Patriot X3 camper in the coming years. Setting GVWR concerns aside, the 3.6L Pentastar was the deciding factor. It's a solid engine, but I'd describe its performance as merely adequate. Not exactly what I wanted for pulling a 3,500-pound trailer through the Rockies or Smokies. <g>
I'd been hoping the Gladiator would get the Hurricane engine, with its impressive power and torque figures. Unfortunately, with all of Jeep's quality issues, that never materialized. So I started shopping powertrains instead of brands.
That led us to explore midsize options from GM, Ford, and Toyota. Nothing against Ford or GM; neither simply appealed to us. From a pure engine-performance standpoint, the Ranger Raptor probably had the strongest offering.
Aftermarket support was also a significant consideration. Having spent a decade building and refining our Wrangler, we knew how important a strong aftermarket ecosystem would be for our next rig. In that world, there's Jeep, then Toyota, and then pretty much everyone else. That certainly weighed in Toyota's favor.
But the Tacoma was the one that really won us over. Both my wife and I loved the comfort, ride quality, physical buttons, 16 cupholders <g>, and all the other little details. I test-drove three different Tacoma trims, including hybrid and non-hybrid versions, as well as a Land Cruiser. For our needs, the Tacoma we ultimately chose offered the clearest value proposition.
As someone who grew up loving V8s, I'd still love to have a V6 or turbocharged V6 under the hood. But I genuinely have zero complaints about Toyota's turbo-four. We've since purchased the Patriot X3 and towed it up some pretty steep grades without a hint of trouble.
We also both really enjoy the Trailhunter's ride quality. I've seen plenty of comments about the rear springs being a bit soft, but frankly, when you're approaching maximum payload, some squat is to be expected. During the off-season, I'll swap out the coils, and we'll be right as rain. (Image: we hit the CAT scales at trip's start. Gross: 10,060 lb Steer: 3,320 Drive: 3,760 Trailer: 2,980)
At the end of the day, if Jeep had put a more capable engine in the Gladiator, we probably never would have looked elsewhere.
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Couple of these have popped up near me recently. Specifically a 2026 OR with 4K miles CPO for $41,900. If I wasn't in the middle of buying a house I'd strongly consider pulling all my parts off my truck and getting it, but alas ...
Full-time 4WD. low end torque. Foot print that works with my current living space. easier to maneuver in the city. toyota perceived reliability (so far it's been great). The comfy ride due to the AVS and cushier interior bits and pieces that make it much more luxurious than any tacoma prior. I've own three tacos in the past so this one is a huge upgrade in every aspect.
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