Trucks, which one, Tacoma-Frontier or Colorado?

[3030]

Because GM trucks are built in Mexico now

[mbhunter]

Wow, lots of mixed opinions/thoughts/options.... keep them coming, always good to hear about what others have experienced.

Frank I went from a Tacoma (driven to 315,000 before frame recall), to an F150 (drove to 290,000, sold), to my Tundra (currently at 210,000). I buy my trucks "pre-scratched" just plain and simple I can't justify the price of a new one. That being said, my two Toyotas have been incredible trucks. MPG ratings are based on ideal conditions, temperatures, downhill, lol. I average about 12 or 13L/100 km highway with my 4.7. My taco I had the 4cyl and it barely used fuel at all. I drive a double cab, so 4 door and a 6 1/2 ft bed. I wouldn't go shorter just because the sled would hang out too far. I can get the tailgate closed with my big bear in the back.

Side note: my cousin blew up his Xterra and my buddy blew the tranny in his Frontier. I know it could happen to anyone but these trucks weren't abused. Turned me off Nissan...

Whatever you pick, a new vehicle will have a great warranty. Keep up on the maintenance and it'll last you long as you need it to. Say yes to the remote starter.

And park it outside.

[trimmer21]

Because GM trucks are built in Mexico now

Not all. Most are still built in Gary,Indiana and Pontiac,Mich. All GM trucks with a VIN # that begins with "1" are US built trucks.

[last5oh_302]

10 Top Picks of 2016: Best Cars of the Year

http://www.consumerreports.org/cars/...op-picks-2016/

[scarkner]

Wow, The Toyota Taco's are really expensive now!

I drive a 2013 Taco with the same options (V6, auto, air, double). i managed to buy one slightly used, just 10,000KMS on the odo. Came with a pile of extras (knobby winter tire/rim set, boat carrier, bak-flip bed cover, etc.) and I paid around $31k for it. I wouldn't flinch at buying used toyotas and you can save a bundle. Granted, took me 6 months to find that private deal (on kijiji !).

It is my daily commuter which includes driving to several satellite offices in Quebec, Vermont, ontario and occasionally as far away as indiana. As a result I already have almost 100,000kms on the vehicle. It is comfortable to drive, rock-solid in the worst road conditions (if you have 4wd engaged) and i haven't had a single thing go wrong yet - i haven't even replaced the brake pads yet!

I pull a 16 foot boat with it, barely feel it.

I have three kids. It's not great with three kids in the back seat (10, 13, 15), but ok for short trips. It is fine with just two of them. My oldest is already asking when I am getting rid of the truck because she is hoping to get it (fat chance!!!).

I really like the all-plastic bed. Really nice to throw stuff into the back and never care about scratches. I have also mounted things like electrical outlets, etc. just by drilling a hole. No worries about creating a rust point.

The traction control system is excellent. I have had trucks with locking differential. The electronic "simulated" locking differential is WAY better on the taco. Actively manages all four wheels to keep you moving. I can go out on an icy lake, turn off traction control and put the truck into a sideways drift, then turn traction control back on and the truck will kinds snap-back into a straight line. I don't know how it does it, but it works.

There are cons:
Gas economy isn't great (I am a horrible lead-foot). With summer tires I get about 11.5 L/100km (500km per tank) running summer tires at maximum pressure. With the winter tires and colder weather this number jumps to a painful 13.8 L/100km (450km per tank). The gas tank is also quite small which is a pain on the long trips I take. I don't find much difference between city and higway, probably because I average around 125-130 kph on the highway.

Ground clearance isn't great on the SR5. The TRD has 1 inch of extra clearance. I am looking now at taller tires. This only really matters for ice fishing as I have found the taco gets hung up in deep snow a little easier than the full sized trucks. I have never actually got the Taco totally stuck yet.

[trimmer21]

Wow, The Toyota Taco's are really expensive now!

I drive a 2013 Taco with the same options (V6, auto, air, double). i managed to buy one slightly used, just 10,000KMS on the odo. Came with a pile of extras (knobby winter tire/rim set, boat carrier, bak-flip bed cover, etc.) and I paid around $31k for it. I wouldn't flinch at buying used toyotas and you can save a bundle. Granted, took me 6 months to find that private deal (on kijiji !).

It is my daily commuter which includes driving to several satellite offices in Quebec, Vermont, ontario and occasionally as far away as indiana. As a result I already have almost 100,000kms on the vehicle. It is comfortable to drive, rock-solid in the worst road conditions (if you have 4wd engaged) and i haven't had a single thing go wrong yet - i haven't even replaced the brake pads yet!

I pull a 16 foot boat with it, barely feel it.

I have three kids. It's not great with three kids in the back seat (10, 13, 15), but ok for short trips. It is fine with just two of them. My oldest is already asking when I am getting rid of the truck because she is hoping to get it (fat chance!!!).

I really like the all-plastic bed. Really nice to throw stuff into the back and never care about scratches. I have also mounted things like electrical outlets, etc. just by drilling a hole. No worries about creating a rust point.

The traction control system is excellent. I have had trucks with locking differential. The electronic "simulated" locking differential is WAY better on the taco. Actively manages all four wheels to keep you moving. I can go out on an icy lake, turn off traction control and put the truck into a sideways drift, then turn traction control back on and the truck will kinds snap-back into a straight line. I don't know how it does it, but it works.

There are cons:
Gas economy isn't great (I am a horrible lead-foot). With summer tires I get about 11.5 L/100km (500km per tank) running summer tires at maximum pressure. With the winter tires and colder weather this number jumps to a painful 13.8 L/100km (450km per tank). The gas tank is also quite small which is a pain on the long trips I take. I don't find much difference between city and higway, probably because I average around 125-130 kph on the highway.

Ground clearance isn't great on the SR5. The TRD has 1 inch of extra clearance. I am looking now at taller tires. This only really matters for ice fishing as I have found the taco gets hung up in deep snow a little easier than the full sized trucks. I have never actually got the Taco totally stuck yet.

I wonder whom at Toyota thought it was a smart idea to paint TuRD on the side of all their trucks? Just wonderin'......

[SongDog]

I highly recommend going to a full size truck over these small half trucks.

I bought a 4x4 Colorado brand new back in 2008. It was too small for what I need a truck for. Sold it and bought a sierra instead. Same gas mileage, way better at towing and a truck box that I can hold my atv and still tow a trailer.

[fratri]

Since I can get a good price on the 2016 Nissan Frontier crew cab 4x4....does anyone have any real life experience with it? My Nissan contact says they are bullet proof... Anyone care to add to this one way or the other?

[terrym]

Google is your friend. I would just google Nissan Frontier problems and see what comes up?

[thisisit]

Big fan of my 2010 Tacoma TRD. Replaced brakes and tires once, other than that just fluids no other issues. Tows everything I've needed it for, decent gas mileage and fits down my narrow driveway no problem.

Something to consider though, I've been shopping around for a cap for my truck and it's a lot harder to find a good deal. With the full size chev/ford there seems to be a lot of used deals out there on accessories, but little harder to find for the toyota.