How many of you considered purchasing a fullsize?

[MGH-PA]

I'm curious as to how many of you considered purchasing a fullsize truck before/during your time shopping for trucks? If so, what made you choose the Tacoma? Additionally, is there anyone here who currently owns a Tacoma, but feels they would have been better off in a fullsize truck?

For me, when I purchased mine in December, I was pretty set on getting an 03-05 Tundra. The ONLY reason I didn't was gas mileage. I didn't think I would enjoy living with 14mpg averages. Well now, I do get pretty excellent mileage in my 05 (19.5 combined, 21-22mpg all highway on 265/75/16 Terra Grapplers), but I still question my decision. I would love the extra cab space and bed width/depth a fullsize has, but I'm not sure how much I would enjoy the fill-ups. I didn't want to get a double cab short bed tacoma (that would give me extra cab space while sacrificing bed space), and I didn't want the Dbl cab long bed either. With fullsize Access cab trucks, you can still seat people in the back somewhat comfortably (they're actual seats, not benches with no back), while gaining more cab space, and better bed size. All in all, every time I see a fullsize (for the most part), I really have my regrets. How about everyone else?

[HOGWILD]

That is reason i have 1 Ea.! best of both worlds and one gets 15MPG and one gets 20 and i promise you the 06 is the one NOT getting 20! Ok by me because trips to Denver are really nice in the 06 DC and trips to the Gila NF are nice in the 93 PU!

[joliet jake]

I considered a full size, ( tundra only ) but two things stopped me from buying one. First-- maneuverability-- My 06 DC sport short bed is easier to maneuver than the Tundra. Second-- Do I need a full size? In my case, I do not. I get all the goodies, ( well, most of them ) in a smaller truck. Either one is a great vehicle, maybe it comes down to what you really like.

[Nozzelnut]

I was considering the Chevy Silverado, having had Chevy's since 1992. Their mileage was in the range of the V6 Taco.

I ultimately went with the Taco for a change of pace.

For the record I never had a Chevy leave my on the side of the road.



NN

[WilsonTheDog]

^I have (POS S10).

Never considered it. A midsize fits my needs perfectly so a full size would be complete overkill, not to mention better gas mileage (18/23 for me). There is simply no reason for me to own a full size.

[Splicer]

Mrs Splicer & knew we wanted a Tacoma but wanted to make sure we didn't want something else more, so we considered a whole lotta different vehicles before buying our '05 doublecab. After months of analyzing everything and several test drives, we have no regrets.

[TRDSport]

When I was looking last year, it was down to either an 07 Tacoma DC/LB or an 05/06 Tundra DC. I ultimately went with the Tacoma because its payload/towing capacities were sufficient for my needs plus the Tacoma gets better MPG and is more maneuverable. There have been times when the extra space for the rear passengers would be nice and the extra width/depth of the bed would be nice, but I am not in a situation where they are NEEDS.....only WANTS.

Just filled up today and got 19.5mpg

[toolowtrh]

I went from an 02 Tacoma sc/sb to a Titan in 2005. I was tired of the mini trucks, I have had 3. I just traded the Titan in on an 08 5.7 Tundra. The Tacomas are fun to drive and a lot easier to manuver in tight spots, but I will never go back to only having a mini truck. The full sizes ones have much more space and are a lot more comfortable.

[UT Tacoma]

In November of last year I sold my 05 Tacoma and purchased a full size 3/4 ton diesel. I owned the diesel for about 6 months, the fuel costs were crazy. I sold it and purchased an 08 Tacoma, glad to be back.

I have owned 7 full size trucks (half ton and 3/4ton) over the past 15 years and yes the room is nice but unless you need the extra pulling power, the Tacoma is a better option in my opinion (drivability, reliability, mpg, resale). I love my taco.

[demoncleaner]

With only a 5ft box, there are many times I could use a larger truck. Getting motorcycles, lawn tractors, 12ft kayaks, a large load of firewood, whatever can be a challenge, so you get creative, you make it work. Bed extender helps too.

There is no other well-equipped 4x4 truck w/ a 6spd manual around anymore. Lucky its Toyota that offers one thats quick, fun-to-drive, reliable, easy to work on, can haul the family inside, get a decent amt of crap in the bed, and still tow a good-size trailer behind. Oh and average 20.5 all summer, 17.5 winter. My family and friends w/ full-size dont see those numbers.

I have no regrets.

[MGH-PA]

You guys all make great points. Demoncleaner, I've gotten a lot of advice from you over the year on here, and it's usually pretty good.

In the end, although I do wish I had a fullsize when I see one every now and then. There's NOTHING wrong with my truck, and not much I don't like a lot. The mileage, looks, simplicity, locker, seats, etc all make it one solid truck for me.

[KTMike]

I considered a fullsize, but they have grown too large and thirsty, what with the huge cabs and 350-plus HP engines. I decided on the Taco based on the fact that it was smaller, I actually use it offroad and I just didn't want or need a huge truck. In the end, the Taco is perfect for me - I haul a backpack, camping and fishing gear, so I don't need payload capacity as much as offroad ability. It would take a considerable change in my hobbies/needs for me to consider a fullsize truck again.

-- mike

[bennicde]

Yes, I have, the Taco is just too small for me now. This is my third one and maybe it's because I am 55 now, I just want more room, more box space and I just hate that plastic box.

I only drive my truck 20,000 miles a year and it would cost me about $1000-1200. more each year. I spent more than that on take out coffee.

[WilsonTheDog]

^"ONLY"? 20K a year is way more than most drive.

[mhollack]

Im one whos considering both as well. Its between the 08 DC tundra and the 09 dclb taco. Most of the time the truck would be just for me but I do have an 18month old as well. The back seat room in the DC taco is just too tight at 32.6". The Tundra gives 2 more inches of room, which makes a big difference with a car seat. With all the discounts around you can pretty much get the tundra for the same price as the double cab long bed tacoma, plus you get alot more power and nice options like power seats and some others. Plus the overall length of the tacoma is just 7 inches shorter than the Tundra. But what keeps the tacoma in the picture is the fact even in a 4x4 I could probably get 20mpg highway. Decisions, descisions...