hi guys, im new to the truck scene and would love to here you imput. i have a lightly modded (paid off) wrx and now i am looking to get a truck. the only criteria i have so far are 4dr (super/double cab) and 4x4. now before you read any farther, 90% of my truck useage would be to carry around bikes (mountian and road bicycles), kayaks, camping trips and carry around my two dogs (hence the 4 doors). Very lite off roading, haul some firewood and the occasional trips to home depot. i would really like to keep my monthly payment no higher than $500/mo with as little money down as possible. i plan to keep this for 10+ years unless upkeep gets out of hand (i.e.- gas, breaking down etc.)

my first option, an '09 tacoma (4 door, short bed, 4x4 TRD sport package, upgraded stereo, and tow package AND its a 6sp) right around $30,000. i have talked to the dealer briefly about payments and he doesnt really seem to budge. the kicker is, through the dealer there is an unlimited mileage, for the life of the car (to the original owner) powertrain warrenty! with $2000 dwn my payments will be around $499/mo with toyota's 1.9% and nothing off the sticker.

the second option, an '08 f150 (4 door, 5.? V8, tow package, running boards, and some other little tid'bits) for $27,000. Its orginally a $38,000 truck! the dealer is really trying to work within my budget to move a truck that meets my needs. this one is $477/mo with $2000/dwn financing through my credit union.

doing the research, it seems as though gas mileage will be with 2-3 mpg of each other (from what i have read). and each could be bomb proof or a lemon (take that with a grain of salt). once the 08's are gone i doubt there will be another deal like this. i would like to know if any of you came from full size truck or what you experiences are with dbl cab tacoma's. any input is greatly appreciated.

 

Well if you want an opinion on the Toy you will hear will are not going to be favorable from the people here seeing as we are a bunch of Ford Enthusiasts. As for the 5.4L F-150 it's a good deal. You can get a great price on an extended warranty from one of the guys here on FTE and still not reach the price of the Toy. Ford Extended Warranty - Genuine Ford ESP Ask for Troy.

 

Toyota Warranty sucks. They have issues honoring it. Otherwise, my 4Runner (Tacoma with a bed cap) was a decent vehicle. It got 15/16 mpg city and 18/19 mpg highway. Not very good. and it had the 3.2 V-6.

I would get the F-150. You will be buying alot more truck for less money. A V-8 belongs in truck. Not a V-6. Even for your purposes, the F-150 is a better vehicle.

 

The F-150 is 3 times the truck the Tacoma is !! You will get alot more truck with the F-150 for the money. Since the F-150 was originally a 38,000 truck, I am guessing it is a FX4 or a lariat with some buttons on it. The two dogs and/or anybody that ride with you will apprieciate the extra room in the cab the F-150 will have. The Tacoma is really about the size of the Chevy Colorado and will definately not have the room the F-150 has.
I would recomend getting the Ford ESP extended warranty, it is well worth it. It has saved me some money in the past vehicles I have had the warranty on, and if you sell the truck for some reason, you will get some of your money back you spent on the warranty. The factory warranty on the powertrain is now 7+ years on the F-150.
Have you test driven the f-150 yet? if not, go test drive one, it has a Lincoln like ride. Even the off-road FX4 has the same ride quality.
I am no expert on tacomas, but I wonder what that toyaota dealers smoke'n thinking they are going to get sticker price considering the state of the economy.

 

I've had Nissan Frontiers, Toyota Tacomas, Dodge Dakotas, and am on my 2nd. F-150. Would I ever go back to the other trucks? Absolutely not! The F-150 is much more truck for the money, and the resale value is fine. No comparison...........

 

I originally wrote a long reply, it said in essence; Buy the Ford, you will love it.

ck

 

Don't forget that with the Ford you get the best truck forum on the web!