If I needed a truck, I couldn’t imagine getting anything else.
Even though I typically didn’t like Tacomas because of the 3.5 and C-channel frame, it didn’t compare to the 4Runners and GX with fully boxed frames.
My friends with Rams, Silverados, and F150 all had issues, the 2019 F150 has never towed and the transmission is going out.
I got a new Frontier as a rental and it drove horribly, small inside, big outside, and already had electrical issues.
I feel like the Tacoma would be the only choice where I can feel it can go 300k miles with the original drivetrain. Just excluding the Tundra because it costs even more than the Tacoma.
Lots of advantages, and I’d wager that nobody can tell the difference from the drivers seat.
The same strength and torsional stiffness as a box can be achieved, it just won’t be quite as light. Again, more thickness is good from a rust perspective.
I’ve seen nothing that suggests the Toyota’s with C channel frames have less rust issues than boxed frame competitors. And particularly the Tacoma 2nd and 3rd Gen have section where the front frame is riveted over the rear that is notorious for rust.
Maybe you got some duds but trucks in general are reliable across the board , there is a reason why the highest mileage vehicles on road are mostly trucks
Yes tacomas are extra reliable but the F150 ain’t bad
I went from a '17 Tacoma to a '22 Frontier. I absolutely hated the Taco. Uncomfortable, terrible engine power, a clueless transmission which was always gear hunting. Averaged 17mpg. Just awful to drive every day.
The Frontier is more comfortable, more powerful, better fuel economy, better trans programming and additional gearing. Same size as the Taco. 34K miles without issue. We’ll see if it lasts 250K, but I couldn’t stand the Taco. I parked it unlocked on the street hoping someone would steal it. No luck.
Same exact move I made and I agree on everything you said. The Taco really rides on reputation but it’s actually pretty crap. Not that that will matter to the fanboys but fanboys gonna’ fanboy.
I got a new Frontier as a rental and it drove horribly, small inside, big outside, and already had electrical issues.
I traded my 2022 Tacoma for a 2023 Frontier. I got a mid trim Frontier so I haven’t had any electrical issues yet…
I honestly couldn’t stand the Tacoma transmission programing. The Frontier’s transmission might take a min to downshift when floored and hunts in slow traffic but, at least it will shift when you want it to. It feels like it has more low end torque. It’s smaller in every dimension than a Tacoma which I prefer for offroading.
The only complaint I have so far is that the frame of the Frontier sits lower than the Tacoma. The Tacoma had a low crossmember but, the whole frame sits low in the Frontier. It’s only about 1.5" difference stock to stock but, I have rubbed the frame in the Frontier and I never did that in the Tacoma.
That’s kind of a weird comparison. The Tundra costs more than the Tacoma because it’s a full-size truck vs. a mid-size. The F150, Silverado, and Ram also cost more than the Tacoma (similarly equipped).
Yes I know. But the Tacoma and domestics are kinda attainable for me new, the Tundra is substantially more expensive than both, less discounts than the domestic half tons.
If I needed a truck, I couldn’t imagine getting anything else. Even though I typically didn’t like Tacomas because of the 3.5 and C-channel frame, it didn’t compare to the 4Runners and GX with fully boxed frames.
My friends with Rams, Silverados, and F150 all had issues, the 2019 F150 has never towed and the transmission is going out. I got a new Frontier as a rental and it drove horribly, small inside, big outside, and already had electrical issues.
I feel like the Tacoma would be the only choice where I can feel it can go 300k miles with the original drivetrain. Just excluding the Tundra because it costs even more than the Tacoma.
C channel frame is a very good thing. The box frame trucks were very rust prone.
If you want a truck that’s reliable long term, you want a frame you can wash out and doesn’t fill up with crud
Also the C channel makes it easy to bolt on proper rock sliders so I approve of that.
Lots of advantages, and I’d wager that nobody can tell the difference from the drivers seat.
The same strength and torsional stiffness as a box can be achieved, it just won’t be quite as light. Again, more thickness is good from a rust perspective.
I’ve seen nothing that suggests the Toyota’s with C channel frames have less rust issues than boxed frame competitors. And particularly the Tacoma 2nd and 3rd Gen have section where the front frame is riveted over the rear that is notorious for rust.
It’s fully boxed now
Finally, that was my biggest wtf with is
Maybe you got some duds but trucks in general are reliable across the board , there is a reason why the highest mileage vehicles on road are mostly trucks
Yes tacomas are extra reliable but the F150 ain’t bad
I bought a super duty instead of a Tacoma because it’s more fuel efficient.
I mean there are a thousand other reasons but that’s one of them.
I went from a '17 Tacoma to a '22 Frontier. I absolutely hated the Taco. Uncomfortable, terrible engine power, a clueless transmission which was always gear hunting. Averaged 17mpg. Just awful to drive every day.
The Frontier is more comfortable, more powerful, better fuel economy, better trans programming and additional gearing. Same size as the Taco. 34K miles without issue. We’ll see if it lasts 250K, but I couldn’t stand the Taco. I parked it unlocked on the street hoping someone would steal it. No luck.
Same exact move I made and I agree on everything you said. The Taco really rides on reputation but it’s actually pretty crap. Not that that will matter to the fanboys but fanboys gonna’ fanboy.
What kind of mileage are you getting from the Frontier? Looks like folks on Fuelly are getting around 18.
I traded my 2022 Tacoma for a 2023 Frontier. I got a mid trim Frontier so I haven’t had any electrical issues yet…
I honestly couldn’t stand the Tacoma transmission programing. The Frontier’s transmission might take a min to downshift when floored and hunts in slow traffic but, at least it will shift when you want it to. It feels like it has more low end torque. It’s smaller in every dimension than a Tacoma which I prefer for offroading.
The only complaint I have so far is that the frame of the Frontier sits lower than the Tacoma. The Tacoma had a low crossmember but, the whole frame sits low in the Frontier. It’s only about 1.5" difference stock to stock but, I have rubbed the frame in the Frontier and I never did that in the Tacoma.
That’s kind of a weird comparison. The Tundra costs more than the Tacoma because it’s a full-size truck vs. a mid-size. The F150, Silverado, and Ram also cost more than the Tacoma (similarly equipped).
Yes I know. But the Tacoma and domestics are kinda attainable for me new, the Tundra is substantially more expensive than both, less discounts than the domestic half tons.