Tacoma

Toyota Tacoma

It is the essential question that has baffled philosophers and puzzled great thinkers for centuries: Tacoma or Tundra?

OK, so that is more than a little bit of exaggeration. Still, though, it’s an important question. You need a pickup that will do everything you need it to do, but you don’t want to waste money or get features you don’t need.

So which is the best way to go– the heavy duty, full-size Tundra; or the tough, compact Tacoma?

Well, it’s not a one-size-fits-all situation, so only you can decide for yourself…but here are some factors to consider that may help you make that decision.

First and foremost, how much truck do you need? Will you frequently be hauling heavy loads or doing lots of towing? If so, the Tundra is more likely to suit you. But, if you just need to do occasional hauling or carry stuff that isn’t quite as heavy, you may want to opt for the Tacoma.

Toyota Tundra

Is fuel economy important to you? The Tundra gets good gas mileage for its class, and also has the option for a Flex Fuel capable engine, but the smaller Tacoma is more fuel efficient. If this is your number one priority in a pickup, Tacoma is the way to go.

Lastly, do you want a quality, dependable, reliable truck that you can have custom built to your own needs and specifications? In that case, you can’t go wrong with either one of these great Toyota trucks, so take your pick!

Toyota Camry

It seems like prices are rising on everything these days. Prices are through the roof on essential things like home energy costs, groceries and taxes. Everyone is tightening their belts to make ends meet.

That means cutting expenses wherever possible, so if you are looking to buy a new car, you may think you will be stuck with whatever you can get. As it turns out, though, there are plenty of affordable options is in Toyota’s lineup.

Toyota features four vehicles with price tags starting at under $19,000 and three more starting at under $25,000. Those aren’t just compact cars either– that budget-friendly lineup includes a pickup, an SUV and even the popular Prius.

Take a closer look at three Toyota vehicles priced under $25K.

The Camry has long been a favorite of affordable car mavens, as it offers a great deal of style, as well as great fuel economy and a reputation for reliability. In short, it’s a great family sedan that starts at under $22,000.

Toyota RAV4

Speaking of family-friendly cars, have a look at the RAV4. Ranked the Best Overall Value among compact crossover vehicles, the RAV4 provides the benefit of available features like four wheel drive and three rows of seats. Starting at under $23,000, there’s no denying it’s an excellent value.

Lastly, if you ever thought that a pickup truck couldn’t be affordable, you have never paid attention to the Tacoma. Starting at under $17,000, the best-selling Tacoma is not only inexpensive, but tough, rugged and thoroughly customizable.

Working within a budget doesn’t have to mean getting a vehicle that’s inadequate. You will find that Toyota has options that fit nearly every budget.

America’s best-selling compact pickup is Tacoma, the little brother of the larger Tundra. Just because it’s the littler sibling doesn’t mean it gets pushed around, though. No, the Tacoma is tough enough to do more than hold its own.

The best part about the Tacoma, though, is arguably not its toughness, but its customizability. After perusing the options for drivetrain, engine, transmission, cab size and so on, you will see that there are more than twenty different Tacoma options out there.

Take a look at how you can build your own.

2012 Toyota Tacoma

A good place to start out is deciding how much seating capacity you need. The Tacoma Double Cab is atop the heap in this category, offering seating for five. If seating isn’t important to you, you can opt for the Regular Cab, which still fits three people comfortably.

Next, choose whether you need four-wheel-drive. If so, that eliminates the Tacoma X-Runner and reduces your other options to much more manageable menu.

Or, decide how much engine power you need. A 2.7L four cylinder engine is available, but if you want the more powerful 4.0L V6, you can choose from Access Cab, Double Cab and X-Runner editions.

Finally, you can also choose between a four speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission, depending on your preference. You can also add a T|X or T|X Pro package to a Tacoma V6 Access Cab or Double Cab.

Your options with Tacoma are virtually limitless, and you are sure to have fun building the exact one you want, with all the features you need.

2012 Toyota Tacoma Access Cab

In some ways, choosing a pickup truck is a lot like buying a house. You know you’re going to spend a lot of time in it. Ideally, you want to have enough room for meet not just your needs now, but also in the future. And, you are going to put a lot of money into it, so you want to make the right choice. So, deciding on a cab and bed combination is an important part of buying a new pickup. Let’s look at some factors to consider when making this decision with your Tacoma.

Essentially, the question is whether you need more space for hauling stuff (in the bed) or people (in the cab). The standard bed length on the Tacoma is 73.5 inches, which is what you will find standard on the Regular Cab, Access Cab, and X-Runner models. If you like that bed length and won’t need to carry any more passengers than can fit along the bench seat, then the Regular Cab is a good option. To add seating for another passenger, you’ll need the Access Cab or X-Runner, each of which have room for four people without shortening the bed.

For even more passengers, consider the Double Cab, which has seating for five. However, this shortens the bed by more than two feet, so in order to avoid compromising length, you may want to opt for the Double Cab Long Bed.

Fortunately, the Tacoma is available in 20 basic configurations of bed lengths, cab sizes, engines, transmissions and drivetrains, so you can choose one that works for you.

2011 Toyota Tacoma

Over the years, the Tacoma has carved out a name for itself as a compact alternative to its bigger, burlier cousins in the world of pickup trucks. While not a substitute for more powerful full-size models, it is a very good option for people who want a pickup but don’t need all the bulk. That much you know, but here are three things you probably didn’t realize about Tacoma.

The Tacoma is highly customizable. Drivers who need pickup trucks tend to be very particular about what suits them, and with good reason. For that reason, Tacoma is available in 20 unique basic configurations based on combinations of the engine, drivetrain, transmission, and cab. Add in another nine option packages, as well the special T|X and T|X Pro packages, and it equals a truck that can be made as unique as you are.

With seating for up to five people in Double Cab models, the Tacoma has a capacity that may surprise many, especially for a compact pickup. A pickup truck used to mean sacrificing interior comfort and capacity in order to have a bed for hauling, but with Tacoma you can have both.

Finally, the Tacoma is affordable. Starting at less than $17,000, the Tacoma is less expensive than some compact cars on the market, let alone trucks.

Often, there is more to something than it appears at first blush. This is certainly true with Tacoma, one surprising little truck.

2011 Toyota Tacoma

When you need a pickup truck, you need a pickup truck. You need a truck that will not only do what it’s designed to do, but specifically what you need it to do, and you need it to perform day in and day out. Tacoma has been named a Best Overall Value of the Year for the last 11 years in a row, and Tundra was named 2011 Best Overall Value of the Year in its class by IntelliChoice, so they are both solid trucks, but which one is right for you?

Both are highly customizable in terms of features and options, from the drivetrain, engine and transmission, to bed and cab sizes. With its standard towing capacity of 3500 pounds, up to an available maximum of 6500 on certain models, the smaller Tacoma is great for simple hauling and sport applications. If you need to haul some furniture for a buddy, or take the jet skis down to the lake for a weekend spin, Tacoma has you covered.

2011 Toyota Tundra

For more serious and regular hauling, day in and day out, however, the Tundra is better equipped. A bed full of lumber or a boat trailer is more easily handled by the brawny Tundra, which boasts an available towing capacity of 9800 pounds and above on some models. You can also add specialized TRD packages to further enhance and customize the performance and appearance of your Tundra.

Both trucks are durable, reliable, and customizable with options, so the deciding factor in choosing between them will inevitably be how you intend to put them to work for you.

2011 Toyota Venza

To help with the car buying decision process, here are four factors you should keep in mind. First, you should consider the size of the vehicle you need for your family. If you have children or pets and need the extra space to ensure everyone has enough room, an SUV or crossover like the Venza may be best for you how. However, if your family is small or you don’t have children yet, a sedan like the Camry or Avalon may be perfect.

Second, do you do a lot of heavy lifting or work in your vehicle? If you have weekend projects or you drive your vehicle to work, the best bet may be a truck like the Tacoma or Tundra. Toyota trucks are designed to be put through the ringer – not just at work but for all your home-based needs.

Third, how far do you drive every day? This affects two things – the amount of fuel economy you need out of your vehicle and the level of luxury offered. If you want to relax as you drive 1-2 hours to work each day, there are quite a few optional upgrades or enhanced models that target comfort along with durability.

2011 Toyota Tacoma

Finally, there is the matter of reliability. Luckily, all Toyota vehicles are highly reliable, providing a bevy of safety features and options to make sure your car thrives for years to come. In short, a Toyota vehicle is a top choice for many reasons – which one you select may differ depending on your particular needs, but there will always be one to get the job done.

2011 Toyota Tacoma

Not everyone needs a full sized truck that can haul two or three tons of gravel from work site to work site. Most people, when they opt for a new truck, are only interested in a little extra towing capacity and a place to store things like offroad vehicles when they head to the mountains on the weekend. That’s why the Toyota Tacoma is a perfect vehicle for any weekend warriors out there who need a getaway vehicle.

There are four different sizes of Toyota Tacoma, starting with the simplest Regular Cab Truck, which is affordable for anyone interested in a little extra room to move some stuff around. If you have children or buddies who need to pile in, the Access and Double Cab models offer more interior space without sacrificing bed space.

The Tacoma can be upgraded to a 4.0L V6 with 236 HP and 266lb of Torque, perfect for moving those heavy bikes when you go for a riding trip. There is a 4×4 upgrade option as well, providing a more versatile mountain-ready vehicle the next time you decide to hit the trails on the weekend. With 73.5 inches of bed length and plenty of space inside for you and your passengers, this compact vehicle is perfect for a weekend away, whether skiing or offroading.

If you want to hit the mountains with a durable, offroad ready truck, the Toyota Tacoma has options to get you there. From 4×4 availability to larger wheels and bigger cabin space, you’ll get everything you need out of this versatile vehicle.

The Toyota Tacoma is a top pick for entry level compact pickup trucks. However, sometimes you may feel you need the extra space and hauling capacity offered only by the Tundra – the full sized alternative. So, when is it time to make the upgrade? Let’s take a look.

2011 Toyota Tundra

The Toyota Tacoma is designed for simple hauling. It has a 73.5” bed length, only about six inches shorter than a full sized Tundra, but it does not offer the extra-long bed option if you need to haul extra items on your next trip. It also provides a good amount of power under the hood, but is limited to the 4.0L V6 at the highest level. Four wheel drive and hill start assist are also available options for those that plan to haul heavy objects long distances, but if you need to pull a multi-ton trailer, a larger truck may suit you better.

The Tundra, for those that need the extra power, has an available 5.7 V8 with a good amount of horsepower to get you where you need to go. Additionally, you can opt for a much longer bed to haul more lumber, gravel, sheetrock, or whatever else you happen to be moving from day to day. Where the Tacoma is a great small project truck, the Tundra is perfect for big time workloads, whether for a major project on your property or for your day job on a construction site.

Choosing your next truck can be tough, so make sure you sit down to consider exactly how you will use your new vehicle. By doing that, you’ll know much better what features and options you really need.

2011 Toyota Venza

When choosing your next vehicle, the first thing on your mind should be where you live and how you will use your new car, SUV or truck. Many times, if you don’t think this through in advance, you may not get everything you want out of your new vehicle.

To start with, do you live in the midst of the city or do you live outside a city where you must drive a lot? Even if you live in a city, if you commute a decent distance, keep that in mind. Hybrids are fantastic in city driving and a car like the Prius is compact enough to move deftly through traffic and park almost anywhere.

However, if you live further away, outside the city and have a larger family, you may want to opt for a highway friendly SUV or Crossover like the Highlander or Venza – both sporting EPA estimated fuel economy of 20 MPG or better.

2011 Toyota Tacoma

For those with big weekend projects or out of town excursions, don’t forget the Tacoma and Tundra truck models, or the 4Runner SUV which are all perfect for hitting the trail for a weekend or hauling in fresh supplies from the lumber yard. Even a smaller SUV or truck offers the extended space and durability you need to get everything you need done in your home.

If you’re interested in buying a new Toyota vehicle, make sure to spend at least some time examining which options you have and what you’ll use your vehicle for – it will make a big difference in how you approach the car buying process.