Post by: vandeman17 on July 14, 2014, 03:22:26 PM
Pros for Ford over Tacoma... Bigger interior, heated seats, sun roof, gps/back up cam, about $2k cheaper
Pros for Tacoma over Ford... Better mileage, better resale, generally more dependable, little smaller so easier on tight/rough roads.
Both have about the same mileage, both 4x4, both have a canopy.
Ford is from a dealer in Portland and Tacoma is private sale in Lynnwood.
Post by: 270Shooter on July 14, 2014, 03:28:13 PM
However, if you find an 03 f150 with a 5.4 with low miles they will probably one of the most reliable late model f150's you'll find. The 2 valve 5.4 was much more reliable than the early 3 valves, but did not have quite as much horsepower.
If it was between the two trucks you listed I'd go with the Tacoma, and I bleed ford blue!
Post by: Mark Brenckle on July 14, 2014, 03:31:02 PM
I've never heard anyone regret buying a Toyota, if its in good condition and has been very well taken care of.
Post by: vandeman17 on July 14, 2014, 03:31:55 PM
What engine in the ford? If it's a 5.4 then I wouldn't buy it. 2004 was the first year for the 3 valve 5.4 and they are probably the most problematic 5.4 ever made, look up cam phaser and stuck spark plug issues for these trucks, I wouldn't buy a 3v ford unless it was 07 or newer. If the ford has a 4.6 it should be plenty reliable but it will be pretty gutless.
It is a 5.4 3V. I will have to read some more reviews about it.
Post by: vandeman17 on July 14, 2014, 03:32:52 PM
Ahhh, still shopping on the west-side, huh?
I've never heard anyone regret buying a Toyota, if its in good condition and has been very well taken care of.
I have been searching statewide, Oregon and Idaho. I am willing to drive a little for the right truck at the right price
Post by: 270Shooter on July 14, 2014, 03:34:08 PM
i have learned a ton by reading some ford forums, I have a 2000. F150forum.com has some really knowledgable guys.What engine in the ford? If it's a 5.4 then I wouldn't buy it. 2004 was the first year for the 3 valve 5.4 and they are probably the most problematic 5.4 ever made, look up cam phaser and stuck spark plug issues for these trucks, I wouldn't buy a 3v ford unless it was 07 or newer. If the ford has a 4.6 it should be plenty reliable but it will be pretty gutless.
It is a 5.4 3V. I will have to read some more reviews about it.
Post by: Buckmark on July 14, 2014, 03:35:21 PM
*
Sounds like you like them both, what you did not list was how many miles on each truck.
But pick the one you like after driving them both...
Post by: vandeman17 on July 14, 2014, 03:38:07 PM
Heated seats...you eastsiders are so WEAK.... :chuckle:
*
Sounds like you like them both, what you did not list was how many miles on each truck.
But pick the one you like after driving them both...
heated seats are solid after freezing your tail off sitting in a tree stand all dang day! :tup:
F-150 91k Tacoma 95k
Post by: vandeman17 on July 14, 2014, 03:41:49 PM
F-150 http://www.mercedesbenzbeaverton.com/used/Ford/2004-Ford-F-150+SuperCrew-near-wilsonville-or-f37d2efe0a0a00e026178f03c863b807.htm (http://www.mercedesbenzbeaverton.com/used/Ford/2004-Ford-F-150+SuperCrew-near-wilsonville-or-f37d2efe0a0a00e026178f03c863b807.htm)
Post by: bobcat on July 14, 2014, 03:43:14 PM
Post by: vandeman17 on July 14, 2014, 03:45:27 PM
Does the Tacoma really get better gas mileage? From what I've seen they don't do much better than full size trucks.
Yes a little bit from the reivews that I have read. The Tacoma has a cold air intake that probably helps a little as well. Guy selling says he gets about 16-17 city and about 18-20 highway
Post by: adamR on July 14, 2014, 03:45:58 PM
Post by: Woodchuck on July 14, 2014, 03:46:29 PM
Please read the reviews. When you change plugs it isn't a matter of if spark plugs break, it is a matter of how many. Look at timing chain issues as well. They have notoriously bad oil pumps....What engine in the ford? If it's a 5.4 then I wouldn't buy it. 2004 was the first year for the 3 valve 5.4 and they are probably the most problematic 5.4 ever made, look up cam phaser and stuck spark plug issues for these trucks, I wouldn't buy a 3v ford unless it was 07 or newer. If the ford has a 4.6 it should be plenty reliable but it will be pretty gutless.
It is a 5.4 3V. I will have to read some more reviews about it.
Post by: vandeman17 on July 14, 2014, 03:47:46 PM
Post by: jackelope on July 14, 2014, 03:53:10 PM
The cam phaser issue is a potential deal breaker. That is super expensive to fix, and it does happen from time to time.
Post by: jackelope on July 14, 2014, 03:54:36 PM
Please read the reviews. When you change plugs it isn't a matter of if spark plugs break, it is a matter of how many. Look at timing chain issues as well. They have notoriously bad oil pumps....What engine in the ford? If it's a 5.4 then I wouldn't buy it. 2004 was the first year for the 3 valve 5.4 and they are probably the most problematic 5.4 ever made, look up cam phaser and stuck spark plug issues for these trucks, I wouldn't buy a 3v ford unless it was 07 or newer. If the ford has a 4.6 it should be plenty reliable but it will be pretty gutless.
It is a 5.4 3V. I will have to read some more reviews about it.
I usually/almost always agree with you, but I don't this time. Maybe it just takes practice to get them out and guys who aren't working on them all the time break them more often. I don't see it happening too often.
Post by: vandeman17 on July 14, 2014, 03:55:16 PM
The stuck spark plug thing is such an overplayed non-issue unless you don't know what you're doing or wait way too long to change the plugs. I am surrounded by F-150's all day long, change spark plugs on them all the time and I literally can almost count on 1 hand how many my guys have broken in the last 1.5 years. Definitely less than 10. Even when they do break, with the correct tools, they come right out. I wouldn't consider that an issue to be concerned with. The plugs are changed out every 90k miles...if you worried about every issue a vehicle had, you'd be riding a bike.
The cam phaser issue is a potential deal breaker. That is super expensive to fix, and it does happen from time to time.
So with that said would your vote be the ford or yota?
Post by: Bean Counter on July 14, 2014, 03:55:38 PM
Post by: Bofire on July 14, 2014, 04:15:40 PM
Carl
Post by: teanawayslayer on July 14, 2014, 04:21:23 PM
Post by: huntnphool on July 14, 2014, 04:27:27 PM
Heated seats...you eastsiders are so WEAK.... :chuckle:
*
Sounds like you like them both, what you did not list was how many miles on each truck.
But pick the one you like after driving them both...
heated seats are solid after freezing your tail off sitting in a tree stand all dang day! :tup:
Heated seats and hunting from tree stands?......and you think it's the west siders that are weak. :chuckle:
Post by: vandeman17 on July 14, 2014, 04:33:33 PM
Heated seats...you eastsiders are so WEAK.... :chuckle:
*
Sounds like you like them both, what you did not list was how many miles on each truck.
But pick the one you like after driving them both...
heated seats are solid after freezing your tail off sitting in a tree stand all dang day! :tup:
Heated seats and hunting from tree stands?......and you think it's the west siders that are weak. :chuckle:
Just started hunting from stands and I must say that it is awesome but wow it can get cold in a hurry! Take that over the rainforests on the west side though! :tup:
Post by: Slimdog350 on July 14, 2014, 05:21:59 PM
Post by: jackelope on July 14, 2014, 08:06:38 PM
The stuck spark plug thing is such an overplayed non-issue unless you don't know what you're doing or wait way too long to change the plugs. I am surrounded by F-150's all day long, change spark plugs on them all the time and I literally can almost count on 1 hand how many my guys have broken in the last 1.5 years. Definitely less than 10. Even when they do break, with the correct tools, they come right out. I wouldn't consider that an issue to be concerned with. The plugs are changed out every 90k miles...if you worried about every issue a vehicle had, you'd be riding a bike.
The cam phaser issue is a potential deal breaker. That is super expensive to fix, and it does happen from time to time.
So with that said would your vote be the ford or yota?
I probably wouldn't buy a 2004 F150. Newer would be a lot better.
If you want a big, roomy truck...buy an F150. If you want a little truck, buy the Tacoma.
Post by: Bean Counter on July 14, 2014, 08:22:59 PM
Post by: BsB on July 14, 2014, 08:35:44 PM
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Post by: jackelope on July 14, 2014, 08:35:56 PM
Post by: 270Shooter on July 14, 2014, 08:47:06 PM
Post by: bobcat on July 14, 2014, 10:50:29 PM
Post by: Quackwhacker on July 15, 2014, 03:28:31 AM
Post by: Bean Counter on July 15, 2014, 05:57:05 AM
Post by: follow maggie on July 15, 2014, 06:19:31 AM
Post by: klikboom on July 15, 2014, 06:32:29 AM
I picked it up used at 60K and it has 120K on it now. The exhaust manifolds had an exhaust leak when i got it, got it fixed on warranty (TSB). The AC compressor went out last year, the condenser does not have a replaceable drier so you have to replace the condenser also. I've upgraded suspension at all four corners. It rides awesome, but the design of the rear leafs is poor. The rear end will vibrate if you lift it, i ended up adding pinion shims to get it to quiet down. The front end is susceptible to vibration if you don't have hub centric rims. I learned that one the hard way, bought and ran pro-comps for a year, and then switched them out for some FJ steel rims which work great.
The taco has been a great hunting rig, it's a DC short bed and I've been some tight situations where a full size rig would've been up a creek and i was able to get through / turn around. With a small lift it gets around 17mpg mixed driving. The e-locker is a nice feature for the rear end (TRD).
I don't know if the '06 has this issue but
You can always look at the frontiers also. They have a fully boxed frame (heavier) and their resale is far less. The great thing about the taco is if you get a good deal the value really sticks around. I bought a wrecked 98 taco, fixed it, drove it for four years as a stock do everything truck, never broke anything and sold it for what I had into it.
Post by: b23 on July 15, 2014, 08:15:44 AM
[/quote]
What will your main purpose be for this vehicle?
I've had may full size trucks and I currently have a 2013 dbl cab sb Taco that is my daily driver. They're a nice mid size truck and if this will be your DD and you do very much in town driving, you'll appreciate its smaller size.
BUT, if the extra room a full size offers is something you'll need or use on a regular basis, I'd highly recommend going with a full size truck.
I had a 09 Jeep Rubicon as my DD before I bought my Taco and in all honesty, there wasn't a great deal of difference in interior room between the two and when I drove my full size after driving the Taco, the interior room of it seemed huge compared to the Taco.
The Taco I have is a very nice truck and is really convenient to drive when I'm downtown and if I lived on the Wet side of the Mtns. I'm sure I'd like/appreciate it even more BUT for me, if I had it to do all over again, I'd have bought a new full size instead of a mid size.
Best of luck to you on your quest.
Post by: vandeman17 on July 15, 2014, 09:22:35 AM
I decided to get rid of my 03 Tahoe via either trade or private sale so that changes my price range a little bit but not much. I might look into a newer F-150 now but really would like to find one with a canopy included because I really would like to have it for hauling gear and a place to keep the dogs and not get all the dang hair in the cab.
Post by: MacAttack on July 15, 2014, 10:54:18 AM
Post by: b23 on July 15, 2014, 12:50:11 PM
Like I said earlier, my Taco is a nice truck but it has about the same room in it as my wife's car. My daughter ski races and when we took her to race camp at Mt. Hood we took the Taco. When we were loading everything up for the trip down I was amazed at just how fast the bed filled up and before we were all done packing, I was started to get a little concerned everything was going to fit. We took my wife's car when we went to pick her up. It has a medium sized Yakima skybox on the roof and her car with the skybox, we had a lot more room then just our Taco.
I kind of think a full size is more what you'd like then a mid size.
Also, and I'm happy they do since I own one, but Tacoma's seem to command a premium price. I don't really see what the big deal is but they always seem to want a lot for used ones.
Post by: bobcat on July 15, 2014, 12:58:17 PM
For a good used truck, look at a Chevy with the 5.3 motor. My 2002 has been very reliable so far, and I bought it new. It's got 135,000 miles on it now and I've done nothing to it except regular maintenance and the fuel pump and alternator have been replaced.
I do think with your dogs and all the different types of hunting you do, that you'd be better off with a full size truck.
Post by: Bean Counter on July 15, 2014, 01:53:42 PM
Also, and I'm happy they do since I own one, but Tacoma's seem to command a premium price. I don't really see what the big deal is but they always seem to want a lot for used ones.
You can say that again. when I was shopping in 2008 I looked at a 2005 Tacoma. It sure did look nice and I think the dude may Have put few aftermarket items in it, but he wanted $25,000 for it. :o
Expect to see a lot of sellers listing their truck at or even above KBB if it's only a year or two old.
If you're going to go new consider the Costco buyers program. I had to go I to the Stealership to get a quote and it was a bit of a drawn out, gay process but the quote was a bit better than what I probably could have haggled. They looked pissed off when I didn't buy and was just there to find out how much. They wouldn't tell me over the phone so I had no apology.
Once you get past 150,000 miles the prices come down to earth a little more and as has been discussed it's still a baby at that mileage.
Post by: Slimdog350 on July 15, 2014, 02:13:03 PM
Post by: vandeman17 on July 15, 2014, 02:24:42 PM
Like I said in my previous post- I love my 05 Tacoma but it's not roomy and on long drives it sucks. When I bought it I was downgrading from a 06 dodge crew cab w/cummins. At the time I didn't need a truck that big but then I got married and now have 2 kids and 1 on the way. I wish I would have held on to that truck. I would be money ahead. Heck I'll sell you mine so I can get a bigger truck. It's only got 105k on it, a canopy and a 3" lift kit with 33s. Don't know if you like maroon or not. If you have a family or want a family I would go bigger with some room to grow. You never know what life will throw at you when you least expect it. :twocents:
how much?
Post by: dog on July 15, 2014, 03:16:06 PM
Post by: Slimdog350 on July 15, 2014, 05:02:06 PM
IDK probably $16k. It's an extended cab though. Not sure if you're wanting a crew cab. I can PM you a pic if you like. It's the TRD off road version.Like I said in my previous post- I love my 05 Tacoma but it's not roomy and on long drives it sucks. When I bought it I was downgrading from a 06 dodge crew cab w/cummins. At the time I didn't need a truck that big but then I got married and now have 2 kids and 1 on the way. I wish I would have held on to that truck. I would be money ahead. Heck I'll sell you mine so I can get a bigger truck. It's only got 105k on it, a canopy and a 3" lift kit with 33s. Don't know if you like maroon or not. If you have a family or want a family I would go bigger with some room to grow. You never know what life will throw at you when you least expect it. :twocents:
how much?
Post by: Mossy on July 15, 2014, 10:26:42 PM
The stuck spark plug thing is such an overplayed non-issue unless you don't know what you're doing or wait way too long to change the plugs. I am surrounded by F-150's all day long, change spark plugs on them all the time and I literally can almost count on 1 hand how many my guys have broken in the last 1.5 years. Definitely less than 10. Even when they do break, with the correct tools, they come right out. I wouldn't consider that an issue to be concerned with. The plugs are changed out every 90k miles...if you worried about every issue a vehicle had, you'd be riding a bike.
The cam phaser issue is a potential deal breaker. That is super expensive to fix, and it does happen from time to time.
My 04 just hit 61k, bought it 5 years ago with 41k. I tackled the cam phaser issue a few weeks back myself and it cost me $560 with all the timing components included. Was quoted anywhere from $2600 to $3200 at the dealerships. It took about 10 hours total, kind of a pain but worth it. That's the biggest issue I've had besides replacing a couple window motor setups.
Post by: 270Shooter on July 15, 2014, 10:39:29 PM
Post by: luvmystang67 on July 15, 2014, 11:58:43 PM
1) With that short of a commute, disregard fuel economy all together, it really is a drop in the bucket compared to what other costs should be. One blown transmission or timing belt failure will eat all of that fuel economy savings up anyway. It'd be different if you were driving 25k miles a year, but it doesn't sound like you are.
2) I was a "small truck" guy and then I bought a big truck. Now I have a camper. If you ever think you want to do towing, or your friends might need something towed for you, go bigger rather than smaller. If you want firewood, go for the bigger bed. Some things you might not think about yourself doing, you'll do if you have a truck that can handle it. The last thing you want to be is one of those guys who buys the tacoma and then decides to buy a camper and limps over the pass hoping their transmission doesn't melt while trying to remember what their fuel economy advantage was.
3) Every vehicle will have problems if you drive them enough, Toyota included. I was a Nissan small truck guy and my brother made fun of me (Taco guy), both older models, and he laughed as I replaced my timing chain and my head gasket. When he learned that he had a timing belt at 150k he wasn't laughing anymore... and his head gasket blew soon after. They're not invincible, but I would say they're probably MORE reliable than the Ford.
4) Think about what you're really looking for. If you really want to take dogs to a park, ski on the weekends, go back to your suburban home adn take your kids to the beach or a park, hands down get the Tacoma (or save a bunch of money and dont even get a truck). If you want a TRUCK to haul, tow and do those kinds of things, don't try to use the Tacoma for something it isn't made for. Get the Ford.
5) My own personal rant: I was always a Ford guy, but recently I've turned Chevy... they're just too damn comfortable and you don't look like you're driving a monster truck. I have a half ton 4 door with the 5.3. I recently (almost accidentally) became a car/truck guy with a camry for city driving and a truck for truck use. Now that I'm at this state, I wish I had a beefier truck as the only things I use it for are hauling and towing. I'm really thinking my next ride might be the 8.1 Gas Chevy with the Allison tranny. People see the 10 mpg and shy away, but they are WAY less expensive than diesel options and I only drive when I'm hauling anyway.
Post by: Bean Counter on July 16, 2014, 06:24:59 AM
Some things to consider:
1) With that short of a commute, disregard fuel economy all together, it really is a drop in the bucket compared to what other costs should be. One blown transmission or timing belt failure will eat all of that fuel economy savings up anyway. It'd be different if you were driving 25k miles a year, but it doesn't sound like you are.
2) I was a "small truck" guy and then I bought a big truck. Now I have a camper. If you ever think you want to do towing, or your friends might need something towed for you, go bigger rather than smaller. If you want firewood, go for the bigger bed. Some things you might not think about yourself doing, you'll do if you have a truck that can handle it. The last thing you want to be is one of those guys who buys the tacoma and then decides to buy a camper and limps over the pass hoping their transmission doesn't melt while trying to remember what their fuel economy advantage was.
3) Every vehicle will have problems if you drive them enough, Toyota included. I was a Nissan small truck guy and my brother made fun of me (Taco guy), both older models, and he laughed as I replaced my timing chain and my head gasket. When he learned that he had a timing belt at 150k he wasn't laughing anymore... and his head gasket blew soon after. They're not invincible, but I would say they're probably MORE reliable than the Ford.
4) Think about what you're really looking for. If you really want to take dogs to a park, ski on the weekends, go back to your suburban home adn take your kids to the beach or a park, hands down get the Tacoma (or save a bunch of money and dont even get a truck). If you want a TRUCK to haul, tow and do those kinds of things, don't try to use the Tacoma for something it isn't made for. Get the Ford.
5) My own personal rant: I was always a Ford guy, but recently I've turned Chevy... they're just too damn comfortable and you don't look like you're driving a monster truck. I have a half ton 4 door with the 5.3. I recently (almost accidentally) became a car/truck guy with a camry for city driving and a truck for truck use. Now that I'm at this state, I wish I had a beefier truck as the only things I use it for are hauling and towing. I'm really thinking my next ride might be the 8.1 Gas Chevy with the Allison tranny. People see the 10 mpg and shy away, but they are WAY less expensive than diesel options and I only drive when I'm hauling anyway.
Great points. To add:
2. I can't imagine having a truck bed so small I can't sleep in the back with my camper shell. Part of the fun of having the truck.
3. Also true. Oil still needs to be changed, and catalytic converters will go out no matter how well built and constructed the truck is.
Post by: HawkCreek on July 18, 2014, 10:46:16 AM
Post by: thinkingman on August 01, 2014, 08:39:45 PM
You're gonna owe us a lot of pictures when this search is finally done. :chuckle:That's their number 1 selling point.
research my posts about that legendary Toyota quality.
Post by: 270Shooter on August 01, 2014, 11:06:06 PM