Wes wrote:Thanks for the detailed write up. I am definitely looking at the later years around 2015 or so. I like the pro 4x trim, but not sure I want to pay for it.
I am torn between the better deal on the Frontier vs Tacoma, but possibly the resale on the Tacoma down the road is better so worth the extra $$. I expect to keep the car at least 10 years/100k miles or more. Decisions, decisions.
Well, the good news is that if you purchase a 2015 model (or later), the model line has been out for 10 years and all of the "new model bugs" have been worked out of it for years! Yes, the body style may be a little dated by now, but it is still a good looking truck and both the VA40DE engine and the transmission are pretty good and reliable. Toyotas have, traditionally, carried a higher resale price, but they've also carried a higher initial price, as well. If you are planning on keeping the truck for 10 years, I think that difference in price is going to be pretty negligible, as both tend to keep their value pretty strong as they age. For example, my 2003 Frontier SVE with 210,000 miles on it is still valued at $6500 per NADA. That's not too shabby for a 15 year old truck!
As a subscriber to Consumer Reports, one of the things I've noticed over the past year or so is that the Tacoma has been taking some hits on reliability, so, that's something to keep in mind.
The Pro-4X is nice and comparable to the TRD trim. The question is do you need a vehicle with off-road capabilities? Do you need hill assist and hill decent control and an electronic locking diff? If you don't, then the extra cost may not be practical. If all you do is drive on paved roads and highways, then an SV trim, for example, might make better sense and will cost less.
For me, having driven both, comfort is the deal breaker, especially when it comes at lower vehicle cost. My work commute is not bad, but I do make some long trips now and then and my butt aches at the thought of doing that in a Tacoma. If you're not comfortable, then you're not going to enjoy the truck you decide to purchase. You should try and take a decent road test in both, if possible, to aid your decision.