Thinking about trading in my Tacoma for a Rubi…

[MPMB]

I just sold my wife’s RAV4 to Carvana. The problem with them is they don’t want modded vehicles so they wouldn’t be interested in my Taco. On the other hand, I don’t think my Taco would last a day on a dealer‘s lot.

You get quotes from the online places with a stock configuration. You use that price as a negotiating point. That will be their price reference when offering to buy your trade-in. Otherwise they will low-ball you, thinking you don't have any other options.

When I traded in my Q3 for my JTR, they gave me $100 less than what Carvana was offering. And the nearest Carvana office was 3 hours away.

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[dcmdon]

As long as you lower you reliability expectations, you will be fine.

 

[Jfondren3]

I did 100% of my shopping online this time also. I had a quote from Carvana, but emailed a couple of dealers in the area with the information on my truck and sent photos from all angles outside and two inside photos. After that they sent me the deal that I was happy with and made the drive.

 

[Tstrausburg]

I came over from a lifted 5th Gen 4Runner on 33's. I had it for 200K miles and it was a solid truck. I loved that truck. That said, my Rubicon in its stock form is far superior in every way when off road and more "fun" on road....top down, doors off...etc.

Off road, It was eye opening to witness this thing capability first hand. You have to spend thousands of dollars just to get a Toyota remotely close. The most frustrating part about owning a Toyota (for me) was the lack of aftermarket support in comparison to Jeep. Even when you found something, it was super expensive or had 12-24 week lead times (looking at you Gobi).

 

[ProperMotionPowderCoat]

You hit the nail on the head with my relationship to my Taco. I like it but I never loved it. Seems like I always had to do something else to it to make more palatable and I’m still not through. If I get a Rubi I plan on a lift and 35’s and I’m done. There may be some minor things I do to it here and there as time goes by, but I’m not planning anything crazy.

Now to figure out how to get the most value I can for the Taco Trade in. I’ll give that dealer you mentioned a try. Thank you for that information!

35’s and a small lift was my plan as well! That lasted like 2 months ..

 

[Flmthwr65]

traded my tacoma for my gladiator.... love my jt I will deal with any problems to keep it but 20k and 2 years no issues. get the rubicon it is trail ready and you don"t have to worry about getting bunk aftermarket parts like a lot of these guys.

 

[arneb04]

Well I didn’t come from Toyota world but I have had experience with them for work as well as just about every other truck brand and I will say the jt is hard to beat on a scale of 1-fun. When anyone with a taco tells me about their wonderful reliability I congratulate them on being bored for eternity. I don’t know much about this gen eco diesel, but the pentastar engine is tough to beat from a reliability standpoint. It makes the most reliable list about 7 times in the last decade. It was absolutely worth booting my Titan for I have zero regrets.

 

[Dryfly24]

Well I didn’t come from Toyota world but I have had experience with them for work as well as just about every other truck brand and I will say the jt is hard to beat on a scale of 1-fun. When anyone with a taco tells me about their wonderful reliability I congratulate them on being bored for eternity. I don’t know much about this gen eco diesel, but the pentastar engine is tough to beat from a reliability standpoint. It makes the most reliable list about 7 times in the last decade. It was absolutely worth booting my Titan for I have zero regrets.

No offense but I don’t see how reliability equates to boredom…

 

[DankjeeP]

No offense but I don’t see how reliability equates to boredom…

? I think he meant reliable, but also boring.

 

[Pointman_nh]

Norm is right. Get the rubicon trim. I’ve been wheeling mine with the stock 33’s and it’s done amazing. A little belly rub in spots but not too bad. Just added a Mopar 2” lift and 37 M/T’s. I love the truck even more now. No need to re gear either in my opinion. With both lockers engaged, this things crawls awesome. The electronic sway bar disconnect rocks too. 7 months and 5k Miles with no issues. Had a 4Runner before this. I liked the Runner but love the Gladiator. The quality of the interior materials, seats dash, Etc. is much better than the 4runner.

 

[Hoover104]

I'm a lifelong Toyota guy and reliability pretty much trumps everything with me. I almost bought a Gladiator when they first started rolling out but the reliability question and the initial delivery issues made me stay in my comfort zone and I bought my ‘19 Tacoma Off Road instead.

Fast forward to now, these things have been around a couple years and I’ve been hearing some good reports. There have been some issues but nothing terrible that I know of. I’m now considering trading in. I’m especially encouraged by the outrageous prices used Tacos are selling for.

Can you guys give me an honest assessment of your trucks as far as off road capability and reliability concerns go? I’m looking for an off road ready truck right out of the gate. I think with a lift and some 35’s the Rubi will do everything I need it to. My Taco is also very capable with its OME lift and 33’s but I can’t help think I’d be even happier with the Rubicon.

Here’s my Taco in current configuration. I’ve done a bunch of stuff to it to get it where I want it but it seems like there’s always something else I need to do to it to get it there. I don’t think I’d have that problem with the Gladiator Rubicon other than the aforementioned lift and 35’s.

I bought my 21’ willys about 3 months and 10,xxx miles ago. Love it to death and wouldn’t hesitate to get another. First hundred miles I owned the truck I had an issue with my 4x4 axle lock actuator. Couple days at the dealership and it’s been good to go ever since. Currently have 3.5 inch lift and 35s on my rig and it performs great.

 

[dfwxjer]

I had a Lexus GX (4runner with a V8) and don't miss it at all. The Jeep is just more enjoyable off-road, needs less money to be trail ready, and the Rubi/Mojave can fit 35s without a lift/modification.

 

[Lateralus]

Don't do it!

It drives like a real truck and not these new cushy behemoth lazyboy recliners on wheels. You can feel bumps in the road and hear the wind outside that can be unsettling for today's "modern man". The lines on the body are much more square and less feminine than the slopes and curves of modern trucks. It doesn't come with much fake chrome especially on the outside and the side mirrors only stick out about 7 inches or so instead of a foot. Also, the wheel wells are huge so if you put 32x12.5" brotruck tires on a gladiator, it will look stupid.

 

[freebird_78]

Had a TRD Pro. Worst truck I've ever owned. Suspension was great, for factory. But the engine/transmission combo was the worst thing I've ever owned. Infotainment came right from 1998. Luckily, a sucker is born every minute, so it wasn't an expensive experience. Owned it for less than a year. GOOD RIDDANCE.

The diesel/ZF 8 speed... is there a better combo made? Well, maybe my 392/ZF 8 Speed.

 

[Chocolyle]

4 Tacoma's 1st 3 manuals, last was an automatic, (Company truck), last vehicle before the Rubicon JT was an 87 Land Cruiser. The JT compared to the Tacoma, way nicer interior, fit and finish, the V6 with the manual gets up and goes. I will say there was less shifting in the Taco 6 speed than the JT. Truck has been solid so far, way better in the dirt and mine is stock too.

Roof comes off, doors come off and you aren't one of 20 in a 1/2 mile radius. Don't get me wrong, love the Tacoma but Toyota lost their cahonas in the mid nineties and they don't seem to be looking for them either. Look at the current gen Land Cruiser (bloated!!), no longer in the US, won't bring us the 70 series, and the rest of what they have here now ........ blah.

Yes the new Supra is pretty bad ass, Lexus IFA sweet engine, but they're not a truck.

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