Equal trade for my Tacoma....

[bladecutter]

Originally Posted By: brelandt
I live 76 miles from work and I also run a few errands. I'm getting about 20 MPG. Which is fine but cost around 30 to 40 dollars each day just getting to and from work.

My truck is a 2004 Toyota Tacoma Regular cab PreRunner SR5 with new Revo 2 LT 285/75-16 and 1" lift. 117,000 miles. No damages. According to Kelleys private party valve is $10,200.
Any ideas would be helpful, thanks!


I hate to ask, but have you considered putting your truck back to stock height, and stock size tires?

I would bet you could easily get 3 mpg or more back just by doing that.

But, overall, selling your truck and buying something you can afford with what you get for it is the best option. Something that your local car rental places has in stock is a great idea, because that means you will be able to find parts for it for a long time to come.

BC.

 

[surfstar]

Carmax sales look WAY overpriced whenever a vehicle I'm searching for pops up from them. Might be good to see what they'd give you cash, though.

The Vibe/Matrix would be a good bet as suggested for keeping some hauling capacity and still getting good mpg. If you are fine with a coupe, get a Civic HX (if you can find one) - mid 40's mpg hwy. Start saving the gas $$ and eventually you can buy a truck again if needed.

 

[Dave Hess]

Buy the Civic and then sell your truck.

 

[brelandt]

Sorry I have taken so long to get back to my thread. Busy at work doing alignments. Got a day off!
So, I have been pondering this.
I could sell the truck first which seems more likely, however, I need my vehicle. I can not take a week off in search for a car.
I think since I work at a tire shop, plus I have a second set of 16" rims in the back of the shop for my truck. I will see how much it will cost to put a size 225/70-16 which is close to the standard 225/75-15 the Tacomas came with (mine was fitted with 265/70-16 from the factory).
I know the difference between the old tires P265-70-16 to the much bigger and heavier LT 285/75-16 was not as big as I thought. About 22-23 mpg verses 19-20 now. However, dropping even farther may increase this to 25-26 mpg?
Math is not my best subject.
Then add a soft tonneu cover like I use to have back when I first owned it. I read where this saves few better than a lot of other or more expensive techniques.

 

[The_Jeff]

Why do you even need to buy stock tires? Grab some from the discard pile; there'll be enough tread for a couple weeks so you can see what it does for your MPG.

That truck will sell fast, finding a decent replacement will be tough especially under the gun.

I had a pretty decent 1994 mazda b4000 4x4, I figured it was worth $1500-1600. Wanted a volvo wagon and was emailing back and forth with a guy with one that looked like it'd sell for $700 and he wanted pretty much my truck. I was charitable and said he would have to toss a few hundred in. The deal fell apart, I got cash and a quick sale, his car languished for months and then sold for a worse deal than I offered.

IOW beware the rule of averages, your vehicle is above average in condition.

 

[ARB1977]

Those 33's are killing your milage. You need to regear or step down to 265 75's. My taco has 2.25 in and 265 65's even with the V6 in still get 19 mpg.

 

[brelandt]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
Why do you even need to buy stock tires? Grab some from the discard pile; there'll be enough tread for a couple weeks so you can see what it does for your MPG.

That truck will sell fast, finding a decent replacement will be tough especially under the gun.

I had a pretty decent 1994 mazda b4000 4x4, I figured it was worth $1500-1600. Wanted a volvo wagon and was emailing back and forth with a guy with one that looked like it'd sell for $700 and he wanted pretty much my truck. I was charitable and said he would have to toss a few hundred in. The deal fell apart, I got cash and a quick sale, his car languished for months and then sold for a worse deal than I offered.

IOW beware the rule of averages, your vehicle is above average in condition.


I was thinking about doing this but my company will fire anyone caught installing old tires onto rims. Would have to be sneaky about it, not sure if that's worth the risk.

 

[Lyman]

How bout keeping the truck and finding a better job closer to home. Just a thought.

 

[brelandt]

Originally Posted By: Blkstanger
How bout keeping the truck and finding better job closer to home. Just a thought.


Tried that. nobody out here that is equal to what my company offers as far as benefits is hiring. However, if I tell them I'm leaving they would offer me more money!

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: brelandt
Originally Posted By: Blkstanger
How bout keeping the truck and finding better job closer to home. Just a thought.


Tried that. nobody out here that is equal to what my company offers as far as benefits is hiring. However, if I tell them I'm leaving they would offer me more money!

Not even Carmax in Modesto?

 

[Ramblin Fever]

Originally Posted By: Bladecutter

I hate to ask, but have you considered putting your truck back to stock height, and stock size tires?

I would bet you could easily get 3 mpg or more back just by doing that.



BC.


This idea most definitely will help you sale it faster as well.

I have your same year of truck, 2004 Tacoma, only it's the 3.4L V6 automatic, 4-dr, 4x4 - I can easily get 23-26mpg highway.

I do run LT265/75 16's, but I don't have a lift, and don't plan to get one.

 

[brelandt]

I have a Ultra Gauge installed on my truck. Now granted it's not been re calibrated for my new tires but the MPG has only dropped 1 to 2 mpg. When I stop for gas I fill up with 7 to 7.5 gallons. This was with both the stock tires and the new tires. The difference is really not that big cause I drive almost all highway speed (45 out of 76 miles) where the larger tire helps. There is 3 big hills I need to climb and some stop and go congestion in Livermore on my route where smaller tires would be better. The last 4 miles before I get to work is city driving where again the smaller tire helps.
So, I want to try a 225/70 or even 215/75 since it's skinnier to see what happens mileage wise for my truck and the route I take.