So currently I have an S2000 and nothing else. I've toyed with the idea of getting a more practical vehicle, but I can't stand driving non sports cars. However, I recently drove a Toyota Tacooma S-Runner and was rather impressed. (Small, somewhat sporty handling, quick enough, has 30 miles, hail damage, has been sitting on dealer lot since March, MSRP around $21k but a hefty discount should be possible.) It would see duty as:

- Hauling race wheels to Discount Tire for new r-compounds
- Hauling shifter kart to races (don't have one but have been thinking about it.)
- Hauling bicycles to bike paths
- Hauling autocross equipment to autocrosses (our current support truck will likely go away soon. But then how the heck do I get my own car there?)
- Hauling race car to track events (but it only has a 3500lb towing capacity even though other Tacoma versions can handle 5000lbs.)

Most everything else I can accomplish with my S2000, except for the odd move from one apartment to another. What else is there? Is it justified to such limited use? I guess it could be a daily driver and save miles on the S2000, but I enjoy driving the S too much for that...

 

I recently broke down and bought a 'utility' vehicle. Instead of a truck, I figured that small SUV/wagons offer quite a bit of utility, better mileage, better handling, better snow capability (fwd). I ended up with a Pontiac Vibe. Check it out, as well as the Toyota Matrix. I have a base engine 5 spd (cheap) and there is OK power and 33 mpg out of the box. The tow rating is only 2000 lbs though.

 

Good choice, Aggie! Good Ags think alike. I have a Pontiac Vibe GT as my second vehicle and am really enjoying it!! Love the 2ZZ motor and the high redline! I think it's only second to the S2000 and Type R Integra (excluding exotics) as far as higher redline. The base Vibe/Matrix are great cars as well!! Toyota quality at GM pricing!

I think I have something else unique to contribute to this. I bought a used (excellent condition!) 2001 2500HD with the 6.0L motor and HD automatic transmission. Had LS trim, so all the power accessories, etc.

Well, the truck was AWESOME, loved the 300hp V8, loved the high ride height, the overall quietness of the truck. It was great, it towed my Corvette with ease, it hauled my race tires to Discount to get mounted, it was absolutely reliable.

So, why did I get rid of it? It didn't ride that great, being 25 at the time, it wasn't that big of a deal though. So, what was the deal? Gas mileage. I averaged between 11 to 14 mpg, 11 when I was towing (THE ONE TIME I TOWED WITH IT), and closer to 14mpg just cruising around town.

Summary:

If you are going to use the truck as a truck and get your money's worth out of it and you're willing to give up the gas mileage and ride quality, then go for it, you'll be happy. I ended up getting another job and was/am commuting 25miles each way to work. That's two gallons each way just to and from work with the truck. I wasn't really using it much as a truck, it had become a commuter. I didn't go out of town roadracing enough to justify having the truck.

I bought the Vibe GT and have been happy ever since. Sometimes, I long for a truck, just because it's more macho and cool, I loved the V8 power, but it just wasn't practical. The Vibe is much more fun to drive and gets between 25-32mpg depending on city/highway driving.

Good luck, a Taco is a good truck, it should get better mileage than my HD, but it won't tow 10,000lbs either. Make sure you get the V6 obviously.

 

I had been driving a '97 Rodeo 4X4 with 55k miles before I bought my S. I decided to keep the SUV since I love to go camping and such...plus, I'd never be able to go to Home Depot/Lowe's again! I also travel a lot and figured that I would always take the truck when parking at the airport and save some miles on the fun car.

However, I find that I have the same affliction that you apparently do - I HATE driving the truck now. I even find myself having to do some hard late breaking at stop lights because I'm so used to driving the S2000. Of course, I still use it when I need it but the last time I went to head off to the airport I found that it wouldn't turn over since I hadn't driven it in so long.

I have a buddy in Seattle who has a late 90s Tacoma SR5 4X4 and it puts my rodeo to shame. It has a great deal more usable power (especially better pull in higher gears) and much better handling. If I were to buy another truck I think that is the route I would go. It climbs mountains like it's seeking out angels and feels like it could tow a house.

It also seems to get pretty decent gas mileage. We have been on some long photo excursions through the southwest as well as the US and Canadian Rockies with a good amount of gear and the gas bills never seemed unreasonable.

Just my $.02 worth.

 

My Trooper makes me appreciate the S2k a lot. I find it invaluable, though, when it comes to tire changes and trips to Home Depot. It has also served duty as a track vehicle, too, hauling I think as many as 4 sets of tires and tools to College Station before.

There is a lot to be said, too, for having a vehicle so ugly as to frighten other drivers and make people avoid parking close to you to avoid YOU dinging their doors.

I paid $4k for my truck over 5 years ago. Aside from registration, gas, and other "consumables," it has cost me approximately $2k in repairs (not caused by my quest for power improvement ). $1k was in tranny work from damage by the previous owner and the other was in necessary timing belt service and an idle problem. The truck has been relatively trouble-free and dirt cheap to operate.

A Toy would be a good investment no matter how you cut it.

 

I had a Tacoma doublecab before my S2000. They are great trucks. (that was my second one).

Have you considered an Element? We've been shopping for a car for my wife and were looking at the matrix, rav, crv, etc. For kicks, we looked at the Element and drove it. My wife loves it and it's extremely functional if you can get over the looks. I'm liking it very much too for it's enclosed hauling capabilities. The rear seats fold up or come out which makes the entire back an open cave! 2 mountain bikes will fit inside with ease. There are even tie down points to strap things down. I've gotten quotes of $1 over invoice to $500 over invoice for a 2003 2wd EX model.

 

I have owned a pickup as a second or third vehicle for the past 10 years, now I can't picture myself not having one! I bought my first 4x4 because my CRX-Si was lowered so much for the track I could not get to work in the winter. Now as a homeowner I'm of the opinion you can't be a homeowner without a truck.

Your list of things you want to do is fine, except the last one. You do not want to tow the S with a Taco or a Frontier or an S10 or a Ranger. The numbers may be there from the manufacturer, but trust those who tow and their experience, a small truck is not the way to go if you want to tow the S and want to be safe.

Go for it man! Ain't nothing like driving a truck on a rainy crappy day, knowing the S is home safe and clean in the garage.

 

I think you need a Tahoe.

 

Holy Toledo. I had not idea how much car trailers weigh. 1600lbs seems to be the minimum. No way anything with even a 5000lb rating could handle that plus a car and all the other tools and equipment.

Oh well.

 

Good used fullsize trucks are a dime a dozen thanks to 0% financing. That will get you your towing capacity and you can have the torque of a V-8 (V-10). And it is nice to have something else to drive when the weather's bad. I think my S has seen rain twice since I bought it a year ago. I can't see myself without at least 2 vehicles ever again.