I have abunch of friends with Tacos, and they are all super reliable, econonical to drive, quiet, etc... If I needed a small truck, that would be my first choice.

However, I need a larger truck. My friends with Tacos ask me to tow cars when they buy new hotrod "projects" because I can tow a trailer over the grapevine at 60.

I love my CTD, but it's BIG. Really big. There's parts of LA I won't go to, simply becaause it won't fit into parking spots (like Hollywood, which I hate anyway).

It's loud too. I feel a little bad when I come home at midnight, because I know all my neighbors just woke up (but the new ones are quieter).

It's heavy, so it takes longer to stop and eats brake pads and rotors.

Again, I love my truck, but be warned that going from a Tacoma to a CTD is like going from a Honda Civic to a Chevy Caprice (size/weight comparrison only).

 

I drove a toyota 4x4 turbo diesel for years. I got good mileage. I now have a 95 4x4 dodge and a vw diesel. I like that better. First The dodge get 19.5 miles to gallon even with the automatic which I dont have any use for. The vw get 45 to 50 miles to gallon.
Depends on what you wont to do with the truck. For pulling a trailer the dodge is the best for me. Going back and forth to work the vw is best. I prefer to drive the dodge when I go to town. I would like the dodge a lot better if it had a 6 speed. I like to shift. No problem for me. I like the even gear splits in a 6 speed. No more problems with a tps switch or other electrical problems. One more thing if you buy a automatic it will probably need a convertor and valve body to make you happy. Add that to the extra cost. I have heard of oiling problems with the new automatics that is caused by to small of a feed hole. The aftermarket valve body may help the oiling problem. It is your choise, but if I bought a truck it needs to get 20 miles to gallon or real close. good luck Jim