Ome mopre thing to consider with a full-sized truck:

This may nort be PC, but it's true:

they are strong and safe. Little cars crumple and smash themsleves to bits against a truck, and the truck says, what was that? did a fly land on me?

I was cruising down the 5 fwy once in my tundra, traffic was heavy and I stopped but the lady behind me in the honda civic didn't.
Did I mention I had the trailer hitch in the reciever?

She had fluids pouring all over the street. Hood was buckled, driver's door wouldn't open, car was
totalled.
I looked over my truck carefully, and thought I saw a little dent in the plastic that covers the bumper step. but i couldn't be sure.


that was the 2nd time in my life someone had rear-ended me while i was driving a truck, and both times their car was wrecked and my truck had little or no damage.

I feel safe in my pick-em-up.

Congrats Chris! Moving out of IL. I hope Atlanta is everything you want it to be. I will look forward to your view of Georgia and Atlanta politics!

Back to the OP. I would look at a used truck too.

I don't think trucks fare so well in the stationary target frontal impacts - especially the off center ones.

That said my personal experience with truck & car events is the same as Sam.

"People are incorrect about their assumptions"

We agree completely. When you factor in initial cost, cost of consumables (tires, brakes, fuel costs), repairs and maintenance and resale value, the Tacoma comes out way ahead. This does you no good if you truly need a full size truck for towing 7k, hauling major equipment or simply need cab room. But for light duty hauling, light towing (Ranger Bass Boat) and ease of maneuvering tight spaces the Tacoma is still the king hands down. I own both and appreciate both.

Which is faster?
2014 Chevy 4.3L 0-60 is 8.3 seconds (5800 tow)
2012 Chevy 4.3L 0-60 is 10.5 seconds (4800 tow)
2014 Chevy 5.3L 0-60 is 7.3 seconds (9700 tow)

2012 Tacoma 2.7L 0-60 is 9.2 seconds (3500 tow)
2012 Tacoma 4.0V6 0-60 is 7.0 seconds (6500 tow)

Choose your tools wisely. Each of these trucks is useful within it's design window. Don't get suckered by big HP numbers.
http://www.autorooster.com/0-60-times/chevrolet/silverado/

Towing of what? How much weight and how often?

I too am in the boat that the last vehicle I got rid of would be my truck, but can't be without a full size truck around because of the horses (you can't have horses and not have a way to move them for an emergency/etc.).
That said, I think it's a terrible idea to get a full-size pickup as a car using the rationale that you will use it for yardwork (2x a yr), and some other sort of basic hauling. You can rent an F150 from Uhaul any day of the week and come out way ahead.
Right tool for the job. Get a car if you want to do a car's job.

I was in the same thought seveal years ago, needed a truck but don't like driving it. I like sport cars only. One day, I just closed eyes and bought a used tradition cab. Since then, I drive this truck more than any of my car :lol: . The only one thing I wish was if I bought an extra cab so I can have more room, or a kid can sit back there.