[Jeepin']

Toyota Tacoma or Jeep Patriot?

The new 2005+ Tacoma's have plenty of issues too unfortunately:

1. Base models rear leaf spring squat and give out with light loading. Owners have been replacing them on their own dime.
2. Rear truck beds are plastic only, Made in Mexico (only) and are known to crack easily with items that bounce around in the bed.
3. Tacoma tailgates are thin metal and deform very easily. There's a TSB about this one too. They add an internal brace and replace the tailgate, but owners say it has helped little. These trucks are now made in Mexico as well (see sticker), in fact we couldn't find one that was actually made in California.
4. 159hp is low on a 2.7L 4 cylinder Tacoma...manual mpg at 19/25 City/Hwy is still lower vs. 172hp and 23/28mpg on a Patriot.
5. Get the 6 cylinder Tacoma and mileage is 15/19 or worse than many full size pickups!
6. Payload on a Tacoma reg cab 4x2 manual is 1,350lbs max vs. 950lbs on a Patriot.