Picking up my MGM Limited...first impressions

TW- my day of reckoning is here! Well, kind of....my truck was delivered to the dealership this morning, but some paperwork and detailing are holding up final delivery to me until tomorrow morning.

I was able to take it for a spin and snapped a few photos- I will post them from my phone, and more pics when I can bring it home.

First off, let me say this in caps: THE GRILLE IS A NON-ISSUE WHEN YOU SEE IT IN REAL LIFE! If there was one part of the 3G I was leery about, it was the front end- especially the grille (I really love the 2G front end). The issue is simple- the front end of this guy is just not photogenic. In person it looks great. Now, the design and color match on the Ltd version definitely helps, but it really took me by surprise how much it was instantly a non-issue. I will still be wrapping the chrome pieces in black (grille outline, fog light trim, mirrors, and door handles). When supply lines settle down, I might look in to swapping the grille with an SR...we'll see.

Overall, the truck really does have a mean stance. I love this thing. The interior is an obvious upgrade. It's not a whole planet away from the gen2s I have driven in terms of overall layout, but it certainly is enough that it instantly makes you say to yourself "they got it right". They took a great thing and made it better. It's simple, sleek, elegant, utilitarian, and luxurious at the same time. I just don't see how designers could squeeze any more out of a midsize truck cab. Up front there is certainly more room. I'm 5'10" 215#, and my brother (who went along with me and my other business partner, 6') is 6'1" 240#. We are both former athletes (who are now getting fat and sloppy), so we take up a bit more room. I was perfect. He was not sure he would like a Taco bc he didn't like how he sat in the 2G, where he would be looking almost directly into the visor. He had no issues in this 3G. He even had noticeably more room for his legs. My other partner said he was comfortable as well- no issues.

All of the interior finishes were quality. The premium JBL system was worth every penny. The quality of the information provided by system, and the way it is delivered is better than my father-in-law's $60k Infinity. I could not be more happy with it. The sound quality was great. I used to have $1500 stereos in my cars in college, and this certainly doesn't hit as hard- but it is beyond acceptable (premium system has the subwoofer).

The ride was a little stiff over bumps and such- exactly what you would expect from a truck, but not jarring at all. The handling was tight and responsive. The turn radius was much smaller than I was expecting.

I personally have no issues with the engine. I would have to second everyone else's report- lag in the beginning, but hammer on it and it rips. If you push the ECT button, there is far less lag time. It definitely is not like driving the Honda Prelude I had in college, but I'm done with that phase of my life and all the corresponding speeding tickets. I will wait until I am really comfortable with how it handles and responds before I try putting it through its paces in earnest.

The tonneau cover, aka tunnel cover , was built well. I can see where some picture make it look like it's not sitting flat- but it does. It has significant gaskets on them that are fresh, so they give back on the latch and make it appear- in photographs- that it's not quite right. As far as the length, the top of the tailgate is several inches deep bc of the built in spoiler, so the cover reaches as far as it should. If it reached out further, it wouldn't seal properly. It was easy to operate. I'm still not sure if I want to keep it on apart from road trips with the family. Maybe open in the summer and put a cap on it in the winter.

Overall, I'm very impressed and more than pleased with my decision. Toyota did a great job. Although I have driven many work trucks over the years, this is my first personal truck and I am stoked...especially when they finally let me take it home!!

If there are any words to share with 3G haters, it would be that the most common complaint I see out there is that it's "really not that different" from the 2G...and at the same time you pour out love for the 2G Taco. That just seems nonsensical to me: if Toyota was making such a great product and it is selling well, has a great track record, and a cult following, then why would they do a complete revamp?? A wise team builds on their previous success. You don't take a championship team and completely reinvent the offensive and defensive strategies in the offseason. You make minor adjustments, maybe some a touch more drastic than others, but you don't reinvent the wheel. Could there be rear disc brakes and power seats? Sure. Why didn't they do it? Beats me. BUT, there were some quality material swaps and other upgrades. If you were expecting some brand new, mindblowing technology, or other crazy thing-- be realistic. I would also suggest you dig into Toyota Manufacturing practices, i.e. "The Toyota Way" before you start suggesting what they should or shouldn't do. Until you have participated in running a $235 BILLION dollar worldwide automotive manufacturing company, I just don't think you know what you're talking about. If they had come out with something so far different from the kickass Tacomas of previous generations, IT WOULDN'T BE A TACOMA ANYMORE...and then you would trash talk about Toyota moving so far away from what was already working. My point being, I purposefully waited for the 3G bc I loved what other generations offered and looked forward to a few upgrades. This isn't the end of the road for the Tacoma for generations or maybe even a mid-generation change. Toyota did a great job and I look forward to what the future holds, as well as the modifications I will make to my new taco, JARVIS. **Drops mic, steps down from soap box**

 

That is the one I want. Congrats. Beautiful

 

What did the limited sticker for? What options did you get?

 

https://nikktto.com/fs/1b8a8cbbee735d1737a4549d

 

Congrats on the new rig!

 

really good looking truck. the interior on the LTD is amazing

 

Right around 40.
- 4x4
- towing pkg
- tonneau (tunnel) cover
- bed extender
- weathertech floormats (original floormat pkg came with door sill protectors)

 

It really is-- it was far beyond what I was expecting.

 

Amazing looking truck! This is the color im looking for in an OR DCLB. Hmmm...I really like the grill on the Limited. Kind of wish that was included on the OR model.

 

Congrats. Still trying to decided between OR, Limited or SR5 loaded in a double cab.

 

Congrats on the new truck...looks great!

Also have to mention that I love your avatar...traded for some FF a while back and saved one of the labels and stuck it on the front of my beer fridge...one of my all time favorite labels!

 

This is my favorite color combo.

 

Thanks on both accounts! (I'm the Brewmaster at Karben4)

 

Sweet...I'm jealous of your job. Good work on the Fantasy Factory

 

Really nice! Do me a favor and let me know how it works out with the vinyl covering of the chrome bits. I wonder how easy those pieces are removed. Actually I don't mind the little chrome bits, but the mirrors are a bit much. I think if even the mirrors were swapped out for body colored, it would make it look much nicer. The interior of the Limited is very nice! What I really like is the black headliner. So few cars these days come with a black headliner, and to me it really makes the interior look much nicer.

 

Does the limited come with the rear locker?

 

No

 

Will do- I'll post some pics when I get it done. I'm having a local shop do it, so hopefully it will be done right. The guy did it on his Highlander and said it was no problem and has been working well so far. The other option is Plasti Dip. There are a ton of vids on YouTube from the guy at dipyourcar.com. Looks like it could work.

 

Identical pickup I just test drove.