Okay, I drove one...my thoughts

Went back down to the dealership where I kicked the tires last week and my favorite truck was still there. Silver OR, DB, MT with only the tow package. It was unlocked, so I got to crawl around. But really...I had to take it for a spin.

Overall I really liked the truck. I loved the manual transmission. The clutch pedal does have a long engagement off the firewall, but it's been so long since I rowed anything I didn't have any residual muscle memory from driving a sporty car to interfere with my expectations. Didn't get any freeway driving in (traffic was horrible), but I did get to run it kinda fast through a dirt parking lot. The ride quality was great, much smoother than I expected in the OR when unloaded. And the frame felt very solid, with limited sway and shimmy. You guys were not kidding that the engine gets happy above 3,000 rpm. The few times that I delayed my shift the thing really got peppy in that zone. The shifter felt very smooth to me and the throw wasn't too far. I will try an auto at some point, as 3 more MPG and the 6' bed are big draws, but the MT will be hard to ignore

The interior design and quality is fairly good. Everything felt solid during the test drive. Not sure why they have three stocks on the steering wheel shaft, some of that stuff could be put on the front of the wheel. But it was all reachable, so that's fine. I do want a sun roof for a more open feel and heated seats, so that package upgrade is required. It was strangely enjoyable to manually adjust the HVAC controls. And I'm already mentally stuffing gear in all the storage under and behind the rear seat.

There's a lot of attention to detail and I appreciate Toyota keeping this truck a truck, but there are some features that are really missing in the package upgrades (I went looking for them in a Limited on the lot). First, the seats need to be more comfortable and passengers should get lumbar support at a minimum. Happy wife = happy life...and she won't be happy with these seats after an hour or two. So much for long road trips and that could be a deal breaker. Also, any "tech" package needs to include power and USB ports for the back seats these days. There's a reason why every low-cost airline is installing power in every seat. Power for all is mandatory.

So...A Tacoma is still the leading candidate for me, but it's not a slam dunk...

 

that you have a manual TRD OR to test drive...

 

well I have the auto and much would not want manual and like mine. Just fyi you are 100% on seat comfort. That is my main problem with truck but like the truck and have other vehicles to use to travel for more than a couple hours. My wife doesn't like the comfort either. Seats are hard and the position of them the way they are I cant figure it out and still hoping someone figures a way to make them comfortable. It would help a lot if 8 way or 10 way seats for driver and passenger. Maybe they will make this in next year or so in these trucks. Love the truck for most part otherwise. I think some are trying to put spacer or something on seat frame to lift the back part up but I don't understand and haven't heard if really helped or not. Plus could be a little softer seats and not so hard but that can be redone at seat shop but I am hoping it breaks in with time first. Position also causes a bunch of this I think do to pressure on back of legs and pressure points the way you sit in them. I would buy mine again even though I didn't notice the seat issue before I bought for my use.

 

Wonder if the nice 4 Runner seats will fit...

 

Seats are a lot more comfortable than the gen2. I think the interior is much upgraded from the gen2

 

oh me too. The third gen is much better than gen 2. I tested a gen too last nov and bought the tundra. Just that the seats coming from Tundra or the 04 gx 460 is major difference. it was just the only real thing that is a negative to me being in it long. I would not want to drive ore than an hour maybe 2 max in it anywhere. Like I said hoping others that are experiencing same figure out something that works and makes it lot better. I know some read was spacers lifting the back of seat but I didn't understand. I would pay to refoam with softer foam in seats and still make them same as stock but I think the seat position is causing a lot of the problem on me too besides hard seats. I think it is pressure on the butt and legs and angle the way it sits and you cant adjust anything on that part of it but again I am ok for my use and just hope I can get it figured out because od drive this on trips too if I get that solution fixed. I love driving this truck