To Taco or not to Taco, that is the question?

I guess that's really it. Are the issues on the 16 being brought up by some enough to just steer clear from one. If I got a new truck and it starts to have issues like some that have been reported my wife will flip out. No dealer is close so it would be a real pain to get a truck with probs. Here's my short story, as it were: I had an 02 we loved it, it also had sentimental value, but sadly the frame rust/rot was getting close to perforation so we traded it off & began our journey into not having a truck. Traded it in on a new Frontier in which turned out to be a lemon (our luck) so 5k miles in, traded it in on a Titan. Good truck liked it, but the gas mileage was horrible, and kinda of hard to get in/out of. So traded it in on a Honda CR-V. Great little suv, but its not a truck. So now after about 5 years, looking to get back into a truck. Believe it or not I still like the Frontier (in PRO-4X mode) & if I got a good one, that would be fine. Of course I really like the new Taco too. Love the improvements on the inside. But it's new, with all the bugs that can plague a new vehicle design/upgrade. Right now I'm looking online at finding a TRD Sport 4X4 DB Cab in inferno, or blue with the Premium & Technology Package w/JBL Audio & Moonroof. Also looking at the PRO-4X Frontier's with the Lux Package, which has Leather, Moonroof, & Rockford Fosgate audio. The Frontier is several thousand less, but it's way behind in the interior/tech goodies. I've driven a PRO-4X awhile back & I liked it a lot. It's got plenty of grunt (the one I had did too). I have yet to test drive the new 16 Taco. I drove a 15 this summer & liked it too, but it's a bit of a different beast. My wife is not too happy about getting into a Frontier again, after the fiasco we had with the 2010 we had. One thing the Taco definitely has over the Fronty is more room, which is nice. One major thing that really hurts this process is any Toyota or Nissan dealer is over an hour to two away from where we live, which sucks. So that's it I know nothing is perfect but I sure don't want another headache. Any constructive opinions appreciated!

 

Realistically the issues with the taco are shit people want to bitch about because they have nothing better to do. The only reasonable one is probably the iffy shifting pattern of the automatic. Other than that it's not a luxury truck so it's not going to be perfect in every way. While overall it's a good truck. Also are you aware of Nissans shitty radiator problem? Id definitely make sure they've fixed that before ever buying one. Dad owns a titan and I know a couple people with nissans too and they are kind of shitty. Seems like things go bad on them prematurely. And their interior makes the 2nd gen taco interior look like a Benz

 

No offense, but is this your first time on a vehicle forum? People like to complain on them. Bottom line, it's a Tacoma. I'm not sure there is a more reliable vehicle out there.

 

Sounds like you and I have a similar history and have a similar taste. I, too, had wanted a Tacoma (or 4x4 Toyota mid-sized) truck since the late 1980s. I, too, thought about the Frontier (loved the looks, consumer reports ratings, and perceived reliability), but ended up buying a 2006 Titan. It was a Great truck, but as you said, had terrible fuel economy. I traded it during the tail end of the gas price hike (Feb 2011) for a VW Jetta. The Jetta got better mpgs, but it also left my wife and I "wanting" for more. We had always been Honda owners and missed the tight Honda finish and reliability, so we traded the Jetta in for a 2014 Accord and I bought a 2014 Civic for the great mpgs. The Civic was fun and cheap to drive, got excellent gas mileage (~40 mpg), and it was very reliable (no issues at all). But it was not a truck. For 1.5 years we talked about getting some furniture, taking things to the dump, building things, etc., but it was always met with the "if only we had a truck" thoughts. So, back in mid December I started looking and pricing trucks. The Tacoma was, and still is, my first choice, but due to price I had come to grips with the fact that I may be buying something else. So I looked again at frontiers, Sierras, F-150s, etc., but none of them "did it for me". Finally one day I was browsing inventories and prices locally and noticed that no Tacomas were available in 4x4. People (even a friend) were having to order them and wait weeks on their delivery. This made me want one even more. So I checked inventory at a dealership about 1.5 hours away, began a chat session, gave my contact info...the rest is history. The salesman worked hard to get me up to his lot, got me the price I needed, etc. I LOVE my new truck (even with a small issue that I am convinced Toyota will work out) and I would do it all again tomorrow. Good luck with whatever you choose to do.

 

The radiator prob was rectified in 2010, no need to do the "By-pass" anymore. I'm well aware of the Nissan's probs/quirks hence why I really like the idea of a new Taco. Thanks I appreciate it!

 

I know, except for the rust my 02 was fantastic! Thanks!

 

Thank god they fixed it finally.

 

Thanks!

 

Yeah, took them forever though. They still have some quirks though, but I know what to look for.

 

I wouldn't let it steer me from buying one. If you can wait a few more months I would, but I have a feeling you'll be fine. If say don't worry at all but if you live too far from a dealer, God forbid you do have an issue it will be a pain in the ass. However that being said Toyota has always been pretty reliable, most issues are very minor and Toyota will be doing there best to get the "kinks" out so to speak during the manufacturing.

I had a frontier before I had my f150. Loved the truck. Only one issue with it but was to lazy to ever take it in (sad because I work for an auto group) I liked that better than the second Gen Tacoma so I went that route instead. The frontier now, while still a decent truck has been on the same platform since 05. Crazy how far behind the midsize market has been compared to regular cars. Nissan really could of made something for themselves in the truck market. When the Titan came out it was hands down the best truck on the market, sure it had some issues, but nothing at the time touched it in any manor. But instead of coming out with another new and improved version 5-7 years later they just sat back and did nothing. Now 13 years later the new ones are just about ready to land. The frontier is still another year or so out. Toyota in my opinion did the same thing with the Tacoma. Wait too long and as did Honda. And ford got out of the market and are about 2 years from returning. No doubt ehen the economy crash it hurt all manufactures, but a lot of mid-size truck guys and potential midsized buyers ended up going to cars/small suv's and others to full sized. Just a shame in my opinion, the midsized market could be so much more right now.

Anyway back on topic. Go drive one see what you think. Don't be afraid to take it on a really long drive or overnight. Remember vehicles aren't cheap these days. If you happen to like it while in a test drive, but notice some problem you fell isn't normal, request to drive another one and don't buy until your satisfied. I'm sure most of the Tacoma's rolling off the line that had production issues, have been fixed. Sure you could end up getting one that some part fails prematurely, but that can happen with any manufacture. Don't let these forums and people with mostly petty problems scare you from buying a good truck

 

Long time Toyota owner starting with a 1974 Carolla with an 18RC engine (anyone remember these), moved up to an 85 Camry, a couple of Sequoias, a 4 runner and now have a 2016 Tacoma 4 door.

I just got back from long & quick cross country road trip. Spent lots of time in the Tacoma under different conditions (flooded areas in Missouri to hot as heck in south Mississippi).

Other than a cracked piece of plastic on my pick up bed cover ( might have been my fault) I had no issues with my new truck. My son and I covered a whole lots of miles (5000) in about 6 days.

Couple of comments:

Wish I'd installed the Weathertech mats before the trip. I find the stock Toyota mats wanting. I bought the Weathertech mats and love them. Buy these.

I'm tall and have a super long upper body. I fit in the Tacoma but I find getting in took some getting used to. I find the passenger door is tighter than my last 4 runner. Maybe it is me??

I'm not a teenager but I love the JBL radio. I bought the extended warranty because if this thing breaks it will be a fortune to fix.

My truck handles fine on the road. My son may have driven excessively over the speed limit in South Texas and I thought it rode and handled great.

My truck is quiet on the road.

I don't have but will get a pad for the bed of the truck. Too much stuff slides around.

I wish there was a little more storage behind the back seat. More my problem with carrying stuff as Toyota's problem with design.

I wish I could find a cargo net.

 

Continued post:

I very much like the Bluetooth. My wife has a new Lexus and I like my truck's better than her system.

I've had to change a tire and this wasn't a problem but it is almost a two person job to drop and raise the spare.

Legroom in back seat is limited. Front seat recline with adult passengers in back is cozy for everyone.

 

I've had an 11 a 12 a 14 and now my 16. I use them in the oil field. It's very hard on trucks. Most of my problems have been at 80,000 miles when the wheel bearings start going or the idler pully bearing is sqeeling. M 12 trd off road went in the shop three times with aluminum pipes for the AC with holes. That's the only real defects I've ever encountered in 4 tacos over 5 years.

On the 16' my Bluetooth works great. I like the info center as well. So far it's stock and rides great. Seats are comfy. I still don't love the abs and vehicle control system but it's fine. I've had it two months and have 10,000 miles on it and I'm happy.

These trucks outlast the full size Chevys and fords by 100,000 miles. Traded my 11 in with 210,000 and my 12 with, 180,000 miles. Got good prices and saw them after they were cleaned up and I wanted the 12 back but oh well. I used to be a 3/4 ton duramax guy. I'm a Tacoma guy all the way now.

I also have a 15 xterra pro 4x. I looked at a frontier before getting my 16 taco and there's was no question for me. Taco all the way.

 

Yep, it's the internet. I'm sure there's an anvil forum out there with people complaining about how crappy the new ones are.

Had my Tacoma 6 weeks now, no problems, love the truck.

 

Trying to catch up o a bunch of threads over the holidays. Still wanting a Taco really bad. Good to hear that many '16 owners are satisfied. Unfortunately, I still need to sell a bunch of my other toys first - two classic Buicks, two bikes and eventually my Sierra and Wrangler. Nice to be toy poor but honestly, its past time to thin the herd, especially since Im getting a bit long in the tooth.

Havent read any serious off road reviews on the Colorado/Canyon twins and that fact keeps driving me to the TRD.

At any rate, im happy to hear some positives as im convinced that a midsized truck is my only option ( with some compromises and benefits) to eventually replace my 2x4 Sierra and 2door Wrangler.

Comments appreciated.

 

I have had my tacoma 3 days now driven it on the interstate, up in the mountains, around town pretty much all different types of driving.

I have no problems. No wierd shifting no whistles no vibrations nothing.

Absolutely love the truck don't regret it for a minute.

Shop around. Reading some posts here where people are still paying msrp is absurd.

I think it uses the cartridge in stead of a regular oil filters so it isn't as easy to change by yourself. I plan to take advantage of toyota care and have them do it. If you live in the sticks that may not be an option.

 

I live in the Phoenx area so there there are a few Toyota dealers to bargain with. When im up in the mountains for the summer months, there's even one in Show Low. My plan is to go thru the internet sales/fleet folks. Not sure if financing will get me a better price or not. But i would plan on paying it off right away. May depend on if there is a prepayment penalty or not. In any event, need to sell the other stuff to have the cash for either option.

I understand that you should have a special wrench to remove the platstic cap on the new oil filter, a $20 investment. Not sure how hard or easy it is to get to. Im used to sliding right under my Sierra for oil changes. Ill let the dealer do it while its free, but then Id rather do it myself than trust any of the Quick Lube types.

 

You have to weigh your options and decide wisely..... There isn't a vehicle out there that's perfect and without issues. The word 'issues' is subjective to each individual. You gotta take all the information you read (majority of it will be negative) and weigh it against your needs, wants, & expectations.

I'll be looking for a new truck soon. I've always been a Toyota fan and the 'reliability' will weigh heavily on Toyota side. The others will have to impress me that much more to make me sway away. I'm not afraid to go outside the box and I'm not afraid to get less than perfection. The overall feel, capabilities, driving experience, and overall options will be my deciding factor.

I don't think you can go wrong with anything you decide to buy - within the first 3 years. If a vehicle 'wears out its welcome' within those 3 years....get rid of it and move on. Not the most economical/financial thing to do, but you're better off getting rid of it earlier than waiting.

This forum is kinda like Amazon reviews..... When things work and work well, you very rarely will see reviews on Amazon that praise a product. But...when something doesn't work, you'll see EVERYTHING.
Take it for what it's worth.... All the negatives are only making us (consumers) smarter shoppers in the long run.