Well after 4 tacomas just traded my 2016 sport after 5 months

didn't you read my Sig.

 

I envy those who get into the mid to high teens with their MPG....let me make everyone feel better about their own numbers when I say this. I get 12 combined. Maybe 13 if I'm lucky. And yes I do realize it is my own fault.

 

I'm pretty sure I'll still be driving my 96 Taco longer with less troubles over the OP's new Heep.

 

This is exactly the conundrum. If there was such thing as an 04 1st gen DCLB with a manual, it would be in front of my house right now, and probably for another decade. Do not want or need a full-size, which would be impractical for my needs.

When a tree fell on my 93 and totalled it in 09, I thought, OK, I'm going to go buy a brand new 2nd gen. Test drove one and said fuck that, the door panels deform under slight pressure, so much crappy plastic, blech. Even the moderate increase in size was unappealing. Immediately started searching for the "newest, best" 1st gen I could find in Northern California, and happily bought an 01 with 100k miles on it. Only sold it last summer because of the growing family and because when I tried to get into an 04 DC (auto only, short bed only), it was lame compared to my 5-speed and long bed. And I was highly motivated to seek out the last of the 2nd gens before only 3rd gens were on lots. Sigh.

But now I am derailing this wonderful thread with my nostalgia and prudence. I'll run off now and leave you chaps be.

 

Can't help myself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKQdlXvbWSU

 

Ha yeah, $20k more, 8-10mpg and more problems

 

yes but the mysterious driveline vibes will be gone with Ford

 

Truth

 

I've had a 1990 Bronco, 1997 Ranger, 2003 Mustang GT, 1993 Fox body, and a 2005 Powerstroke 6.0. ALL OF THEM have had big problems that costed me thousands. I love how they all look, Ford can turn heads with looks and sounds, but I learned my lesson. NEVER AGAIN.

Congrats on the new Cherokee. I am so sorry this 2016 didn't work out for you, but hey remember it's the first year of the brand new release so I am sure they will fix some issues. It's very common for brand new generations to have problems. I am lucky my 2016 Access cab SR 4X4 2.7 4banger has zero issues---besides the annoying shift hungry trans. I think they will re-flash them soon.

 

Agree with your posts Sam. Nobody test drives a truck in such high demand for an hour. Toyota dealers aint got no time for that

 

Yeah, but it puts you on the wrong side of the game. Nobody is forcing anyone to make a decision.

 

Really sucks Toyota dropped the ball on their best seller. I can understand why the Ranger was left to rot with Ford. It was not their huge money money. Toyota's flagship truck is not the Tundra. It's the Tacoma because of the stellar reputation they have earned over the years making awesome little trucks.
I do hear a good amount of people saying the power is great on their '16 autos. That is kinda weird. Virtually everyone with the manual is happy.

 

I'm interested to hear the sales report for the 2016s

 

50% more hp, 25% more tq, 15% more weight, yet still pull 18mpg. Nobody buys a tacoma for speed, and if you're actually hauling you aren't looking at tacomas, so those are moot points.

I'll say it again.


First gen master race.

 

I'll admit that the driveline bothers me sometimes, but mostly because it isn't polished enough (as opposed to a major flaw). I traded off a 328 with the 8-speed ZF which was absolutely smooth. My wife's X5 35d also has the 8-speed and it is absolutely smooth. More gears and more shifting really isn't a problem provided there is sufficient sound isolation and the shifts themselves are smooth. Hearing the engine pitch change and feeling a slight lurch too frequently becomes annoying. Toyota simply needs to spend another 200 hours on tuning and NVH reduction. All of that being said, I didn't expect a Toyota Tacoma to be as refined as the others and I knew all this before purchasing. Most days it doesn't bother me at all. I have the ocassional day where it irritates me and I want to trade it away... But the problem is I really like the truck otherwise and there aren't any other great options at the moment.

 

I like Toyota trucks still but miss the build quality and attention to detail of 89-95 model years. Overbuilt chassis/components, smooth and quiet, excellent interiors on the SR5 trim. They aren't superior to today's trucks in many other ways but I miss them.

 

This... And I agree, my two best vehicles: 72 FJ40, and the 90 4Runner. Neither one ever let me down. 4Runner is still wheeled today and not once has it left me stranded on the trail. This is also my daily driver.

 

why did you buy a truck if that SUV suits your needs?

 

The only reason I don't drive one today is I lack a place to work on an older vehicle. I sold my 88 4runner with 475,000km because it's hard to work on it curbside.

Oddly enough the Frontier I drive now feels a lot like the older Toyota trucks I'm used to, I've grown to really like it.

 

Advice is stop reading and believing everything on this forum. Go drive several for yourself while paying attention to the things you're worried about. I love my truck. Has a couple small issues, but most all do. Nothing the dealer can't take care of. And I am SUPER picky about my shit.