Consumer Reports Evaluation

I take the forums as a form of review. Not much compelling me to go write poor reviews when I can discuss them openly with (occasionally) intelligent dialogue here

 

I wish I would have waited a few months before getting mine, it would have saved me a big headache.

 

I hear ya...I opted for the I4 cause the V6 just felt too unrefined. Dont do any heavy work with it, just wanted a light truck, and was attracted to the looks and rep of the Tacoma. The truck runs perfectly. Smooth for a 4 cyl, I think. But it is a weak 4 cyl in a fairly heavy truck, so there are compromises to make. Driving style must be adjusted.
I dont know why they cant squeeze more ponies of it? My 2012 Camry has a smaller 2.5, that goes 178 HP, with I assume roughly the same 6 speed A/T, and it performs so well, I honestly think a V6 is overkill, in that particular vehicle. I realize its an apples/oranges comparison....still.... An extra 20-25 HP in that truck engine, just might tip the scales

 

I really like the 4cylinder, it's also a trusted reliable motor so I don't think you can go wrong. The power from the v6 was a bit too weak for me compared to the 4.0 in my runner but if your not doing too much moving it should be perfect for most people. My last truck was a Denali gmc 1500 with the 6.2 so I did a complete turnaround this time.

 

I run hot and cold with it...I think I am having more weeks that I do like it, than dont. Just wishin and wondering I did test drive a Colorado 4 cyl before buying the Tacoma. The Colorado cranks 200 HP out of its 4 cyl, but not that much more torque, so its peaky, and it had more of that chitty chitty bang bang four cyl sound and feel. Guess there isnt a perfect truck, eh? Sorry didnt mean to hijack the thread with 4 banger talk!

 

I am not disputing your word, but i wonder if some of the vibrations people think they got is nothing more than feeling their tires on the pavement. If i wanted to I guess I could imagine a slight vibration in mine but I contribute it to the feel of the tires on the road. If you read about vibrations on here then its much easier to think you got them to.

 

Yeah, youre right about that. Like a squeak in the dash somewhere, after the first peep, you get hyper sensitive to it...cant un-hear it! I do know the 4 cyl SR5 I eventually bought did not display any such symptoms on the same route.. I do get your point, and I'm not a 3.5 owner, so no daily experience. From my test drives, I believe the guys complaining about it. I could feel it in the steering wheel, and gas peddle, unmistakably enough that I didnt buy one, though thats what I really wanted to get. If its not present in yours, thats great!
most of the trucks sold around here are Gulf States Toyota trucks made in San Antonio. Maybe thats a factor.

 

You could be right...there is a psychological factor after reading about things....I can, unequivocally say, however, that the vibes I felt between 2100 and 2400RPM were definitely not tire related...as the vibe is buzzy in nature, like a set of hair clippers or similar, and not the slight tire rumble or unbalanced tire wobble that you can sometimes feel...and went totally away and the ride was smooth as glass, when outside of that range, generally.

 

I have said it before,come drive mine.When in that rpm range it feels like your driving a 20 year old beater,it sucks.I drive my 17 year old Tundra most of the time to keep from being in a bad mood constantly.

 

Glad I didn't get rid of it,might of gone crazy if I drove the Tacoma all the time.If the buzz cannot be eliminated probly going back to a Tundra would miss the mpg though.

 

I just got back from buying a 4Runner. The salesman said it's not a good idea to buy a Tacoma now. He stated it was too new, and needed "a few more years" to get the kinks straitened out. He said Toyota would make good on the 3G Tacoma, but give it time. In general, he felt the Tacoma's were great trucks.

 

Like your intelligent thread on the new differential gear ratio ? Got it.

 

Not a good sign when a salesman says that.....

 

The salesman was looking to sell him a new 4Runner. He would say anything to make the sale.

I don't think one should really use a salesman's stated opinion for decision making.

I'm not saying the 4Runner is a bad choice, I just don't think the 3rd gen is (necessarily) a bad choice because some salesman states it's "too new".

 

You based your decision on a salesman pitch? You do understand the 4runner is substantially more money, and yes it is a "rarer" model of Toyota Brand. However, salesmen work of commission. My salesman sold me on the Tacoma, told me it was a great truck, which it is. He has 25,000 miles on his access cab. Yes he has had a few issues (got it when it first came out), but the dealer took care of the minute issues he had. My truck was built in July. No issues. Don't really expect any either. Took all the precautionary steps in buying the truck (made the dealer extend the warranty, paid for a in depth inspection on fluids and overall_.

I was 99% set on buying a 4runner, and I am pretty glad I didn't for my lifestyle. However, they are solid Japanese made trucks, and I have a lot of respect for 4runners. Can't beat that drivetrain !

 

Many dealers pay a fixed amount to the sales person per vehicle sold. Where they make their money is the incentives as they sell to a certain number (10, then 15, for example).

As to the 4Runner, I just recommended one to a co-worker (with 3 kids) over a Pilot and, after driving both, she bought the 4Runner since is was 'tougher' and she drives a lot on fire roads and dirt roads. That drivetrain is certainly bullet proof!

 

Now Smitty are you saying some folks don't have intelligent dialogue.

 

I think he's saying the dialog is only intelligent when someone's bashing on the '16 Taco lmaoo!

 

I had already made up my mind. I gave him the VIN of the 4Runner I wanted. He didn't have to do anything, just get the 4Runnner. He doesn't work on a commission, he's salaried. I've never heard of a car salesman being salaried. He says it's worked well for him.

 

well wait, I am no economics professor.... but wouldnt that be assuming that everyone who has purchased one of the new GM twins, wouldn't have bought a Toyota anyway. Cant possibly be true. They'd all be first time buyers in the market or would bought a Nissan, for instance. There must be some defectors, would be Tacoma buyers, who slipped off the reservation, simply because they have more options in midsize offerings now. If the argument is that Toyota is at capacity, and cant keep up with demand, they may not be losing sales by numbers sold, but must be losing out on market growth, cause lots of GM twins are being sold. Late next year the Ranger comes back, and if a good product, Ford will take a piece of the pie, as well. I think its about to be a pretty crowded field in the mid size truck market.
Competition is a great thing for all us consumers....they all have to step up their game, or lose sales, and/or market share.