Things preventing me from buying a new Tacoma... Convince me otherwise!

Hate to start one of these subjective threads but here's my situation. I need to buy a bigger truck and come off of a 1990 Toyota extended cab 4x4 pickup with a 3.slow V6 Manual I had from 1998 to 2010. Then Bought a 2003 Tacoma 4x4 xtra cab V6 manual at that time as it was falling apart at about 365k (226k miles) km's. My 2003 is now at 260k km's (160k miles) and going strong and I'd rather not replace. That's right, on my second vehicle ever and in my mid 30's.

Thing is, baby is on the way. Anyways here's my concerns with the 3rd gen

1. Will a 4 door 3rd gen fit a car seat in the back fine? This is the main reason I need to buy.
2. How good is the fuel econ, really? I currently get 12.6 L/100 km or 18.7mpg. I'd hate to get worse economy.
3. Is the tank at least larger than 65L/15 gallons so this thing will go further?
4. Is the entune system any good? Specifically the nav for rerouting you if traffic goes to hell? I'm a Waze guy and which this thing has Android Auto. Traffic goes to hell lots here especially in the winter.
5. These seem big. Are they a pain in parking lots compared to my 1st gen?
6. How's maintenance? I prefer to do my own fluid changes.

Appreciate feedback. I know I'll have to replace my current 1st gen sometime, but fuel econ and lack of android auto are steering me away (or atleast making me want to prolong the 1st gen).

 

1. Yes
2. Similar
3. Yes
4.better than google maps and scout imo
5. Never had a 1st gen but dont have issues coming from a very small car
6. Easy. Get mt for easy trans fluid check/topoff whatever

 

For everything you listed it will be perfect. Nav works great in my 2017 Tacoma

 

1 yes
2 about the same = manual tranny 18 is good
3 21 gal
4 yes suitable for sure will give you alternate traffic and notify you with bad traffic ahead
5 easy to parallel park either side larger than 1st gen tho
6 have at it

you can use your andriod with BT .. I have an adroid use the entune

 

#1...It will fit, I have 2 car seats in the back of my 2017 Double Cab. One is rear facing behind the driver seat and the seat is pretty far forward. I am 6' 4" and fit but don't have extra room. If you put it in the middle of the back seat you should be good with the seats back farther. (Sorry for the bad picture but here is two car seats, one forward facing and one rear facing)
#2...I get 18-19 mpg
#3...The fuel tank is 21.1 gallons.
#4...Haven't done much with the entune system and no experience with the nav.
#5...I can't compare to a first gen, but compared to a 2010 Honda Pilot I don't see much difference in parking.
#6...Not sure on maintenance either, haven't needed to do any yet.

 

I'll skip some of your questions. But here's a link where you can download the manual: https://carmanuals2.com/toyota/tacoma-2016-owner-s-manual-73379

I think the first chapter covers child seat installation. I don't see a problem but I don't have kids.

I believe the fuel tank is 22 gallons with a range pushing 380 or more miles.

Are they big? Bigger than your 1st gen but not like a Tundra.

You need to pull four bolts to change the oil filter. But it only needs to be changed every 10,000 miles.

MPG? I'm getting 22+ but I drive like a blue-haired lady. What you'll get –with your driving– is a mystery.

I've had 1st and 2nd gens and really-really like this truck (better than the other two). This forum is the most negative place I've ever explored so take it with a block of salt.

SB

 

1. 4 door would totally accommodate car seat in the back. The bench is rather large and as long as you aren't going to sling your front seat all the way back (which you would only need to do if you are taller than me and I am 6'3") then you will be just fine.
2. I currently get about 17mpg right now but keep in mind that I a) Have BFG 285/70/17 K02s with a 3" lift and b) live in the eastside of the Seattle area where you are basically always driving in hilly or mountainous areas. Not a ton of flat roads here. I would probably be getting 18/19 in a flatter area.
3. I THINK the tank is 18-20? Last time I filled up I put 17 in but I still had about 1/8th of a tank left so bigger than 17.
4. I have the JBL Entune system and I've gotta say, its definitely my favorite in car nav/entertainment system so far. Very responsive, easy to use, clean ui. And the JBL speakers sound great! Also, Entune system gets traffic updates and like from HD Radio so no satellite subscription needed. Also very nice.
5. I have not had much trouble parking mine but I also have short bed. If you did double cab long bed, I imagine it might be tougher to find a spot long enough to accomodate you.
6. I only have 900 miles on my truck so I can't really say but all your fluid changes and regular services are included with Toyota care so might as well take the free service.

 

1. Yes, car seat fits fine in the backseat , your 3 year old feet will be kicking the back of your front seat unless you move the front seat up.

2. Fuel economy vary by how heavy your foot is. If I'm easy on it, I can get 22 mpg, drive regular about 19 mpg, stomp on the gas here n there about 16-17 mpg. You get good gas mpg until you step on it, it either sips or chug gas.

3. Gas tank is 21 gallons, I get around 400 miles per tank and average 18 - 19.5 mpg every time.

4. I don't think I have Entune but I got free xm for 3 months, stock stereo is ok, I heard JBL is nice.

5. Unless you got the DCLB prerunner, the 4x4 turns a bit sharper than 2wd. I have no problems parking my DCSB 4x4 and love the back up camera. My Dad's DCLB 2wd does take more effort in tight parking spots. Can't be as bad as parking a F-350.

6. 2016 V6 oil change is every 10k miles which is nice, spark plugs last 100k miles, actually most new cars are lot less maintenance than a 200k mile car. Toyota offers free oil change and tire rotation for 2 years but I got 3 1/2 years because I negotate.

Hope this helps, I been pretty happy with mine but there are a couple people here "Smitty" that would push the 2016 off a cliff.

 

I bought for child seat as well. The anchoring system in the DC is really well done. Super roomy and super safe. Don't listen to the haters, this is a weird forum. It's a great truck. I've had a few minor things adjusted but that's always how it is when you get a new car... in my exp.

 

This is very true. A very negative place compared to the 4Runner forum that I've been a part of for years.

With that said, there are some very real problems impacting a large number of trucks. Does that mean that you shouldn't buy one? Probably not. Toyota has been addressing the issues quickly for such a large company, just not quickly enough to suit some members.

My truck has had several of the common problems but problems should be expected with a new powertrain. I don't regret my purchase but I do hope that they come out with a fix for my last remaining problem sooner rather than later.

 

1. Yes
2. On my way to school (downhill) I get around 26-28 mpg and on my way home (uphill) I get around 19-21 mpg
3. Around 21 gallons maybe
4.navigation is good. Although I don't like how the screen won't turn so you are always looking ahead like your phone does.
5. Very easy to park
6. On the automatics, you cannot change your own transmission fluid. Or at least there isn't a dipstick for it

 

It does. There is a virtual button at the top left of the screen that toggles between a static arrow pointing forward with a dynamic map around it, and a static map with an arrow in the middle that changes direction.

It bothered me too until I figured out how to toggle it.

 

Thank you so much! I was on the verge of buying a new Garman because it was too confusing

 

Rear-facing Chicco brand carseats are a REAL tight fit. Snug to back of driver's seat before latching in. Maybe different brands would be better. Something you can test for sure.

 

Buy the truck...

1. Car seat(s) fits fine.
2. Fuel economy is great (20-22 per gal)
3. I get around 400 miles led fill up on my tank.
4. Entune is nice, no issues from it so far...nav has taken me where I need to go without problems and it has rerouted me during accidents or traffic jams.
5. Too big?? It's a Tacoma...not a Peterbilt. Lol I came from a 4 door crew cab F150 so it's small for me.
6. I do my own maintenance Also, I've only got 1600 miles on this one so I'm still under Toyota care

Overall it's an awesome truck that will last you forever (since you like driving them till they die lol) I'm 28 and this is my 23rd vehicle. By far one of my favorites!

Good luck!

 

Thanks for the updates guys, a few follow ups:

Plan would be 4x4 DCSB with V6 Manual. Need truck to haul dirtbike and do house reno's and yard work.

1. Really appreciate the car seat comments, I also have a german shepherd and hoping I can squeeze him back there with the car seat assuming I can flip the rear seats down?
2. The 3.4 V6 in my first gen is supposed to get more like 17 mpg and I am getting almost 19 with my driving habits, this new 3.5L is supposed to get 18mpg, so hopefully I will get better.
3. Understood and thanks.
4. So is the preference over the Scout system which I understand is an app you can link? Does this system alert you of red light cameras, photo radar, construction zones similar to Waze?
5. Understood, I'm sure I can get use to it, concern is also not sure if it will fit in garage as is 10" longer/wider haha. Rather not park the wifes car in the man cave!
6. Understood, looks like it won't be a problem compared to 1st gen.

 

Yes sir, rear seats fold flat down with a hard backing on the back for a perfect doggie platform!

 

Your 23rd vehicle??

 

some replies based on your follow up questions....

1... I too have a German Shepard and a son. I would *not* try to fit both back there, unless you want your child sitting in a pool of your dogs drool and dog hair. I got a top for the bed, the dog gets the whole truck bed.
2... based on my unscientific observation of what people are posting on their MPGs here on TW, it safe to assume you;ll get about 18-20 MPGs on an unmodified taco.

4. the Entune nav is serviceable, and has some "smart" traffic capabilities, but let's not kid ourselves... it's no Waze or Google Maps. it's not as slick. I use Google Maps on my phone.

 

anther note on child seats... you should have no issues with a seat (front or rear facing) if you place in center spot (which you should). if you choose to have it placed on either side, then it is a tight fit, especially if you the driver have to set your seat back. the best way to test for this is to just bring the car seat you want (car seats vary greatly in footprint, just pick the one you want) and test it in a demo truck.