2016/2017 Navigation and other questions

FYI..... My 2016 TRD OR AC 4x4 AT does not have the built in garage door opener. I do have the premium tech package with nav, back up sensors, BSM, heated seats and mirrors and just about every other option under the sun.... but no homelink.

 

The PDF i posted in post #11 on page 9 says HomeLink garage door opener is only available on the Limited model. Might only apply to 2016 models in the US.

 

You can get one off ebay. I believe all the wiring is there. Someone on here had removed the auto dimming mirror and replaced with homelink.
It may be standard on a limited but a port option on other trims.

 

At least in SouthEast Toyota territory the "Frameless Autodimming Mirror with HomeLink & Compass" is a $329 MSRP / $251 invoice port-install option on the 2017's.

They use the Gentex 50-GENK85A mirror for this, which is a nice step up from the prior generation mirrors.

$270 Gentex Series 8 Frameless Auto-Dimming Mirror with Homelink and Compass 50-genk85a

https://www.amazon.com/Gentex-Frameless-Auto-Dimming-Homelink-50-genk85a/dp/B00PXH3A52

I ordered it with my TRDOR and have been very happy with it.

 

The 2017 brochure for the US lists homelink mirrors as standard on Limited and Pro. It does not list them as an option for other models, but as I noted above they are a "port-install" accessory in SouthEast Toyota territory.

 

They're certainly installable, I put a GENK40A in my wife's Rav4 a couple years ago. I think the only difference on the homelink vs non-homelink is the additional need for constant +12VDC. That's usually pretty easy to access.

Though if you can get it as a port-installed option covered under the 3/36 warranty for $100 less than buying one on ebay and installing it yourself...

 

Thanks for this informative post, Pyro. I have to disagree with you on the towing in MY case. My days of towing will be (maybe at most) a 2000 pound motorcycle trailer plus motorcycle. Other than that, I may pull that trailer occasionally with general "house stuff" like mulch, landscaping timbers, fencing, etc, etc. But those are my projected needs. I am selling my 37 ft RV (weighs about 14k) in April, and do not plan on ever pulling anything near that heavy again. I'm 70 years old, and my needs are far different than a younger man I suspect. A half ton would pull more, but in many cases not that much more, and a half tonner is too big for my garage, maneuvering in the parking lots, etc.

What is the "DC TRD" to which you refer above? I bet you like that keyless entry (and start?)! We have that on the family car and it's wonderful not having to find those car keys under a heavy winter coat, etc. I'm also glad to ready your phone works with with the EnTune system. You phone is an Android I think? So is mine, although mine is an LG.

I am really curious about your last comment, about being generally underwhelmed with the Colorado. Since it and the Canyon are on my list along with the Tacoma, more detail would be very much appreciated.

 

DC TRD OR == DoubleCab TRD OffRoad trim/config.

In August I was deep into my shopping and considered the GM twins along with the Tacoma. Test drove the Canyon and kept considering it. I did like several aspects; CarPlay is nice (I'd used it for a few days in a rental car on a work trip), and the Canyon seemed to drive pretty well. Drivers seat adjustability was a nice bonus. For just getting in and riding down the highway, I liked the Canyon.

In the end I chose the Tacoma though.

I don't tow anything with regularity so that capability didn't matter. I liked the rear seat fold down configuration better on the double-cab Tacoma, it seemed less wasteful of space. I also preferred the bed side-rails (and inexpensive header rail add-on) for cargo flexibility, with the AC power outlet a nice bonus. The smartkey on the Tacoma was a big plus, I've loved having it on another car.

While there's much to be said for CarPlay, having to plug in the wire gets pretty annoying when you're out running errands and you're in & out of the truck a bunch. Entune, despite its faults, has the benefit of being wireless. Additionally, all the data goes through the phone or comes in via HD radio for free. No need to pay for OnStar. I've had SiriusXM traffic on a previous vehicle and never subscribed after the 1yr free trial; $3-4 a month for traffic? No thank you.

As for offroading; I'm no rock crawler but I do like to get away to the N.Ga mountains when I can either for a ride-around or for primitive drop-camping off the FS roads. As I'm typically solo I wanted the best (reasonable) capability to get out of a muddy campsite on my own. I've had a jeep before and have found a rear locker handy on occasion when the Georgia clay gets wet.

Finally, although more emotional/anecdotal, I couldn't help but factor in prior experience with GM and Toyota vehicles. We've had two Toyotas, one we sold at over 200k miles and the other at over 170k miles; neither ever needed major repairs, mostly just normal maintenance items. My previous GM vehicle threw a rod at 85k miles.

Certainly much of the above is personal preference and individual needs/wants. Still, I hope you find it helpful.

 

For your towing needs, then the Tacoma would be fine. As for the Colorado, I had one as a rental for a couple days and nothing really excited me about it. My bias is toward Toyota. My whole family drives them and has good experiences with them. The Colorado is a good looking truck, and the new ZR2 is arguably as capable as the TRD Off Road, especially with a reported stock front and rear locker. That being said, the interior felt a little cheap, and the handling felt a little bland. It would take some heavy modification or spending a lot more to make the stock z71 as capable as the stock Tacoma TRD. I can see why many people new to pickups would like it, as it feels like a baby 1500 series. Given the choice, and the cost, I would rather pony up for a half ton if I went with any GM vehicle because they tow very well. As soon as i first drove my buddy's new TRD Off Road Tacoma, I knew my 05's days were numbered. It was the same when I rode a Victory motorcycle for the first time while owning mostly Harleys, my harley went up for sale that day and two weeks later I had a new to me Victory Kingpin. The same thing happened with the Tacoma, I was familiar with the brand, truck, and reliability from owning my 05 for a couple years, and the exceptional retention of value, making the purchase of a brand new TRD Off Road a fairly easy one. I like and recommend the Tacoma, but as with anything, choose the truck that makes you happy.

 

That is VERY helpful, thank you! Your positive comments on the Tacoma sound like I wrote them! I agree with everything you mentioned. I cannot believe I find that smart-key (proximity lock/unlock/start) such a big deal, but I do. Getting really lazy in my old age, but I have gotten used to it with the family car, and it's a pain now to take my Duramax anywhere and have to fish the key remote out of my pocket! Very sad, eh?

Towing is a little important to me, but with my light trailer (about 2000 lbs loaded) either vehicle is fine. Off road doesn't concern me as I live where that plus my life style would not require 4wd or any other off-road capability.

I think your experience with the GM product at 85 miles would sour me also. I have owned several Chevrolets over the years and only had one that needed attention, bad diesel fuel plus a inoperative water/separator warming sensor. I have never owned a Toyota but I understand their historical quality is very good, despite some of the negatives I hear on the current Tacoma's CPS and transmission; but then there are issues with the GM twin's transmission also.

So, I am having a tough time trying to decide. Keep in mind I have not yet taken a lengthy test ride in either, just a short one in a Colorado to see how the seat and power felt (ok). Hopefully I will have a much better feel for which I want once I've spent time in both trucks.

 

Yep, it will take some research and at least a couple of lengthy test drives, but hopefully the one that's best for me will become apparent quickly.

I understand totally the motorcycle analogy! I used to be a cruiser guy although my main riding was touring. I'm retired, love long distance riding, seeing our beautiful country, etc. Then one day test rode a BMWR1200RT which I heard was the best touring bike, and fell in love! Since then I have own three of them.

 

Understandable, particularly if off-road capability is unimportant to you. Even though it's not as frequently used as I'd prefer, it is an important consideration for me and that made the decision towards the Tacoma much easier.

My funcar has power adjustable everything seats. I dialed in the setting that works for me and leave it there. The only time I ever adjust anything is to reset it after someone else has driven it (service, spouse, whatever). My Tacoma is closer to my old 4Runner. Minimal adjustability to the seat, pretty much just slide and tilt plus lumbar. I dialed in the setting that works for me and I leave it there. I've not yet done really long drives, no more than two and a half hours, but it's been perfectly comfortable for that duration.

Since you're a motorcyclist you understand the idea of motors that like to rev. That's what the third gen Tacos have. It'll be a change from a diesel. Make sure you get a good long test drive and have the chance to really check it out. Same for the GM twins, be sure to truly test drive. Assume nothing.

Some other (possibly silly) stuff: I think the whip antenna on the GM is just dumb in today's world of sharkfins. There's an aftermarket stubby available though. Power outlet in the Taco bed has been real handy when checking/adjusting tire pressure in the driveway. No need to spool out an extension cord for my tire compressor or small vacuum. It is moronic that the Tacoma radio display doesn't work well with polarized sunglasses. I don't remember if the GM twins had that issue. I really like the Toyota OEM tonneau cover, particularly how clean the install is and how easily you can take it off. There are plusses to the GM OnStar system and its options, consider if they're important. I had a similar system in my funcar but never extended the services beyond the free period. Remote start from the OEM fob plus optional/additional cellphone remote capability is easy enough to add to the Tacoma, and relatively inexpensive if you can DIY; see my signature. GM twins have no glovebox lock, Tacoma does. Sure it's pretty flimsy, but still handy to have.

 

Im sure there both dealerships will offer an overnight test drive. Be sure to take advantage of it!

Im glad most people on here were civil to you. I had a terrible experience when I posted this topic year and half ago. Had several people tell me I dont need a truck and should just buy a rav4 with a trailer. This 3rd gen forum is about 70% aholes to be honest. People here take everything so literally its ridiculous.

 

My wife's car has power everything also, including the proximity lock/unlock/start, which I initially thought was a "gimmick", but now I've grown to love it. Roger that on the seats; not having electric adjustment and "memory" isn't a significant deal as I will be the only driver in the truck other than at the service, etc. I do have concerns about the seating position that is brought up by many here and elsewhere....so I need to get a test drive in soon to eliminate the Tacoma or solidly include it on my list.

No problem there. The family car is the same - maybe worse. It's a C300 and develops little power until the revs are high.

Not silly at all; this is some of the best information I've read here! I am no fan of OnStar, although it was standard on my last few Chevy trucks. I never used it and let the "free" subscription run out. Same for the Sirius/XM, although we have enjoyed it during the "trial period"; but not enough to spend $11 or so a month. If anything, we'd just use our cell phone's data with Pandora when we felt the FM radio or MP3s was not enough.

So, thanks for the good information! I am looking forward to a relatively long Tacoma test drive!

 

Well, we all have bad days..........and that experience isn't unique to this forum, I've seen it on motorcycle forums, gun forums, knife forums, kayaking forums.....do you see the trend here?

 

You like toys?

 

Heh heh, ya got me there!

 

No the manual has a different ignition. Keyed versus push start. Thus no keyless entry.

 

I thought "keyless entry" referred to any system where you didn't have to put a key into the cylinder to unlock the door? I know the M/T Pro I checked out had remote door lock/unlock on the key just like my 09 Jeep had.

Now the M/T's don't have the smartkey system with touch lock/unlock. Not sure what the true name is for that.

 

When l brought up the question i was talking about that touch feature drivers door handle.