2nd Gen Likes and Dislikes

I was just thinking about this on my way to work today and was wondering what others like/dislike most about their 2nd Gen Tacomas.

My likes:

• It's quiet inside
• Decent stock ride in my opinion
• I can hall stuff if I want to
• I can pull trailers
• I can travel just about anywhere, in any weather, at any time (reason I sold my motorcycle and traded in my Honda Civic)
• So many modifications available (reminds me of the Team Associated RC10 remote control car from my youth)
• Reliability (knock on wood)
• Holds it's value (can be good and bad)

My Dislikes:

• Sometimes the damn radio will not sync my iPhone to save my life!
• The only outside temperature reading for my truck is via HD radio which is slow, and sometimes simply doesn't function
• Blind spots (or it could simply be me being short)
• These trucks hold their value, so buying pre-owned is still expensive (I splurged anyways)

 

I think your list is pretty good. Only one that is maybe different for me is the inside doesn't seem that quiet...at least compared to my last truck (Chevy) and the 3rd-gen Tacoma.

I would also add in the truck looks and behaves like a truck. That is good/bad depending on the person. For me, it's good. I like the truck feel. Also, I like that the 2nd-gen isn't too fancy. That was never my style, with a pick-up. Another thing is just the exterior styling. I think the body-lines are up there as my favorite truck of any era.

Only bad things are that it is a bit out-dated. Some of the gadgets on the 3rd-gen or other full-size trucks are pretty cool. But like said above, I don't really need stuff like that anyways.

 

1. Bluetooth issues: If you have entune, there's an update 5.2 that helps with syncing: https://securedp.toyota.com/download-app/toyota
2. Blindspot issues: 4runner's site has a seat mod to raise your seat: http://4runners.org/writeups/seatbolts/index.html

 

blindspot issues for me as well and the noisy leaf springs, otherwise I am good with it.

 

2011 here TRD Off Road. Heated mirrors would have been nice for $34k

 

Good point. I've been a Honda guy for a very long time. I liked to be able to see digitally, my fuel consumption and how many miles I could go before I needed fuel. My 2009 motorcycle even had that.

 

Oh yes, heated mirrors. Now this thread sounds like a Monty Python skit.

"But what have the Romans done for us?"

Translated to:

"What has Toyota done for us?"

 

Recently coming from a loaded SAAB 9-5, for me the biggest disappointments have been in the cheap Toyota standard fittings (SR5). I put in a mirror with homelink, temp and compass - an essential item in the former car. May add heated mirrors and seats as well - both essentials in MN. Also agree with the fuel MPG display (why have the fancy entune thingy with pretty much zero useful content besides radio and backup cam?) and crunchy leaf springs.

I was pleasantly surprised by how comfortable the truck is on longer highway trips. Put 15K miles on since June. Don't get me started on the crosswind door seal kazoo! Just enjoyed 5 1/2" hours of that (fitting rubber (vacuum line) tubing behind the stock seal didn't work for me at least).

There's nitpicks with everything you spend a lot of time with (ask my wife!), but all in all, I'm a happy new (used) Tacoma owner.

 

Bluetooth "that woman's voice" You tell to make a call, Her"who would you like to call"? Me "home". "her" I cant understand you lets try again? She Needs a fucking English lesson!!!!!!! I find my self screaming obscenities while driving down the road at a radio ,, Fuckin home bitch!!!!!!!!!! HOME!

 

For 34g truck should have came with heated seats and mirrors.
I already installed heated mirrors and my katzkin heated leather is on its way. Other than that love the 2nd gen. I've been driving one since February 2006.

 

It absolutely infuriates me that some switches don't light up. I got the 4WD one to with the board sold on here, but the power inverter switch and power mirror controls still have no backlight.

That said, the truck got me out of somewhere where it had no business getting me out (50 miles from civilization), and tracked straight with no noises or other issues afterward, even after it bottomed out multiple times bombing through ruts in 4LO with me just hoping I'd get to the other side. The guts of the thing are super solid--engine, diffs, transmission, suspension and steering components. The truck isn't going to strand you anywhere.

 

LOL, this is on point and have to sig it.

 

dislike:
they could have done without 15 or so of the cup holders
electronic 4WD switch
tmps
too many warning lights/nanny buzzers
the fresh air inlet above the cabin air filter... home to water leaks and rodents
no way of chaining up the front
vsc in winter
rust issues
pos leaf springs
pos tires that came on the truck when new (lasted 15,000 miles)
no lighted key ring on ignition
no fog light switch on/off indicator, 4WD switch doesn't light up from factory
dtrl lens melt issue
spare tire lowering system sucks
no auto tranny dip stick

 

OMG... I'm laughing my ass off right now picturing you yelling in your truck... I'm crying!

 

Powered rear window would be nice

Since we finally got some snow here in Kansas City I remember an annoying thing. That damn "beep beep beep" when you spin the rear tires in the snow.

 

I haven't used 4wd a lot yet. But the times I have, it seems difficult to actually find the damn 4wd switch (especially in the dark). The switch knob is behind the steering wheel and the keys which makes it pretty hard for me to see, let alone activate in a pinch.

 

I have a 2008 regular cab with a cap. Blind spots are what I expected from a truck (this is my first truck, coming from a history of small cars: Hyundai Accent, Subaru Impreza, etc) but not too bad after putting those small blind spot mirrors on my side views. I bought it used, so I shouldn't complain, but I'd like fog lights, an auxiliary port for my phone, etc.

I love the truck and wouldn't want anything else, but I'm planning on some serious modifications once we hit spring weather...

 

That's what I really love... the mods available! Which means I need to do more freelance to raise funds for those mods.

 

I bought a base model 4x4 with the fewest features possible. I figured I could add the few features I actually need. I've done a full suspension revamp, heated mirrors, intermittent wipers and added some storage solutions. A sliding rear window would be nice. It'll cost a little more than the heated mirror kit, so maybe some day. Oh yeah, 2wd low will be added very soon.