Went to the dealer today...

I purchased my '00 4Runner at the end of '99 and I am still running it (no pun intended) every winter from NY to Florida. It went cross country east-west-east several times and it saw its fair share of dust, mud and a bit f snow... It looks good, it still stands 2 inches higher and it runs well.

My 4Runner is a 5 sp MT, with an ARB rear locker, a TRD blower, WARN manual hubs (modified the original ones so I can give the front a break when not needed for 4x4), dual remote AMSOIL filter with by-pass, ARB front bumper and WARN winch, ARB compressor, OME heavy duty springs and shocks (this Monday I will replace all 4 shocks with a similar OME heavy duty), OPTIMA yellow battery, blah, blah, blah... in one word it is a hell of a truck that I love and care for.

The problem is that I need more cargo space for an inflatable boat, outboard motor, folding kayak, bikes, camping gear, etc. so I decided to look at the new 2017 Taco as a very attractive alternative. it is a Toyota, after all...

I did some reading online first and today I went to touch it. I could not find the TRD Off-Road 6 sp MT that I want, but I was allowed to touch the TRD Sport 6 sp AT the dealer had in the showroom...

First tactile impression stopped me dead in my tracks. The amount of plastic and fiber is overwhelming... Is this a pick up truck meant for a farm, a construction site, hauling bulky gear away from asphalt? As far as I am concerned, the interior is fine and I can live with it, but the bumpers and fenders are very disappointing. And then I opened the hood... Yes, I was very happy to see the extra space in the engine bay. I can fit a double ARB compressor on the right and some other toys on the left, but the finish on the engine assembly looks shockingly cheap...

The way the electrical cables were routed and bundled together, the twists that held the cables together, the screws the fasteners looked really cheap. Are the bean counters takng over entirely, deciding on the materials?

There was a sticker on the window that indicated that 65% of parts are manufactured in US and Canada and 15% in Mexico. What about the remaining 20%, or is the car delivered with only 80% of its parts? It also said that it was assembled in Mexico? I remembered that my good old 4Runner was 100% built and assembled in Japan...

I admit that I have a bias because I had the joyful privilege to drive several diesel Troopies abroad and i will not compare the Taco to a Troopie, or even a Hilux, but my first impression of the Taco is very poor... I wasn't thrilled of its 278 HP @ 6,000 rpm. That high rpm sounds like a bad joke for a 4x4 truck meant to travel (not merely play) off road. 265 torque at 4,600 rpm? Is this the best Mike Sweers can come up with for a mid size truck that takes pride in its off road capability and reliability? Still refusing to put the Hilux diesel in it because he is concerned that the US buyer won't spend an additional $3k for the diesel option? Is he deaf and blind to all the love and effort (and $$$) we the Toyota car owners put in our vehicles? Is he asking us if we'd pay the extra $3K for a diesel? Do we really have to wait for Mike Sweers to retire before we can have a much better choice for a Tacoma, or 4Runner?

Sorry for the rant, but I am really shocked with the taco I saw at the dealer today. My hopes to buy another great Toyota meant to replace the excellent 4Runner are gone...

I like Toyotas and I am very reluctant to check out another brand. I was planning to replace my 18 year old 4Runner with a new Taco and run it for a good 10-15 years, but right now Toyota USA doesn't offer me a good choice.

LE: I am a videographer by trade and all those stupid videos of empty bed trucks running through puddles and mud don't mean jack shit... they look like MTV clips but most off road enthusiasts don't drive their trucks like that. I also became very skeptical of many written and video reviews offered by the "big names". I wonder what do they drive after they return the car they just reviewed.

 

Welcome to 2017

 

OP your rant...yes indeed it is a rant is somewhat comical! The Tacoma is built well will indeed tackle what you want.
But I guess the beautiful part for me is you are lamenting for the good ole days of your so well built from the factory 4Runner .
That was so well built that you had to or felt the need to replace bumpers, suspensions etc..
Toyotas are built to last period !!
The 3rd gen Tacoma is a very capable rig .
The truck has evolved in the 18 years, something maybe you should have done over the same period of time . Get over it !
It's far better then the 99 4Runner ...not that the 99 4Runner was not a capable rig when you bought it ! Because it was.
Did you long for the days of your 18 year old Hilux then? Lol

You obviously have a esteem problem as well judging by your closing LE
The videos obviously appeal to the Tacoma demographics as they sell all they can produce .
Are you just trying to tell the world how macho and tough you are ??
Personally I'm not impressed ..and don't say you don't give a " jack shit " if I'm I am or not !! You obviously wrote this to show your metal as the ultimate off road MAN.
If you just cant believe the price , which I really think your problem is here as its been 18 years, just say so.

But what I am impressed with, is your very skillful writing . Kudos to you for that for sure!! Lmao
I bet you got a gold star in 6th grade for that type writing !

Just the same take a Valium and calm down and go buy your truck.

Good luck

 

I can understand everything you've stated, and agree on multiple things, but at this point, if you want something this big, you're going to have to do it yourself. It's very unlikely the Tacoma will ever get a factory diesel alternative. I don't think Toyota will stick with the 2GR for a full 10 years like they did with the 1GR and 2nd gen, something will change along the way. I would rather see an increase in displacement than anything else.

 

Not interested in picking a fight... While I am sorry for the rather long rant, each of us is entitled to his opinions.

I modified a good car back then because I wanted an even better car meant for a long haul. That doesn't mean that I am more of a man than you are, no worries...

It was just love for the 4Runner.

I am dreaming about this new Taco since Nov. '16, but I was not ready to go to the dealer, until today. Actually, yesterday.

I tried not to develop a pre-conceived idea based on the negative comments I read online for the past couple of weeks and I went with an open mind animated by the hope that it will be the right car for me. Unfortunately, it isn't. And that's that.

If you don't count the glitz of the plastic buttons and gizmos (I appreciate the GoPro mount!), as far as I am concerned, the '16 Taco is not a better car than the '00 4Runner. I get the same mileage in an 18 year old car loaded with heavy accessories and a rooftop. Not much evolution there...

If you ever have the opportunity to drive a TLC diesel of the '70's series, don't deny yourself an eye opening driving experience.

Cheers.

 

Unfortunately, I think you're right. The only dim hope is generated by the pressure from the Frontier with the 2.8 Cummins and the Jeep Wrangler pick up with a diesel. According to rumors, both may happen by the end of 2017, or beginning to mid 2018. Hopefully, Mike S. wakes up and understands that Toyota was getting too fat and comfortable on its reputation pedestal.

I still want a Toyota. The Hilux diesel engine could fit in the Tacos. Anyway...

 

Ahhh there is the rational person! I do enjoy the older diesels that Toyota has produced. And I'm happy to say that I've driven the older diesels as well as the newer ones.
I've had the opportunity to travel extensively throughout the world, both professionally and for enjoyment.
But Toyota can't be held accountable for the stupid laws that govern the import of some of the best cars and trucks the world has to offer from coming into our country !
I agree with you that there are better platforms Toyota builds but they can't import them into this country.

As for heavily modified vehicles I know a thing or a bunch on the subject as my rigs are part of my life. I have built each for the purpose to get me to the places I want to be. Which is away from others to enjoy kayaking hiking fly fishing and to just relax and enjoy wherever that happens to be.
I was not trying to pick a fight either, I just think personally that we have to enjoy the things we can have and look for the good in them and spend no time on the things we cannot change !
People say that a good rant is a good thing in that it unloads ones frustrations !
I do not subscribe to that. I believe you should just let it go upfront before you dwell on it long enough to let it eat at you till you explode into a rant.
Either way you are indeed untitled to your opinion and I to mine.

Be well
Mike

And get the Tacoma

 

Just do It. If you think that way you will never find a replacement for your beloved 00 4runner. Retire her and say your farewells. It's Taco time!

 

TACO TIME !!!
DO IT DO IT DO IT
Cmon join the party

 

Keep the t4r and get the taco...I did

 

All the new Tacomas are built either in Texas or Mexico. The 4Runner is still built in japan. Every new vehicle, whether it is toyota or any other manufacturer, is using plastic everywhere. Even though you want a Toyota have you gone and looked at the competition? I personally love my 17 Tacoma, it is very capable and I hope that it shows me that itscapable to take me over 400k miles.

 

You can always pull a trailer behind the 4Runner.

 

It has nothing to do with the 3k price. They won't put the diesel in because a tiny amount of people will buy it. No one wants or need a small anemic diesel in a mid size truck. It is absolutely pointless. There are no benefits to getting that motor.

The cost to make the motor emissions compliant, and the terrible power numbers you would get out of it makes it a bad financial decision for Toyota.

 

Sorry, those days are dead. You're getting a hybrid engine next in the Tacoma.

 

My first Toyota PU was a 1982 - I don't miss the leaf-spring ride (I like to think of it as a buck-board ride) or - the dim headlights - or the 4 speed transmission - or the little slow turning 4 banger - or the punishing seats - or the crank up/down windows - or the lack of variable interval wipers - or the lack of navigation equipment - or the 4 wheel drum brakes...etc etc....I could go on for a very long time. You remind me of my grandfather that used to remind me of how they don't build them as good as they used to and would use the term new-fangeled to describe anything that was younger than he is. My friend, you are stuck in a time warp. Today's Taco is designed for mass appeal - It is not designed to be 'nitch' machine - If it were, GM and Nissan wold be outselling it 10 to 1. These vehicles are built by Toyota for one reason - TO SELL. They are in this business not to cater to small special interest groups but to the masses that will buy them by the thousands. There are far more buyers of 4x4's that buy them to negotiate their driveway or supermarket parking lot in the snow than go off-road. The fact that Toyota outsells the others by a wide margin is a testimony to their ability to produce a product that the majority of buyers want. If your needs are being better served by an older machine - stay with it - keep it going - never purchase something that you are not happy with at the outset. My 2016 Sport (with MT) is the best of the bunch -Its my 5th Toyota Pickup and I can say that with probably a million miles of driving history. BTW - I am 75 and still working and I take my Taco off the pavement -several times a week going up mountains to service broadcast transmission equipment. My truck is not a 'toy' but rather a tool and like all tools I own I only buy good ones.

 

Depending on how it's implemented, I'd love a hybrid Taco option. I'm honestly surprised we don't already have one.

 

Good luck finding a truck to suit your needs.

 

My unofficial statistics (that I just made up):

60% of people have no interest in a diesel in a midsize truck.

Of the 40% that want one:

20% understand the real difference between the 2 options and still want it

80% want it because "diesel" sounds more manly/cool.

 

I'd be interested in an Access Cab w/ 6-speed manual diesel.

 

No...it's a midsize pick up.

What should they look like?

Yes, Toyota has many assembly plants. Tacoma's come from Baja or San Antonio.

Diesel exhaust smells like shit.