2018 test drive

I did a search, but still need information. Been a forum member for a long time and have been following the trials and tribulations of the Gen 3 Tacoma since its introduction. Over the past 25 years my wife and I have had five Tacomas. Never had a reservation about buying one before. This time I do because of the reports of poor performance related to the engine and transmission. Also concerned about the other miscellaneous problems. My wife currently has a 2015 Off Road double cab which we will not be trading. If I do do buy a Gen 3, it will replace my 2012 Ram Hemi...which has 115,000 miles on the odometer. The Ram has been a very reliable truck.

Thanks for bearing with me for reading this far.

My request: How to I make the best of a road test. I have already told the dealer that I am looking at acceleration from a stop, highway acceleration especially for passing and gravel road performance for how it handles washboards. This truck will not see off trail driving but I will be using it for hunting in rather rough country.

I will be test driving a 2018 Off Road double cab with an automatic transmission. A six speed transmission is not an option for me. I lived those "glory days" a long time ago.

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

 

If you really push it acceleration really isn't all that bad. Where you'll start finding issues is when you're at highway speed going uphill, holding highway speed in a headwind, cruising around the city. You'll notice the truck will hunt for gears under these situations, this is a big part of why everyone bitches about the autos in these trucks.

 

None of these problems, with my 18 DCLB at all.

 

Ask for an overnight test drive. If they are serious about selling you a truck they will let you.

 

Op - please post a follow up after you test drive. Would like to read about your impressions. Thanks

 

Do an extended test drive. My dealer let me take the Tacoma overnight. I drove everywhere with it.

But I have to ask--if the Ram has been very reliable, why trade it in?

 

First, you need to test drive a few models, not just the one you like. If you like the TRD Off Road, also test drive the TRD Sport so you fully understand the difference in ride, BRAKING and handling. There is quite a difference in each of those three categories. The Off Road has a softer ride but will give you a bit of body roll around corners. The Sport is stiffer with less body roll. The brakes are a lot different, both in feel and function. The "feel" of the Off Road brake is just different than the Sport, because of the Off Road utilizing ATRAC through the ABS needs a different booster.

As far as routes, make sure you do an "in town" loop as well as a "high speed" interstate loop. Find a place (entrance ramps are a great place) to accelerate from 0-60 as quickly as possible. Take both models through the same course.
Lastly, if there are hills, make them part of your test drive.

Remember this is the internet. Everyone with a complaint posts here, only a fraction without a complaint posts here. This is also only a tiny fraction of all Tacoma owners so take what you read with a grain of salt.

Good luck!

 

Imho, using the ect button solves 95% of any engine power/ trans. issues. My stock 17' DCSB OR has plenty of power for city or highway or hill climbing. If you add larger wheels and tires the engine power becomes more of an issue. If I was coming from a full size; I'd carefully consider the seating position in the Tacoma, it definitely is different from most other trucks. I found raising the backs of the front seats made the seating position more comfortable, but if a person really doesn't like the seating position, I would not recommend that person buy a Tacoma. Overall I love my 17'.

 

Also, remember it learns how you drive it, in the first 1000miles. So, if someone else test drove it first, and beat the piss out it. It may not drive to your liking.

Also, look at most of the reply's to your thread. It's 16 and 17 owners. Not 18 owners. Changes have been done, and most problems have been resolved.

 

Whatever you feel when you drive the truck, do NOT expect the transmission/engine to learn and improve. The truck doesn't have a lot of low RPM grunt. You will need to push the gas much more than you will be used to in order to get the truck to accelerate faster. If you can accept that, the truck will be fine, if not, you won't be happy. That being said, the truck will scoot if you tell it too. It'll rev and downshift, but it'll go.

 

Do not go in thinking this. It might learn, but there is no significant change.

 

On the plus side you got the high end torque. Accelerating from 80kph to 110kph is pretty smooth and quick.

 

ECT button for driving around town. S-mode on the highway using 5th gear if you drive +/-60mph or 6th gear if you drive +/-70mph. I've had mine for 1300mi now and I absolutely love it. I've had four other Toyotas and lots and lots of high power diesels. If you are cool with driving a truck that has a 2-stroke powerband, then this is for you! If you want a crapload of torque from 1000rpm to 3500rpm, look elsewhere.

 

I have a TRD OR with an auto and have none of the issues. So far, anyways.

 

Not saying it will change and get better. Saying if you drive it,(like a 16yo) foot to the floor racing between stoplight, and beat on it. It learns that style of driving. Drive it like a grandma, it will learn that style of driving.

 

Test drive it for an extended amount of miles.

The following purchaser had 3rd gen problems at 40 miles, which an extended drive would have revealed before purchase:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2018-tacoma-factory-flaw.532117/

 

Is it possible to test drive the truck on the EXACT washboard gravel roads you have in mind? Also, seems like a no brainer that you will want an OR. Also familiarize yourself with the ECT button. If you drive aggressive, ECT is probably your answer, and also know there is a relatively easy modification to have the ECT button engaged at all times. Good luck.

 

Keep in mind that for every problem like this, there are probably 20 other owners that have absolutely no issues. silent majority.

 

Agree with the other guys, definitely get an extended or overnight test drive and drive it on the roads you usually travel on.

 

My Ram has 115,000 miles on it and I don't usually keep vehicles when they reach this mileage. This is my third Ram Hemi. All have been great trucks. The 2019 Ram has a lot of new features and I'd prefer not to be a " beta tester". If I get a 2018 Tacoma and find it is not the right truck for me I can trade it and not lose too much money because of its high resale value. Also I want to downsize a bit. Too bad the Tacoma doesn't come with the small V-8. Sigh....