Tacowannabe

Hey guys and gals. First post here, coming from Ih8mud.

Currently have a 2001 4runner with 276K. Awesome vehicle. I want to add a Tacoma to the garage as it’s perfect for my needs.

On the Toyota website I built an Off Road double cab, short bed. Has a manual transmission, the premium package and a few other things. Love that Cement color!

The problems I am reading about are scaring me away. Issues like automatic transmissions not shifting correctly which is why I specified a manual transmission, rear end vibration and leaks. Maybe more. From what I read these problems are not catastrophic but are a pain in the butt. I am also reading that dealers are trying to sweep the problems under the rug.

I am also noticing a lot of 2016’s at Toyota dealers used car lots which seemed odd.

Does being made in Mexico have a bearing on the issue? The window stickers say that the parts are manufactured in USA and assembled in Mexico. 4Runners are 100% built in Japan.

So whatsay ? Are the problems being corrected or am I going to be best friends with a service writer?

 

I share some of your same concerns, I've noticed a lot of used 3rd gens for sale with next to nothing for miles. Who buys a truck and drives it 3700 miles in three months before saying F-it?

 

Traded my 2000 T4R for my 2017 Tacoma. Had the T4R for 17 years, it just plain wore out! I agree they are great vehicles.
I haven't had any issues with my 2017 Taco so far. Here is what I noticed when I switched ...
The ride quality, seat position, etc is very similar to my old T4R.
The Tacoma gas pedal took some getting used to, it is much stiffer feeling.
The shift points are different in the Taco 6speed auto.
The 3.6 in the T4R seems to have more low end torque than the 3.5 in the Taco.
The Taco is definitely bigger and longer, but rear seat room is less than in the T4R.
The tech upgrades - Bluetooth, usb, back up cam, steering wheel controls, digital dash, are really nice upgrades.
Overall I'm really happy with the Taco. And it gets better gas mileage than the T4R.

 

People who read tacomaworld too often and are afraid their rear diff and transmission will spontaneously explode out of the truck

 

I have a 2017 MT off road. I do have a diff howl. It's not very loud or noticeable. I don't care, and it hasn't prompted me to sell it.

My old 2007 Tacoma was made in the US and it went to 200k miles with no issues. I have faith that this one will go to 200k.

The Tacoma is extremely popular vehicle in my area. If there were really that many issues with the Tacoma, we would be seeing a lot more media hype about it. Further The Tacoma is breaking sells records currently, so there is a media bullseye on this car.

The media and especially auto journalists are extremely biased against Toyota. If the issues on the message boards were that prevalent, we would see way more YouTube videos and hit pieces from the mainstream media.

Toyota puts reliability behind their reputation as a brand. The Tacoma is one of their most popular models. They aren't not going to allow the Tacoma platform to be tainted.

 

If you can make do with a 4Runner get that over a 3rd gen Tacoma . A much better over all vehicle imo.

 

This is just my hypothesis but the reason you see alot of used 3rd gen is because they sold so many tacomas vs most of any 1 type of vehicle, that even a small fraction of people decide to trade for another tacoma, you would have a huge number of used. Also, the resell value of tacomas are good enough where it doesn't hurt as bad when you sell it back, and ive seen a bunch of people post that they traded their sr or sr5 or just 2016 for a 2017 or 2018, or an offroad or a pro.

 

If you are going to get a third gen taco, get it OVTuned. Period. Best thing I ever did for the truck and I like my 2016.

 

Not happy with engine size/pull capacity?

 

Sounds great.. but will it last ten years?

 

I'd wait another year or two and see if they get the bugs worked out.

 

haha longer. Shifting is SMOOTH, engine temps are better, idle is better, burns cleaner. No cons whatsoever. In fact, Toyota has been calling the creator of OVTune so he can tune a few of their trucks (he recently shared this with us). Toyota really screwed up on the shift points and fuel mapping.

 

Gotta do it this Summer.

What I read is that the rear diff whine is a vibration, not an axle flaw?

 

Really? You have post links for this?

Maybe OVtune can create a TRD tune?

 

I have the TRD Offroad. I got the TRD Tune and it is awesome. Here is the link to the thread for AT owners

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2016-toyota-tacoma-v6-ecu-tuning-alpha-release.495735/page-860


Look under the 3rd gen section to find the MT thread if you are an MT.
Keep in mind OVTune is a company that has backing from Mazda and Toyota, it's not some dude in his garage coding in his boxers...lol

 

It's a Toyota so it will last longer than most marriages these days. One only buys a Dodge if they plan on the marriage lasting five years, two DUI's, and three domestic violence calls about nonsense about she drank the last MGD and there's only Bud Light left while FGL plays in the background

 

HAHAHAHA now that's funny. Well done

 

Nothing screams failed marriage like a five year old Dodge with rotten box sides and three more years left on the note. There's a reason why one can can buy large flares. To cover rust and make it look good enough to find another gal that don't know any better.

 

FCA = Festering Crap Autos

Never bought dodge and never will.