Going to test drive a Tacoma off road tomorrow. Couple questions

Get the manual. Join the revolution!

 

Pretty sure all 3 gens have been put head to head.... No need for "feels" if I'm right, as objective results are measurable.

 

I know how to drive one. I just don't like to because of traffic. If I was buying a sports car that would be different

 

I test drove an orange 2018 off road without a sunroof. I really liked it. I had good room, the person in the back would be a different story, the sales guy didn't say much either which is nice. Drove some back roads and the interstate. I hated the color but am going to start looking for a grey, red or blue truck I think

 

I have driven both. I drove the manual first. Both sucked.
The problem is the high RPMs. That does not change in manual vs automatic. It still runs too high RMPs before shift.
My dad loves manuals and immediately said he’d never buy the truck. He freaked and bought his TRD Pro 4Runner out of fear they would put the new engine in on a redesign.

I was ordering a 2016. Test drove it and that made the final decision for me to not get the new model.
That... and the truck is really ugly in person.

 

Cement and MGM both look really good! Also, the Barcelona looks better in person than in photos.

 

Don't pay attention to the trollers. They've supposedly thoroughly tested, driven, and/or owned a 3rd Gen, proceeded to buy a 2nd Gen, then hangs around the 3G forum and bad-mouths to make themselves feel better. "3G sucks. Does the 3G ever talk about me? What do you think the 3G is doing now? Whatever, I don't care..."

 

Sunroof takes a lot of room. It drove me nuts. Back seats are adequate. Not comfortable, but good enough. Good luck.

 

My two cents: If touhave any interest in a manual, test drive that as well. I got my 2018 Off-Road for $30,500 because it was a stick (luckily that's all I wanted anyway). I have read reviews where the manual feels quicker, but if you're looking for low end torque the Tacoma isn't your best bet .If you need some power, it picks up some after 3000 rpms as has been stated. All in all though, it's the most capable pickup out there. If I wanted speed, I would've kept my WRX. In my mind though, $30k for an Off-Road is pretty hard to beat. Best of luck in your search!

 

This sums it up. Do not make a decision after a 5min test drive.

 

Was that a DC? That's a ridiculously good price!

I'm still unsure what the complaint about power is. I've had sports cars, fullsize trucks with 200ft/lb more tq. Why are people expecting V8 performance from these trucks? Do they not drive these beforehand? Don't care if you're talking 4.0 or 3.5. Relatively speaking, they pale in comparison to any V8 or V6TT out there. Of course, the Tacoma was never marketed as a work truck, or a high-performance truck, but a lifetstyle truck. Hope people realize that before signing the contract.

 

Very happy w/ my 17' DCSB OR auto. trans., In the city I tend to drive w/ the ect button on. 17' Tacoma is much faster than my previous 11' JKU Rubi., but if you want a "fast" vehicle you'd probably be happier w/ something else. Check the seating position in the Tacoma, it's different, raising up the back of the seats 3/4" improved it for me. Good luck.

 

You can definitely do that, and I have, but it doesn't do you any good on the passenger side unless you pull the fob out of your pocket. 30% of the time I'm in the truck, my wife is with me so 30% of the time I had to pull the 'keyless entry fob' out of my pocket to open her door. Adding the keyless entry door handle to the passenger side and wiring it in solved that problem.

 

You can probably get them to let you have a used 3rd Gen overnight. Test drive it thoroughly and if you like it great, if not buy something else. It's not as complicated as some make it seem.

 

+1 to that. I'm 5'9" and I have to be careful getting in b/c of that. I can't imagine how anyone taller than me doesn't have issues.

 

No reason they can't give him a new one, my Dealer let me choose one off the lot and gave it to me to test for 3 days.

 

Yes it's a double cab. The dealership was just trying to get rid of it cause it was a stick shift...defi definitely worked out in my favor.

 

It's not a problem understood by someone who doesn't open the door for their SO.

 

Some will, some won't it seems.

 

That's true, would depend on the Dealer, hopefully they would notice a serious buyer versus a tire kicker and offer to let him take it overnight.