Test Drove 3 2018s - My Impressions

That said, if you're into going really fast in a straight line and you buy a new car every three years, buy an ecoboost and drive it like you stole it!

 

Yeah I hold onto my truck about 4 or 5 years max. Thanks!!!

 

I had a 2016 with the 3.5eb. I loved the power and the way it drove, but I had so many problems with it. Coolant leak at 500 miles, steering column replaced twice due to clunking and then at 9k miles the throttle body went out on a cross country road trip leaving me stranded in Nashville (thankfully I wasn't out in the middle of nowhere) for a weekend while I waited for a Ford dealer to open on Monday. Once I got to where I was going I traded it in for a 5.0 because I didn't trust my old truck anymore. That lasted 3 weeks. The 5.0 felt like a dog driving through the mountains after being used to the ecoboost. Lost a ton of money getting out of it, but I had to do it.

I have a GTI right now and I was wanting to get back into a truck again so I test drove a 2018 OR (probably with the old software) at the end of August this year and had to walk away. If I lived out in the country and was going on dirt roads in the mountains and stuff, the Tacoma would be perfect. But for where I'm at now doing a lot of city driving with traffic all the time I just didn't see myself being happy with it. Definitely looking forward to checking out the Ranger when it comes out though. I like the torque-iness of turbo engines.

 

You really need to be dedicated to go Tacoma after GTI. I won't miss every other vehicle on the road sitting higher and their headlights in my hatch window. Do miss the instant power and that smooooth 6MT.
I will check the Ranger in a couple years, let them work out the bugs. Yeah I know they use parts in other markets/vehicles but it's a Ford and even Toyota screws up.

 

Good to see you are an educated buyer.

It’s also interesting you can see each Tacoma is not identical. This is disconcerting. It would seem if the Tacoma’s were made in Japan, the build quality would be more consistent. That is certainly the case with the 4Runners.

What is the exact config you are looking for? Loaded MGM 4x4 OR?

 

I'm sure the engine in the Ranger will be quick. But I don't think I could go back to Ford. Insane body panel gaps, doors that freeze shut in the winter, sync systems that work sometimes, new turbos, rebuilt rear diffs, new drive shafts.... All under warranty but yeesh.

Ford was my first American car since my '88 Oldsmobile. Got used to subies and Honda's and not having major things need repairs until like 150k+ miles. The taco is my first Toyota, so fingers crossed I'm back in the world of reliable Japanese vehicles. I'm just too anal to deal with constant issues... Which is why I no longer touch German cars despite loving them.

Funny you mention the GTI because I considered going back to a fun car after the Ford. Looked at the GTI and WRX. I'd love to have one of those for weekend fun. But at the end of the day if you want a truck you gotta get a truck. And the thought of having to plan securing a truck for every dumb little thing like buying mulch or dumping branches and other yard stuff really turned me off. I accomplish more stuff when I own a truck. Didn't want to give that up.

That damned WRX was fun though! Just gotta scrounge up a spare 25 k. Lol

 

That's another issue Im running into - they don't make the DC 4x4 OR, Graphite Grey, with the top of the line package!!!! That's the only color I really like but I can't get the package with all the bells and whistles.

 

Whoever told you that is full of shit. A quick check on cars.com tells me they are out on the lots. Fillter by color and the extra feature, moonroof.

One in Austin at https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/752733770/overview/

 

I’m assuming he means MGM when he says Graphite Grey. Should be out there, one of the most common colors for the Tacoma.

 

Yeah, I'd like to see the F150 ecoboosts go 200+K miles consistently with NO problems like my two Tundras did and others do. Something tells me to get that much power from 3.5L a price has to be paid. The 5.7L Toyota V8 is a great motor in every way but mileage, and in that it spoils you and you take torque for granted.

 

You can get MGM with Premium and Tech

 

Yeah, and the gas savings of an ecoboost go out the window pretty quickly if you need to drop a new engine in it at 100k.

 

I thought I could but when I use the Toyota webpage, it keeps telling me I cant, it forces me to remove that color.

 

What does that do to your MPG though?

 

yeah strange as im averaging 19.0 city driving. stock truck too.

 

I am coming from a 2006 V6 Ranger, and so far had my 18 V6 taco for 3 weeks. I'm not a fan of the seats not going up or down. I had more cockpit room in my ranger than taco. Also, when you step on the gas, I dont like the lag it takes to go. It kind of throws you back and pretty uncomfortable. The truck is brand new, so you think the tranny needs to get broken in more, or is this an ETC fix? I see people talking about ETC making a big difference, but I thought that was for towing? Also, would driving around with your ETC on just kill your MPG? Im getting 19.0 city right now which is freaking amazing. Those are pretty much the negatives as the positives speak for themselves.

 

https://media.giphy.com/media/XuBJvrKHutnkQ/giphy.gif yeah OK @smitty99

 

i did a 35 mile run, one way ECT off the other way ECT on, maybe 1 mile less per gal with ect on.

 

I have a dealer showing me a MGM DC 4v4 OR with neither the tech nor premium package for 9% off MSRP. Without the 2 packages Im saving about $3600, which I can then invest into a nice sound system/head unit and a remote start and still come out way ahead. Honestly, while I like leather seats, the cloth are lower maintenance/higher durability anyway.

 

The heated seats and Sunroof sure are nice though.