No longer need advice - my dad went with a 2015

My pops is considering a 2016 TRD Sport as his new vehicle. The only concern I have is the transmission and it feeling underpowered. Are my concerns warranted? And are there any other issues I should be concerned about?

 

You must be new here.

Just read any of the 12 new threads a day about this very topic.

Too much work?
-Engine has plenty of power in higher RPM band. Just gotta get up there.
-nothing is wrong with the transmission, it’s just different than what you’re used to.
-265-70/R17 is the largest tire size with stock suspension

 

Tell him to test drive a used one on a lot and decide for himself.Maybe change the title so it don't sound like a 10 year old wrote it.

 

Yes, test drive it. A lot.

The automatic transmission works acceptably around town; it is okay on the freeway; it can downright suck on two-lane roads when passing is required. I don't tow but I sure wouldn't want to tow with it.

The engine is okay. If the automatic transmission did what it is supposed to do few would complain about the engine.

Good luck.

 

OP, I'm not making fun of your post, absolutely nothing wrong with questions. It's just that @jmauvais stated the epidemy of truth! LOL. But like I said OP, ask away. You can learn 2 ways, from us, (which may or may not always be right), or the hard way. My moneys on asking us, lots cheaper that way! And BTW, welcome to the club

 

Get one with a Manual...

 

Nope. Not exactly. I did a scan of the first two pages of the 3rd gen forum. Saw one post about the transmission but wasn't related to what I was looking for. Also did a search ands that was just useless. Not sure the "too much work?" Comment was about.

 

Better? I'm guessing probably not...

 

Thank you for the feedback. I don't think my dad plans to tow anything. And if he does, I'd be really surprised. Maybe he's thinking long term on getting a small trailer. He's near retirement.

Did you get the update that was supposed to help the dual overdrive constant selection issue?

 

That's some perspective. Thank you. Not sure if he would care if it was a manual or not. He might like the idea of banging through the gears again. He had an 81 Toyota pick up that was stolen. Lots of memories in that truck.

 

You are welcome.

No. After 10 weeks my Tacoma still only has 1,600 miles on the odometer. Unfortunately for me, I find it neither comfortable nor enjoyable to drive. So it just sits in the garage all day.

Following the advise of others on here, I started filling up with 92 octane gas. It has reduced vibrations and improved engine response noticeably. The truck drives better now. But that automatic remains as frustrating as always. I’m not going to spend $600-$800 on an OVtune, though. I read too many issues with the dealers and unforeseen side effects for me to want to bother with it.

At this rate, the truck’s first six month service will come way before 5,000 miles. I’ll take it in to the dealer then, along with a list of things for them to look into.

If by this time next year the dealer hasn’t been able to fix anything, and/or I haven’t found a way to make myself comfortable driving this truck, I will likely trade it in for something else. I still don’t know what. But I doubt it will be another Toyota.

 

I would almost consider an OVTune necessary. Was for me to really enjoy how the truck drives.

 

Use the S mode for the driving conditions you are in For example;

S4 - Heavy stop n go traffic and city with top speeds 45mph
S5- Same as above but top speeds in the 50mph range This is good for rural roads.
S6 greater average 60mph + light traffic

D Mode flat terrain, no traffic and want best mileage.

From what I've I've experienced the torque converter does not lock in Smode.

This tranny has lots of configuration to meet the driving conditions It needs your input! When you learn how to use this tranny it drives pretty nicely

 

As mentioned, get the MT. Fun to drive, your own shift points, you get the larger rear-end (that comes in the OR & pro), and a 4.10 (I think ) ratio vs 3.80. Get the MT. Solves 98% of the TW 3rd gen bitch fest.

Welcome to TW

 

4.30 gears. I always look for a reason to post this chart:

 

Awesome, thank you for the clarification and correct answer!! See OP, 4.30, get a MT

 

No problem. And, not a big issue. 2k at 60 feels great and returns more than acceptable MPGs considering the shape, 60lb tire / wheel combo, and the 4k+ curb weight.

 

If he’s going 3rd gen I would never buy a first year of a new design they tend to have more issues than the later models. Probably get a 17’ for the same money and you get the power sliding rear window which wasn’t available on the 16.

 

I have tried using the S mode. I don’t know if it is because I also own a manual transmission car, or because I am not used to the Toyota S mode setup, but I did not like it. Didn’t find it intuitive. Gave up after awhile; I just put it in D and put up with the crummy automatic the rest of the trip.

The way I see it is I have to shift the automatic manually, might as well get an actual manual transmission, save $1,500 dollars, have fun and be done.

 

Perhaps. But you don’t start with such a crummy automatic on any other midsize truck either.