So who is or is not happy with the 2019 Tacoma?

Some seem to be under the impression that if Toyota can’t give us a decent automatic transmission then ALL “modern” automatics must, therefore, suck.

NEWS FLASH: FCA’s 8-speed and GM/Ford’s 10-speed are responsive, refined, capable, efficient and durable. So it can be done.

 

I just bought a new 19 Off Road , and going from fully loaded F-150 to a Tacoma probably one of the biggest mistakes I have ever made . I could probably say 20 things I hate about the truck . My top two are , way , way over priced for what u get . So outdated in the interior , engine sucks . Sorry that was three.

Honestly don't get what all the hype is about this truck .

 

Just being honest here. I love my taco but yes it has its issues in stock form. It does lack a lot of amenities that Toyota could be providing and maybe should have been.

I bought my QS OR DC at the beginning of the year. In that time I’ve had it lifted, replaced the wheels and tires, tinted the windows (would do that to any vehicle in the southwest), added side step sliders, bought seat risers to get rid of the negative pitch that neither my wife nor I could stand. I covered the factory fabric with Clazzio leather covers cause I hat d the interior fabric, and bought a bed Matt to keep stuff from sliding around in the bed, etc.

So what at first seemed to me a reasonable price of around 36k - off the 42k they had on the sticker - actually turned out a bit more with all the money I threw at it to get it to where I liked and I’m not done yet.

I had originally planned to buy a Jeep Gladiator which would have partially ended my 30 + years streak of buying Toyota; But had second thoughts when the roll out seemed to be taking forever. It gave me time to rethink the potential reliability factors that come with Fiat and first model year products. I still think I made the right decision going with the taco.

Having said that, I test drove a Gladiator yesterday and think that had they been available for me to try before I bought the taco, I may not have made the same decision despite the high cost. And here’s why: most of the stuff I had to do to the Taco to make it enjoyable, I would not have to do to the Jeep. The Jeep drove great, was comfortable and attractive, had plenty of space for storage, came with very capable off road tires and attractive rims, and is off road capable right off the floor with its front and rear lockers, while still remaining comfortable to drive on pavement. Interior was very nice and had all sorts of tech that I didn’t even have time to get to.

Having said that, the taco has one huge thing the Gladiator doesn’t: a proven track record of Toyota reliability. There is a lesson in all this and I hope Toyota really is paying attention. To me that trumps all because I need a truck that’ll last and hold up through the years. Not so sure the Jeep will be that truck, nice as it may be. But all this talk of Toyota voiding warranties for vehicle mods or off road use does get a bit concerning. That truck is marketed as Off Road but needs some serious modding to get there. And then they want to treat it like a pavement queen when you get it or your on your own. It’s annoying.

The Jeep is still very tempting. It’s a good looking off road capable vehicle with manners. I will still go back for a second look. Probably still won’t make the jump, but once it’s been out a while and established itself who knows?

There were some nice folks there ahead of me taking it out for a test drive. They were thrilled with it as well.

 

Why’d you buy it?

 

I might have already posted before...

I like my truck mostly. The gas mileage is not great, but I knew that going in. The stock Premium Entune stereo could be better (no JBL option with MT OR). Does what I want it to do, and I like the styling inside and out.

The one thing that is bugging me is the gearing for reverse. It is hard as heck to back up the manual with any load up a hill. I’ve driven manuals for 40 years. Trying to back my trailer up my driveway (not very steep) is hard.

 

Test drove an 8 spd automatic Jeep I have to say that it is nice. It was paired to their 4 banger turbo. Not bad at all..punchy, did not feel like a 4 cyl. But that engine is designed/built by FIAT...and it is a first model year. Couldn’t help picturing waiting for parts from Italy. Hard pass. Gimme a Toyota engine.

 

I test drove a Ranger and a Tacoma. The Ranger has the engine shutoff technology and the ecoboost rates the it a little higher in the MPG section but the fuel 10 speed transmission was always shifting which bugged the crap out of me. I went with the Tacoma because it’s reliable and has great resale value down the road, and it’s more of an off road truck vs the Ranger. Ford is extremely proud of their Rangers and in order to get the same stuff I have in my 2019 Tacoma TRD Off Road Double Cab 4x4 that I got for $35,000 I would have had to pay $42,000 for the Ranger. I just got back from a trip to Missouri and averaged 25 MPG, hand calculated and off of the MPG Gauge. You can’t argue with that from a 4x4.

 

Missouri and 93 degrees, that sounds horrible.

 

Picked up last week.

 

Love it more and more every day.

 

This is probably the best review I've seen of the 3rd gen Tacomas. All of his videos are great in general.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHvfxAblynA

 

Loved my 2016 SR5 and love my recently purchased 2019 TRD sport. They aren’t perfect but, I have no complaints. As far mpg, in my experience over 50 yrs of driving it takes Between 9k - 10k miles to break in a vehicle for best mpg. I have only owned Toyota trucks since 1977.

 

FIRST WEEKEND REVIEW:
So took it to an IMSA racing in Bowmanville Ont.
A few items...
What's up with the dangling chain on the spare?
Terrible lighting in the cab, already ordered LED light kit.
Slight vibration at 120km and above. Anyone know what that's about, or is it the big tires?
Looks and drives fantastic!!!

 

That sticker with the 17mpg rating is correct. Much to my dismay. I thought I would easily get 20, but nope.

 

Hi from Ont., yah the interior lighting is rather poor. Haven't been on the 4 laners yet or 120kmh so don't know about any vibration issues. They are very quiet and smooth.

 

You should be able to exceed 20.

 

My Tacoma started to grow on me once I started going places I couldn’t before in my 2015 mustang gt. At first I really missed it since I’ve always been into cars since auto crossing and mountain road carving has been one of my favorite things to do. However it was time to grow up since the wife and I started planning for a family. Knew i didn’t need another car but having four doors would help and did not want to go the sedan route so ended with a Tacoma. I’ve always liked modding my previous cars and surprisingly added the running boards to the truck made it grow on me.
Another thing, considered a Colorado for about a day.

 

It is all in how you drive it. I just drove from Missouri to Tennessee and averaged just over 25 hand calculated. If you stomp the pedal these use gas really quickly.

 

I'd also like to consider the Jeep as i'm still waiting on the 2020 Taco's to hit dealerships. I had a 2001 XJ Sport back in college that i really liked with the old 4.0 I6. I put almost 170k miles on that with zero reliability issues but it averaged something like 13-14mpg back when gas was $5+ and nearly broke me. I remember my gas expenses exceeding $700/month. Not what a broke college student needed needed but I loved that thing.

I don't know how reliable the newer Jeeps are but anything Fiat can't be trusted.

How was the overall size? I don't know why Gladiators look huge in picture.

 

They’re not that big from the outside, but inside it seems to have a ton kore space than the taco. That’s something I really liked about it.

I also think part of my attraction is that I’ve always liked the looks and off road capabilities of Jeeps, but you're right, they can’t be trusted. Besides I really like my QS Taco as well. There isn’t a day goes by that I don’t get complimented on it. Every time I go to the store perfect strangers will come up to me to talk about it and tell me how nice it is. It would be a really stupid move for me to go to the dark side.