I went and test drove a 3rd Gen..

Exactly, i even found a rack and pinion power steering that has less turns than the Taco. I got used to it and don’t notice it anymore. I am impresses with the looks of the gen 3 and the stance is perfect. I have a friend who owns a large off road center and he said we can change or replace almost anything on Taco’s. I give them a two thumbs up.

 

Wow! Somebody else noticed!

I bought a BNEW 2014 Taco TRD Off Road MT-6 without ever having driven one, and was severely disappointed in its acceleration and gas mileage. I had an '07 FJ MT-6 at the time, and thought I was getting an FJ with a truck body. Wrong!

Analysis: FJ vs Taco.

Weight: About the same
Horsepower: About the same.
Torque: About the same.
Wind resistance: About the same.

My FJ was frisky as all get out, but I always felt like I had to push the Taco to get it to go. That Taco lasted until 2016 and I couldn't stand it anymore. I traded it for a low mile 2014 FJ Ultimate and never looked back.

I did buy another Taco, though. This one is a 2010 PreRunner I-4 MT-5. The power band doesn't come on until 2300 RPM, and I have to wind it up to 3200 RPM to get it to go, but it does the job.

I have a new 2020 TRD Sport MT-6 on order, and now you've got me reconsidering that decision. Shit!

Charlie

 

If you only got it to 3000rpms yeah it's gonna feel slow, like hiPSI said buy a Tundra if you want power. No need to bitch about it online when you don't own one or even know what you're talking about. Or go back to the 2nd gen forums and stop looking for attention

 

I only read half the posts in the thread but what I did is: Take the 4 banger for a test drive and then the 6 will seem like a screamer. I also agree all the 3rd gens are faster than they seem.

 

If you have to go to 3000 RPM to get any power then it doesn't have shit for power to start with.

Nuff said!

Charlie

 

Get what you want. I love my third gen but that’s from a 94 Chevy Cheyenne with a v6.

 

I like my 6MT but every single time I drive I lament what I perceive to be a lack of power. I could deal with it better if it weren't for the rev hang which really kills my attempts to get up through the gears quickly and smoothly. While I'm letting the rev hang calm down I'm getting smoked by Kias and Priuses. Or on a particular on ramp which I take every day I'm in third going uphill and holding up traffic. I mostly blame all this on the rev hang which affects how and when I feel I should be shifting. No complaints once I'm at speed and floor it though.

 

I drove a TRD Sport 4x4 at work this past Saturday, you guys on this site were not lying when you said the auto trans was wonky...

 

The 3rd gen Tacoma is really an excellent piece of engineering. The trucks higher up power band and slightly taller gearing is what makes it fine to drive around town casually, accelerating out of stop sign ect, to keep you out of the powerband and get good MPGs. When you want it to move like the old second gen did, put your foot all the way down and it sings just the same

 

You were expecting a Barry Manilow concert?

 

OP should have lead with some of what he was expecting. Instead we got more of the same.

 

Maybe ridgeline will be a great choice. Heard they have beer cooler inside the bed, just sayin.

 

Fawk that, go big or go home...

 

Hows the low end torque on that baby?

 

I'm sure that it doesn't have enough for some people.

 

I get that the Taco doesn't feel super quick/powerful but it's a utility vehicle.... It's tuned for low end, meant to do work, and be functional. If you need something fast/engaging buy a cheap motorcycle.

If I feel like drinking a PBR, I don't grab a pack of Mike's Hard and expect the same experience...

 

Well played.

 

I hear you guys talk about rev hang all the time but don't notice it in my 2019 trd off-road.

 

Just the opposite, 3rd gen tuned for midrange and top end.

 

I think most guys complaining is that its not tuned for low end, they are having to rev it high to get to the powerband.