Thoughts at 6 months

Got my Taco by trading in my 04 Tundra. Compared to the Tundra the Taco I feel can only be described as HARSH. Whining rear, rougher ride, fleeing like I have a bunch of bumble bees in my hands at 50mph, weird tranny, no power, and fuel mileage ( 16.5 on a tank ) about on a par with my old Tundra. Seemed Ok on the test drives but as time goes on my eyes are opening a bit wider. Would I buy a Chevy?? No way, but I think Toyota could do a much better job on the Taco though. Too bad the new Tundras are so awful on mileage. Just an old mans opinion guys.

 

You told us that you had an 04 Tundy, but didn't tell us the year and trim of your Taco (Brazilian? ). It won't make much difference about your problems but will add some color and possible comparison.

On my side, this is my first truck and part time 4wd. I like it, and it has only gotten better over time. I have had no significant issues other than modding too much.

 

I will say this: I was given a Tundy as a dealer loaner last year. I hated it, it had zero road feel, like piloting a tugboat through a river of kitchen sponges. (Tundra has the softest steering out of any full size in my opinion )

I suppose if you are used to that characteristic the Taco will feel like a jittery go-cart for a while. Also, 16.5 is on the low side of the curve for a stock taco, even on the break-in period. Do you have a lot of hills, hard accelerations going on?

 

Mine is pretty rough, too. And I love it.

I drove my friend's Mini Cooper Countryman and my Tacoma back to back last week. The Countryman is a nice, smooth, refined car that is quiet and composed. The Toyota is rough, loud, abrasive, and raw. As much as I like driving the Mini, there's something about the Tacoma's unrefined nature that I just love.

 

You shouldn't have a whining rear or bees in your hands. I'd get those checked out. My 19 doesn't have those issues. The tranny is a bit rough and power is mediocre, but its a good truck for 35K. It shouldn't be as a nice as a 50K truck.

I have a feeling the new Tundra is going to be a game changer. I'm sure they will work on the mileage issue.

 

Taco is 2019 TRD Sport 5ft bed Cavalry Blue.

 

Interesting. From your 1st Post, I would have guessed 2016 or early 2017.

 

The Sport has the stiffest ride, of all the models, may have been a good idea to test a couple others.

 

I agree there, but I will say that the Sport without the sway bar feels pretty damn close to a stock OR.

Just me with that same old, dead horse.

 

I get these are driver perceptions, but I find my 19 TRD OR anything but rough or unrefined - for a truck. I find it much smoother and quieter than my last truck; a Ram 4x4. It has less power, but that's really only an issue with towing some weight. It is far quieter, steers better, stops better, and is generally easier to drive. It gets far better milage too. 18/24 compared to 10/14. That 18 is in traffic. As far as rough, I think the OR is fine given it's meant for off road and can carry a load in the bed. It rides firm which is fine with me. I don't slow down for tracks or bumps and it soaks it up well for a stock truck. My last truck was a loud raging beast that announced its presence and made children cry. It was unrefined. By comparison, this thing is gentleman.

 

Gas mileage gets better. I'm averaging 18-19 with bunch of mods that hurt fuel economy. Right now, because of winter blend I'm getting 17-18 though.

 

When the talk first began about a 3G Tacoma my first thought was if they would dust off the blueprints for the 1st Gen Tundra they would have a great successor to the 2G Taco.

1st Gen Tundra is remarkably similar to a 2G and 3G Taco dimensions and curb weight, but the 3G was never meant to be a clean slate redesign.

 

Stock tires and shocks?

 

This describes my 2019 Tacoma as well. I have to to work hard to get over 16mpg even on the highway. Rough as can be to drive(but that is not much different then my 2007 Tacoma) Transmission is by far the worst in any vehicle I’ve driven. but still couldn’t get me to buy any other brand.

 

Gas mileage should get better. I went from 16.5 to around 19 on a tank. Then I lifted and put bigger tires and now I'm back to 16 lol. I haven't had a Toyota truck since inheriting my brothers 87 single cab 4x4 in the late 90's so for me it still drives like a truck but better. Makes sense? Lol. I enjoy the truck but the throttle response when I mash the gas pedal is my only complaint. Will probably end up going with ovtune pretty soon here. As far as bumblebees and whining, I don't get it. Good luck.

 

I initially didn't like the way my taco drove either. Low power, always revving, 15mpg, just eh. A few months later it broke in. If I need power I put on ect of I need to get up a steep mountain. But city and highway improved to 20 combined. It learned my driving patterns and doesn't roar anymore. But no vibrations on mine though

 

Gets the sport, complains about harsh ride....cant make this stuff up.

 

Absolutely no issues with mine. Its quiet, smooth and quick. Handles great on road. The only time it feels harsh is when im going too fast on logging roads( stiff sport suspension) I also get better or advertised MPGs on E rated AT tires.

I love this truck more as the time goes on, like when you find the right woman, you like her more and more with time

Best vehicle ive owned for sure.

 

i have the faint whine in the rear with 4500 miles on my 2019 OR 4x4. I thought i heard on here that that is "normal" for these trucks and it's some sort of harmonics thing with the rear leafs? I am not too concerned as long as it doesn't get louder. i have a lifetime power train warranty on it through the dealer network....