New 2011, I'm worried

I went and took the Tacoma axcess cab, 4x4 , 2.7 engine, with a manual trans for a ride yesterday, told the dealer I will buy it and pick it up today.
I was up all night researching all the information I can on this truck.
Here is what I came up with:
Reviews: Most people love it, but the people that love it never owned a pickup before, the reviews that hate it alsways complain about how the dealer refuses to make the fix, also reading about clutch-throwout bearing problems on the 09 and 10 Tacomas, front seat comfort complaints, vibrations and noises.
gas mileage: the V6 auto gets about the same gas mileage as the 4 cyl
power: the 4 cyl lacks the power

also reading about repeat Tacoma owners, (owners that owned older Tacoma's that purchaced a new 10-11 Tacoma) saying that Toyota forgot how to build a good one or cheapened up the new ones where the older Tacoma's were better.

I want a vehicle that is less expensive to own, (purchace price, inceased gas mileage) and thats very reliable
I want the manual transmission cause of better gas mileage, better power for climbing hills and in more control in snow and ice driving, plus I believe I am better than most in driving a stick without abusing the clutch, in the past I owned a Ford truck with 152K miles without any clutch repair, and owned a Honda Civic with 130K on the same clutch.
The 4 cly is power enough for me, I don't want to race or prove that I am more powerful

One thing in the past that really impressed me is at the local bar pickup truck owners get a little too much to drink and they have a tug-a-war contest, (hooking a chain to the rear of both trucks and see who pulls who) and there is this guy with a reg cab Tacoma, stock truck with a lift kit and oversize tires that ALWAYS win, I mean he pulls the full size Dodge Cummings diesel trucks, its an older Tacoma my guess its 96 to 98 model and everybody is complexed how a small Toyota can do that.

I am just a little worried about buying a Tacoma and looking for someone to tell me I am making the right move, I am tired and bankrupt from buying a new truck every other year and need to find one that will last forever and I will like forever.

 

You committed to buying a truck and then researched it? ......ummmm OK. Plus you got two threads on basically the same subject

 

all new vehicles have issues,big three have alot more imo.it just depends if you want alot of issues or just some.my 05 has been great against the gm's i used to own.good luck

 

First of all, I wouldn't be worried at all about buying a Toyota. I have owned several trucks, including Fords, Chevys, and Honda. I have also owned cars from several different companies including Ford, Chevy, Buick, Nissan, Honda, Acura. My 2005 Tacoma is rock solid. Has 87,000 miles and doesn't even have a rattle. My daughter drives a 2005 Solara with the 2.4 4cyl and it has 130,000 miles on it and has not had one problem. I can't speak for the 2.7 engine or whether you will like it since I have the 6 cyl. I can tell you that the gas mileage rating on the highway for the 6 cyl is higher with the automatic vs the manual tranny by 2 mpg. All my driving is on the highway, so it made my decision easy, even though I really wanted the manual.

 

you gotta do your research before you buy

i had done almost a full year of researching the tacoma before i dropped the bills on it. a car is a lot of money and is something you wanna make sure youre picking for the right reasons.

hope it all works out for ya.

 

I own the 2010 version of what you are planning on buying, by far the best vehicle I have owned. There are some "typical" issues, but you know what to look for since you researched it. Basically you will have to get the fan replaced at some point (they have a TSB for it), you may want to make up a story to get the leaf springs replaced (they have a TSB for it), and just pay attention to the clutch/TOB, if you know what you are doing with a stick, I wouldn't worry about it.

The bad doesn't even come close to outweighing the good in my opinion. And besides that, with these trucks you know what to look for as far as problems go. It's kind of the enemy you know vs. the enemy you don't know situation.

 

I thought that the TOB is only an issue on the 6 speed manual transmissions?

 

For a mid-sized pick-up you won't be disappointed. After reading your other thread I'd have some concerns if I were you also. You stated you have to haul at least 1,000 lbs in the bed daily on steep grades. If that's the case your little 4 banger isn't the right truck for the job. The Tacoma is a solid truck and will last a long time. Take care of your truck and it'll take care of you. Plus, you mentioned you have a pretty good warranty so if anything breaks it's on the dealer.

 

So your sig says you have a 2011 F250 and your now buying a Tacoma base 4x4?
Smells fishy! Thought you were serious, till the part of the buddies taco dragging Dodge Diesels around.

 

I've owned every generation compact 4x4 pickup Toyota has built and I say without hesitation that the current tacoma is the least reliable of any of them. However it's still better than anything else currently being made. If I could only have one truck to keep forever I would need a time machine and some long term storage to go back to 1985. Solid front axle and a fuel injected 22RE. Of course I would need regular trips to the chiropractor now that I'm getting older and lots of rustproofing but those trucks are nearly as tough and dependable as my FJ40. The 4 cylinder is plenty strong for regular driving. I recently sold an access cab 4 cylinder 4x4 that I bought new. Stock I regularly saw 23-24mpg and I hauled all kinds of heavy stuff in it without any trouble. But I like my double cab V6 a lot better. It's a little thirstier but it's worth it.

 

Yeah we would all like a 22RE again. How many people are having reliability issues are with the 2.7? I thought it was more with the double cab 6's. For me I love the 4 cyl, there is not enough power to eat itself up, which was the reason the 22RE was so good, it went slowly but it went slowly forever. I bought a 2011 and I love it. As for uncomfortable seats everything I've heard on that has been regular cab issues. I have no problems with mine at all. Except all the chrome.

 

Love my 2010... best Tacoma of the 3 I have had... It is an automatic V-6 however. Also the Off Road TRD for the max. traction ability for four wheeling.

 

Why don't you go back and talk to a technician and avoid the sales person all together. He might be able to give you some more insight as to other common problems not so commonly reported. IDK. Food for thought.
If you already know the specific model, the easier for the mechanic to tell you more about it. Talk to the manager to get permission. If he/she says no, them don't buy from that dealership. IMO, they are hiding something.

 

you're kidding? what, then they unhook and drive home? i dont imagine they do the tug-o-war, then park and call a cab.

i say drive the 4-cyl some more. take it up on the freeway and really get a feel for the power or lack of power..no harm in second guessing yourself.

 

Man, I just can't imagine having a 4-cylinder Tacoma. Maybe if I didn't do 80% of my driving on the interstate, but I have to merge into 75 mph traffic several times a day.

I would at least drive the 6 cyl before i bought if I were you. At any rate, don't let the salesman talk you into anything. They're there to close a deal. I about throat-punched the sales manager when he got all huffy when I refused to sign papers and wanted to sleep on it a night. You just have to be firm.

 

I just bought a 2011 Tacoma SR5 access cab 2.7L auto .Its not quick from the start but it gets down the road pretty good. I'm very comfortable in the driver seat and the truck seems to be solid,time will tell.So far so good.

 

always go manual

 

v6 and 4cyl will get the same mpg, pay the extra $$$ for the added capabilities. I have owned both and know this for a fact. It's 2011 toyota has been making the 2nd gen since 2005, they know what they are doing with this truck. Sounds like you should research customer reviews from the dealerships not the truck itself. All vehicles have their issues and call backs.

There is nothing wrong with used trucks, find one that someone babied and avoid paying stealership prices, unless you really want new.

 

I like my 4 banger.