Four years in a Tacoma, a frustrating experience

I'd love a Tundra but don't have the $70k for a full size Toyota Truck. The Tacoma suits me just fine. 6'2" 290lbs and I found it comfortable enough to drive from LI NY to South Fla straight thru without overnighting. Gas mileage was good on the hwy. It does everything well but not everything great. I think that was the purpose of the mid size truck segment at its inception. Settle for a little less everything than that of a full size truck.

 

I can never take complaints of lack of power seriously with this truck. It's all there, you just can't be afraid of 3.5k RPM's + to redline. The engine is detuned for reliability, so I have no qualms with holding the revs up if I'm climbing grades or at elevation, the motor sings at high RPM's and has all of the power necessary to pass/merge/accelerate easily. It's not winning any 0-60 races, but that's not what it's for. People who think they need more power in a midsize truck for "performance" need to stay off of public roads, or try riding in a vehicle that is, you know, actually fast, in the safe confines of a closed track.

 

You have valid points to your argument. Good luck with your next truck bro. Hope you find the one that checks the boxes for you.

People have complained about the engine and transmission issues in a bunch of threads in these forums so his points are valid. Shouldn’t have to regear unless you jump to 35s Toyota has no complaints with the 4-Runner searching for gears like the Tacoma so there is a fix. So to those slamming his critique, learn how to have difficult conversations because that’s the only way things get fixed.

 

I cant believe OP spent 4 years in a truck he hated when the resell/tradein value on these truck are so high.

 

I just went from a Tundra to a 2021 Tacoma Limited. So far, the only thing I don't like is the pint size console compartment. It's about seven miles to the gallon better than the Tundra. Entertaining the Magnusun Supercharger to get back to the Tundra power.

 

Its not the cruise, its the adaptive cruise with the radar system on the front. Its quite slow to react and when it does, it behaves like it received an adrenaline shot after overdosing....


https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZOoJoTAXDPk


Coincidentally, it also seems to brake when a vehicle in front of me changes OUT of my lane, for some reason.

 

Well I was under the impression it was cruise control in general.

 

3.0 Twin Turbo V-6

 

A lot of shit got fixed after 2019.

 

Me either. I would have sold the truck at around the 18 month mark, like I did with my 2017. A proper evaluation should no longer than 12 months.

 

I agree that the 3.5 is a bit “gutless” and I live in NC so I’m closer to sea level. But when I feel like I need more power, I just dig in! Seriously, this isn’t just for you, but for everyone that may read this.

Use your Revs. Don’t be afraid to get it up to 4-5K. It won’t break, these engines like making power up that high.

 

No engine is tuned for reliability if run at 3k or higher for long extended periods. If you think that your fooling yourself.

 

Such as ?

 

I find it difficult to even get to 3.5k rpm while in drive in the auto. I've been using S mode a lot more the past few weeks and its better for sure. I'm overall a pretty mellow driver but sometimes when you just need some acceleration on the highway and when in drive cruizing around at 2k rpm it just doesn't have it and when you put down the pedal it seems to do everything it can do to not listen. A few moments go by and the rpm shoot up to 5k but at that point the need is gone. Funny that a truck with the reliable reputation can't reliably do what my foot tells it to do. I'd be less annoyed by this if it got good gas mileage. The truck is cramped too.

Overall I still like my taco, I just think it could be so much better.

 

How do you think engines are tested? Toyota themselves randomly select engines and rev them from idle to 6,000 RPM 200,000 times, and also do a test where they hold engines at full throttle for 180 hours, continuously.

https://www.maplewoodtoyota.com/research/new-car-testing.htm

I'm not saying you should live at 3k+ RPM's for the life of the vehicle, but to do it when necessary isn't an issue. The max torque powerband is from ~4k-5.5k, max horsepower is basically at redline. The reason Toyota detuned this engine for the Tacoma is because it's a truck, so performance is secondary to the ability to haul (somewhat moderate) loads for extended periods of time, often at higher RPM's out of necessity.

I've driven through the Rockies holding 3.5-4k to stay in the power band when loaded down heavy, and I've driven across I-90 in South Dakota for 300+ miles doing 85 mph (80 mph speed limit) churning at 3k RPM's the entire time. Both of those trips were 20k+ miles ago and my engine still runs like the day I took it home. My truck is also an MT, so I have no problem holding the RPM's where I need them.

People seem afraid of anything over 2k RPM's because transmissions are tuned for fuel economy and like to upshift to the highest gear as quick as possible.

I say let it eat.

 

I think I am really thinking hard on letting go of a couple yotas to build out a new tundra.
But it’s hard to let go of the ‘10 RCSB tundra I got now. Wish it had a few more things going on with it. The roll down windows and manual locks get old sometimes. Being 6’2 and 265lb doesn’t help feeling cramped in the taco the longer I own it.

 

AND HAM

 

I spent less than $70k for two trucks.

Granted, timing played a big factor.

 

Manufactures build these engines to be tortured for only 100k miles, after that they no longer have to worry. Back in the day when I did a lot of miles racing bikes on the east coast, I had an 86 toyota pulling a trailer that I beat that 4 cylinder to death always running high rpm. I ended up with an engine failure.
Even another friend of mine that runs an auto repair shop told me, you keep the rpm on these 3.5 engines under 2500, and they will last forever. Says he's serviced camrys, and avalons with over 200k miles....only sees ones that were run hard with all the rear main seal leaks, and such. Even my tacoma with this 3.5 hardly sees anything past 3k rpm, usually 1800 is were it stays. No reason to run it higher except on steeper hills.

 

I definitely agree with some of those issues, but I am 6'-0" and while its not the roomiest vehicle, I still fit fine. I have gone on several cross country road trips in it too. I don't know if its just some peoples leg to torso ratio but even at 6'-0" I have a couple inches of head room still even with the moon roof.