Will hold off for 2015

OK guys, looks like I took you for a short ride on this thread. After driving this little 2002 TRD around for the Thanksgiving holidays I see not reason to get the 2014 or 2015 DCSB TRD at all. Was going to add leather and fiberglass lid so looks like I just put $24,000 in my pocket by keeping this thing. Only think I will need about 5 to 6000 miles a year and haul a few projects for my apartments and a little soil for the wife so.... Hell I can use the $24k and bet the 2002 with 128k miles will last me a min of 10 years. Only have $8000 in it so seems silly to buy a new truck now. Thanks guys for the input, I will go over to the GEN 1 forum now.
PS: if I do get any into on the 15 at the Feb Dealer meeting I will be glad to pass on.

 

I walked right into that one......

 

I think you made an excellent choice!

 

Not a guarantee. One thing everyone needs to remember, is that just because you add gears, it does NOT mean you get better MPG. Why do some trucks have 6, 7, or even 8 gears, while the Tacoma doesn't? It is called performance/efficiency power-band. What happens if you shift into 6th gear at 45 MPH? The engine lugs, and you get no acceleration. In order to maintain that 45 MPH, you have to give it more throttle. That consumes gas. The key number here is the engine's torque. It's ability to turn the tires depending on transmission gear and rear diff ratio, as well as tire size.

What does this mean? Well, when you get to highway speeds of let us say 70MPH, your RPMs are, in general, close to it's most efficient power to fuel economy ratio. Add a 6th gear to the automatic, and then when you are in 6th gear at 70 MPH, you are no longer in that peak power band. You therefore would actually get REDUCED fuel economy. I have a subscription to "Gears" magazine, and there was actually a VERY nice article a while back that talked about how the engine, vehicle weight, tire size, and rear differential ratio all get input into the calculations that decide what gear ratio each gear in an automatic transmission should be.

Let's work with a 2014 Tacoma with a 4.0 engine. The gear ratios are as follows on the 5 speed auto:

1. 3.52:1
2. 2.04:1
3. 1.40:1
4. 1.00:1
5. 0.72:1

With a rear diff ratio of 3.727 for a 4X4.


Engine HP and torque is 236@5200 and 266@4000 respectively.


Now, to look at things in as close a perspective as possible, let us look at adding another gear (6th) that is say, 0.65:1. I know I won't be exact here, since I don't know the exact, factory RPMs at 55MPH (which is the estimated best speed for max fuel economy over wind resistance), but let us estimate that it would be 2600 when in 5th gear. If that were the case then the RPM range for 6th gear would be somewhere around 2450RPM. Since peak hp/torque/economy is achieved at the higher RPMs of 2600, then the further away you get from it, the lower the economy.


I know I don't have the number exact, or anything probably CLOSE to exact here. I am just trying to explain how just adding higher gears will not always increase fuel economy. It has to do with engine efficiency, and torque. I mean think about it, if Toyota could put a 6 or 7 speed auto behind the 4.0 and increase fuel economy by say 2 MPG, why wouldn't they? The cost of the transmission would be offset by the probably increase in sales. It is all about the numbers. Now If they would put the V8 from the Tundra, I could see a 6 speed automatic then.

I bet they didn't even have disc brakes either!

 

R&D costs to produce the new setup. With no real competition in the mid-size truck market there's no incentive to spend the money on R&D.

 

I respectfully disagree. As I said, it is not a simple natter of R&D, it is about the engine's most efficient RPM.

 

your right, no other mid size truck has compared. Why would toyota redesign when they had no competition and sales were great year after year. Lets face it ,They are great looking reliable trucks !

I consider the 2012 and 2013 a 2.5 gen

 

bottom line is, trucks/cars have a lot of technology. 2nd Gen taco hasn't changed since 2005. I cant believe that, but a few electronics and cosmetic changes in 2012 is just to squeeze a few more yrs before the big unveiling. I cant wait. imagine if your computer hadn't changed since 2005. I don't know how, but im sure the entire country (japan) has been working on getting a lot closer to 30Mpg .. don't care how but they have been sitting for 10yrs so its time.

 

You might actually GAIN equity when the redesign hits...keep in mind we are talking Tacoma's here ...As you know (as a fellow dealer) when the '05 came out, wholesale book values went UP on the previous gens. Thats around the time TCUV retail book values became higher than MSRPs! And its still that way.

Whose to say this wont happen again??


PS sounds like a real gem you just bought. congrats on that purchase!

 

^^ It's because of this I fear more and more vehicles will go the CVT route which won't be very fun to drive.

 

I saw a commercial last night for 8 sp Lexus so maybe in a few years it will trickle down. I imagine the tundra will get it its next remodel anyway.

 

Never thought I would be a Ford guy but if the aluminum F150 is as good as they say it will be then I could see that being my next truck. Imagine a full sized truck thats lighter than a Tacoma and gets close to 30 mpg (2wd).

http://money.cnn.com/2014/01/02/autos/aluminum-f150/index.html

 

Same

 

Wow. That's nice.

 

not as long as the ban should be for people who whine and want to censor their pet peeve topics.

 

One more twist to the hold off on 2015. Was at a meeting with a couple of people who would have knowledge if we were seeing a new Tacoma in 2015. Would have been picking up rumors. I ask two questions: first is the FJ gone ( answer is there will be no 2015). Second was what is being said on all new 2015 Taco ( answer is nothing). Agreement that without anything by now it is not happening for 2015. Going to a large meeting the first week of Feb and the people there will be from Calf and should be able to nail the answer for sure for the 2015.
So today I brought back the 2002 and ordered a 2014 SBDC TRD-OR 2WD in white w/o Nav (that is the hard part as they are all being ordered on Off Road 2WD with Nav.
This is fixed by ordering a "Boss Change" and having it built that way. Should have it Mid-Feb.

 

I've been anticipating for the new 2015's as well. Thanks for the follow up info. I was contemplating selling my 2 vehicles and consolidating into one truck. Maybe I'll wait for 2016...

 

On the Toyota Website, here is a Webpage for the "2015 TRD Pro" series:

http://www.toyota.com/upcoming-vehicles/trdpro.html

http://www.toyota.com/upcoming-vehic...lTacomaGallery

Pictured on the webpage(s) is what appears to be a current generation Tacoma.

 

I am also waiting for Toyota to release a new Tacoma. Most people that have been posting about the TRD pro version are all upset that it is not a complete redesign. If everyone remembers they released the TX pro in 2011 and then they did the minor face lift in 2012. Even though that was minor it still helped them sell more trucks. I don't think they can do to much more to the current version to increase sales unlike releasing a completely redesigned model.
Its just a question as to when it will be released. I am guessing within the next year or two we will have new Tacoma. I just don't want it to end up like the new 4 Runner. That front end is UGLY!!! So hold out a bit longer and we will see something soon.

 

I swear we need whippersnapper back...