Tacoma - Fun to Drive?

So I've been driving Toyotas and Jeeps for the past 25 years...Tacoma...Tundra...FJ Cruiser...RAV4...another Tundra...so on and so on. These days I've got a Tundra TRD and a lifted Jeep JK. The Tundra is a really nice truck, but it's just plane boring to drive. It's big, heavy, powerful,and well refined...but I never find myself wanting to just go out driving in it for fun...the electronic nanny seems intent on robbing all excitement out of the nearly 400 HP engine...even in the snow where I should be crossed up, drifting corners, and blowing donuts. The wife's RAV4 Sport with the 6 cylinder is much more fun to drive. The Jeep is not nearly as nice as the Tundra from a quality or power standpoint, but it's a lot more fun to drive. It actually provides a sensation of speed and a little danger. I use it almost purely for recreational driving. It's not great as a daily driver for commuting or running errands. I'm looking for a little more of that excitement in my daily driver. I'm thinking a Tacoma double cab with a stick might be more fun than the Tundra from an amateur rally racer point of view, but I really don't know and its tough to get any real insight from an accompanied test drive at the dealer.

So...I know the Tacoma looks sweet...I'm sure it's infinitely capable...and I'm a huge fan of Toyota quality and engineering...but is it actually fun to drive? Or has Toyota refined the fun of driving right out of it? My 40+ year old ass wants to feel like Ken Block every now and again.

 

Yes

 

My '07 Base model is fun to drive in the snow. When I moved to wyoming last year it was going to be my first time in the snow so some of my friends I met took me to a clear parking lot that was icy and snow covered. I learned how to drive and it was a blast because the only nanny system I really have is the abs. I also have the manual transmission.

 

Offroad - yes

On road - boring


It is loud, slow, poor stereo, no luxury. Toyota is known for building boring but ultra reliable vehicles. There is always some bad with the good.

It is also a midsize truck. Typically a tad low on power compared to full size, definitely no sports car handling and less amenities than a car. IMO the 6speed makes the car less enjoyable. It has long throws (even with the TRD short shifter) piles of rev hang is slower and gets worse MPG than the automatic.

You will have to mod it to make it enjoyable IMO but everyone is different. Go test drive one and fun out for yourself.

Supercharger might change that though.

 

My test drive went a lot like you just described. I was hoping that I somehow missed the excitement factor because I didn't push it with the owner of the dealership in the truck. The Tundra is actually kinda luxurious with a good stereo and tons of power, but still a bit appliance like. Maybe I need look at something entirely different if I want some fun in my commute...maybe a hopped up AWD Lancer or Subaru.

 

I don't think it would be any more fun to drive than your tundra... And I'm sure you'd miss that v8 growl.

 

That engine would be a party in something about 2/3s the size of the Tundra...its got a ton of power and you can pass at will on just about any road...but there's really no sensation of speed even at 100...it's like driving my grandfather's Lincoln Town Car...anticlimactic. I won't miss trying to find a parking spot or washing that fat pig though.

 

Buy a wrx for commuting.

 

I totally dig your Tacoma build...and the color is one of my favorites...but the Tundra is pretty much gone...I've traded it in on a new Jeep Rubicon and now I'm waiting on delivery from the factory. So now I'm looking to trade the yellow Jeep in on a Tacoma. I know that defies logic, but it's a complicated situation. The yellow Jeep has about $10K in farkles that I want to transfer to the new Jeep. In order to do so, I need some overlap time between the Jeeps. That's why I'm not trading Toyota for Toyota and Jeep for Jeep. My wife can't seem to wrap her head around it. I've got issues.

 

Sounds totally logical to me

 

Yes, very fun, 2nd gen tacos are fast and nimble.

 

I went from a v8 Silverado regular cab 4x4 to my Taco. I find the Taco more fun to drive than the Chevy, but way less power, which is the most obvious disadvantage.

I had the small v8, then producing 285hp (2004 model). It had a lot of pop when it geared down. The Taco doesn't have that feeling. That being said, no regrets. I prefer the manual (despite what a lot of people gripe about) as that adds to the fun factor (again if you like that).

Before I bought the Taco I looked at Frontier auto box and thought "hell no, I can't have a tiny engine with auto". I took out the Titan and felt way more at home. But I didn't want another BIG truck, so when I found the Taco 6spd I was happy, and bought one within a few weeks.

Looks like you have some nice rigs anyways. The Tundra looks great and I love the Jeep for "fun".

 

I had a 99 silverado 5.7L access cab before my taco. Its not even in the same realm of "fun to drive" as the taco.

 

For the fun-to-drive factor my 109 hp Honda Fit was worlds above either of my Tacomas, despite its lawnmower engine. It had a responsive, eager, silky-smooth engine, the MT shifted so flawlessly you'd swear it was an arcade game, and had handling capabilities that you'd expect from a $30k+ sporty car. The interior had a substantial feel and the blue-stitched black seats with their side bolsters had every bit the quality you'd get in Si seats.

In comparison the Tacoma is a work vehicle in every way. Its handling is ponderous and it doesn't give that connected feel that a good Honda or Subaru does. However it's such a more capable vehicle that it's worth the sacrifice.

I'd rate it higher than the Tundra though. After driving the Taco the Tundra feels like I'm piloting a luxury yacht

 

Any vehicle can be fun to drive, it just depends how you use it. I frankly think for being a midsized truck, the taco handles decent. Ive had fun on some twisties.

 

I have a 2012 Subaru WRX and just bought a 2014 Tacoma 4x4 TRD Sport a few months ago.

The Taco felt very slow and heavy the first few weeks I had it. I no longer have a commute to work so the fact it gets bad gas mileage was easy to handle for me. However, I usually just cruise in the Taco, no quick take offs or aggressive driving for the most part. I'm getting 20 mpg doing so. It does get up and go when you really get on it though. I made some good time to Vegas in it and tested its high speed passing ability. I was not disappointed.

The WRX is a fun car to drive. I really baby that car as far as appearance is concerned. It's always clean, and I'm super careful where I park it. The reason I justified buying the Taco to myself was that I didn't want to put a bike rack on my Subie, and also didn't like getting it all sandy and dirty from surfing trips. I've got a 1994 Toyota pick up for errands and such, but wanted something nicer for trips to the beach and biking destinations. Also want a capable vehicle for summer camping trips and such.

I find myself driving the Taco more often lately. Not as paranoid about where to park it, and I find it a bit more comfortable. I also like the plush ride over bumps.

 

I had a fullsize ram 2500 with a hemi and yes it had power and with the exhaust i installed it sounded really good but other than being tall ( lifted 3") it was a gas guzzler but far from fun to drive, actually very clumsy. Once I stepped into the Tacoma it was a much more nimble vehicle obviously and the power was a difference of course but the 4.0L SR5 V6 pulls well and moves when you get on it, its a good match for the size and type of truck. A bit more HP would be nice but whatever. I would probably keep your Tundra. Its a good truck and very capable overall. I would wait to see what Toyota does for a redesign on the Tacomas in a few years then maybe trade up. MPG's suck on Tacomas rather have a V8 with power that gets just about the same MPG's

 

In the terms you are describing, most certainly not. The tacomas are just as "nannyed out" as your tundra but have 150 less horsepower. On road the tacoma is nothing special in my experience. HOWEVER, offroad is a completely different story. The truck fits through just about anywhere and has ample grunt for the trails. I love my truck because it's relatively efficient for my commuting and I can still have a blast with it on the weekends offroad. In my eyes you can have efficient on road or fun on road, not both.... At least not with a truck.

 

I'm, on my second Gen2 Tacoma. First one was a 2wd and now a 4x4. Both were ACOR and I bought it mainly for suspension. Handling is great and I've towed my Cobra behind it without issues as well as loaded down with tools in the bed. I need mine for pleasure and putzing around and to hit the snow on occasion. My 2wd didn't fair too good in the snow even with the rear locker. Now I shouldn't have a problem. Being a sports car guy, this truck is perfect for us. Even the wife loves it so that's a big plus! I really haven't noticed the difference in 2wd to 4x4 yet, but so far...great!!