In the market for a truck soon.

Hey guys,

I'm new to the forum. I'll start by saying I'm a college student in the last year of my program (pharmacy). I purchased a Jeep Wrangler to replace my Chevrolet Silverado (which was totaled when a honda accord rear-ended me on the highway... bending the frame). While the Jeep is a decent suv, I'm not as in love with it as I was when I first bought her. I find myself missing my pickup truck: There's something nice about having the bed there (I can't carry anything in the jeep), the power was great (the jeep is a dog!), the ride was incredible. While top-down driving is nice... it's quite the PITA here in New England with the ever-changing weather, and no garage.


So, I'm considering trading in my jeep for a new pickup when I graduate, as a present for myself. At first I was considering keeping the jeep around long enough to purchase another Silverado... but the whole "government motors" thing is quite a turnoff. I then started reviewing the Tundra, which REALLY grew on me. But, to get the Tundra I really want (and I want to do it right), I'd be spending $40k+!

That is where the Tacoma comes in. I didn't realize they could tow 6k pounds. And the size is probably perfect for city life. While the gas mileage figures aren't astounding compared to the much larger Tundra, they'll still beat my Jeep's current mileage (bigger tires = badddd mileage... about 14MPG average, 85% highway).

Anyways, as I start browsing this forum, I'd like to get a better idea about the Tacoma from the owners:

How do you like your Tacoma? Are you a repeat / would you be a repeat owner?

Were you in the market for a full-size pickup? If you settled with the tacoma, are you satisfied??

How is the engine (V6): Power wise??? Is this TRD supercharger still available for 2010 models?

Are there any known issues with the 2nd gen Tacomas? (all cars have some problem... the 2007+ jeep is known for leaking tops, and poor manual transmissions... I hear the tundras have issues with rusting bumpers)

Could an adult ( 5' 3" female...aka my girlfriend) fit in the rear of an access cab? Or is that for tool storage only?

What is the deal with the composite bed? Any problems with it??? Or is it more of a blessing???

My mother owns an '03 Highlander. Toyota can (and sometimes does) charge her $150 for a diagnostic fee when she has issues, even though it's under warranty. Is this just a crappy dealership, or does Toyota really do this (I pay $0 for any of the many trips I've made to the dealership for my Jeep)?

Will the current generation be replaced in 2011? Or is this truck around to stay for some more (I haven't even begun following this truck yet).


I'm sorry for the long post. I have many more questions, and I'm really looking forward to any of your answers! Thanks guys, in advance for the help!

 

I have an 09 Double cab and love it! Too many things to name that I love so I'll list things I hate.
Non-lock tailgate (fixed with $58 pop & Lock)
Tailgate know to bend. No issues yet loading my atv.
I hate carpet flooring but mats can fix it.
Mudflaps too long. I trimmed mine.
Lack of solid tiedown points. Fix that with extra d-rings for about $10 at an army surplus store.

Everything else is pretty cool. I like the gas mileage, tire pressure sensors, backup camera, it can carry a great load, I love the room, power, looks, reliability, resale value, many available mods, etc..

I am satisified totally.

Powerwise quite pleased. Not sure about supercharger.

Know issues: Suspension sometimes have 3 leafs instead of 4. Many dealerships fix this though. Tailgate bending, and sure there are others.

Not sure about the Access Cab. I would recommend a double cab simply for the room. If you plan on keeping it for a long time who knows what the future may bring. kids, pets, etc.

I like the composite bed. Seems pretty durable and lightweight increasing mileage. It does scratch easily. People buy bedmats to help.

I had sensor issues and Toyota didn't charge me anyfee at all.

I heard 2013 the generation may change. But not sure about that.

 

ill do a right up later tonight when i get home

 

Just to give you some insight, I am a new 05 Tacoma owner after several vehicle changes. I had a '94 Toyota Pick up (pre-Tacoma) sold that for an '03 Frontier CC (no 4WD) decided it was a big car with crappy gas mileage. Traded that in for an '08 Sentra Spec V new, then figured out that I am more a truck guy and traded that in for an 05 CC 4WD. Needles to say, baring an major mechanical catastrophes, I am stuck on the Tacoma. It has plenty of room and great power, if you plan on one go with the Crew Cab. They are worth more in the end and much more room and versatility. Oh and it sounds like you mom is going to a crappy dealer.

 

How do you like your Tacoma? Are you a repeat / would you be a repeat owner?

I would be a repeat owner, i love my tacoma, it has been there for me, never failed

Were you in the market for a full-size pickup? If you settled with the tacoma, are you satisfied??

i was in the market for a truck, and the tacoma satisfied my every wish

How is the engine (V6): Power wise??? Is this TRD supercharger still available for 2010 models?

power wise, could use a few more hp, but for what it is, even when towing, it does really well, and idk about the trd supercharger for 2010 models

Are there any known issues with the 2nd gen Tacomas? (all cars have some problem... the 2007+ jeep is known for leaking tops, and poor manual transmissions... I hear the tundras have issues with rusting bumpers)

look at the tsb lists, that will tell you

Could an adult ( 5' 3" female...aka my girlfriend) fit in the rear of an access cab? Or is that for tool storage only?

she could fit, the rear seats on an access cab are not that comfy, they are NOT for long trips, if you plan on taking more than two people on a long trip, get the double cab

What is the deal with the composite bed? Any problems with it??? Or is it more of a blessing???

the composite bed is more of a blessing IMO

My mother owns an '03 Highlander. Toyota can (and sometimes does) charge her $150 for a diagnostic fee when she has issues, even though it's under warranty. Is this just a crappy dealership, or does Toyota really do this (I pay $0 for any of the many trips I've made to the dealership for my Jeep)?

they do it free only when your warranty is up-like the 36/36000 bumper to bumper, and 5yr/60000 mile powertrain, otherwise you have to pay

Will the current generation be replaced in 2011? Or is this truck around to stay for some more (I haven't even begun following this truck yet).

no idea

 

Thanks guys for the replies so far. I'm going to try and make a trip out to a toyota dealership sunday if I get a chance.

As for my mother's highlander, she bought an extended warranty. Maybe the charge is a deductible of some sort???? I guess I should read into it further.


I love the look and added bed length of the Access Cab (the long-bed -- four door is just too long for city driving I think), but I'm considering adopting a German Shepherd in the coming months as well, so that may be a reason to upgrade the cab as well....

I'd also like to look into the 6sp manual. There's something fun about a manual transmission in general(if it works smoothly... *cough* Jeep *cough* ), unless you're stuck in traffic...

 

Good luck with the decision. My hardest choice was color selection

 

I love it. I traded in a 05 g35 coupe (300hp, rwd, lowered) for it, and I'd do it again. My only regret is getting a PreRunner over 4x4.

I was not, I used to have a ranger and I wanted something slightly bigger and with more power. The Tacoma fit that bill perfectly. My alternate was the Frontier, but it was horrible to drive compared to the Tacoma.

While it won't break records, it's a fun engine. I drive it like I stole it... constantly pedal on the floor (which, is how I drive all my vehicles). Never had any issues, 26k thus far. I was nice to it the first 5k though. I've done some towing (an older tundra on a strap for about 5mi, an astro van on a strap about 20 mi, and a 3800lb TT stealth on a 1800lb u-hual dual axel trailer). It's done well in all cases, though the stealth had a tendency to steer the truck more than I like but... it weighed quiet a bit more than the truck so it's as expected. I also kept it below 65, there was more than enough power to go beyond that. Very minimal grade change though, just a few overpasses. I'm going to be towing a '78 280z from portland, or to phoenix, AZ in less than two weeks on a dolly, all said about 3500lb and I have every confidence in it. (driveshaft will be disconnected before anyone says anything). Also, the 7second 0-60 isn't bad at all... my buddy in his 300zx even had to downshift to catch up once

As for the supercharger.. it's the same engine so I see no issue on why it wouldn't work. URD also makes a good unit, though it doesn't come with keeping your factory warranty.

Search the TSB list. Biggest issues are the 3 pack leaf spring (too weak for load rating), vibration issues (mostly tires, some issues with the 2 peice drive shaft and still some unresolved ones) and radio failures. Those are the larger hits, most everything else is pretty negligible or less common.

My buddy is probably about 6'1" and he can sit back there. Not very comfy for anyone though. If it's going to be long trips... I'd recommend the double cab. The 05-08 have no head rest and my pass tend to bump their head a lot on the back window... 09+ have a head rest, but it looks horrible.

No issues thus far, it seems to be very strong, wont' rust, ect ect. It's not a bad thing at all.

Crappy dealer, I've yet to have them charge me anything. If they did for a warranty issue I'd sick corporate on them.

Most likely it will not. There is a small chance it might get the updated 4.0 engine with dual vvt-i. Maybe.

 

Really? Haven't heard anything about it ... The only threads I recall seeing were people that changed the weight and type of oil that ran into some issues, or issues from lifts and such. I've ran my diff with the e-locker on at 70mph in the sand no probs, and towing at, possibly slightly over max rating... no issues. :shrug:

 

I love my Taco so far and would buy one again, which is the first time I've said that about a vehicle. 236hp may not sound like a whole lot but the truck definitely has enough power. It gets up and goes when you get on it and doesn't feel like it's lacking power at all. The 304hp from the supercharger would be nice but I'm content as is. As mentioned the composite bed does scratch easily. I've only had my truck since July 30th and it's already got quite a few scratches, wish I would have picked up a bad mat right off the bat. As far as the access cab, if you're going to need the room for rear passengers, don't get an access cab. I'm 6'3 and don't fit back there at all as expected but I've had much shorter people ride back there just to see how it was and they were very uncomfortable. You will definitely want a double cab if you will have rear passengers. I never have a need to carry more than 1 extra person so that's why I went with the access cab.

 

Thanks for the replies guys.

I stopped by a toyota dealership after hours tonight, and took a peek at a tacoma up close. They had an access cab base model (2wd) and a beautiful Access Cab 4x4, V6 with the TRD off road package.

Unfortunately they parked it right next to a Tundra 4x4. It was only a 4.6liter tundra, but it looked comparably equipped. The Tacoma was stamped at $31,000, and the Tundra was $32,500. It looks like a whole lot of extra truck for 1,500... Now I'm not sure what to be shopping for...

 

A lot of extra truck yes, but do you need it?

If so buy what fits your needs not what fits your ideas...good luck man

Oh and buy only if it fits your budget...sticker is just a price, not what you actually pay for a vehicle...

 

Like my Taco and would buy again, the 4cyl is a good match in my reg cab, v-6 was a blast on the test drive.

Last truck was a diesel 3/4 ton silverado, this has more leg room go figure.

comp. bed , no issues

5'3" , she'll fit behind my reg cab seat n/p .... j/k

read posts on the 4 spring/3 spring oem , man trans throw out bearing(i think) , and the auto trans delay or programming ( all are in the v-6 ).

Assuming all trucks have issues (that I have had), this Taco is a nice reliable truck with less issues or minor issues.

NOW GET ME SOME VALIUM AND VICODIN!

 

They had a similiar Tundra when I was looking for a Taco. The 4.6 still makes I think 310hp so that's right around what most other trucks have for the standard V8. For me it was the difference between around $29k and I think $33k was the sticker on the Tundra with the TRD Off Road package. I had no need for a full size truck myself so there wasn't much of a question on which I wanted. Figured no need to buy more truck than I need, plus even though the 4.6 would have been sufficient I would have wanted the 5.7 and that was around $35k and way out of my budget.

 

I will be a repeat owner sometime soon.

 

No... I don't necessarily need it all the time, but I could see there being an occasion where a tundra would have been great... Plus the large rear seat in the tundra access cab is nice... I've always been a "Biggest and best" kind of buyer. I'm trying to get out of that trend, but it's not easy...

So you went from a 2500 diesel to a Tacoma? Are you missing the diesel power / extra size??? How does the Tacoma ride compared to the diesel? Any regrets overall, with the down-size???

I take it we're twins. I don't think I could buy a truck with the "small" engine... I'm sure some of the issue stems from a certain family curse???




Here's a question: What's the difference between the TRD Off Road and the TRD Sport??? I've seen the hood scoop, and I see that the shocks are different, but what else is there? Why doesn't the Tundra offer a TRD Sport??? I don't do much offroading (I do some in the jeep, but it's pretty much illegal in Massachusetts unless you own your own land...), but could you take a Tacoma with the sport package off road??? Or should I be worried???

 

No regrets, at time the room of the silverado is missed ,but usually just a hassle in town.I dont miss the silverado payments and maintainance. I had a Dakota before, this size suits my needs.

(edit) yea I miss the diesel's power or the Dakotas v-8 sometimes, but its usually just to put some A-hole in their place, so in reality its just not needed, the 2.7 has been a pleasant surprise.