Second Thoughts?

TSB is a technical service bulletin, tells a service technician that if vehicle exhibits this symptom try this to fix it. It can be software or hardware related but not something you can demand to be done just because it's been released, your truck has to exhibit the symptom first.

If you decide to buy a new truck you can't demand that they install the new TSB hardware first unless during the test drive it exhibits the symptom. If it develops later as you own it you can then return for the installation.

 

The sound is very audible "if" your truck has it. As said before it is not a Mechanical Problem but a Harmonic Vibration that occurs between 50 and 60 causing the Howling. If your truck has the Howling then you can take it to the Dealer for the TSB that Toyota just came out recently to fix the issue.

 

I was looking for a mid-size truck that I could keep for 10+ years without too much concern around reliability. No other manufacturer has a better long-term reliability track-record than Toyota/Lexus. (Honda/Acura might be close.) This doesn't guarantee a bullet-proof vehicle, but definitely improves the odds of trouble-free driving.

Resale value was another major consideration for me. The Tacoma is consistently in the top 3 highest resale value vehicles you can buy. As a matter of fact, KBB shows the Tacoma being #1 since 2015. Here's a link to their current Top 10 list.

Finally, I just absolutely love the look and feel of this truck. (I have a 2017 DCSB TRD Sport.) I've only had it 3-months, but can't wipe the smile off my face every time I see and/or drive it.

I do respect Consumer Reports for what they do. However, the Tacoma has simply never been a truck that checks all their boxes of what they deem important.

 

Sometimes high resale can also be a knock on a truck recommendation, particularly in the used market. Why recommend an expensive used truck when it's priced almost the same as a new truck with full factory warranty.

 

Thanks guys. I just put a deposit down on a silver sport MT! OR version would have taken 6-8 weeks and honestly, I don’t see myself doing any serious wheelin. I might get some bigger, beefier tires/wheels on there... maybe a little lift too but even if I’d gotten the OR I would be too scared to use my brand new DD doing stuff only the OR can do. Plus the looks of the sport won out. Let the mod research begin. Hoping there is a thread on upgrading to a little bigger tires/wheels and getting beefier without a lift! That’s what she said.

 

I know this is long, but please bear with me.

@ ejewels - I am in your position too, which is being on the verge of buying a Tacoma ( always wanted a truck ) a few months from now. I’ve done research just as you and came into this forum for the same exact reasons. My reasons for wanting a truck are simple… My photography hobby is taking me to more remote locations and I can’t get to some of them because a sedan just isn’t reasonably feasible or smart. Hence, something with a 4x4. I want to be able to park and camp in locations without a full on campsite or be able to set up in a single parking spot when it’s just me ( truck tent ). I want to eventually pull a small light weight travel trailer with the wife several years down the road, help friends move, be able to haul my own stuff when needed instead of renting from Home Depot, etc, so a truck it is. But which one…

Here’s what I concluded… Consumer Reports rate trucks the same exact way they rate cars using the same criteria. That’s akin to comparing oranges based on criteria that were used on apples. Dumb… The criteria has to be modified for truck purposes. They do it for SUVs, why not trucks? CR loves the Ridgeline because it’s built like a car, but looks like a truck. That makes sense and more than one dealership told me that Ridgelines are trucks for old folks. I’m 50, so that didn’t sit exactly right, but I get it ( I’m tired of the getting up and down requirements of a sedan ). I also noted that CR dinged the Tacoma for a lack of Electronic conveniences which boil down to WiFi and iPhone or Android App integration for navigation and console integrated functionality.

After comparing all of the trucks, for me it came down to a few things…

I hated the Ridgeline’s center console and armrest as well as its shallow bed and small cargo space. I disliked the dash layout of the Colorado and Frontier as well as some of the interior arrangements ( I like the feel of a cockpit when driving ). Once the Ranger data was put on Ford’s website, I was woefully disappointed when comparing its feature set to the Tacoma on a one to one basis and the Ranger, quite frankly fell noticeably short on my requirements and will cost more money to make it sorta comparable.

ejewels, you have to decide what’s important to you and see which trucks are able to check those boxes. For me, the things that really sold me on the Tacoma were the following:

1) Other truck owners. Nobody loved their truck more than Toyota owners, Tacoma or Tundra.
2) Overall electronic safety features surpass the other trucks. Granted, you have to get the Electronic Convenience package to do so.
3) The eTune system is exactly what I want. Navigation is built into the unit! The cell phone app integration units are a ploy to pawn navigation data plan usage onto the user instead of the manufacturer. I don’t think CR comprehends this.
4) Outlet in the bed of truck. Petty I know, but it was a big deal to me.
5) GoPro mount. Weird? No. It’ll come in real handy when I install the front/rear dash cams for insurance purposes.
6) Simple A/C and Heat controls. My Juke is over complicated and my wife and I love our ’04 Camry’s simplicity.
7) Automatic High Beam/Low Beam headlights. This was a nice surprise and every salesman loves it.
8) KBB resale value. CR dismisses this which points to their bias.
9) Towing package is standard on them now. 6,500 lbs is plenty for me and if I need more than that, I’m looking at a 5th-wheel and I’ll need a bigger truck anyway.
10) Overall body styling with the Sport model is stylish for me. Granted the hood scoop is useless, but I like it and it’ll be a good location to hide a small LED bar if I decide to do that. The body style also lends itself well to some unique customization with body wraps etc.
11) I don’t plan on doing true off-roading or any crawling, so none of that was important to me, but I do want to get myself out of being stuck, avoiding getting stuck, and avoiding chains when I’m out and about on my photography trips any time of the year.

12) Then I showed up here and realized that the Tacoma is the most customizable truck, for the most part, than the others.

I’m sold, hook, line, and sinker.

 

congrats. you'll be enjoying that MT. great choice.

 

So sport it is!

 

Congratulations ejewels! The Sport is what I'll be getting too!

 

Congrats on your wise decision, you have many happy years of bliss ahead of you!

But I do hope you didn't choose the M/T because of what is said here, but rather because it's what you want. There's nothing wrong with either one, each has it pros and cons like almost anything you buy.

Cheers!

 

Nope, I've been driving stick since Highschool. Love it.

 

Sounds like you made a good decision, these are great trucks.

 

No, no howling or trans. problems. I very happy with it.

 

exactly and right on, I have to laugh sometimes when somebody complains and posts up that the rear leaf springs are squeaking going over speed bumps or rough terrain

 

Congrats on your buy you'll love the MT6. One Good way to tell how popular a vehicle is, is the availability of after market parts that company's invest in. I myself (I admit) may be a little shallow because I go for the look first and then deal with any thing that might come up. I guess I used the same principals when I chose my wife, Gotta look good first, LOL $.02

 

I dont think there's a reason to second guess buying a Tacoma. I've had my Taco for about a year and a half and dont have any complaints. If I didnt have a Taco, I'd most likely own a Jeep Wrangler (JK)....which is another vehicle that CR tends to beat up.

 

Serious. It was so bad here, I was seriously expecting almost every new 3rd gen to be sitting side the road.

Congrats on the new ride.

 

Congrats! You will not regret this purchase. Now you can relax, and look forward to your new truck!

Post pics when you bring it home!

 

Seriously not trying to be a dick but dude even Ram trucks from 2016 are still reliable at the moment. Give it time and then we'll see.