My first 24 hours with my new Tacoma. My impressions- good and bad

Im writing this to get a feeling for what other folks have to say about their trucks, what they love and what can be improved upon.

Yesterday I brought home my first new car, a 2015 quad cab Tacoma. (SR5 Package)

Pros
- I LOVE the look of the truck.
- Handles well, has enough power for every day driving
- Great ride height
- more than enough room for my Yellow lab in the back, and I like the fold down seat option for her for longer trips
- Im seeing tons of external accessories available

Cons-
The interior just seems antiquated. The dashboard electronics seem to be straight out of 1996....no MPG calculator, no estimated range function, no compass, (useless, I know) just an odometer??
The 'media console' - Radio, weather, bluetooth.....but NO nav function?? Cmon!

And lastly, and I know this is a stock radio system, but the volume is barely loud enough to be heard when you are doing 75MPH with the windows down.

So has anyone felt the same way and made any modifications to improve their experience? I know I just bought one of the most reliable trucks on the planet....but Im feeling a little underwhelmed right now.

 

First and foremost...Congrats on buying a great truck!

I agree with you on the Pros.

As for the Cons...
- I was disappointed about the mirror going back to all manual in 2014, as I had test driven a 2013 which had the upgraded mirror -- there's a Gentex mirror that a member here has packaged with the sensors and wiring, making it PnP.
- I came from a car with MPG and I found that ultimately it doesn't matter to me. I use Fuelly via my cell phone, but even then it's not like I do anything with the data. My range estimation is the same as it's been since I was 16...when the gas light comes on...ride easy for 30-40 miles looking for gas. I do like the fact that the Odo comes on with a push of the button even when the truck is off...great for entering mileage into Fuelly while fueling.
- Entune with Nav is an option (though, I'm not 100% sure on the SR5s)
- I have Entune Premium with Nav (non JBL) and the volume is fine for me, windows down on the highway.

I like the truck because it's a truck. No climate control, yes, but in Texas you just need a "Full Blast" setting, which the Tacoma has. I plan on getting the Gentex mirror with autodim, compass and temp. I actually like having the rear view camera displayed on the headunit.

 

It's interesting how different people perceive things. I bought a 2015 DCSB SR5 6 weeks ago. I test drove a Frontier and Colorado as well. I thought the Tacoma had the nicest interior of the three (came from a 2011 Xterra). The Tacoma has a backup camera (ooo fancy), a touch screen (annoying fingerprints but still ooo fancy), and seemed reasonably solid. It is slightly annoying to have to page between the odometer and trip counter, but everything else looks good to me.

The weather stuff is kind of useless, but it doesn't hurt anything (same with XM for me).

I really didn't plan on doing any offroading when I bought the truck, but I've already taken 2 trips. Brown Santa is bringing my lift kit next Tuesday, and my BFG KO2s went on a couple weeks ago.

Next is armor...

 

Well for one you bought a truck without NAV so that one is on you. The upgraded stereo tiers do include NAV. In my opinion stand alone GPS units do a better job anyway.

Unfortunately Toyota stripped the compass from 2014 BUT *correction* 2015's do have compass in the mirror but apparently lack temp (which is on the stereo for many via weather). 2013 were last year of mirror with compass AND temp. Older models had a finicky compass display in the overhead console.

Tacomas are known to be on the louder side interior wise and the stock system certainly sucks. For me it's good enough after I added a power sub to fill the sound out. I'm no audiophile though.

Don't sweat it though, lack of some features allows you to customize with better aftermarket equipment, and of course this forum will have you reaching down into the abyss of your wallet sooner or later.

 

I just got a new 2015 last week. I agree with your feelings, But...

No Nav? That was a choice. I have an upgraded head unit with nav. And that also gives me a accurate enough compass. I'm not sure if it is "loud enough". I don't drive 75 with the windows down.

Funny is you said it was straight out of 1996. I just gave my son my 1996 Tacoma this summer, and regarding my new one I was telling him "You know, if you take away the radio/Nav, this is really the same as your '96". So yep, you nailed it.

Try not to feel underwhelmed. You (and I) have great trucks. But it is a truck without most modern gadgets. Once you get over the gadget thAng, you'll be happy. Take my son, he LUVs the '96 I gave him. He is of the "I don't need all that sissy electronic stuff" camp. "I put gas in her and go!" He openly mocks me for getting an automatic (the first automatic I've ever owned). So try to come to it from his perspective. He's not a luddite -- he likes air conditioning, power windows etc. But estimated range function? "I just wait until I get a bit below 1/4 tank, and fill 'er up. That's my estimated range." Personally, I like his attitude and have the same with my new truck. I find a lot of the other gadgets more of a distraction, or something I can live without.

Our new truck do everything truck very well. Other stuff... meh.

Congrats on your new truck! Celebrate it! Celebrate being a man who doesn't need estimated range. My truck I gave my son was a '96. He was born in '96. How cool is that? Think long term. Think truck. When you are missing a gadget, step outside the truck and think "Goddamn I have a good looking truck." 'cuz you do.

 

Wanna feel like you've hit it big in the 'features' department..... count the cupholders in your double cab, then gloat to your neighbors and friends that your truck has 13.

 

nav was an option... Can't complain about something you didn't buy!

 

Has anybody used one of those OBD plug in doohickeys that relays all ODB info to a iphone? Im thinking if I can get reliable data (Im really interested in the MPG figures) Id be so much happier. Can they be setup to x-mit data to the bluetooth receiver in the media center? Im really leaning towards this option. I see tons of them on ebay for less than 20 bucks, but Im weary of downloading some evil chinese virus into my new truck.

 

I hear ya man. I've had my SR5 for a little over a week now. I went from a 2014 Honda Accord EX. It had a lot of options that I loved but I knew I had to part ways with when buying a tacoma. Smart Start is tough to leave behind.

Being in Canada my SR5 actually came with the auto dimming mirror and compass, but no temp. I like that feature. However being in Canada I will have to suck it up when winter time comes without heated seats, heated mirrors, and rear window defrost. All of which were a little upsetting but we'll see how it works out. I, like you bought it for the reputation.

I guess all in all it has its ups and downs. For the price tag I wish there were a few more ups but what can ya do.

 

This is erroneous information. My 2015 came with a compass in the rearview mirror. It just does not come equipped with the temp display anymore. And I believe this can also be logged in the "not available in your package choice" camp.

I am thinking you should probably check out the ScanGaugeII.

$150 ScanGauge - SG2 II Ultra Compact 3-in-1 Automotive Computer with Customizable Real-Time Fuel Economy Digital Gauges , Black , 5"

http://www.amazon.com/ScanGauge-Aut...&qid=1441157067&sr=8-1&keywords=scan+gauge+II

This appears to handle the extra functions you are looking for.

Great choice in trucks. Pics?

 

Also, I forgot to mention. I 100% agree with you on the sound system. It is very quiet! Great sound quality just sooo quiet. I miss the subwoofer/amp the accord had too. I find myself maxing out the volume and being slightly let down.

 

Hey that's sweet. I was born in 98, and my first Tacoma was a 98. That's awesome. I hope your son gets years and years out of his truck.

 

Get in on the UltraGauge group buy. Much cheaper than the ScanGauge, and more modern looking.

 

Thanks for the correction, it's hard to keep track of Toyotas shenanigans year to year

 

I changed out my head unit which got me Bluetooth, hands free, and I moved backup camera to head unit versus rear view mirror. Oh and I also made it so my daughter could watch DVDs. Only thing I use is hands free and Bluetooth. Forget the backup camera and DVDs, daughter rather listen to music now (6 year old). i chose not to get nav on head unit since Google maps is on my phone.

 

I've had my 2015 for a little more than a week now and comparing it to my 2008, the Pro's: 2015 is quieter, rides better, and is getter better MPGs. The Con's: brakes are way more sensitive and touchy, the clutch pedal catches ALL the way at the top, and the seats are not quite as comfortable.

 

You can toss the "stereo isnt loud enough" or "it doesn't have a subwoofer" into the same category as the lack of navigation. The JBL upgrade with the subwoofer is plenty loud.

As another recent new owner, I'm also dissapoited with a couple things coming from a 2005 4runner. I didn't really care about the outside temp, and although the range function was nice, it was hardly accurate. Additionally the mpg function was a joke (I've gone nearly 10 miles with it reading zero). I'm actually glad the mpg and range weren't on the taco.

I would have liked to have heated mirrors on the limited, along with actual real leather and better/more adjustable seats. Additionally, for fucks sake, manual seats? Come on Toyota, this isn't 1987.

Oddly enough, one of the things I LOVE about the taco over the 4runner is the manual hvac controls. I hated the push-button temp bs. I don't want to have to hit the button 22 times to go from full hot to full cold. It was either push it thst many times or hold it down for 13 seconds (yes, I timed it).

 

I was going to start my own thread on this but will just post here. I've had my 15 for a couple weeks now and am at around 2000 miles on it already. I love the truck overall and here's my pros and cons.

Pros

• No squeaks or rattles at all on the interior. This is my first truck/car that has been this solid on the interior. I'm really happy about this.
  
• More power than I expected even after test driving 5 different Tacoma's.
  
• Better mileage than I expected, I'm averaging around 20mpg mixed driving and expected to be around 17mpg.
  
• Love the looks, double cab short box black off road.
• This truck suits all of my needs while still fitting into my garage with room to spare.
• I love the way this truck rides and handles the bumps on the road, not harsh at all and doesn't feel like its going to fall apart when going over a bump or manhole. I do feel the bumps in the road but it handles them very well.
  
• I like the looks of the interior and actually prefer the "dated" look and is one reason why I didn't wait for the 16. Who needs all that BS they put in cars today, its all a bunch of useless crap. I calculate my mileage at the pump and don't need a computer to do this for me, I don't care how many miles to empty, etc... But I do like the blue tooth for my phone.

Cons

• The brakes are touchy and there is a VERY fine line between braking too much or not enough especially at low speeds when I'm just about stopped. This is probably my biggest gripe. I'm not sure what the point of this is and know their all like that but when I stop I am BARELY pushing down on the brake pedal. I used to drive semi and am very familiar with touchy air brakes but these are way more touchy.
  
• I still have a slight pull to the left that I'm working on with the dealer but that's like squeezing water from a rock.
• The missing clock/temp gauge would have been nice but I don't really care and I also don't care about the radio and all the gadgets, there's nothing to listen to on the radio anyways and there is no more good music being created so the whole radio thing is a moot point at best for me.
  
• Like all new cars/trucks the window/arm rest is too far away from the steering wheel for my arm to rest on the ledge by the window. I think their all like this to make room for the stupid side air bags.

 

123k and no complaints, here.

 

I had some of the same complaints you did when I got my 2014.

Bob the mirror guy sold me the Gentex compass/mirror/temp/Homelink I wanted.

FLTrucks sold me the OEM Navigation radio I wanted. I sold my original Entune on ebay so my net cost was around $130 or so for the nav.

I now have the toys I wanted at minimal cost and I love the truck! Do what I did and enjoy. It's a great truck!

As I was writing this my Redline Tuning hood struts just showed up. .. Guess what I'm doing tomorrow?