I feel a disturbance in the force

TashcomerTexas · Sep 14, 2015

According to my studies and precise statistical methods it would appear as people are picking up their 3rd gens they look that much more appealing. It would seem everyone and their mother has jumped the train to go "like" these fine gents' purchases that I have quoted below and some to display the different color variations.

Where did all the trolls go? What is life? Why are we here? What is 3rd gen? Did I leave the oven on?

Are we repeating history here again, i.e. when 2nd gens were being rolled out and no one liked them..

The future is now

Oh and I also persuaded the almighty Bob to change the site banner cause 3rd gen

paramud said: ↑

Got mine tonight!

Click to expand...

aarontheb said: ↑

Just Google it, they all look the same, JK. It was raining so I couldn't take many pics. I love the feel of the truck. Transmission seems to downshift often on small inclines giving the impression of an underpowered engine but the my last truck was a 2011 Dodge diesel so the feeling of underpowered would be understandable. Fit and finish of the Toy is perfect and typical of Toyota. Truck came with the Entune system which I will need to play with and become familiar. Questions?

Click to expand...

Chaseus Episcopus said: ↑

Mine just showed up at price leblanc

Click to expand...

Mannys said: ↑

Could not drive since the vehicle was being just being unloaded while I was at the Toyota place buying a part
Click to expand...

Mike330R said: ↑

Silver double cab Offroad, 4x4.

Just picked it up, was surprised it got here when it did. It was in Phoenix, AZ.

Initial impressions, only driven 15 miles.

Engine has enough power for me, about what I expected! It’s not a V8 but it does very well. Hold it to the floor and it shifts around 6K RPM. Feels to shift differently with the ETC Power pushed in. I’d equate it more to a Tow/Haul button.

I love the way it looks! It also stops excellent!

Very quiet inside!

More later as I am going driving!

1st photo is before they cleaned it up.

Again only driven it 15 miles.

7:45PM Edit-After a day of driving:

My comparison vehicles: My previous Tacoma was a 2000 SR5 with 230K miles on it. I also have a 2004 Chevy Duramax that I don’t drive much unless towing something big. Wife also has an ’05 Cadillac. We also had an 04’ish Tacoma quad cab silver 6-7 years ago. The silver on the 2016 is different and much nicer!

2016 Tacoma-

My build date was supposedly 9/2 but the sales man wasn’t super sure. He guessed it wouldn’t be here for 3 more weeks. Then it showed up today. Timing was perfect since I had already sold my 1st get and my ‘back up’ truck was towed to the dealer 1 hour before the Tacoma salesman called. I was truckless for almost an hour, it was horrifying! Talk about good timing.

Power seems perfectly fine to me, not a ton, but plenty when you need it. Peppy when you lay into it, again it’s not a V8. It’s not super peppy when down shifting a gear to speed up from say 70-80 MPH unless you really get into to which I assume downshifts more than 1 gear. Assume being the key word, I am not sure how many it down shifts. At cruising speed there is almost no engine noise. When down shifting gently it’s hardly noticeable and when ‘deep in it’ you can hear it but it doesn’t sound like it’s being strained to death, but does sound like it’s working hard.

Salesman ‘told’ me that it can go 10K before oil changes, dunno about that yet. Also it uses 0-20w synthetic oil.

Transmission shifts are smooth. It will shift more than I am used to while at speeds. I assume it is shifting from its highest gear to 1 or 2 lower if I hit the slightest hill or want to speed up. Seems perfectly normal to me.

Acceleration onto the highway is not an issue.

With very little throttle and on flat ground you can watch the MPG max out, I assume the Atkinson cycle is engaged at that point. Give it a tad bit of gas and watch the MPG go down. See 2 pic’s below.

Mileage-When I got home from the dealer it was at 12.5 MPG. This was after a few hard accelerations to ‘test’ it . Then we went on a 50ish mile trip to a friend’s house. On the way there I drove approx. 80 and mileage went up to mid 16’s. On the way hoe I was in the 65-75 MPH range and we got home the MPG were in the low 17’s.

Handling- Very stable at any speed, steering is much lighter but feels very secure and responsive compared my 2000 1st gen.

It takes corners with confidence; I assume this with help from the sway bars?

Suspension is plush! At the dealer I went over a smallish speed bump. In my other trucks the rear end would hop over it or feel very harsh due to no weight in the bed. The Tacoma was much more plush on this speed bump. We also have a gutter like thing (to divert rain water) we have to drive over driving into our community. With the way it is situated it needs to be driven over at a 45 degree angle unless you swing way wide to drive over it straight. At a 45 degree angle this gutter feels rough even in an ’05 Cadillac. In the Tacoma is was much smoother. My wife even commented how smooth it rode on the highway as well as through the gutter.

With no passenger I noticed the passenger seat back seemed to ‘jiggle’ similar to my 1st gen, although not near as much. Also the AC (which works amazing!) ad the dash controls seems a tad out of reach for me.

All buttons and knobs are illuminated which I wasn’t expecting. Even the over head buttons and knobs. Also a decent light in the phone charging area.

There’s a lot of room between the grill and the radiator.

On the rear fender between the rear tire and bumper along the lower 4-5” of the fender I noticed what I though was a paint eff up. Paint looks thick, almost runny in this area. I looked on the other side and noticed the same thing although not as pronounced. Bother areas have a clear sticker over them. I then noticed this heavy paint along the entire lower 4-5” of the truck. I assume for protection from rock chips etc etc. I tried to get a photo of each side of the rear area’s but it doesn’t really show in the pic’s. See photo’s. Also noticed what I am calling a plastic rock guard down there.

Seats are very comphy. I’m 5’10” and have 5-6” head clearance. Both my wife and I like the interior panels. She commented a few times how nice it felt. Some areas are smooth, some have a slight texture to it. Also the bottoms of the doors handles have a carpet like material in them. I’d imagine they will collect dirt and sand like a mofo!

Sunroof is nice but I would not have ordered one with it, just not my thing. It came with the package.

Hood seems long. Also it tapers off in a way that reminds me of the curvature of the earth, like standing on the beach and watching the ocean disappear into the horizon. It’s a strange thought but it’s what it reminded me of.

Bed light and I think the XM antenna?

Crappy pic’s of head and taillights. Tails with and without brake lights:

The JBL rocks! Rattles the rear view mirror. I’d say it’s slightly distorted at near full volume. I’d also say it sounds better than my Bose system in the ’04 Chevy.

I will try and get more photo’s and a better side profile photo tomorrow in the sun light.
Click to expand...

SLOBlueE90 said: ↑

I have been following this truck since January and I was pretty excited when I saw a couple on my way home today. Frankly, I was most excited that I could hopefully contribute to a good site I have really enjoyed these past couple of months. Considering this is my first post there is a strong chance I did something wrong; regardless, thanks for reading my post!

Click to expand...

HalfWayThere said: ↑

I finally had my chance. Sandstorm DC OR AT 4x2, no tech package or JBL.

My local dealer doesn't have any in stock but I found one a few towns away at Toyota Santa Maria, CA. I was worried it would be gone by the time I got there, but the salesman I talked with (Shane Bower) said that they weren't selling this one right away. It was there specifically to give folks a chance to see the new design and do test drives. Perfect for me.

Background and biases: I've had an 86 4x4 and a 2000 TRD OR 4x4 and before that a '42 Willey's Jeep, 82 Dodge D50 4x4, and other non 4x4 stuff. I drove there in our Sienna minivan and I daily drive a 3rd gen Miata with extensive suspension mods. I've test driven several 2nd gen trucks. I've been waiting for a Tacoma redesign for years and I've been cyberstalking the 3rd gens since watching the Detroit reveal live via webcast. When I saw the first pictures in January of the blue limited, I was really bummed. When I saw the Quicksand OR at the reveal, I thought "this could be OK" but I have never liked the big grill. I really want to like this truck and I plan to buy one once the hype settles down. The salesman has a 2nd gen Tacoma and actually knew a lot of details about the truck. He knew it wasn't what I was looking for (I want a 4x4) but he was still attentive and helpful. So I was in a good mood about the whole thing. I did have my 7 year old son with me, so I had that distraction and limited time. So that's the situation.

Opinions and observations worth exactly what you are paying for them:

Exterior: Freaking amazing. I think it looks awesome. Yeah, that grill is too much, but in this color and this lighting, it doesn't spoil the overall look. To me the truck looks modern and purposeful. It might even get a back-glance as I walked away. The predator step bars look really good and all the black accents contrast well with the light color. If they weren't an off-road liability, I'd definitely get those step bars for practical and aesthetic reasons. I really have to say that I was shocked at how much I like the exterior. Yeah, I didn't dwell on the grill, but it didn't bother me either. I was planning to replace it, but now I think it is livable. Note that the perspective in my picture does exaggerate the front end, it didn't look that way to me in person. I'm fairly set on white for practical reasons, but the Sandstorm color makes the truck look tough. I would have preferred it to be a little lighter like my '86 was and it was more brown in person than I expected based on pictures.

Interior: Not as impressive as I expected. I loved the pictures and was really excited about the update, but it was "nice" not "extraordinary". I'd say it's a good, competent, reasonably modern interior that I like a lot more than the gen 2's. I poked around a bit and I didn't feel like the interior was cheap. Though I didn't dedicate much effort to that investigation. The glove box door did feel a little flimsy. The little screen in the instrument panel was handy and I love having live tire pressure data.

Driving:

Power: Yeah, it does not *feel* that powerful. It seemed fine, but not what I expected, or would have liked. I think Toyota dialed way back on the throttle mapping for fuel economy. That means you don't get much response in the first part of the pedal travel. It's a big psychological effect and you can (for at least some cars) buy devices that remap your throttle just to improve the feeling of power. I think this is just the way it is in this modern CAFE world. My wife's Prius is even worse and you just get used to it. I'm going to say this and I know it will be taken out of context, but it's a key observation: When I drove away in our Sienna (215? HP) it felt like had more power and torque and I know that is not the case. But it's older (2006) and has an old-school throttle map. I suspect if you floored both of them, the Tacoma would dust the Sienna but I have no data to back that up. Here's another comparison: I test drove a new BMW 335i a while back and getting on the freeway I progressively loaded the throttle expecting to feel 300 ft-lbs or so of torque shove me in my seat. My exact thoughts were "Our minivan has better throttle response! WTF?". The thing was in default "comfort mode" and when I switched to "power" (or whatever) it was a lot more responsive and what I would expect. So there you have it, the Tacoma (not in ECT Power) has a throttle response similar to a 300 hp turbo'd sports sedan if said car is in default mode. Like I said, it's just the way it is these days in a CAFE world. I tried the ECT Power mode very briefly and it felt a lot better at an unknown cost to mpg's. Hopefully someone with more time can do some more testing with ECT Power on and report back.

Transmission: It does downshift early to give you power and it does (somewhat strangely) hold gears before the upshift when you unload the throttle. I did not find it distracting and wouldn't have noticed if I hadn't been looking for it. Our Sienna does stupid stuff with the transmission, so I guess I might just be used to it. I tried the sport mode and found it intuitive and easy. I think it forced downshifts if you mashed the gas, but I didn't spend much time with it to confirm.

Ride: Damn good for a truck (better than any truck I've driven). "OK" for a car (better than most rentals, not as smooth as our van on marshmallow tires). Generally smooth, some bumps jar through. The OR appears to have fairly soft springs (progressive?) but really good shocks. It did lean when cornering hardish but it didn't float or become unstable. Though, keep in mind I had limited opportunity to test cornering. It was really quiet to me, but keep in mind I DD a convertible. There was just a hint of wind noise on the freeway (from the mirrors maybe?) and I didn't notice any tire noise. Definitely quieter than our Sienna (or any of our other cars).

Non-JBL head unit: It sounded OK to me, but I'm no golden ear (on a good system with headphones I can hear the limits of mp3's, but I'll happily listen to mp3's with decent sample rates anyway). Since the cab is so quiet, I think the volume level is fine. I have previously listened to a '15 with and without JBL and had decided JBL was needed for both quality and volume. I'm not seeing that with the 2016, but I guess it would be best to try both if that's important.

Tailgate: It felt substantial.

Tires: Look toward the street end of the AT spectrum, but I'd give them a shot in non-mud off-road use.

Click to expand...

TXpro4X4 · Sep 12, 2015

No disturbances, you are suprized that people are judgmental?

TashcomerTexas · Sep 12, 2015

Not until last Thursday the trolling of 3rd gens has dwindled. I just found it funny.

CaptAmerica · Sep 12, 2015

See them run! Run trolls! RUN!!!

Bennett707 · Sep 12, 2015

Trololol

Biscuits · Sep 12, 2015

Looks good IMHO. Better than the advertising photos.

tubesock · Sep 13, 2015

TashcomerTexas[OP] said: ↑

Not until last Thursday the trolling of 3rd gens has dwindled. I just found it funny.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure that some of the more egregious trolls were sent outside to play for a while. I'm almost positive the two that were on my ignore list have been sent on tacomaworld vacation. I doubt they have the ability to shut up on their own. This place is better for it either way.

TruKnight · Sep 13, 2015

well to be honest, when you give the internet a new forum with very little info to go on and no one actually having the thing that's the purpose of the space, no one should be surprised at what happened, and it will happen again whenever the 4th gen forum section opens up to reveal the new tacoma is little more than a massive grill with wheels.

Frank_Zuccarini · Sep 13, 2015

Most of the people on this forum LOVE Tacomas. I know that I do.

As a result, we expect nothing but the best from Toyota. And we've been waiting for years for Toyota to step up their game with a new generation Tacoma.

I, like many here, am disappointed by several aspects of the new Tacoma. It really seems regressive to NOT have 4-wheel disc brakes, or LED lighting. And most would have liked to have seen either MUCH better mileage or, lacking that, a MUCH stronger motor. We got neither of those things, and so we were disappointed. Felt let down by Toyota.

Bitching about it really does very little good, it just shows our disappointment.

But at the end of the day, we fans of the Tacoma still know that it is the best choice available if you do not want a full sized pick up truck. Hands down. I mean, come on, what are you gonna to do? Buy a Chevy?

I have a TRD OR AC on order, and I'm pretty sure that I'll be pretty damn happy with it. Silly not to have disc brakes or LED lighting, but still a great truck.

Just my two cents....................... Frank

Gearheadesw · Sep 13, 2015

Luke, (Gen 2 talking) I am your father, (to the 3rd Gen) you are like me in so many ways. Too many ways. You have not progressed as far as I had hoped in these 10 years. WTF Luke?

EB Group · Sep 13, 2015

lol

I LOVE the thread title by the way OP.

2016_dbag · Sep 13, 2015

I'm still here.

trdguy82 · Sep 13, 2015

Frank_Zuccarini said: ↑

Most of the people on this forum LOVE Tacomas. I know that I do.

As a result, we expect nothing but the best from Toyota. And we've been waiting for years for Toyota to step up their game with a new generation Tacoma.

I, like many here, am disappointed by several aspects of the new Tacoma. It really seems regressive to NOT have 4-wheel disc brakes, or LED lighting. And most would have liked to have seen either MUCH better mileage or, lacking that, a MUCH stronger motor. We got neither of those things, and so we were disappointed. Felt let down by Toyota.

Bitching about it really does very little good, it just shows our disappointment.

But at the end of the day, we fans of the Tacoma still know that it is the best choice available if you do not want a full sized pick up truck. Hands down. I mean, come on, what are you gonna to do? Buy a Chevy?

I have a TRD OR AC on order, and I'm pretty sure that I'll be pretty damn happy with it. Silly not to have disc brakes or LED lighting, but still a great truck.

Just my two cents....................... Frank
Click to expand...

Probably a silly question, but where exactly are you wanting LED lighting? 3rd gens do have LED DRL and isn't the bed light LED? Can you be more specific?

TashcomerTexas · Sep 13, 2015

Gearheadesw said: ↑

Luke, (Gen 2 talking) I am your father, (to the 3rd Gen) you are like me in so many ways. Too many ways. You have not progressed as far as I had hoped in these 10 years. WTF Luke?
Click to expand...

*cuts off gen 3's LCA as it plummets down the pit*

(Enter 1st gen) to (2nd gen) "Good, good. Let the hate flow through you"

TashcomerTexas · Sep 13, 2015

tubesock said: ↑

I'm pretty sure that some of the more egregious trolls were sent outside to play for a while. I'm almost positive the two that were on my ignore list have been sent on tacomaworld vacation. I doubt they have the ability to shut up on their own. This place is better for it either way.
Click to expand...

You're exactly right. It's like moving from the west side to the north. No gunshots the second I step out my door!

EB Group said: ↑

lol

I LOVE the thread title by the way OP.

Click to expand...

It was for the greater good. May the crawl control be with you

2016_dbag said: ↑

I'm still here.
Click to expand...

Oh hayyyyyyy

Gearheadesw · Sep 13, 2015

I'm sure that's the best response ever.

paramud · Sep 13, 2015

Hey my truck made the banner!

TashcomerTexas · Sep 13, 2015

paramud said: ↑

Hey my truck made the banner!
Click to expand...

Well you were the first gen 3 owner.
I don't think we've heard your impressions on it thus far yet, how's it been treating you?

paramud · Sep 13, 2015

TashcomerTexas[OP] said: ↑

Well you were the first gen 3 owner.
I don't think we've heard your impressions on it thus far yet, how's it been treating you?
Click to expand...

Love it. I posted a couple pics on the 3rd gen doing truck stuff thread.

pudge151 · Sep 13, 2015

It's a nice truck. Been saying all along once it comes out the trolls will dwindle and people will be jelly. Wait till the modded ones come out. The fan boys will far outnumber the trolls

Log in or Sign up

Welcome to Tacoma World!

I feel a disturbance in the force

#1
TashcomerTexas [OP] My truck is a whiner

#2
TXpro4X4 Fuck Cancer!

#3
TashcomerTexas [OP] My truck is a whiner

#4
CaptAmerica Asphalt Avenger! TTC#13

#5
Bennett707 Station707

#6
Biscuits Thorny Crown of Entropy

#7
tubesock Well-Known Member

#8
TruKnight Well-Known Member

#9
Frank_Zuccarini Obscure Member

#10
Gearheadesw must modify

#11
EB Group Carbon Jedi

#12
2016_dbag Well-Known Member

#13
trdguy82 Well-Known Member

#14
TashcomerTexas [OP] My truck is a whiner

#15
TashcomerTexas [OP] My truck is a whiner

#16
Gearheadesw must modify

#17
paramud Well-Known Member

#18
TashcomerTexas [OP] My truck is a whiner

#19
paramud Well-Known Member

#20
pudge151 Well-Known Member

Products Discussed in

Log in or Sign up

Useful Searches

Welcome to Tacoma World!

I feel a disturbance in the force

#1 TashcomerTexas [OP] My truck is a whiner

#2 TXpro4X4 Fuck Cancer!

#3 TashcomerTexas [OP] My truck is a whiner

#4 CaptAmerica Asphalt Avenger! TTC#13

#5 Bennett707 Station707

#6 Biscuits Thorny Crown of Entropy

#7 tubesock Well-Known Member

#8 TruKnight Well-Known Member

#9 Frank_Zuccarini Obscure Member

#10 Gearheadesw must modify

#11 EB Group Carbon Jedi

#12 2016_dbag Well-Known Member

#13 trdguy82 Well-Known Member

#14 TashcomerTexas [OP] My truck is a whiner

#15 TashcomerTexas [OP] My truck is a whiner

#16 Gearheadesw must modify

#17 paramud Well-Known Member

#18 TashcomerTexas [OP] My truck is a whiner

#19 paramud Well-Known Member

#20 pudge151 Well-Known Member

Products Discussed in Entire Site Forum: 3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)

#1
TashcomerTexas [OP] My truck is a whiner

#2
TXpro4X4 Fuck Cancer!

#3
TashcomerTexas [OP] My truck is a whiner

#4
CaptAmerica Asphalt Avenger! TTC#13

#5
Bennett707 Station707

#6
Biscuits Thorny Crown of Entropy

#7
tubesock Well-Known Member

#8
TruKnight Well-Known Member

#9
Frank_Zuccarini Obscure Member

#10
Gearheadesw must modify

#11
EB Group Carbon Jedi

#12
2016_dbag Well-Known Member

#13
trdguy82 Well-Known Member

#14
TashcomerTexas [OP] My truck is a whiner

#15
TashcomerTexas [OP] My truck is a whiner

#16
Gearheadesw must modify

#17
paramud Well-Known Member

#18
TashcomerTexas [OP] My truck is a whiner

#19
paramud Well-Known Member

#20
pudge151 Well-Known Member

Products Discussed in