Finally got to test drive a Sport

thors.hammer · Sep 25, 2015

What do you have on order TacoBella?

jdavis92 · Sep 25, 2015

TacoBella[OP] said: ↑

I was much happier with the handling than "off the line torque" I cannot imagine in a truck why it would need 6 sec 0-60 times
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Ummm, some of us would like to get up to freeway speed before the end of the on-ramp while towing a trailer..without going WOT.

Were there official HP/TQ numbers on the window sticker?

Jeff in Flagstaff

Tech1 · Sep 25, 2015

TacoBella[OP] initial post: ↑

Went to my Dealer today to see the new stock and they threw me the keys to a Red 2WD Sport. My latest truck was a 2015 so I can compare the two. Once I get mine I can share a longer term impression.

I am more of a creature comfort kind of driver than an off road type. So Comfort.quiet, and smooth means more to me than , Off road mods OR handling, and/or Off Road aesthetics such as lift and tire sizes

First of all like everyone else I agree the truck looks far better in the flesh than in 2D pictures. Much "beefier" for want of a better term. The bed seemed higher and deeper. The tail gate is extremely thick , heavy and the slow fall mechanics work very well.

The Interior was plush compared to the 15. The new Entertainment system being a standout. I found a convenient blank under the steering wheel for my Garage door opener mod. No need for Homelink. I did not like the round vents in pictures but again seeing them inclusive of the rest of the interior and they "fit". I am used to having round vents in the MX5.

Seats were firm. Driver's seat IS kind of low like the 15. A few washers on the back will take care of that. Unusual to see a Moon roof in these trucks. I won't be using it much. The view on the Sport from behind the wheel seems rather busy with the hood scoop. Rather than one bump there are two. Doesn't bother me, I just noticed that, If Toyota wanted to recess the scoop for drivers , they went the opposite way.

The color is very nice (Good job Sam) But a tad loud for me.

There is a 12V socket in the console which with a proper adapter can charge a few USB ports. I used the QI to charge my Note 4 and it worked flawlessly QI is a VERY nice to have feature. No more plugging a phone in to play music or to charge a phone....VERY nice.

Glove box was smooth opening and had tiers for the manual and space under it as well. No more fumbling with the Manual Pouch to get at other things. The premium Entertainment system looks great with the NAV, HOME and other setting buttons on a touch screen, Radio sounds very good for a truck without a Sub. (Can't wait for my JBL 7 Speaker System)

Ergonomically the truck is fine. I leave my back seats down 100% of the time using the interior flat cargo space for groceries and such that will fit in there so the human rear seat room is of no consequence. The GM twins have a cloth seat backs rather than the hard plastic Tacoma has. I prefer to use the extra area for in cab carries of groceries or whatever I don't want to carry in the bed,. We use the CRV for passenger carry and the Miata for quick errands or scenic drives.

Since I am used to push button start, I find it very nice to have, no fumbling for keys. I did not notice if the door had "Fob in pocket" opening. I suppose it will to take full advantage of not needing a key fob in one's hand to get in.

Driving...OK here is where I agree with those who did not find much of a difference. The truck initially felt heavy upon slow acceleration. Not same pick up the 15 had from a dead stop. Since I drive like a Limo driver , this won't bother me, but I can see where some stoplight to stoplight types might be disappointed, I did not use ECT.

On the freeway the extra 40 horses became noticeable when passing. I did not WOT the truck as it will belong to someone else and I didn't want to screw up their break in schedule. i put 18 miles on it though and did NOT fart in the seat LOL

But I did feel the extra grunt. The transmission seemed to hunt a lot at 65 BUT like all cars today, the vehicle needs to "learn" it's driver's habits. I expect if it becomes a real issue Toyota will reflash, The truck IS much quieter than the 15.

The ride is soft but FIRM. I think the Sport will have the most firm ride of all models with the Hitachi shocks to keep body roll down when driving aggressively in curves. I took a cloverleaf at higher speeds than normal and it was very sticky with minimum body roll. Sweet.....I had a thought for a moment of my MX-5 while driving it through a cloverleaf. It just stuck like it was on rails. My 2015 would be sloppy and braking necessary. That was a welcome surprise I suspect toyota finally realized sport means SPORT. VEry impressive,

The truck did feel bigger than my 15. Backing up and parking. I don't know if it was the taller bed and longer snout but it will take some getting used to.

Key things that stuck out

QI Charging is the bomb
The truck handles like a sports car (for a truck) as opposed to the 15 This was The most surprising pleasure for me.
Seat needs to be raised in the rear. No need for power seats,
Feels bigger than it is at first
Does not seem to have 40 more HP from a stop
IS much quieter
IT is more than a simple update Every part of the truck feels different.

Until I get mine I can't really do a longer term observation.......My only MAJOR regret was that is was not MY ORDER!!!

PRICE AS TESTED $35,505 Invoice $32239

Dealer adds Tint, 1yr Ding protection, 1yr key replacement Pin Stripes Nitrogen.$1295

http://southeast.buyatoyota.com/tacoma#~ppk59hi2CfGtQX=&vin=3TMAZ5CN1GM002023

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Tech1 · Sep 25, 2015

Hi guys I'm hoping to find out as these 2016 get bought up that if everyone notices steering wheel vibrations or
shake. I'm not trying to sound like a broken record I'v bought this up twice now, but I'm seriously considering
buying a 2016 and going to give Toyota another try even though my 2012 and 2014 had these issues. I spent
my whole life standing behind Toyota until my last 2 Tacoma's so I'm hoping if this gremlin resurfaces here will
be where I first here about it. After all this forum has been a wealth of information and a big help to me going
though issues with steering related problems.

M16 · Sep 25, 2015

taco noob here, thinking of buying a Sport because I need a manual trans. in access cab trim.

question: can the manual Sports "crawl" in first? unless the gearing is purposefully designed with crawling in mind, I would guess that stalling is a real possibility when crawling. If it's not at risk, then in city driving, does one shift pretty much immediately into second, maybe getting to redline in first at maybe 3 or 4 mph?

TacoBella · Sep 25, 2015

thors.hammer said: ↑

What do you have on order TacoBella?
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In my sig 2WD TRD DCSB with FP Premium tech/JBL and tow package

TacoBella · Sep 25, 2015

Sold My Subaru said: ↑

How many cup holders?
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I think six including the rear.

TacoBella · Sep 25, 2015

jdavis92 said: ↑

Ummm, some of us would like to get up to freeway speed before the end of the on-ramp while towing a trailer..without going WOT.

Were there official HP/TQ numbers on the window sticker?

Jeff in Flagstaff
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This may not be the truck for you if you want that kind of pull...You need a V8
Didn't see any HP Torque numbers

thors.hammer · Sep 25, 2015

TacoBella[OP] said: ↑

In my sig 2WD TRD DCSB with FP Premium tech/JBL and tow package
Click to expand...

Sorry. I had sig display turned off. Thanks.

Ron62 · Sep 25, 2015

TacoBella[OP] initial post: ↑

Dealer adds Tint, 1yr Ding protection, 1yr key replacement Pin Stripes Nitrogen.$1295
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$1300 for that? F**k that!! Nitrogen is a joke. Tint cost $25.

Sam B · Sep 26, 2015

No steering wheel shudder that I have felt. Smooth as silk on my new truck. Steering wheel shimmy a lot of times comes down to unbalanced tires or wheel alignment. I have even seen tire pressure do it.

TacoBella · Sep 26, 2015

Ron62 said: ↑

$1300 for that? F**k that!! Nitrogen is a joke. Tint cost $25.
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I won't be paying that. but I will pay the dealer to tint it. My local tint shop sucks. The made a mess of a Vette I had tinted. Fluid all over the inside panel. And they charged $200 for two windows..(I never tint the rear window) Nitrogen won't be paid for. I may be doing the pinstriping...LOL

KalihiforniaTaco · Sep 26, 2015

great write up! thanks for sharing.

jdavis92 · Sep 26, 2015

TacoBella[OP] said: ↑

This may not be the truck for you if you want that kind of pull...You need a V8
Didn't see any HP Torque numbers
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My 2005 SB SR5 tows a 3000lb travel trailer just fine. However, it would be nice if the peak torque was lower in the RPM range such that I don't have to gun it. As far as 2nd gen Tacomas go, that is my ONLY complaint. This is a truck afterall, not a car.

Jeff in Flagstaff

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