My test drive experience yesterday

Buy a 4runner. Quality 100% Japan made engineering . Then trade it in for 99% of what you paid for a 2021 Tacoma when some of the bugs are worked out or a proper transmission is used.

 

Keep your expectations in check with the Taco and you will be fine. Its not designed to light up at the drag strip, nor will it yank a house off its foundation.
But for a mid-size truck to carry stuff & tow a little bit its ok.
If you need performance & allot of towing, get a full size.

 

My buddy has a 2014 F-150 FX4 with the 3.5 EcoBoost. It is a nice truck and that thing MOVES with just a canned ECU tune, as in it probably runs a mid-14 quarter-mile with ease. We took it on a couple of road trips and it drove well, was very comfortable, and had all kinds of nice creature comforts (AC seats are awesome). As far as I know he has had zero issues or complaints and he is a very particular gear head / mechanic.

Not my buddy's truck but it gives an idea...
https://youtu.be/oH_q2tedSXA

 

EcoBoost is a nice engine. However the F-150 is a full-sized truck. Most people don't get mid-sized trucks because they are poor ($40k Tacoma Limited etc.), they get mid-size trucks because they don't want to drive a giant tank around every day.

 

http://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/news/ford-recalls-about-271000-f-150-pickup-trucks/ar-BBttaO4?ocid

Ford Motor Co said it was recalling about 271,000 F-150 pickup trucks in North America to replace their brake master cylinders.

The company said on Wednesday it was aware of nine possible accidents with no injuries and one alleged injury not associated with an accident.

Ford said it was possible that the leak of brake fluid from the cylinder could increase the risk of a crash.

The company said on Wednesday the recall involved vehicles of model years 2013 and 2014.

 

It's like getting stuck with a Nissan Versa or Chevy Cobalt for a rental car. You have to floor it to feel any decent acceleration. Then the engine really winds up and screams at 4500 to 5000 rpms ...just keep in mind the bark (engine noise) is definitely bigger than the bite (torque).

 

At least they come out and admit there's an issue and pony up the cash to fix it. Thousands of trucks shipped with low trans fluid and not a peep from Toyota.

 

Yea I test drove my second tacoma OR yesterday. I know exactly what you mean when you step on the gas pedal. It is like you have to press the gas pedal all the way down to the floor to get it moving. I guess that will be something I have to get use to. You are correct I am not buying it to drag race. If I want to drag race I will just pull out my Viper Talk about an acceleration jolt.

 

I'll just drive my bugati. LMAO

 

A bugati in Fontucky? Did you steal it?

 

For as much I complain about the lack of low-end the truck has, it was able to fly up my local mountain summit (7200 ft to 9,000 in 10 miles) at 80 MPH no problem. I could have gone faster if not for traffic. The annoying part is I put the truck in cruise and it jumped to 5,000 RPMs and stayed there. I turned off cruise and was able to climb between 2500 to 3000 while holding a gear. Whoever programmed the cruise control was drunk.

 

Second this... Took the extremely long and turgid drive from charleston to pensacola today and if left to its own devices the cruise control makes sixth gear null on even the most minor incline. It kills the gas mileage as well with the engine screaming like that all the time.

 

Note: I think there are two separate vibration problems. One, around 22-2500RPM regardless of speed, which is high in frequency and causes a numb feeling over a long period of time. The second vibration is a bit harsher, around 60+ MPH and seems to be caused by out of balance tires.

My '99 has the same tires as the 3rd Gen OR, and my god its bad when these tires are out of balance at highway speeds. Fixable though.

 

I took a Tacoma OR 4x4 for a test drive a couple of weeks back. It was ok. It did have a few of the issues presented on the forum. Most noticeable was the vibration. Didn't notice the hood vibration (separation). The seating position is like my 06 sport 4x4 was, i.e. low seating position. Also noticed the gear hunting. Interior was nicer than my 06

At this time I cannot say I am going to purchase a 2016 Tacoma. Just not that impressed with the engine and transmission. The search continues.

 

I was joking about how the other guy was bragging about a viper.

 

No one is bragging about a viper. I was just trying to make a point with the lack of acceleration with the Tacoma. That is all. Sorry you and it seems like only you took it the wrong

 

let them eat cake Viking..No explanation is needed...Shit why not brag about owning one of America's greatest sports cars

 

No. Just joking around. I don't take things too seriously on here. It's all in good fun.

 

Well that makes me feel better knowing that there is some pickup to the truck, you just have to force it a little. My first test drive, the sales guy told me putting it in S mode would give me the sportier more powerful ride, but I'm guessing that just puts it in manual mode where you can control which gear you're in (also a good option). I think ECT is the option for better automatic increaded performance, correct?

 

Ha, that's the funniest thing I've heard all day.