Reading this forum has turned me away from buying new Tacoma

I'm sure he's referring to the 1GR's slight low-end torque advantage.

 

I just recently started spending some time on the forum to better understand the 2nd gen market. I am planning on purchasing a 2nd gen for a secondary vehicle. I have always been impressed with the amount of information that can be found on this forum. I have to admit that Toyota made some errors with the new Tacoma, I also think they are not offering enough assistance to justify some of these issues with its customers. i get it, most of these owners love their tacomas and it's very unlikely a few issues will get them to switch trucks but I feel like the level of urgency is nonexistent.

 

Yes

 

Honda = Soccer mom
glorified minivan

 

Smaller trucks with over 5000 lb tow rating is a fairly recent phenomenon. Heck, some older half ton trucks are about on par with what the Taco is rated at. Most people that tow with a smaller truck won't tow 5000 lbs anyways.

 

From what I've read here, most of the errors people point out with the 3rd gen are what's carried over from the 2nd gen such as driveline vibes, squeaky leaf springs and whining differentials.

Curious to see how people respond to the transmission TSB in whether it fixes the shifting problems. R-D lag or a hanging gear correction I can see being corrected but the new transmission has more gears than the 5 speed, it's supposed to shift more under the same load as the 2nd gen if you let it or just keep it in S4 or S5 when loaded up.

 

All joking aside....the Ridgeline is ok for what it is. There's a market for it. The fact is, most pickup owners tow well under 5000 lbs, if at all. The occasional trip to the furniture store or Lowes for a few bags of mulch is the most work out they'll see. Most don't really offroad either, but like the thought of having AWD for inclimate weather. The truth is, the RL would fill the needs for most of us around here too....we'd just never admit it.

Let the flaming begin.

 

Agreed....

I've got no problems with the RL, mini vans, wagons or electric cars and accept there's a market for each.

It's not the market I'm in but let those interested in those types of vehicles have them and be happy.

 

Today's steel grades are 6 times stronger than just that of 10 years ago, which is what the Taco is made of. That fact that it can is an indication of it's build.

http://www.autonews.com/article/201...ta-tacoma-engineer-wins-steel-institute-award

 

Op why dont you look at a 4runner you could mount the bikes on top or trunk, you can fold down the seats and sleep in the back and pleanty of room for your dogs. It is a tacoma with a cover already on it, i had a bad 2015 that was bought back from toyota, all gens have their issues, but the 4runner has alwyse ben known to be of better quality than the taco, after my taco was bought back and all of the bad news about 3rd gen turned me away, i also test drove a 3rd gen and could tell right away the transmission was sluggish and only stayed in 4th gear. So instead i bought my 4runner trail edition and could not be happier.

 

TSB just fixed that. Put a load of hay in the back of the 4 runner and other stuff people haul other than a dog and bike, plus extra 1800 pound tow capacity and get back with us.
With a warranty, no worries.

http://www.yotatech.com/f2/4runner-chick-car-8008/

 

Haha It's true! the ridgeline is a decent vehicle, and my wife drives a honda, 250km on it and it's still running like a dream. It's better than a Lada........

 

not talking about the numbers, i am talking about what the result is when you step on the gas. i am comparing my 2008 i traded in for my 2016. the 2008 had more get up and go.

 

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Having had both of these vehicles and maybe 10 to 12 Toyota trucks since late 1970's, these are my thoughts . . . . . . .

Reliability factors on the 2 first year models ... Tacoma & Ridgeline probably won't be much different in percentages, only in numbers of production. However, I did have zero problems with my Ridgeline and have always had a small issue with each Tundra or Tacoma (only Toyota truck with no issues was a 1980's vintage Toyota pickup with a 22R engine).

Best dealer service that I have ever had in my life was at Rick Hendrick's "Gwinnett Place Honda" ... bought maybe 6 cars there, just based on their great dealer service.

IF you want a mid-size truck wit good mid-size truck driving and feel ... go Tacoma ...... I would not be afraid of a 2016 Tacoma (some have had issues like any new model).

If you want a bigger and more plush Sunday driver with AWD (not a rock crawler) go Ridgeline. The Ridgeline is great for a family ... Ridgeline is kinda of the "Crown-Vic" of trucks ... more plush ... like driving an 4WD/AWD with locker, lounge chair down the street ... and the Ridgeline is NOT geared toward younger people like the Tacoma.

They are 2 different animals ... and the nice thing is you can NOT go wrong with either vehicle ... It's a WIN - WIN for you ...

PS ... Tacoma is consistently the best truck brand (room for improvement) that I have ever driven (had Ford & Chevys too) ... Ridgeline is a hybrid type truck that many will like ... it is also like a larger Subaru Brat in many ways.

Want a change to more comfy ... go Ridgeline ........... want basically the same as your Gen 2 ... go Tacoma.

Good luck with your decision ....
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