2017 Improvements?

I am about 6-10 months away from buying a truck. My top choices are the 2017 Colorado/Canyon Crew Cab 4x4 Long bed or short bed (unsure still) and either the Duramax or ZR2 if it comes out soon or maybe even the gas V6 with the 8 speed tranny. The 2017 Tacoma DCSB (can't get a manual in long bed) 4x4 OR version is my other main consideration.

Both seem to have had some reliability issues (mostly with the tranny or minor electronic issues). GM made the upgrade to the 8 speed to hopefully correct gear hunting. Taco seems to have done updates to hopefully eliminate gear hunting as well. However, I would still grab the 6MT in the Taco to avoid any of that nonsense.

So... my main questions for the Taco is...

-Are there ANY differences between the 2016 and 2017 Tacomas?
-Do you think all the new model issues are worked out by now and corrected for 2017?
-Owners of the MT, what are your experiences with the manual? Do you feel like you always have sufficient power and response by being in control of the gearing? How's the power and mpgs?

 

the 8 speed is just for MPG. everyone's doing it now.
Look at the new ram 3500, it has a 8 speed as well. Just to keep RPM low.

Not sure I'd like a 4cyl diesel, V6 sure but 4cyl is meh.


The 2016/2017 is pretty much the same aside from a power rear window.
2017s are still having some of the same issues.

 

Only update to 2017 Off road is the now standard power sliding rear window and increased price reflecting. 2017s still have the same issues as the 16s, confirmed lower control arm whistle, a few guys needed the transmission TSB as well on their 17s and a few have the diff howl. I love my 16, but I wont sugar coat the issues small and not so small (my diff howl Toyota dosent have a fix for). If shopping for a truck I'd still buy a Tacoma.

 

According to the articles that announced the 8 speed in the GM twins, they said it didn't improve MPGs, just better functionality in real world applications like power off the line and being in the right gear when towing. However, real world mpgs may improve a tad bit.

 

I would also still buy a tacoma. I think it'll last longer and have better resale down the road Good luck w/whatever you do decide on!

 

with 8 speed? lol
I wouldn't doubt 6 7 8 are all overdrive gears.

might not actually improve MPG but its what a lot of companies seem to be doing to help MPG.
more gears, can keep the engine in a lower RPM range help fuel efficiency.

maybe slightly help with torque off the line thats about it.

Buy the toyota and you ownt have to worry for the next 10 years that they came out with something different for the same model.

Buy the GM if in a year or two they are already offering a different engine/trans combo for them and you want that instead.

Toyota even with its problems will probably be more reliable and will hold value beter.

 

Is the diff howl something you might be able to hear on a test drive or only awhile later after some time owning it?

 

You might, but for most of us that have it, it developed over time. Mine didn't have it until about the 1,500 mile point.

 

More cylinders doesn't mean mo better with diesels. If that were the case big 18 wheelers would be 20 cylinder instead of 6 cylinders.

 

more cylinders is always more better lol.

Yes this is true that more doesn't mean better, but I can't see a 2.8L 4cyl being all that powerful a 3L v6 would be nicer to me.

 

Depends on the kind of power you're looking for. Towing? Get the diesel. Racing the truck from the stop light? Get the gas.

 

if I was towing I'd be getting a fullsize lol.
Besides not fond of Isuzu motors.

 

Well it clearly is for the person who wants a midsize truck that also happens to be able to get 30 mpg and tow their boat or camper safely on occasion.

Using the same logic, you could say to someone buying the Tacoma that "if I wanted to go off-roading, I would buy an ATV." There is almost always something that can do 1 specific job to an incredible degree. But the average person needs something that can do many things reasonably well.

 

can't go camping with an ATV.
ATV is also different kind of off road.

Not sure where you're getting this 30mpg idea from...

If the midsize offers enough towing for what you need go nuts. But from what I;ve heard on here many find it doesn't have enough power to be towing anything big.
Depends what type of boat you are towing if thats your plan and what size camper. OR only has 6000lb towing once you add in the camper weight plus gear it could be near the max. It all depends where you are towing it.

Consider where you are towing as well hills altitude etc.
If a midsize meets your needs then by all means go with a midsize.
You're on a toyota site, many on here will tell you go with the toyota.

from all the reviews I've seen on the other midsize trucks out there, I'm still set on buying a tacoma. meets all my needs for camping/overlanding, moving a few sheet goods like plywood or drywall for home renos, can move my kayak easy, gets decent MPG, can get around the city easy (compared to a fullsize) and I can throw a ladder and a few coils of wire and then some device boxes and pot lights etc if I'm doing a side job.

Like I said I'm not fond of Isuzu motors.
My uncle had 4 different GM diesels all gave him problems. He has the new eco diesel ram and loves it hasn't had any issues. I would've been getitng the same if I was in the market for a fullsize.
You made a thread asking what people on here think of which vehicle you should get, I'm just saying what I think lol.

 

A lot of reviewers both owners and professionals said they averaged 30 mpg or more with the diesels.

 

I find it very hard to believe that a midsize truck with the amount of weight, aerodynamics etc gets the same if not better MPG than a 4cyl 2L diesel car lol
I know a lot of VW owners especially since I'm one of the few in the greater toronto area that has all the VW software so I have a lot of people email me to do stuff or check stuff on their cars. All of them say they get more like 24-27MPG hwy and thats going easy. Considering its a car that was always known for getting great MPG, much smaller than a truck, much lighter as well and more aerodynamic.
I doubt a 2.8L pick up truck diesel is getting better MPG.
Considering the fact that VW has been in a huge lawsuit because they had it set up to alter the emissions test, so that the engine can run on a different tune that got better MPG.
Not sure a truck really would get better MPG, but if it really is thats actually really cool.

 

It is rated at 29. Diesels are very often rated lower than drivers can actually get in real world use. Not sure why VW doesn't achieve the same but that doesn't mean GM and all the tests have been fraudulent.

 

fanboy

 

Nope, loyal customer based on experience with the brand and model, yes, a fanboy would be someone who claims that the truck is perfect, everyone is dumb and there are no issues, etc. defending Toyota to the death plenty of those wandering around here.

 

considering the test are likely the same for gas vs diesel and very rarely does anyone actually get the MPG advertised not sure.

And really what company especially one like GM wouldn't be advertising more what the MPG is?
How long would someone head of marketing last at a job if they put out an ad saying they only get 28MPG when they can get 30+?

If you're so confident the GM can get that MPG then go buy one.
in 8 years you'll be lucky if its still even worth 20K

Espeically in times like today where EPA is down every automakers throat about MPG why would you not advertise it?