Test drove 2018 Tacoma - LOVED everything...except the power

No. From someone who has actually owned both, no.

 

Maybe ask the Toyota dealer to install the OV tune before you buy it so you can see if that helps.....(jk)

If you test drive a vehicle and don't like something, that should be all you need to know.

Go test drive other vehicles- there are certainly more that two options for new pickup trucks.

If after testing everything else and still not sold on anything, come back and re-test drive.

Or just wait a year if you can, see what the 2020's have to offer.

 

Thank you all for your replies. To clarify, I am not just here to bash the truck. I still would like to purchase it, as I think it's a very high quality vehicle and I love almost everything about it. I am also a 2nd time Toyota owner hoping to be a 3rd time. I just wanted to share my experience on the test drive and would be open to hear about solutions that you all have found. I hear some of you talk about a TSB on this issue; I had no idea that was a thing so hopefully it addresses it.

 

The TSB that fixes those issues just came out recently to my knowledge in OP’s original post it sounds like he’s pretty much not sold on the truck...but i apoglize if I offended you

 

Okay so then what do you think? The 3.5 was a great choice and they didn't fuck up the truck?

Come on man, the 3rd gen is a truck with an engine made for an economy sedan. Even the 4.0 isn't that great by any means, but you don't think Toyota dropped the ball on the powerplant when it comes to the 3rd gen?

 

No. Because the motor isn't the problem. The throttle mapping and initial transmission programming is fair game for criticism though. Toyota has continually updated the software n this truck, yet has not replaced the motor...

The third gen with the throttle mapping of the second gen would be perfect. I'll take the more powerful motor.

 

Couldn’t agree more about the way it drives the only thing that really kept my ass in the seat was knowing/hoping the truck will be reliable. That being said I’ve change my driving style a bit and got use to it. A lot of people like to bitch & complain about the lack of low end power unfortunately as much as we wish that won’t change the way the truck drives lol. Might have to wait for the ford ranger if you’re not satisfied. GL OP!

 

After driving the 4.0 in my moms SR5 4Runner and my brothers 16&18 TRD Pro 4runners... no thanks

 

@lazarus870

Go back and drive it again but press the ECT button and drive it around. See if you like it like that. If you do, then negotiate you will buy it if they reprogram the ECU as directed in TSB 0058-18 before you take delivery. You can always do the ECT mod and drive it around with ECT always on. Or try OV Tune as another option. Or wait for the super charger option in the works. I drove both trucks before deciding on the Tacoma. Haven't regretted the Tacoma yet.

 

Also no, from someone who has owned 2 gen 2 and now this.

The fuel economy is about the same. And "Tacoma world *I feels* comments aside", multiple pulls of my truck vs my buddies 2012 side by side... Stayed pretty much side by side the whole time.

I've towwed with both. Wheeled with both. Been in a Tacoma for about a decade. The biggest difference between the second gen and the third gen is that the 2nd gen spools up the motor and lurches while the third gradually can't get out of its own way and then pulls good.

 

Buy it and putt along for now. Drive it around for 10k miles and see if you have any warranty issues. If you haven't then it's probably gonna last forever so start modding it to your liking which will include a super/turbo charger that should hopefully be it by then. That's what I'm doing. Hopefully by the end of the year I'll have my miles and forced induction options In the meantime I'm fixing up the suspension and outside.

 

I can tell you if your are disappointed now you only will be in the future. How do I know? Because I was in this same predicament. I figured because I had a first gen and loved it that I would grow to love this truck. I figured because I came out of a loaded F150 with the ecoboost maybe I just needed to get used to this truck. While I don’t hate this truck and there are some things I do like about it. I still wish I had just got another F150 or a different full sized truck. I almost get the same MPG with this Tacoma that I did with my F150. I really miss the power and the smoothness of that truck. This truck feel a lot stiffer and seems to bounce around too much for my liking. I’m not some hard core off-roader, I’m just a guy who likes to do projects around my house and wants a truck to be able to haul stuff back from the stores when needed. It’s an everyday driver to me and most of the time just used to commute to and from work. I occasionally make a trip to PA to visit family and the Tacoma when I’m traveling with my sister or any other adults just doesn’t have the extra room to make a longer trip comfortable. I figured since I got divorced and now it’s only me and my daughter that maybe a mid sized would make more sense. Atleast choosing to go with the Tacoma I knew t was going to hold some resale so I knew if I wanted to be able to get another truck in a few years that I would have that added benefit. My suggestion is test drive a few different vehicles and see what you like best and what makes the best financial sense to you. If finances don’t matter than get the truck you like and think fits your needs the most. You don’t want to be driving around wishing you were in something else

 

I recently lost my first generation double cab to a distracted young driver. It was a 03 and was the best engine/tranny setup in my opinion. I had two rental trucks the first was a taco dblcb 4x4 and second was a GMC Canyon dblcb. The canyon had great get up and was nice to drive but ate up gas faster. Interior nothing fancy and my arm or hand would roll down the back windows cause the arm rest and buttons not in right place. The taco is awesome other than the low end speed. Especially compared to my first gen. Taco. I bought a used 17 dblcb lb mgm color and love it. I have gotten used to the way it accelerates and the ECT button does help on take off and hills. Cruise control works good at keeping the speed without wearing out my foot. Because it does seem that you really have to push it for it to really move but does eventually. Still love truck and wouldn’t buy anything else. I test drove a f150 but couldn’t do it!

 

The drive train gets better around 1000/1500 miles - you can also use the ECT (Electronically Controlled Transmission) option to change how the engine responds. It doesn't really make the truck faster, just changes the shift points so the engine revs higher before swapping to a different gear.

 

ECT also changes the throttle mapping.

 

TUNDRA

 

This too.

 

Why would u come on the forum and complain about something you don’t own. Go buy a Ram

 

This 100%. Not sure why people are jumping on this dude for giving his thoughts pre-purchase.

The new engine update makes a HUGE difference. I had mine done last week and the vehicle drives completely different (for the better). Go back to the dealer and try one that has had that update done. You’ll be a lot more satisfied.

*note: the engine is louder for a mid size vehicle, but I like it. I still want to feel like I’m driving a truck.

 

Get the chevy!