Questions , Decisions , Quirks , Wobbles, Knobs , MPGS , power, CONFUSION!!

Here I go again. First I will start with I had a 2nd gen 05 sport access cab for 10 years. Got out and went to a full size American. 4 years in I am looking at ordering a 2019 Tacoma access cab.

So this is where the fun starts. I'm a picky prick. All this new hi tech crap in the new vehicles such as lane departure, auto brake, auto engine stop etc. on all the newer cars and trucks has me feeling old. I like my tech but only as far as audio and comfort. So my thoughts were buy now because in the next few years the tech will take over all vehicles. I want to drive my vehicle, Do not want my vehicle to drive me.

So my thoughts came to look at a new Tacoma. Then I see they went to a 3.5 with a 6spd. So like a fool I start reading all the forums I once belonged to way back when including this one. After I got rid of my 2005 I swore up and down I will not read any more on the forums about my new American truck. Well sure enough that didn't last long and all the TSB's got done and I'm constantly looking for all the problems that people are posting. Sad to say my truck has had all of them so far and has been fixed at the dealer.

So now I decided to read the Toyota forum before I buy a new Tacoma instead of after. Reading about the 3.5 with the 6spd and knowing its something newer and not time tested I said to myself, Why not buy an SR5 with the appearance package 4cyl tried and true engine. I only do a max of 6k miles a year and use it as a back and fourth to work and Home Depot runs and to dump barrels of grass. No towing or off roading.

So I went to one local dealer last weekend and when I got there they had no 4cyl. So I said let me take a TRD sport access cab 4x4 for a ride. He took all my info, gave me the keys and my buddy and I were off. It had plenty of power for me. Both of us were amazed that I was even considering this trade as my big truck is comfortable, spacious, powerful, and real nice to look at.

We hit the highway and as soon as we hit 60mph the steering wheel started to shake like I was back in my 2nd gen. We both looked at each other and said hell no. Drove back to the dealership and told the guy it shakes on the highway and I would get back to him later

Then yesterday I went to another dealer and drove an SR5 access cab 4x4 4cy. I must say my buddy and I both agreed it was more comfortable and way smoother driving than the Sport. We hit the highway and this thing was smooth right up to 80mph. Even though the 4cyl took some time to get there I felt it was all I really need.

Then of course I come home with the bug and read read read look at pics look at pics and more pics. The TRD Sport keeps popping back into my head. If only they sold it with the 2.7.

So today I get up. Drive a little ways out to a bigger dealer with much more of a selection and Ask to take a TRD sport for a ride. Completely different truck different town. Take it onto the highway and sure enough at 60mph the shake begins. I could not believe it. Made my way back to the dealer and said let me drive the sr5 4cy. Take that for a ride and smooth as silk. So now comes the fun of a picky prick. I go to play the radio and realize the knobs are tiny and there is this bulge around the screen that does not let my fingers turn the radio knobs smooth. Hard to get a grip.

Drive back to the dealer and ask if the radio that comes in the sport is available for the sr5. He says no. Now I want the Sport but not the wobble.

So here comes the questions. Would like answers from people with real experience who own these trucks or have first hand knowledge maybe a Toyota employee but not a greasy haired salesman. LOOK AT MY AVATAR and you can see I have had it with dealers. Have owned well over 150 vehicles in my driving life and dealt with many of car salesman. After a bad experience several years ago I went straight to the t-shirt shop and had a dozen made.

Any real world long term information on the 3.5 as far as build quality or problems compared to the tried 2.7? And real world MPG versus both 4x4 auto.

What the heck is up with the shaking on the TRD Sport? I know my 2005 was real sensitive to balancing and needed road force with lug centric adapter Swore I would never do it again but here I am.

If I were to get a 2019 Sport what are the chances that all these TSB'S for the shifting will already be done?

Hard to believe that radio knobs is enough for me to move on from the SR5.

So I am torn between both. I know I could pull radio and put in my own system with NAV and cameras etc. Just was hoping to just get new and leave it alone. YA RIGHT.

Also cant believe They still have not put in electric seats. Or just another manual lever to pump the seat bottom back and down. My Corolla has it.

So after all the reading of my long winded rant go ahead and let me have it.

 

Hondo Garage makes some really nice replacement radio knobs...

http://www.hondogarage.com/index.php/catalog/knobsswitches

 

That's awesome. Just checked them out. See, This is why these forums rock. Thanks for the tip.

 

Maybe it has something to do with the type of tires on the Sport that is making it feel different to you.

 

You’ve owned 150 vehicles in your lifetime? Are you Jay Lenno trolling us?

To answer your question, to me the Sport model is pretty much useless for the price. I bought the TRD OR, here’s why:

Bigger differentials for towing and off-roading, better stock suspension (although it’s in a box now), no useless hood scoop, locking diff. Function over form.

Never did the steering wheel shake and I’ve gone fast in my truck. Only thing needed was the ECGS bushing after I lifted it. Why are you so interested in the Sport? The SR5 sounds ideal for your needs plus you can save a few bucks to get a nice stereo or seat covers, etc

 

Well he is a time traveler!

 

You know, I really should drive an OR. Think I will this week. Why the sport? I really like the hood and rims. over 150? yes. I don't like Jay. From the same area. He is a smug man. Don't forget what he did to Conan and Howard. I have always been a car guy and had an autobody shop in the past. Cars were always my hobby. As I get older not so much.

 

I thought that but its not a vibration like knobby tires would make. Its a bad shake like a wheel not balanced the correct way.

 

I have the 2017 Sport. Outside of the Transmission Plague I've gotten (Not all have, just a select gifted few of us have) I love my truck. 0 Shake in the steering wheel (granted, I've got 18's on it, with 285/75's) but have had it up just past 90mph with no steering wheel shake at all. Rides nice on the highway, little rough on the dirt roads compared to OR, but preferred the stiffer ride of the sport due to most of my riding is highway being a Travel Welder. The few little tweaks here and there are what won me over for the Sport vs SR5. I may have entertained the idea of a 4Cyl had the Sport come with it, but with me hauling my small trailer around, and the hills/mountains of Maine, I wanted the extra power if needed.

If all you're worried about is the seats and stereo, as mentioned above, Catskins seat covers, which are amazing and don't feel like seat covers, and new Stereo, and you'd be good to go. The 2.7 in these are tried and tested, and near bulletproof. Little sluggish, but much better than the older 4cyl/6cyl of early 2000's. Both are great engines, just expect some of the odd quirks and different driving style of the new V6/6Speed Auto (unless you go w/the Manual)

 

You should definitely test drive the OR, it has a smoother, less harsh feel to it and has the exact same MSRP as the sport

 

Wow! I thought you meant 15, not 150. Dang that’s a lot of vehicles.

Something to keep in mind. My OR is OVtuned and has made the truck even with all the armor, winch, sliders, bigger tires, gear, etc...REALLY fun to drive compared to the crappy stock tune. If you are considering getting a newer Tacoma I would recommend the OVtune. See this thread:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2016-toyota-tacoma-v6-ecu-tuning-alpha-release.495735/

 

With that tune, Can you flash it back to factory if you are going in for service?

 

My girlfriend owns a 4cyl (White one in pic) and I own a TRD sport. How can I help?

 

Supposedly dealers can't see/detect the tune.

 

6k miles a year and no wheeling or hauling? I would 100% go with the SR5.

 

Forums can help as long as you don't ask or state opinions. Facts, yes. Opinions, no. You should know that by now.
I have no clue why those Sports you test drove shook. Mine does not. Yes, every week or so someone here will complain about a shake but it is not limited to the Sport model, it's all models. But, Toyota sells 20K of these things a month and there is no widespread shaking or TSB for such.
The 3.5 engine is a tried and true engine. Lexus have been running them for years. There's one in my wife's Highlander. It is pretty much bulletproof.
As far as mpg's, read the link in my signature for explanation.
Good luck and buy what you want. Toyota makes a good truck but it has warts, just like every other truck.
One last thing... 2017 was the last model year without TSS which is the safety suite consisting of blind spot monitoring, radar cruise and auto braking. That's why I got a 2017 lol.

 

You can, but it’s unnecessary. I’ve been in for service many times with no issues. The dealer can’t actually see that it’s tuned they just see that you have a current ID on your ECU. Plus the new trucks should have the most up to date ID and TSBs hopefully. Supposedly the newest ECU TSB from Toyota is quite nice and puts the stock tune near the OVtune, less the improvements OVtune makes on top of the stock tune...if that makes sense?

 

I have the molle seat covers from cover king. They are pretty sweet too

 

How do they feel when sitting on them? I had a set (don't remember brand) put into my Pathfinder, and they felt extremely tight, almost to the point I felt like I was just sitting on the cover, floating above the seat. Really odd feeling.

 

I love em. Been alot of places with them and I’m very surprised how well they’ve held up