I don't want ANY MORE of a truck than my manual 2007 4WD

This post has no functional purpose. It is the opposite of a rant. I took some time to fully rebuild the engine (whenever I had time from other responsibilities) so it is super tuned right now. We have two other vehicle, one stick, one automatic, the stick hatchback one is kinda fun to drive and the automatic small SUV (which is the newest of all) is not at all. The stick Tacoma is the oldest of all our vehicles and the most functional and actually fun to drive. I am not sure if the 3rd gen is as fun to drive as this. I fckn LOVE it and don't need any more of a truck than that.

I almost gave up the rebuild when I realized the piston rings were done and needed replacement and I had to take the diff and lower oil pan. But I am happy I didn't. I had never taken pistons out before, dealing with the diff was a b*tch but I got over it.

anti-rant over

 

picture won't relay the pleasure of driving it

 

Is it a 6 or 4 cyl? It seems like a 4 that’s not transverse would be pretty straight forward. I have a 6 with 226k running strong, but it’s gonna be a challenge when the time comes.

 

I also have a 2007 manual, but with the 2.7L. Same as the OP, I love the truck. My favorite vehicle to date, this summer I will have been driving for 50 years. Also had a newer SUV I traded in for with more tech features than the Tacoma - took a hit financially but worth it IMO given how rare manual transmission Tacomas are becoming. The automatic SUV was not fun to drive at all - at the time made sense to have it due to the job I had.

Nice to see a post just praising a Tacoma and that owning it is great. There are others on this forum, probably more so than most other trucks.

 

Back in 1987 I bought a brand new toyota 4cyl factory turbo 4x4 pickup, standard cab.They didn’t call them Tacomas then .
Then in 1998 I bought a brand new Tacoma 6cyl 4x4 AC. On the way home from the dealer I decided to take the interstate hwy and see what it had. I remember thinking back then , this 6 cyl sure doesn’t get up and go like that little 4 cyl turbo. ( Sometimes new isn’t always better)

 

Interesting as I didn't realize Toyota ever offered a turbo 4 in their trucks. I wonder if Toyota will follow the trend of replacing V6 engines with turbo 4s. I also wonder if, and don't think if that happened we'd see the trucks hitting 200k miles without major trouble routinely.

 

My job was to professionally work on and drive high performance vehicles over $100k on a regular basis

the Tacoma is more fun, capable, practical/useful, and takes more skill to drive
I imagine many others fit that category such as Jeep

 

That’s exactly what Toyota doing with the 2024 Tacoma. It’s going to be 4 cylinder turbo. It should be interesting to see how the motors hold up once they get some mileage on them. Personally I wouldn’t touch a new gen vehicle from ANY manufacture. I don’t like being an R&D Guinea pig for everything they haven’t figured out yet. Just look at the new Tundra guys….

 

4cyl turbo sounds interesting lol

 

Ok - so that is the plan. Not that I'll ever be in the market for a new Tacoma, but all the more reason why I'm not a fan of newer vehicle technology in some respects. Not related to Tacomas, but I read on the forum of my former SUV that the 1.5L turbo engines in Honda CR-Vs are sometimes not providing adequate heat in very cold climates, and the stop/start feature makes it even worse. I've read the same with the normally aspirated Subaru Foresters - complaints to Subaru corporate are replied stating the new engines are more efficient therefore generating less 'wasted' heat. I've seen posts where it's actually a driving concern - windshield defrosting being inadequate. I'll keep my not as efficient 2.7L that provides excellent heat. It hasn't snowed much around here yet this winter, but the Tacoma is proving to be a great winter vehicle.

Re: the Tundras - I'm not aware of the new situations with them. Last night I did see a review on Motorweek of the new Tundra - the high end model with the 3.5 turbo V6.

 

A midsize truck is more fun and takes more skill to drive than a 100k high performance vehicle. This is what you’re telling me.

 

that is what the post said

 

And what exactly about these street beasts is it that you find challenges your driving skills on a daily basis over a high performance car? The 911 like ability to handle hairpin turns and breakneck speeds? Keeping the tires from breaking loose due to the high hp and amazing power to weight ratio? I know what you mean. I often feel the same as I blast down the freeway in my mighty v6 and think the Mercedes Benz black series and dodge viper have absolutely nothing on this bad boy.

 

Mostly, I don’t have to worry about pot holes costing me a fortune.
Or speed bumps, or premium gas, or feeling confined in the small cabin/seats.

They aren’t hard to drive, but you have to drive them with more caution.

 

cool story bro