Four years in a Tacoma, a frustrating experience

I guess I should have rephrased that to “could”.

 

Life is short. Sell it and move on. Let us know what you get.

 

Thank you sir

 

What he said...You dont like it...OK...Does paying cash for it have anything to do with it?..smh

 

Search does wonders...

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/had-the-engine-oil-low-issue-on-hill-climb.627625

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/another-blown-engine-m-o-r-r.758212/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/smoking-while-on-a-incline.511373/

 

• "Primary issue: The seating position is simply atrocious. I’m 6’ 1”, athletic build. My head hits the ceiling if I’m sitting up. I can’t even see the horizon out the passenger window on flat ground. I can’t see red lights if I’m the first or even second in line. My legs are cramped up on the surprisingly high floor. My legs have no support. Elbow support is all wrong and mismatched on either side. It’s the worst seating I’ve ever experienced in any vehicle. I thought I could deal with it, but I’ve found I cannot. It is so, so, so bad. Shame on Toyota for designing a truck that only fits 5’6”~5’10” people."

I'm not dogging you, but...Truthfully...is this not something that you didn't notice on your first test drive before you shelled out the cash? Didn't you also notice the 3.5V6 wasn't exactly a flamethrower?

I'm in the retail car business, and have been for 35-years. Believe me...there are none of the vehicles you mentioned in your "next time" list without glitches.

 

People amaze me - I research, read, talk to people who own the vehicle I am interested. I talk to complete strangers about their vehicle - I have never ran into anyone who was not willing to tell you their experience. But the BIG thing is test driving it. Sometimes the sales people don't like how long and where all I want to go but tough boogers I'm about to shell big bucks and they are going to get their pound of flesh so I'm driving that baby till I feel like I know her. And usually I say I need to think about it and come back a day or two later and drive her again. I test drove a Taco at the dealer then got mine at Carmax. The sales guy at Carmax had been in the Army so we hit it off and he let me have it for an afternoon - just my wife and I, so we took everywhere and like I said in an earlier post - my wife nixed the off road test drive but other than that no surprises or disappointments - I knew what I was getting.

 

Great post. Very impartial and detailed. I’m not surprised because these issues have been brought up before part & parcel and are well-documented. But thanks for detailing it all out. I’m in the process of getting a new truck and leaning toward a 2023 Tacoma TRD OR or TRD Pro…but must be a manual and your post has made me contemplate waiting for the 2024 Tacoma. Although I’m a little old school and may, in the end, opt for leaf springs and drum brakes and take the compromises as they stand.

I currently own a 2020 Tacoma SR5 V6 2WD (…coming from a 6 speed 2015 Mustang GT Premium…coming from a 2012 2.7 SR5 Tacoma manual…coming from an 2000 Ford 5.4L F150…coming from a 1993 manual 2.4 Toyota pickup.) The current 3.5V6 is a strange bird. This is not a truck engine by normal standards. It works well enough to get by but it’s a funny little combo. Every truck I’ve owned before had enough torque down low. My 1993 2.4 towed a 12’ trailer from New Jersey to San Jose over the Rockies…although my current SR5 is more than capable…it has bothered me on long trips. Anyway thanks again for the detailed breakdown of your experiences.

 

Problem is most don't want to buy a new vehicle and fork out big money for one that has 50, 75 or more miles driven by multiple people. It puts the sales people in a mode to rush test drives.

 

Fair points, and obviously you have used your truck in a variety of different settings. I do miss my American made full size trucks for their power and fuel economy quite honestly. I enjoy my 2020 TRD Pro as well though but it has crappy MPG and shifting on the interstate.

I will say that I bought a used vehicle from Carmax, but also used Carvana. Their 7 day return policy was AWESOME and truly they did not complain or even question one thing when I decided to return the car I had for 6 days. Truly a revelation in car buying.

 

I have the 2018 Off Road V6 3.5 ( inferno ) and I have the same opinion as the original poster , uncomfortable seats and lack of power when towing . I only tow my 2000 lbs side by side and the tacoma struggles to get to 60mph . On a 2 hr tow I get 12 mpg at best ( no hills ) Lease is up in September so I have 4 months to decide what to do . This is my 4 th Toyota but my 1 st tacoma .

 

Fair points especially on seating but I have to admit the Tacoma I test drove didn't seem to have the engine hesitation and stumble my truck has. It seems these trucks drive differently from one to another so I must have driven a "fast" one and ended up with a "slow" one.

 

Thats what you get for a 4 cylinder, should have got a six. I pull my 2k lb boat plus with my v6 3.5 and it's not even close to having any issues....same for my 5x10 utility trailer when loaded.

 

My tacoma is a V6 3.5 and not a 4 cyl

 

You must have something really messed up then, like 2 dead squirrels not pulling their weight. My 6 has all kinds of power for such a light load. I even towed a friends bigger 22' boat to his home that had to be 3k lbs, or more...it was pretty noticeable going up hills, but the truck pulled it ok while keeping up with posted speed limit.

 

I always felt like something was messed up with this truck and mentioned it numerous times when I had the truck at the dealership for regular maintenance and the 3 times it left me stranded on the side of the highway and I had to get towed . All 3 times it was an issue with the fuel pump . This ended up being recalled by Toyota after and fixed with a new fuel pump . Also my fuel pump comes on from time to time when parked in my garage . I hear it go on and stay on for hours . If im in there I usually start the truck and shut it off and it stops . I mentioned that to the dealer but they have no clue whats going on and tell me im the only one with this problem . Frustrating but what other truck to buy to replace it im not sure .

 

I have a 2019 TRD OR with a 6 speed. I love the truck, but I agree the seating position is horrendous! I'm 5 10 and I have the front seat jackers in the truck and they are very little help. I think the issue is the length of the bottom cushion being too short. My truck is loaded and I got a great deal on it when new and with only 16,000 miles I can probably get more than I paid if I sell it.

 

Thats strange, when I shut my 2020 off, it's off...no noises of any sort. I've worked on the yard just after getting out of the truck from an errand thats been parked nearby. Never heard anything ever coming from the truck. Its basically like any other truck owned.

 

an honest review