Preconceived Notions, and My 2021 Tacoma

Hello, I am new to this community!

I have never owned a Tacoma before. It has been my dream vehicle for about 5 plus years now. When the 3rd generations came on the scene they stole my attention, and I instantly wanted one. But, I had to wait.

This week I finally got one! A sick 2021 SR V6 4x4, that was slightly modded by the previous owner. Freaking beaut!

However, a weird thing happened. It seems that I had built up this fanciful vision in my head of what I thought Tacoma’s were. So, when I drove it off the lot, a crazy “This is mine!” feeling set in. As I looked around the cab I started to realize “This is just a good ol fashion truck”. AND… it has taken me about three days to realize that ‘THAT’ is the mystique and charm about the Tacos.

I am mentioning this because I know people will be doing research, and I want to help them pop the bubble that I didn’t know I had blown up on the front end of my purchase.

They are rad trucks! Looks, reliability, resale value, and many other high reputable qualities. However, in my minds eye I think I thought Tacos were the perfect truck. But, ALL vehicles have quirks and issues…and so do Tacos.

So, as I drove away from the lot I was at the intersection of expectations and reality. BUT…the reality was/is way better than my expectations. I’m glad it’s just a good ol fashion truck that’s dependable and bad ass looking. I don’t have to worry about babying the crap out of it.

To all those doing research…forums will drive you F’ing nuts! I know they drove me a bit crazy. People have tons of subjective opinions and experiences, and they’re all so freaking different.

Heck, over the past three days I read a great deal of posts in forums about the transmission on the 21’s being weird. Guess what? I didn’t notice anything before I started reading the forums, but then I was all up in my head about it. Then I said “F it! Imma just drive it.” And wouldn’t you know … I haven’t thought about it or noticed anything after I made that decision.

I can focus on the color blue, know that it’s blue, but then be told 10,000 times it’s really brown, and then I just might actually start thinking that blue is brown. Shit…the human brain is a peculiar organ.

So, just go test drive some but get to know the difference between trims, generations, and mods before you hit the lots.

Oh, and you can mod the mess out of your Taco! So, get yourself an SR model like I did and look at it as a blank canvas to make into a hobby.

Anywho…glad to be here! I won’t do long posts like this all the time!

 

I concur with all of this. The Taco looks like a truck, quacks like a truck, must be a truck.

The so-called transmission issues to me are a non-issue. It drives fine for me. I drove my '92 pickup truck to 199,999 miles with ease
and I'm happy as a clam to be in my 2021 ( bought new on the lot ). I only got like 22,000 miles on it and will baby it and take care of it
and my son will inherit a nice ride. He's hoping for an early demise...

 

Shoot…not too early! Lol

 

Welcome to the forum, best advice, drive it like you stole it and don’t look back.

 

Glad to hear you are happy. Here is the brochure on your 2021 Tacoma. Welcome to TW.

https://www.toyota.com/content/dam/toyota/brochures/pdf/2021/tacoma_ebrochure.pdf

 

I got one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel.

I got a high-rise-condo overlooking the lake in fire reserved for me for all of my deeds.

 

Welcome to the forum & congratulations on the new truck.

RE: The transmission

I believe you are correct about forums bringing heightened awareness to "quirks".

For many people the Tacoma is their first truck and any truck is quite a difference if you came from driving Honda Accords.

These same people probably wouldn't put much thought into the shifting logic using the reasoning "it is just doing it's thing" (normal) -- then along comes the forum...


On the other hand if one comes from a mechanical background that same (normal) shifting logic could drive one crazy because that group of people has more experience and awareness of what is going on under the floorboards.

I knew that auto shifting logic would drive me crazy so I purchased a manual.

 

If you had driven my 21 offroad before it was tuned you’d be saying “wtf is this bs”.
It’s the only modern vehicle I’ve ever driven or ridden in that ran, and especially, shifted so bad.
Much better after it was tuned and as the tunes improved.
Traded it in on a new f150 3.5 ecoboost and the new truck runs and shifts like a dream… will have to wait to see about its reliability.

 

Sounds like your head is in the right place.
Good deal, enjoy your truck!

 

Thanks man!

I have had many vehicles (Trucks Included) in my life, and it usually takes me a few days to weeks to figure out how the transmission shifts and then I use it accordingly.

Except the 2016 Jeep Renegade I had. That tranny was trash…no matter what. Always jerking and clunky.

Anywho…my Taco drives like a champ and actually likes a bit more aggression than I’m accustomed too. I am happy to oblige.

 

B…eaut..i..ful.

 

The 3.5 is nothing like a "traditional" cast iron in line 6 or V8 truck engine from the past -- it has the off idle torque of a riding lawn mower.

You paid for the whole tachometer when you bought the truck, might as well use it - within reason naturally. It runs best when you let it eat.

 

Wow!

Such emotion for truck ownership--interesting how you have these preconceived Notions.

I'd been in an SUV since 2002 (Honda Pilot) for the kids sake (2 girls) and had that vehicle until Oct/2018 w/200K+ miles on it.

Daughters are married and we're empty nesters...so I got something I wanted for a long time.

The "Skewp" was my initial excitement about this truck; set a threshold of $40K and got my 2021 Sport for $38,803.

I've done some adds to it (No suspension/tires/lift stuff) worth at least $5K in the past 3+ years...OEM is perfect the way it is For Me.

Like you, I drove it without noticing the quirks about the transmission until I joined TW 4+ months later.

I go the OTT Tune 1 year after purchase and have noticed higher torque revs between shifting.

Enjoy your truck and keep track of your canvas updates!

 

Yeah…I am definitely a passionate fella, and I’ve been diggin on these trucks for a while.

We are about to have our third kid, and we have a Pilot with 240,000k and still solid! Those are solid whips!

 

LOL!