Impressed with the 4th Gen

The plastic is given for a Tacoma no? Didn’t all previous Tacomas have cheap plastic interiors? We are not talking about a BMW.

 

Yes.

 

So why the hell everyone complaining about plastics. Maybe because this gen is more expensive than previous gens and they are expecting better quality? But all automakers have increased their the costs on their cars and trucks across the board.

 

Psychiatric therapy is much needed everywhere. Including me generally, but not specifically to this topic.

 

Based on photos the plastics look cheap on the 4G so does the plastic on my F-150. I'm going with industry standard materials. Yes, for the price I can see people expecting better. No, I don't think it's only a Toyota issue there. I did see two Xtracabs earlier today an Orkin truck, and another white truck with no cap and signage on the door. The cheaper looking materials are a little easier to accept on the lower priced trims.

 

Whats the difference in complaining about anything you can't control anyhow? People complain about everything.

 

If you're expecting the interior of a BMW to not be mostly plastic, I've got bad news for you.

 

It's been a while but last time I was under a BMW I thought I saw composite control arms.

 

I haven't paid much attention, but I do feel like I heard someplace that some of the M-cars use carbon fiber composite suspension parts. Which is fine! They're just as strong and very light, though hideously expensive.

For real, though: many people think "plastic" automatically equals "cheap" or "bad." It's just not true. Many polymers have characteristics that make them as good or better than metal parts. It's about choosing the correct material for the application. Metal can break down too.

More often than not, problems people attribute to parts being plastic aren't that so much as it's that the bean counters overrode the engineers and forced them to spec a cheaper plastic not as well suited to the application. Enshittification isn't about using plastics. It's about using the wrong ones because they're a bit cheaper.

 

If you don't like all of the plastic the higher trims, Limited, Pro, and TH, have a padded glove box, padded door panels, a different console cover, and shifter that gives the interior a more premium feel. I'm sure there are some at the salvage yards by now and you could pick up some upgrade pieces.

 

I have a BMW. I was referring to cheap hard plastic vs better quality plastics I guess. Cheap plastic feel vs higher quality feel of plastics like softer touch.

 

Bit early to be singing the praises...

It's now almost ten full years since 3rd gens were released and they're just starting to be acknowledged as pretty durable, reliable engines.

I wouldn't start counting the eggs of 4th gen reliability before they hatch... need at least 6-7 years and a large cohort of 4th gens routinely clocking >250K miles on the ODO before they join the ranks of legendary Tacoma reliablity.

4th gens might turn out to be reliable, in fact there's a good chance they will because Toyota knows hybrids and knows turbos -- but they haven't yet.

--A satisfied 2nd gen driver

 

Years ago I bought a new Porsche Cayman S and the damn thing squeaked. Drove me crazy. Not the most expensive car but not your average daily driver. People know what they're getting with the 4th Gen Off Road and below.

 

Both the Tundra and Tacoma use a composite beds kind of funny complaining about plastics here. I never really cared for the unpainted plastic bumper and flares on the 2G I got over that, guess anyone with a 4G SR should be glad Toyota now paints the front bumper not that the unpainted look bad. Plastic truck interiors aren't necessarily a bad thing unless you're going with a more luxurious trim.

 

If you are able to drive your sports car without earplugs, is it really that sporty?

 

idk if people are complaining truly about plastics i think its more of the fit and finish tbh. at least that is what ive seen and my own opinion, i do agree like someone stated earlier the truck felt like a kia interior tbh. the inside just felt meh? idk how to state it best when i test drove the offroad and sr5 i drove back then. never owned a 3rd gen taco never liked them enough to ever pull a trigger but ive owned two 2nd gens 12+ models with the face lift. yes the trucks are dated but they just well work? idk how to state it lol.

 

Speaking of bumpers. The OEM back bumper is plastic, covered with a "chrome color" coating that cracks and peels off in a minor bump where metal would be more durable?

This is a 3G 2021. Not complaining. Just an observation.

 

Pick your poison.






And stop backing into shit.

 

No regrets

 

Dude i literally replaced both my bumper caps last weekend because....2 different people parking lot tapped me and cracked and scratched both and left scene. Replaced both in about 15 minutes per side with Ebay aftermarket parts for $80 each, you would never know and the aftermarket is twice as durable. I personally am fine with easy to replace, unlucky people enjoy rear ending the truck lol.