2017 vs 2001

I'm just curious what anyone has to say about the following: I bought my first Tacoma in 2006, a 2001 Extra cab with the 2.7. I loved it and still do. It drives wonderfully, shifts smooth and got me through 16 years of bliss. I bought a 2017 Tacoma because I loved it so much. I'm contemplating if this was a good choice... The diff whines, the accelerator pedal doesn't feel right. What in God's name happened to the truck I used to know and love? Maybe I'm over reacting but it doesn't feel like the truck I fell in love with 10+ years ago

 

You are contemplating if you made the right choice?

 

I had a 2000 4Runner before my 2017 Tacoma. It was the main reason why I chose a Tacoma. The gas pedal definitely takes getting used to, the Tacoma requires a 'heavier foot'. It just takes a little getting used to. I haven't noticed a diff whine, so I can't comment on that. Overall the Tacoma feels a lot like the 4Runner, in a good way, it feels solid and tight, just like I'm used to.

 

I had a 1999 Taco that was great...Now I have a 2017 that is great.

Sorry, I do not know what happened to the truck you used to know and love.

Welcome to TW.

 

You mean 11 since you bought it in 2006.

 

I have a 15.... It's the throttle by wire thing. You get used to it, but I still prefer linkage or cable. It's still the closest truck on the market to what I was actually looking for.

 

I've owned, 1st Gen, 2nd Gen, and now a 3rd Gen. 1st Gen my favorite, 3rd Gen second, and 2nd Gen in a far far third place...

 

Whatever kind of therapy you're going to... Its not enough.

 

Silly insult...

 

I've got a 2002 4x4 DC SR5 and a 2017 TRDOR DC 4x4.

Different vehicles to be sure.

The Gen1 is like driving an ATV with air and heat. Small, maneuverable, far less "refined".

The Gen3 is more comfortable, quieter, a little more spacious, and LARGER. It may not quite be the off roader that Gen1 was, for no other reason than maneuverability and that huge hood, but I expect it will take me anywhere I want to go, and probably a lot of places I would not dare to go. Seems to be every bit as fast as the Gen1 was new, and definitely quicker than the Gen1 with 242k miles and MT's on it. Plenty of speed for my needs. Will see how the power thing works out once I get it in the dirt for the first time next week and start doing some 4-lo work with it.

I don't have the diff whine (yet, with only 3k miles), and the transmission doesn't bother me hardly a bit. I get in, put it into S mode, and it stays in 4th until I hit the highway, then I'll bump it up to 5th and leave it there until I'm on a long flat stretch. I personally don't see what the big deal is. Certainly not enough of a nuisance to make me jump the tacoma platform and go with something else....even god forbid a ford or a chevy. Can't see my name ever being on the title to either one of those brands ever again. BTDT, learned my lessons.

I see it as a "it may not be perfect, but it's the best available" kind of thing.

What would I change if I could?

- That hood. Shorten it up or lower the profile. Good lord it feels like I'm driving an F350 after 15 years in the Gen1.

- Silly knob to engage 4WD and 4Lo. Give me my lever back.

- Drive by wire accelerator. Give me a cable. Had my fill of the drive by wire crap in the BMW. Tried to get someone to smack into me a couple times pulling into traffic. Don't trust drive by wire accelerators.

- Hill start assist. Really? Why even bother if you're not going to do it right. A truck that rolls back on a hill, versus a truck that rolls back on a hill while engaging anti-lock brakes and making tons of noise, and still rolling backwards? Don't see the purpose.

- Default off for ECT, and default on for AC re-circ and traction control. Just let me push a damn button and leave it, and have the truck do what I want it to when I get back in it after shutting it off.

- Door chime. Makes me nuts. I know there's a fix for it (taking the speaker out) but am hesitant to do so while under warranty considering the reports of tach and mph needles jumping.

Beyond that, pretty damn happy with it so far and can't think of too much I can't easily change through a mod. Only time and miles will show if I'm truly happy with it, and it is as reliable as the Gen1.

 

Wasn't meant to be a serious insult. Bro.

 

Had a 2004 before my 2016. Very different trucks good and bad. I am not a fan of the plastic cheapo beds in the 2nd and 3rd gens. Safety is night and day tho and that was a major factor in buying new.

 

should have stuck with the 2.7(which is a different engine, but still).

 

You are 10 years older.

 

Return it

 

That is my experience as well. 2002 was my favorite, but traded it for a 2005 DCSB when I had my first daughter. Did not like the ‘05. Sold it to buy my wife’s car. Later bought a 16 DCLB. Much much better than the ‘05. It might pass up the ‘02 given time, and I am sure it would have already had they let me have a manual in the long bed... Took about a day to get used to having to have a heavy foot to get a response, other than that, flawless.

 

My main concern is the non-linear throttle response. It feels like at certain rpm's it instantly jumps in acceleration as opposed to a steady acceleration depending on how much gas I give it.

Another issue I've been having is that it feels like its cutting out for a split second or hesitating during acceleration at lower rpm's.

 

First welcome to TW . Secondly, AT or MT - 3.5 or 2.7? I

 

3.5 MT

 

Hmm, I find this truck and the MT to be very smooth. I guess I feel "hesitations" in the engine when under load in 6th gear going up a large hill with a load or towing, but usually I down shift to 5th or 4th depending on the situation. Overall, nothing to be concerned about IMO. In the lower gears, when you get to ~3800rpm this engine really comes to life, but only 1st - maybe 4th, again I find it to be again very smooth. I never had the howl and since this forum I have tried to listen, but do not have it. No recalls, but I did have "tacoma squeak" rear leaf springs, but the dealer took care of this with small rubber "discs" between each leaf. I love this truck and I am willing to be live you will as time goes on.

Cheers,