Constant Shifting

That is the speed limit in texas, Utah, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming that I know about. If they did not design the truck to drive the speed limit it should be listed as such. This isn't the 1930's and is not an unrealistic expectation to easily go the speed limit.

 

Seems that above 70 mph is about where this engine gets into its groove and really into the powerband

 

Agreed. I tow frequently and have 0 issues. I'm not towing as much as you, but S4 90% of the time and ECT makes it easy. I find the truck actually tries to go too fast as at 70 MPH (which is plenty fast for towing), its at 3000 RPM and you can feel the truck coming into the power. With no ECT and in D its like dragging a sled at the county fair truck pull. It almost never leaves 4th when used properly. If my truck is close to max payload with a trailer it is definitely noticeable, but moving weight from the truck to the trailer makes it nice and easy.

 

I have towed around 3000 lbs. In s4 and ECT seems to do fine. Only shifts to 3rd going up hills. I usually tow around 65 mph. Though that motor is screaming in 3rd gear at 65.

 

It DOES go the speed limit and more. What are you saying ???????? You just don't like it shifts more than you would like it too in cruise control. Try the colorado 8 speed and get back with us.

 

Sure it will go the speed limit. It just does it poorly. It is an obvious a design flaw or people would not be starting transmission threads every week with the same complaints. Gear hunting, won't stay in gear, can't drive in the wind, dropping 2 gears on a slight incline. Then there is Ovtune, shift sense pro, and pedal commander all trying to get around and fix the flaws in the engine transmission combo.

Maybe Toyota never actually tested it on a freeway? Maybe they never drove it in the mountains? Maybe they just didn't care about the driving experience. I have no idea, it just doesn't drive that well.

People try to justify it with MPG claims from toyota, but I never had a vehicle get better MPG at 3600 RPM compared to 2000 RPMs cruising on the highway. They screwed the pooch which is annoying. Is there a better option for a midsized truck right now? I didn't think so which I why I own a Tacoma so I am not going to test drive another Colorado. Still doesn't change the fact of the poor performance.

 

So riddle me this.
Why does Taco have highest resale value of any midsize truck and leads in sales month after month ?

Not as bad as the few people make it out to be really it seems.

 

With no competition. Resale of the 2nd gen was stellar. I kept my '13 for 2.5 years and 30k miles before trading for a '16. Comparing sticker to sticker vs. trade difference, I lost around $3800 on the '13. I traded the '16 w/ 12k miles for my '17 (identical, other than color) and it cost me $5000. 17k miles on my '17 and I'm sure I'm down well over $5000 already.

Resale is still good for the class, but nowhere near what it once was. FWIW, I won't be getting an '18. Like OP, driving this thing drives me nuts. If I was a flatlander, it probably wouldn't be an issue. It is just annoying to try to maintain a set speed when hills are involved.

I don't see it as getting used to a 6spd vs. 5spd either. Wifey's Lex has the same (shortblock, anyway) engine and an 8spd. It does shift a bit, but you don't even notice it...and it has no trouble maintaining a constant speed. I think trans/rear gearing is a mismatch for the engine's torque curve. Done purely for mpg.....which is exactly the same as my 2nd gen for me.

 

Individual resale value is going to vary due to purchase price. Using dollar value as opposed to percentages makes no sense. For the record, the Tacoma tops the KBB resale value the last 3 years. Both the 2016 and 2017 retain a higher percentage of their initial value than the 2013 did.
Check it out:
https://www.kbb.com/new-cars/best-resale-value-awards/best-resale-top-10-cars/

Anecdotal evidence is pointless, passed as fact it's laughable.

 

I traveled the same distance from Albuquerque to San Diego with SSP v1 and it was fine. Seemed to shift normally.

 

Funny that reminds me of 5 years of driving my MT in LA traffic on the 405.

.....At this point the only fix is to change the transmission shift points with software update...unless the gearing is that far off where that option is a dead horse.
What's the market price for dead horses these days?

 

I installed a factory cruise stalk on my '17 SR this weekend (2.7). Tested it on the highway, and was not pleased with the musical gears. I agree that cruise is for long, flat patches of highway. It's much easier to control the speed with your foot. When driven at highway speeds (80 for me), it responds like any other small four banger that has no turbo. You crack the whip with your foot, it runs faster in a smoother way than cruise offers. The upside is that the taco is much larger than those little cars. Truth be told, I'm in danger of speeding in the city, as the truck likes to settle at 50 - 55 mph in normal driving. The height makes this speed unnoticeable until you look at the speedometer and have to let off the gas a little. In short, good in the city and acceptable when driven by foot on the highway. Perspective I guess. I do think that cruse could be improved by one of you smart guys/gals on here. You can totally predict when it is about to upshift...then upshift yet again on the same hill. There's always the sport side of the tranny if you want the manual you pine for. Not to mention the ECT button. In the end, it's a truck that looks good and fits in my garage.

 

100% agree. I just drove from Alberta, Canada to Southern California and back. I have to say the shifting was beyond annoying. I am not a cruise control person and even driving it without, I found the gearing all over. The speed limit throughout the trip ranges from 65-80 and at all speeds, at the slightest incline, it would drop two gears. At times even if I wasn't losing speed and it seemed to be maintaining a speed fine, it would drop two gears. I got in the habit of manually changing the gear to S5. Still love my truck but I have owned a lot of vehicles and this one by far shifts the worst at highway speeds.

That being said, I did add heavier tires and rims recently so I am sure that effects it a bit.

 

KBB says my truck is worth more private party than I paid. I find that laughable.

 

It drives those speeds just fine, just not up a hill in 6th gear with CC on.

You bought a truck that chooses to shift gears for you, why are you angry when it does this?

 

Maybe Toyota assumed people would learn how to use the different modes of the transmission instead of leaving it in D, run it up to 80 and expect it to hold 6th gear in cruise.

Because it doesn't do that and people don't take time to understand that is why we have all of these transmission threads and bandaids to help to circumvent what people refuse to learn or accept.

Toyota screwed up all right, it underestimated the ignorance and laziness of its customer base.

 

I think it is ridiculous to say that you shouldn't be able to a.) use your cruise control at any speed up to and including 80 mph or b.) drive your automatic transmission vehicle in Drive at any speed up to and including 80 mph.
And the thought that Toyota doesn't understand that American's drive at all speeds up to and including 80 mph regularly is also ridiculous. My Tacoma was built in San Antonio. 40 miles west of San Antonio is State Highway 130. The posted speed limit on SH 130 is 85mph and my wife's 4 banger Outback drives that just fine on cruise in Drive.
I also think that this is just a software issue. Toyota could and should program the transmission to hold a gear better.

 

Maybe if it was a 6 speed with only one OD gear but it's not, it's a 6 speed with 2 OD gears.

You can use cruise all you want at 80, just don't be surprised if it has to shift to maintain momentum up hills or in a headwind.

Expect results with what you have, not wish for results in what you don't have.

You want it to run with 1 OD gear like a 2nd gen, fine, kick it over to S5 and cruise to your heart's content.

Yes it could probably be programmed to please a small percentage of the market share but until the current transmission affects sales or becomes unreliable you can expect minimal intervention from Toyota Corporate. Trucks are selling as is.

Truck is known and marketed for popularity, reliability and resale, not fun to drive experience.

 

Things I have learned on Tacoma World. Don’t put your truck in drive and expect it to drive.

 

I feel your pain! Just did a 2hr run down the highway and it's terrable. I like my truck 17 trd ORLB. But the trans is so bad I'm wishing I got a standard. Between the transmission and the terrable fuel mileage 16-17mpg, truck has only 2000 miles on it so it may get better? I am having serious buyers remorse. If ford comes out with a ranger RAPTOR! This garbage will be going down the road! Let's hope it holds its value like they say.