First impressions of a 2nd Gen Taco

After owning a 2000 regular cab 2.7L 5-spd 4x4 base model for 9.5 years, I've got a new 2010 Access Cab V6 6-spd 4x4 SR5 sitting in the driveway now. I absolutely loved my 2000, and was pretty bitter when Toyota introduced the larger 2nd Gen Tacomas - enough for me to wait 3+ years to take advantage of the frame buyback on my 2000. But that's all in the past now, and this thread is about the new truck, not the old

I've had the new truck about a week now, and I figured I'd chronicle my transition for anyone who still owns a 1st Gen so they could see what a 1st Gen lover like myself thinks of the new stuff.

First impressions so far:

- I paid $15,400 brand new for my 2000 in July, 2000. I paid $23,980 for my 2010 brand new in December, 2009.

- The 2010 is BIG. Granted, I went from a regular cab to an Access Cab, but that's not just it. There's about 3-4 inches more space between me and the drivers door, and about the same extra space between me and the passenger. It does make me feel a little safer in the event I get T-boned in the door (though if the doors are actually any stronger I'm not sure - especially with the addition of the Access Cab rear doors). The truck turns just as sharply (wheel angle), but takes a little larger area to turn around in than my 2000 regular cab did. That's to be expected with the longer wheelbase, and the turning radius is actually better than what I thought it would be.

- Man, is it nice to finally have delay wipers

- I can't believe the SR5 model doesn't come with floor mats! My base 2000 had them. I guess I traded clean floors for a clean windshield...

- The stereo has a lot better stock sound than my 2000 did.

- The V6 is over-powered/under-geared as a daily driver. I haven't towed/hauled with it yet, but I imagine it will handle those tasks very well.

- The plastic bed blows goats. I know it won't rust - but my 2000 only had a tiny rust hole in the bed after about 7 years of being under a constantly damp carpet inside a leaky old cap. The nice thing about a steel bed - you didn't have to tie EVERYTHING down to keep it from sliding like a greased pig. In the Plasti-bed, EVERYTHING has to be tied down or you'll slam it around every time you start, stop, or turn. I'm curious about its durability when I'm hauling cement blocks, concrete coring machines, or other heavy and/or sharp sided objects (within the payload capacity, of course).

- The backup camera seems like it might come in handy when parallel parking in tight spots, but other than that if you know how to use a mirror, it's more distracting than helpful.

- Stock tires seem kind of hokey, but they were on my 2000 too. At least my 2000 came with the polished aluminum rims, though. Not sure how I feel about these 'styled steel' wheels. They'll be the first thing to go probably, along with the tires.

- The interior seems pretty well laid out, with things not too tough to find, and not too different (conceptually) to operate from the 2000. I like the steering wheel audio controls as a safety feature, as playing with the radio is my worst bad driving habit. I also like the cup-holders WAY better. They'll hold a Nalgene water bottle (awesome), and are deeper and more secure for holding coffee cups than my old ones. I know that will come in handy. I don't care for how the center console opens (up and to the passenger side, instead of up and to the rear), as it makes it tough to access from anywhere but the driver's seat. I do like the fold-flat passenger seat and I think it will come in handy when working out of my truck on job sites.

- The seats seem more comfy, but I haven't had any extended time in them yet. I liked the TRD seats better than the SR5 seats (both have lumbar support, but the TRD seats seemed to wrap around and hold you in better), but I liked the fold-flat passenger seat option which isn't available with the TRD seats. (Anyone want to sell me a new TRD drivers seat?)

- The engine seems to warm up quicker (4.0L V6 vs. 2.7L I4) and supply heat to the cab quicker, which is nice. ​

I plan to update this as I get more accustomed to the truck. So far I like it, although it's a huge step up in luxury from what I'm used to. Laugh all you want at that statement, but the man makes the truck - not the other way around. I can't wait to take it offroad and see how it does

 

Nice write up bud

 

The Toyota Bed mat will make you a happy camper

 

My DC Off-Road didn't come with them either. Talk about short changing a customer. I didn't notice till after I got home with it. No biggie though. I'll be purchasing the Weather Techs hopefully around tax time. Till then the el cheapos will do.

 

Congratulations on your new truck! I also went from a 2000, 2.7L reg cab 4X4 to a 2010 A/C 4X4. I like the roominess......and I am impressed with the way it handles in 2WD in the snow.....alot better than the 2000. I agree with the seats...and I had buckets in my old reg cab. I also love the "shift on the fly" and not having to get out to lock the hubs.
As for the floor mats, I was told by the dealer that they were not allowed to include them or sell them with a new truck....because of the recall. Not sure I was told the truth, but sounded good at the time. They are supposed to notify me when the mat problem is resolved and I can get new ones.
I am looking to get a bed mat to stop the sliding.
But............although I've had mine almost 2 months now, I miss my old beater!

 

too much to read... can you make cliffnotes

 

Nice write up. I had a 1991,i sold that a few years ago i have a 2010 TRD access on the way. I am looking forward to getting back in a Taco

 

great post - rep sent

 

Congrats on your new Taco! And you will be amazed on how awsome these Taco's handle offroad I know I am!

 

+1

Nice write up. I'm a little worried about the bed now myself, as I gouged into it pretty well when a 700R4 transmission slid in the back (on the bedmat but that was ENTIRELY my fault lol... I pushed it way to hard in a corner lol) In normal sane operation, the bed will do fine

 

Agree.

Mine came with it, and i can't imagine not having one.

 

Any recommendations on a good bed mat? There's lots of them out there...

 

the back up camera will come in handy when trying to couple a trailer for towing. You'll get the ball in the hitch perfect!

 

the factory bed mat works great!!

 

Or a $20 doormat....

 

It wont seem over-powered and undergeared when you lift it 3" and put 285/75R16 Mud Terrains on it. I am actually going to go from 3.73 gers to 4.56.

 

Another surprise - even though the new trucks look bigger the interior of the bed is actually smaller. My bed mat from my 2000 regular cab is too big to fit in my 2010 Access Cab without trimming. I had to trim almost 2" off each side (fore and aft of the wheel wells, between the wells fits fine) and 3" off the front to get it to fit.

(After complaining about the plastic bed and things sliding, I had a 'smack yourself in the forehead' moment when I remembered the mat in my 2000 )

 

- I can't believe the SR5 model doesn't come with floor mats! My base 2000 had them. I guess I traded clean floors for a clean windshield...




Are they even selling 2010 models w/floor mats @ all ?.....I figure w/all the probs going on they are just covering their ass @ this point in time.................


Nice write up................

 

no floormats? I think you got ripped off. I think all of them come with floormats, I thought that was standard for any vehicle nowadays.

 

My TRD came with TRD mats, my dealer said they had to take some other mats out but apparently the Off Road mats are ok.