is Tacoma's V6 weak?

I hear this sentiment a lot, but many of us aren't looking for a full size truck, so the comparison really doesn't drive it home for me.

You should never have been kicked out IMO, if slinging mud at the '24 was a removeable offence, they'd have to get rid of almost everyone.

 

Have been in the cusp on needing a full-size for awhile, why I eye ball them but make the Taco work. Because I love the little piece of shit.

Who knows what I decide to get next, waiting for the dust to settle. Not like I need a new truck anyways. Mine is barely over 2 years old.

Right!? Has anything really changed in there, it is the same arguments over and over. Like this thread, how many times have we all discussed the 3rd Gens power output? We are all nuts…

…what we should do is get off this stupid forum and just go enjoy our trucks no matter what they are.

 

Shoot most things with a 38 and they keep running..

 

I agree! But in my defense, I only post here during my long boring night shift job lol.

 

110k miles in 14 months since new. Hasn’t had an issue. Has its quirks but drivetrain hasn’t been one at all.

 

It won’t be remembered as a dog , it is a decent reliable midsize truck . As far as the powertrain goes , let me guess you weren’t around to drive cars in the late seventies and early 80’s, and if you were you simply forgot how things were back then . A third gen would smoke most of the 8 cylinders cars back then . Not to mention the 6 cylinders of that era had barely 125 HP . My street I lived on had a steep hill and if you didn’t get a good running start , the car would almost come to a stop. People are spoiled now and that’s why trucks are 40;50; 60 k . We somewhat did it to ourselves . A loaded car back then had power windows , door locks and tilt and AC. That was it , and the majority didn’t even have all that .The powertrain is fine.

 

To answer the OPs question.

Yes the 3rd gen V6 is weak, specifically at low rpm’s. The engine doesn’t make much low end torque and this is really noticeable in the overdrive gears. Once you get above 2,500 rpm’s it starts making HP and scoots pretty good.

 

Using the 70s and 80s as a comparison isn't wining you the argument that the 3.5 is a good motor.

 

Lol!

 

ha!

Self employed/semi retired here, don’t have to work too too hard anymore, passing time until it warms up, which is almost here. Then house projects will commence, dirt bike season, plus traveling.

 

I take it you weren't around to drive a Model T? The cars from the 70-80s would smoke them.

 

My 3rd Gen would smoke the ‘76 F250 I had, iirc it topped out at 90 mph…had a momentary lapse of reason and do know for a fact the Toyota goes well beyond that. Lol!

The original Stout and HiLux were never meant to be fast or be all that powerful, they were meant to be light duty reliable work horses for the tight streets of Japan and back dirt roads of 3rd World countries. Which is what they started out as over here, economical work trucks. But in the American market they turned into lifestyle vehicles which don’t see much work anymore, couple with our fast paced lives and interstates, the buying public always craves more power, bigger is better mindsets. Why the humble little Toyota truck has grown into the behemoth it is today. Would love to see a side by side comparison of an early 80s HiLux next to a 4 Gen, which is darn near the size of a Tundra.

 

How spoiled we have become...

 

yep, crazy to think midsizes are darn near a full-size now.

 

Depends on the Model T…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlfEGeTGNEQ

 

Well they sold more third gens than any previous version. It it is as bad as you claim they wouldn't have. You had one for five years, and plenty of other options out there. Why would you keep driving a so called dog that long? Just because you don't like it doesn't mean a lot of us don't. Believe me the new four banger with the turbo isn't the be all end all either. Yes I have driven one, and passed on it.

 

You are missing nothing SG. Everything is discussed on the 4G forum, except the actual performance, driving experience, and mechanicals of the 4G Tacoma. Maybe its because there are so few out there. On that note, I am curious about the ongoing port inspection/QC hold. I wonder what its all about.

 

I read a bit in there, was really only there for the banter and entertainment. Which sure gets boring…yet I still return, probably my ADD/OCD tendencies are to blame. Lol!

These first couple years will have some growing pains, since it is a mini-me Tundra I expect similar issues. Specs I am good looking up on my own, driving wise…all of our butt dynos are different (hence threads like these) really won’t know if I like it until I drive one personally. Pretty sure I will, Toyotas no matter the platform all have similar ergonomics. It is the nit picky things that might push me into a Tundra. Price, size of gas tank, towing/payload capacity.

Dealers haven’t gotten in yet, plenty on deck. My dealer even has a couple trims that I would be interested in, SR5 DCLB. Not seeing any crazy port installed market ups either, might be a different story once they hit the lot.

https://www.edmarktoyota.com/new-vehicles/?_dFR[make][0]=Toyota&_dFR[model][0]=Tacoma&_dFR[type][0]=New&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA0PuuBhBsEiwAS7fsNc5jL8j8rI8fETQLgBI0FrUEAh6AK5mFAvXDSdqK0rrX36vWHjNlBxoC9FIQAvD_BwE

 

LOL. I've come to admire that boggy but predictable 6-gear powertrain. The trick for me is to use S mode starting in 3 to circumvent those premature shifts into 4, 5, and 6. At 75K its just getting broken in, so it makes little sense to trade it in now, especially since I run a cap. Frankly, I am not in a financial place where I could do it anyway. However, I hope to move into a hybrid or PHEV Tacoma in due time....
Still interested to hear about your experiences with the 4G as you get some time in it.

 

The soggy bottom end is fine for running around here. Have driven a Bronco and Ranger, it is almost too punchy for plunking around town. Throttle response is a bit touchy. That said would be beneficial loaded down with a bed full of lifestyle when traveling up in the mountains pulling long passes without having to scream the engine. Pros and cons to everything ya know.