is Tacoma's V6 weak?

Pretty much the same experience for me too. There would be moments where I knew there was some torque there, only to fall on it's face. Most of the time I could work around it with the MT though. I honestly thought these tunes for MT's were Kool aid drinking, not worth the money. The only reason I got a tune was thinking, hoping, it would help pulling my camper. It did that and more for me. I still can't believe how much torque there is between 2000 and 3000rpm that was left untapped by Toyota.

 

This is an almost daily topic. I would think any perspective buyer, doing any research at all, would know exactly what they are getting by now.

 

You mean a bunch of people constantly arguing if its slow or not?

I test drove a manual Tacoma before I purchased (DC Sb just like mine), I don't remember any of this with that one. I'll be the first one to admit that was some time before my truck arrived and I only did 30 minutes or so, but I was on the lookout for it being slow because of the discussions on TW and I know I didn't think that the truck I test drove was slow, then.

 

I’ve never had fast cars.. actually the most powerful car/ truck that I have owned is my current taco. So… it is slow but to me is also the most powerful… fast I don’t mind because it is a truck and it does gets to 100mph. Which is already too much… I am good…

 

Did your old 4Runner have an actual accelerator cable? The reason I ask is because originally I had a 2000 Tacoma with 3.4 that had an actual accelerator cable. When I bought my ‘08 I was introduced to this new fangled “fly by wire” setup. Definitely took a while to get used to. My 2000 jumped when I wanted it to jump. This ‘08 seems to think about it for a second before doing anything. From what I’ve read it’s supposed to give us better mpg. Like I said, it’s gonna take a while to get used to it. It’s been close to three years so far. Still not a fan…

 

I thought it was weak at test drive and still bought it....
After having it tuned its better but still FN weak....

 

I have found that the power is best when you’re NOT at full throttle. It’s like it doesn’t know what to do at full throttle between protecting itself from detonation and giving you the power you’re asking for. Mid to 3/4 throttle seems best. Tunes I’ve tried don’t help any of that behavior either.

It can be a frustrating motor to drive. I have found the regear to be the only way to truly help, and that’s expensive and still doesn’t fully solve the problem. I can easily bog it down with 5.29s and small tires, but it’s a lot better than stock.

 

try the 4 cyl

 

A tune won't void your warranty. At least with the VF tune software it's supposed to be undetectable unless someone is specifically looking for it.
I tuned my truck at 15k miles. Brought it in for all the complimentary services up to 30k. They never said a thing.

 

This is the most illogical argument to me. Test drive it all you want. What if you like the rest of the truck but not the power? Do we pass on it until we find our 100% perfect truck? For most of us, that perfect truck doesn’t exist, and we can only choose from what’s available. So for many of us that means the Tacoma, but that doesn’t mean the engine is great to us just because we bought the truck.

 

Depends, are you constantly whining about the power?
Illogical is buying it knowing you don't like it, then whining about it to anyone who will listen.

Those who consistently whine in these threads seem to populate three categories:

#1 Test-drives truck doesn't like the power but buys anyway then whines on the internet.

#2 Doesn't test-drive, buys anyway, then whines on the internet.

#3 Doesn't have a Tacoma, or a life, then whines on the internet.

 

No, I’m not, but that doesn’t change the fact that for the purpose of the truck, it could be significantly better. It’s “fine” in that it gets the job done. I don’t find that most folks complaining have unfounded complaints, though. Some of them are over the top but the majority aren’t wrong.

 

I agree, it could be better. There isn't anything on this truck that couldn't be done better. There also isn't a perfect truck out there so you pick what you can live with.

 

Is this dumpster fire still burning?

 

I traded a 2002 F150 4X4 crew cab with the 4.6L V8 for my 2007 4X4 crew cab Tacoma. I gave up 10 HP and 300 lbs of tow rating. I also gave up 1500 lbs of truck to move around. The Tacoma was significantly more powerful and got 3-4 mpg better fuel mileage. I guess everything is relative.

Toyota tends to build trucks with moderate, yet acceptable performance. IMO that is why they have such a reputation for longevity. I can't comment on the 3.5, but after 17 years I'm still happy with my 4.0.

 

Yo do you, but i make sure I’m satisfied first and foremost with the drive train.

 

Post of The Day Right there...

 

Just another crummy tune commercial.

 

I was happier with my Frontier drivetrain, but I couldn't live with that truck. I liked the Tacoma, and found the drivetrain to be adequate, but far less of a performer. So I bought the truck, knowing it was not as awesome to drive, but I liked everything else about the truck, making the drivetrain to be "it is what it is."

 

Tacomas arent supposed to be Ford Raptors, they do what they do well, Tacos are a super versatile all-rounder. Not a race machine.
Can't hate on them for what they aren't supposed to be.