Making lemonade

Hello world.

Been doing some random lurking/posting and had some thoughts and questions with some backstory so figured id post it here instead of the 16+ forum.

First congrats on this community. I was worried I wouldnt find a substitute for TdiClub lol.

On to the reason I'm here: bought a new Ford Escape about a year and a half ago. Its been in the shop for about 4 months total so far. This last time I finally got up to speed on my states lemon law and plan to enact it, whenever I actually get my car back.....

All my spreadsheets put the Tacoma on my short list especially for 5 year total projected costs. Barely edging out the CRV and Rav4. (8k yearly mileage, I've got a motorcycle I like to commute on/ trips in summer). Have to take a look at the new Rav4 once more info appears.

Went into a dealer to sit in a Taco last week real quick. Took a 10 min test drive today. Planning on renting one for a day and putting 4+ hours in it to seal the deal on whether its a good fit or not. Rented a Tesla 3 for a day and returned it early lol. Most amazing vehicle Ive ever driven, but it feels like I'm sitting in a sled, knees too straight, seat too low. Cant appreciate the power and tech when I'm just waiting to gtfo.

Something I keep hearing about the Taco actually. Thats the main point of the long duration test drive actually. To see how the seating position is for 1000 mile/day road trips.

Last week when I sat in a leather Taco I noticed how nice the left armrest and window sill is (I drive with left elbow almost touching the window most of the time). Today during my test of an OR its got this barely padded sandpaper cloth lol. What gives?

2nd gripe is my right arm doesnt even touch the center console unless I slouch. 3rd is being 6'2" so I have maybe 2 inches of headroom. Which doesnt bother me, what does is it feels like I'm looking right at the top of the windshield lol. And forget about any passengers behind me haha.

I still have yet to sit/drive a sunroofed model (why Toyota did you combine leather seats/armrest with sunroof???) to see if I have headroom.

My extended test drive will tell me if I can buy the Taco since a 10 min drive isnt enough to play with seating position which could potentially fix 3 out of 3 of my gripes.

On the plus side, I punched the engine and once it finally got revving it had plenty of power (Ive got the 2L turbo escape, best engine. I also ride motorcycles). I just need to play with the transmission adjust button because I definately didnt like the shiftpoints. It also clunked downshifting coning to a stop sign. Are these still coming a quart low of trans fluid?

I hear theres a shiftpoint mod along with OVtune, I'm betting that solves this problem.
A cushion would also solve my right arm problem, just not sure about the left lol. Clazzio doesn't have a fix for the doors do they?

All in all a positive experience. Going through the steps to make a decision I wont be disappointed in. Thought about 4R but dont want to buy a limited for push button start...

Almost forgot: assuming I can live with sunroof, how much value does the Pro give over the OR? 5k difference for skid plate (do I have to put a real one on anyway/ is it thick enough?), shocks (same question, I want to end up with a 3/2 lift or equiv), foglight, exhaust, audio (does the OR package have everything or does the Pro get exclusive sub)? This assumes the extra cost for the $3k leather package which I'm almost willing to pay for anyway.

Lastly I wish they had long beds with MT, but living in Seattle wrecks that anyway. Also hear adaptive cruize doesnt come to full stop? Something I guess I could live with.

Thanks in advance for dealing with this wall of text

 

Update. Got in a sunroofed version. Definately not a fit. Head continually touches the roof lol.

All the dealers near me werent able to let me rent a (non sunroofed) Tacoma over the weekend. Will try again in a couple weeks.

 

Welcome to TW! Not much you can do really about the seats being too high if you are a taller guy so the Tundra might be a better fit.

 

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