Tacoma Why's?

I am a new Tacoma owner; hell, new to Toyota overall. I've been a long time advocate of Ford, and not sure anything will ever be as capable as my 1985 Full Size Bronco. Anyhow, this isn't meant to be a bitch session, just curious if I'm alone here on some questions.

Tacoma Why?

Can't you put a light in the door lock switch so I can see to lock the door at night when perps are headed my way?

After how many countless years, do you still use an archaic style of time notification? If you were looking for retro, couldn't you try analog like the Mercedes-Benz SLK?

Would you not extend the rear window down to the bed of the first gen Tacomas? Was this just an added place for 4" x 12" bumper stickers to go?

Another light question: Am I only allowed to use 4wd during the day? You couldn't like that one up too?

Do you have to steel the last remaining purpose of manufacturing manual transmissions by giving better (as listed on the window sticker) mpg to the automatics?

I'm sure i'll have more to add, just thought I'd throw this out there so see what the thoughts of others are.

 

Is this really a Tacoma thing? I just thought they were making more efficient auto tranny's these days in general.

BTW a black '85 Bronco was my "first car".

 

welcome and

1. gotta me a mod on here for that
2. all toyotas r like that but the 2012's r white instead of orange.. pretty nice looking
3. i also wonder this
4. http://www.tacoma4x4.com/
5. cant win em all...

 

And what's with the time notification comment?

 

I think he has the sundial option

 

Ahhhh... Thought that was only 1st gen.

 

.5 gen actually

 

Yeah, I'm actually with him on a few items.... lighted window switches, locks, footwell lights... etc.

I came from owning BMWs for years (not practical for me anymore), so it is a different animal than I'm used to.

 

It'll take you a total of about 12 hours to memorize where the lock switch is.

Who said they are going for a retro look?
I love analog... on my wrist. It's classy.
Digital is a lot easier to read at a glance.

What would be the purpose of having the window extend another 4" below the top of the seatback... where it would be more prone to damage from cargo?

Make the bed sides higher? They did that on the Tundra. It's fucking ugly.

 

My FSB was red w/white top. Had the FI 5.0 4-speed manual. Beast on the climb, and if I had tried 4 low and granny and dropped the clutch, I'm convinced it would've wheelied, but it's still a Ford so I didn't for fear of breakage.

 

I can't disagree on these. I would like a few more things lighted up however I do think some of these will go away for you with a little time. When you spend a lot of time with one manufacturer you get use to how they do things and the layout of the vehicles. Once you switch manufacturers you notice all of the little things that don't really bother people that have driven the vehicle for awhile (like switch and clock locations).

One feature you will really like from Toyota is the headlights automatically turning off when you shut the engine off and open the driver side door. Saves the battery.

The Tacoma doesn't have all of the bells and whistles of the latest cars and to be honest I like that. I drive a lot of rental cars and work (new cars) and some manufacturers are making the information so clustered together that it is nearly impossible to find what you want with a quick glance. I was just driving a Chevy (Malibu I think?) and I couldn't even find the mileage with a quick glance. There was just too much crap surrounding it.

As far as the clock goes, it is simple and easy to read. Does the job.

 

The auto turn-off of the headlights is definitely a plus! Like you said, I will get used to the quirks of Toyota after a while... If the greatest ideas of every manufacturer came together that would be an amazing vehicle!

 

The only serious gripe I have with mine as far as illumination is the lack of glovebox illumination. That's one of those small areas that the cost-cutting really seems apparent.

Nothing some planning, a momentary contact switch, and an LED can't fix.

 

It really does surpsie me though.
I had an '03 Tundra. It was an SR5, but I made a few changes that put it into nearly Limited status.
With the TRD OR suspension, my buddy (stock broker, Mercedes and BMW ever since he sold his '84 HiLux) said that if Lexus wanted to market a truck, all they needed to do was rebadge the Tundra.

I would have expected the 2nd Gen Tacoma, with it's larger size, to follow the lead of the 4-Runner and incorporate more of the "comforts" included in the 4-Runner and Tundra.

But no.
Sound deadening is still what it was in 1975. The suspension is better than it was in 1975, but the seats still suck.

 

Don't even really need that. Just wire it to the dash lights. and tuck it up so it doesn't shine through the gap between the door and dash.

 

I just bought a 2013 and it blows me away that the Ipod usb is in the dash. Why not in the glove box or center console? I have to unplug my Ipod everytime I park because low lifes will see my Ipod cord in the dash.

Also, my biggest gripe is the pretty much worthless GPS that is not user friendly at all and can't find POI's half the time. I have to bring my portable $50 Garmin with me that works 10 times better. What a waste of money that option was.

Edit: I almost forgot! Actually my biggest gripe is the TURNING RADIUS. Are you serious Toyota?! What a joke. My wife's Sienna and brother in law's Tundra blows Tacoma turning radius away. What so hard about incorporating it into the Tacoma?

 

I like how ive driven the truck for 126000k 80% of it on rough road and it still doesnt rattle or squeak
I would rather not have a few creature comforts and be able to drive the truck for
5 or 6oo,ooo k then have a bunch of electric stuff that piles up later on

 

Just my thoughts.

 

yep. the only truck i know of that you cant guess mileage based on interior condition. 90k plus miles and mine looks and sounds (or doesn't sound) new

 

Sound is my main complaint.

It wouldn't kill Toyota's bottom line, and it would not hurt reliability or durability one bit, to include some basic sound insulation in the doors, rear wall, and roof.