Test Drive Impressions

Just a little background: I sold my 2009 E90 M3 to fund a tow vehicle and a trailer so that I can start towing my toy car to the track. The idea was to have a multi-functional vehicle and thought of the Tacoma since I have a friend that really likes his (2006) and recommended it. And the M3 surely is not as "multi-functional". Vehicles that I've own(ed) and drive(n) closest to the Tacoma's class are: 2006 Jeep Commander Limited Hemi V8, 98 Jeep TJ, and a 2009 Lexus RX350. I also test drove a 2016 F 150 Eco-boost for 24 hours. Joined TW, which has a wealth of information and provided ideas to my potential 2017 Tacoma.

So I finally had some free time to test drive an OR and a sport (both 4x2 and auto) to really compare the suspension. Granted it's not what I wanted, but they didn't have any TRDOR on the lot. Plus, I've never driven a Tacoma prior. Having said that, I knew the high possibility of not liking it so I was well aware of what I was in for. Thanks to TW, I also knew what issues to watch out for during the short test drive.

A friendly salesman greeted me and was really nice about answering my questions. He was more than accommodating and let me test drive both Tacomas. The first was the Sport 4x2. The seating position wasn't bad for me and wasn't impressed nor disappointed. Pressed on the start button and started right up as expected. Drove off the parking lot and was taking it slow at first to acquainted with the truck. One thing that caught my attention right off the bat was how the suspension felt stiff and so stiff that it felt like I was driving on rumble strips. I was coming up with reasons for this: a. it's due to the road irregularities and b. possible that the tires were a bit over inflated. So I kept driving while paying special attention if it goes away, but it continued until pulling in to the dealer's parking lot. The handling was ok and I suppose it is expected for a truck. Again, I wasn't pleased nor disappointed.

Drove the OR 4x2 off the lot and this time I wanted to focus on the engine and power delivery. First thing I noticed was that for some odd reason, the OR felt a bit softer and bit more forgiving with its suspension; however, the rumble strip feeling was still there and as much as I tried couldn't ignore it. Drove the same route as the Sport trim. Still, I was able to focus on the power delivery and wow, IT WAS A BIG FUC*ING DISAPPOINTMENT!!!! These are impressions and they are mine and mine alone. I felt that I had to open the throttle wide 99% of the time to get the proper torque. There was a major delay with the transmission kicking the gears down. I watched the tach to get an idea where the power band was. 4-5K??? And the engine sounded like it was being tortured around the 4-5K RPM range. Oh wait, the ECT wasn't on. So I turned it on and instantly felt the difference. But the power delivery was not smooth and still felt anemic. To ME, this is not acceptable for my wants and needs. I stopped on a stop light and when the light turned green, stepped on the gas and had to really put my foot down to get some torque. I really wanted to like this truck, but this engine is a joke and Toyota fuc*ed this one up.

My next steps are to test drive a TRDOR 4x4 and give it another shot. But I have a feeling that I will still be disappointed with its engine and power delivery. Consider and test drive a 2016 4runner TRD Pro, 2016 F 150 Ecoboost, Canyon, and Colorado.

This is an honest impression and I have no intentions of hating and trolling.

Characteristics I didn't notice, but it was also a short test drive: vibrations, clunking during hard braking, and delay from P-D-R-D-P.

I know this is beating a dead horse, but I want prospective owners out there to get as much information available so that they can consider these impressions. Sure, they can come up with their own impression, but I found others' impression to be helpful during my search.

 

I can count to potato

 

I smell something and it ain't pretty. The rumble strip issue has been with 4x4s. There hasn't been one documented case of 4x2s having this issue.

 

If your primary use is to tow your toy car to the track why are you even considering a tacoma? Just get the F150 already....tacomas are not a primary tow vehicle.

 

Chances are when you go in to test drive the 4x4 model you might even be more disappointed. The 4x4s weigh more than the 2wd you already test drove.

 

Is the manual transmission an option you'd consider? The manuals have had way less issues.

 

And they are beast off the line, also has tons of torque early.

 

I read the whole thing and while some insightful info here, I just wanted to point out the one thing that bothered me. You said you drove the OR and Sport, but they didn't have a TRDOR on the lot. You do know that the 2WD OR is still a TRDOR, don't you. Sorry, little things like that get to me.
Anyway, if you are going to be hauling a car to the track you probably need a full size truck. Please don't be one of those guys that buys a Tacoma and then go around complaining about the power because it can barely pull a freaking car and gets crappy gas mileage while towing. The tacoma is targeted towards people towing dirt bikes, atvs, hauling camping gear or fishing gear, a small boat, supplies from home depot, etc. If you constantly tow big loads you need a full size. Yes you do trade off with driving a larger vehicle around town when not towing, but you need to decide what you will be doing more, towing or mall crawling?

 

Don't forget even though they say it gets worse gas mileage it's actually better if you drive it easy too.

 

The OR have a softer suspension for off-road, and the sport is stiffer for that sport feel. In the end it's still a truck with leaf springs so it's going to drive like one.

As for the motor it's a very high compression motor. It's only a 3.5 liter. The power band on motors like these is usually around 4,500-5,500 rpm. Hate to say it but this is basically the future. Smaller motors to get better mpg. This is why so many manufactures are running turbos now, to help these smaller motors get some power.

 

M3 feels gutless after driving my Vette..it's all relative I guess...Get full a size truck OP...jmho

 

First world problems...

 

If you want the truck to haul your truck and you are considering and F150 why didn't you take a look at the Tundra? Sounds like that is more of the truck you want and need. Tacomas excel off-road and daily driving. I haven't had any issues with towing with my 05, but a full size would definitely be better if you were towing a lot.

 

The suspension can be stiff but I'd be willing to bet the tires were over-inflated...almost every dealership I've been to has over-inflated my tires when I brought it in for service, no idea why they do that. My '04 got it's tires inflated to over 40 psi last time I took it into Toyota, and the factory recommends 26/29 psi...going down the freeway I thought I was going to die, the back end bounced so bad over the smallest bumps it felt like it was going to swing out sideways

 

Do vettes still come standard with the AARP membership and a scrip for Viagra?

 

Sure does ...don't need Viagra yet but will take when needed any thing to stay in pussy longer..but you don't have that need do you

 

Sounds like the Gen 3 Tacoma isn't the right truck for you. I love mine and disagree with your complaints about the power, but the most important thing is to buy the truck that's right for you.

 

My track car weighs 2K lbs and the trailer probably less than 1500 lbs or may be even 800 lbs depending if I get a good price. So based on specs and my findings here on TW, Taco should be able to handle my setup. I'm not going to tow every weekend so I didn't think the need for a full size for that reason. And when I do tow, it's gonna be about less than 200 miles. So, it wasn't intended to be a primary tow vehicle. Camping, road trips, off roading, mall crawling, kids/family hauling are the primary intentions.

I would consider a manual and I neglected to put that on my next steps. I just need to find one.

I'm familiar with the various trims and well aware of the differences and similarities. I'm betting more so than most sales people. I believe in test driving the vehicle I truly want regardless of the similarities, but they didn't have one on the lot. So, the main goal was to compare the suspension between OR and Sport that was available.

I wasn't expecting V8 torque and HP, actually my expectations from the truck's power delivery was low mainly due to reports of the transmission being at higher gears, but damn not as low as I experienced yesterday. After thinking about the test drive yesterday, I've concluded that it's not so much the engine, but the transmission. If they flash the transmission and change the mapping so that some of that torque can be focused down low, then people wouldn't have to wait til 4-5K rpm.

Over inflated tires was my guess too. As soon as I felt the bouncy sensation, that's the first thing that came to mind. The bouncy sensation wasn't soft and gradual but very abrupt and constant like driving on endless rumble strips. I'll make sure to bring my own tire pressure gauge next time.

To each his own. And I agree, I wouldn't get something that doesn't make me happy; however, I will give it one more shot. This time, I'll press the ETC right after the start button.