test driving a 2008 what to look for

After christmas, I'm going to go take a test drive of a 2008, 5spd, reg cab, four cylinder, 4x4 Tacoma. I have sat in one and just played around but haven't driven one yet. There are only 2 things with the truck that concern me. I can't find any other faults/issues with it otherwise.

One is the gray fabric is pretty light colored for a truck especially one that will be used in the mud from time to time but I can live with it.

The bigger issue I have is that when pushing the clutch, my heel drags about 6" along the floor mat, unless I point my toes/raise my heel higher than I normally would to shift a vehicle. It feels very awkward and an unatural position. I was thinking of possibly having a 1" section of the lever cut out re-weled to make it shorter/ further away from the floorboard but realized the lever is plastic, so that's out. Plus even if I could have welded it shorter, I don't really like the way that sounds. I would never trust it to hold forever.

Anybody else find the clutch lever to be too low?

I've tried repositioning my foot in different ways but any higher, than my toes touch the clutch arm itself, which just gets worse as the clutch is depressed. I only wear a size 9.5 shoe, so I dunno. Maybe after time I could get use to it.

Other than the clutch, what should I be looking for and listening for? I read here that some people have the engine ticking noise but is that only on the V-6's? or do the 4's do it too? I've heard about wind noise but don't care about that. Also heard some claim the brakes are kinda crappy/spongy/weak.

Still about 12 months away from buying but thought i should go ahead and test drive one because if the clutch is unberable, I may need to consider something else.

 

Everything will depend on what you're used to (in previous vehicles) and what you can *live with* (so to speak).

I'm not familiar with the overall interior/clothe colors - but can't you order a darker interior color? Or are you referring to the darkest color already?
Recommendation? Get a pair of seat covers. Seat covers will keep the original seats dry and free of 'mud'.

I see that you're mind is set on buying a 6 speed - but have you ever considered buying an Auto?
When I bought mine (4.0L) - I test drove both Auto & 6 speed. I really didn't like the way the rpm's acted inbetween shifts. Like nothing I've ever driven before...... and that is something I didn't want to get used to. I ended up buying an Auto (and I liked the towing package on the 4.0L Auto that includes transmission & oil coolers).
I would highly recommend test driving both Auto & 6 speed.

The feeling in the brakes will depend on what you're used to driving. My husband's Acura MDX brakes are sooooo sensitive and tight - they throw ya into the windshield. In comparison to that - yeah, the tacoma brakes are soft. However - my husband can't tell the difference between them -which is weird.
So - it all depends on YOU and what you feel when you test drive it.
When we test drive vehicles - my husband always slams on the brakes really hard to test them (always freaks out the sales people). They worked very well, stopped quickly, and the ABS stuff kicked in like it should. So obviously - everything works regardless of the softeness.

Good Luck!

 

Hang on...

The 2.7L doesn't come with a 6-speed. It is a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic. I love the 5-speed manual that I have. While I have heard complaints about the 6-speeds (and it isn't everybody, ask TRDeity), I have heard zero complaints about the 5-speed manual.

Otherwise, Janster is right. It all depends on what you like.

The clutch issue... I don't know about that. Seems like there is not that much room for an extension of any kind. All the manual trannies I have driven prior to my Tacoma were pretty much the same as far as clutch feel. I am 5' 9" with a 10.5 size shoe, and I don't have any problems.

The 2.7L has a very slight engine tick, but it isn't anything like the 4.0L. Either way, it isn't something that is detrimental to the engine. It is merely a characteristic.

The Brakes - My brakes have always been tight. I don't have a problem with them at all. I think that since my truck is a manual, on the highway, and I downshift before braking; my brakes aren't as heavily used as others. Maybe that is a contributing factor. I do know that my brakes are tighter than my wife's 06 RAV4 V6 Auto.

Fabric - I got the light Taupe (sand brown) interior. It really holds up well to my dogs, my wife, me, moving, and my parents. On the other hand, I did put seat covers on at about 15,000 miles for the "Just-in-case" scenario.

I hope this helps. Any other questions, feel free to ask.

 

Tuesday I brought home the same truck your talking about. The clutch will
take getting use to for me.
I just went out and looked, the clutch arm is plastic, so cutting and welding
is out.
The 55 miles I have driven mine have been great !!

 

Yeah my logging boots drag, I'm just used to it, the lt. grey interior is kind of a magnet for stains (see mods), perhaps get some seat covers ? All in all a great truck, pull the trigger, you won't be sorry.

 

The 4 banger 4x4 short cab only comes in a 5 speed stick. I would get an auto but it's only available on the 2wd 4's and the 6 4x4 ext. cabs. I don't need or want an ext. cab or the 6 and also don't want to spend 25 grand either.

I could just scotch guard the crap out of the seats and if they ever get bad, just cover them. The color I'm talking about is their gray, which I think is the darkest interior they have. I don't like tan or brown colors. The interior in my 1997 Nissan hardbody is a gray color and considering how old it is, doesn't look bad, but it's not a soild color like the taco is.

Guess I will know more after the test drives.

thanks.

Chad

 

there are only a few of us that have noticed any wind noise from the doors, and as for the engine ticking, i've never even heard of anyone having that issue

 

if your test drive goes anything like mine did, you'll be driving it home after an hour ..my prerunner is BY FAR the best handling truck i've ever driven, and i'm sure that the x-runners are far better than mine but i'm so happy with my truck, i wouldn't give it up for anything short of a million bucks

 

Haha that won't happen. If I drove it home the same day, I would be screwed! I have to pay my car of 2+ years early first before I buy one, otherwise I would have $800 a month with 2 vehicle payments.

As nice as it would be to get it then, ain't no way I'm living off of Top Ramen and tap water for 2 years LOL.

 

haha, the payment for my taco is 700 alone, then i have my bike payment and insurance for both, i love living outside of my means

 

The pedals take some getting used to. I wear a size 10 or 11 boot, and I had to angle my feet differently than in my car to get the pedals right. The brake was the worst though. I have to move my heel back further and use my toes to brake. Otherwise my toes hang over the pedal, push against the arm itself, and seem to apply enough pressure that the ABS kicks in EVERY time. That vibrates the hell out of the truck/driver and increases my stopping distance.

To me, it feels like the clutch is too high and has too much travel. So much so that my leg gets tired holding it at red lights after a long, stressful day at work. To the point that my leg starts to twitch and I HAVE to shift to neutral until the light changes.

 

I agree with the length of travel I need the seat about 2" closer than I would like due to that. I am considering putting an extension block on the clutch pedal.

Something else to consider is look closely at the option packages. That is why I went in to buy a base standard cab and drove out an SR5 access cab. Difference between base truck and SR5 package access cab was about 18% more. Which isn't all that much difference over the life of the truck.

 

They should come up with booger colored interior. Or at least just that panel below the driver's legs.

C'mon, don't tell me I'm the only guy who does that.

 

HAHAHAHA! look at my mods bro, i'm all about pickin-n-stickin , and it seems we have a favorite spot in common between us

 

I use to live outside of my means before when I was younger, trying to keep up with the Jones' and spent years fixing it. Learned that lesson and will never go there again but if it makes you happy cool

 

I just traded my 05 for an 08 rugged trail wow I love it 5 speed auto, and 4 doors, Feels the same, 08 rides a little harder, all in all great truck....they gave me 22,500 for my old truck paid 25,400. hard to beat that. LOVE MY TACOMA

 

Wow! The resale value was one of the things I looked at when choosing the Tacoma, but this is awesome. So, for just under $3K you drove a new truck for 3 years. You can't get a lease anywhere close to that!

 

My intentions are to drive this truck until hell won't have it, although new is nice, my truck and I have bonded, yes we are engaged and a spring wedding is planned !

 

see the reason i said i'm outside of my means is cuz i know i am and i'm hurting, i've learned my lesson in a bad way and it'll take me a couple years to fix this one

 

I laughed my ass off after reading this comment.