The Last Best Tacoma.... (??)

Yep, for what it's worth I'm running a slightly oversized/heavy tire (275, 70, R17) with about an inch of suspension lift, both hinder my efficiency. You're completely right though, these things just start to gulp gas over 65 mph. It makes long road trips annoying, as you're constantly debating with yourself if that extra 10 mph is worth the cost. (It probably is, but still feels bad). I edited my comment above with more context, but I think Tacoma fans undervalue the importance of MPG in a modern vehicle (and modern gas prices). Of course the F150 isn't as "reliable" as the Tacoma, but it's significantly larger, faster, AND gets better MPG. The Tacoma becomes an increasingly difficult sell as gas prices get higher and the competition gets stiffer. Of course these are still awesome trucks, but I understand why Toyota is moving to a turbocharged engine. I just hope they can pull it off.

 

Most definitely. I've had the same size tire and a3 in lift before and the mpg hit was just too much for me, so I went back to stock. I have no doubt my Tacoma will be the vehicle that brings my kids home from the hospital (I’m 20, single, and in college). They’re amazing daily drivers until you start modifying them and get 12mpg. Then it’s time to look for another daily lol

 

That's a lot of words

 

shortened version: 3rd gen Tacoma really good if stock. Modify it and you lose mpg

 

You ever notice that Scotty Kilmer and Geddy Lee are the same guy?

 

That is interesting - I make a 200 mile round trip all Interstate about once a month and usually get just under 20mpg. Next time (in about two weeks) I'm going to set the CC for 65 (even though there are some 70MPH stretches) and see how I do.

 

God. This freaking guy. We’d still be driving carbed distributor engines if it was up to him. The 2.4 turbo makes 310 lb-ft @ 1700rpm. The 3.5 makes 265 lb-ft @ 4600rpm. I’m looking forward to the 2.4 8 speed. I think it’s going to be a big upgrade over the 3.5/6speed.

 

This character reminds me of Dennis Hopper in Apocalypse Now

 

It doesn’t take much

 

OK so it was only 15 miles - but it was on the interstate doing 72+ mph...
Flat Arizona highway - steady as she goes, zero headwind.
I've seen 25+ on several occasions -

 

I mean, I’m not going to watch his silly video and give him click money, but he certainly is rubbing it in for the 2nd Gen folks; look at how he points out the superior fender design we have on the Third Gen. And in the thumbnail! Savage!

 

If I was towing a lot , I wouldn't want the 4 cyl.

 

He's an idiot and stopped learning about vehicles about 30 years ago.

 

I think so yes, because V6 is gone. 4runner is one that still has old 4.0L simple V6, I assume its new gen will also have turbo charged bs. In general if you compare new trucks to old ones, old ones always win because well...

They are old and simple. They are still here, they lasted. So technically we will never know if older gens are better than newer, because we haven't gone 20 years with 3rd gen Tacoma yet.

If you ask me I loved my 2003 4runner V6, because car was so simple, I could just remove oil filter without getting under it and making mess.... I could literally take out whole bumper off as it was on clips... I could remove whole dashboard using hands . Car felt like a toy to me, just so many things I could do with such simplicity.

Cars now? Lol ,i dont think so.

Maybe after 20-30 years people will call 3rd gen Tacomas better than whatever gen will be in future, because well 3rd gens lasted 20 year.

One thing is for sure, engines are getting SMALL AND COMPLICATED, WHICH IS A BAD THING.

 

Believe me… there were plenty of 70mph speed limit stretches where I was going 65. I was in no rush but that’s the slowest I’d go on a highway for safety reasons. I was being passed by everyone.

 

My neighbor has the 4cyl and he tows a 5th wheel (I think that’s what those are called. Idk I never use them) basically a big trailer. He said it tows just fine with the air suspension. It just stays at minimum 3500rpm but still at 17mpg

 

We'll let you find out what doesn't work. Good luck!

 

I used to think the terd gen MT Taco was the last gen and therfore the extinct and best kind. I'm thankfull to be dead wrong.

 

Sounds about right.

3rd Gen Tacomas are not aerodynamic at all.

 

And there ya go.