Tranny lurching

So I'm looking at a 2007 Tacoma TRD, with the offroad and towing packages. 87000 miles. I really like the truck it has everything I want and more, even a few dings and scratches so I won't have to worry about that!
I do however, worry about the automatic transmission. It seems to act as a bit of a brake on decelleration, and more worrisome lurches from a stop and when shifting. The salesman felt it so they looked at it and decided it needed a 'new' transmission. Turns out they put in a used transmission, and acts just the same. Service manager says "It's a smart transmission and will take a few hundred miles to adapt to your driving style". My question is is this really a thing? I'm prepared to walk, but damn I lie this truck...

 

Don't walk, run. There are other trucks out there that don't have those problems. Is the truck for sale at a used car lot or a Toyota dealership?

 

Dealership. Does that make a difference?

 

Genuine Toyota dealerships generally only sell cars and trucks that they know are in decent (at least) condition; cars with problems or major issues are usually auctioned off for other less reputable, no name dealerships to try and sell.

Of course this isn't always the case, Toyota could very well sell a piece of junk and a no name, independent lot might sell a really nice, dependable truck. Its just usually the other way around. I would practice more caution buying from a non-auto maker dealership.

 

Tacoma does have an engine brake feature in the auto transmission.
It's
A bit different to get used to.... The manual says NOT to shift to neutral....
When braking and coming to a stop.

The lurching forward thing is odd tho.
The Learning effect is that the transmission seems to search for the gear it should be in.
Mostly in overdrive "D" and mine shifts between 3rd and 4th gear, "searching" at 40 MPH.
the shift is smooth and not in any way lurching.

 

So... your Tranny is Lurching? Wow that sounds pretty serious.

 

just curious what a "lurching transmission" means?

 

Are you trying to baby the truck when your pushing the gas pedal? If you are, try pushing the truck a little harder because as previously mentioned these trucks are a little different. They don't like to be on the verge of needing to shift because it wants to move on through the gears. I went from an 01 to a 13 and I swore there were issues with my transmission until I quit babying the truck and just drove it.

 

Could be a different torque converter in it or there is something wrong. Don't get it unless you feel like it drives the way you think it should.

 

Well after all your thoughts and info on that 2007 I decided to pass. They couldn't get it to shift right after putting in another (used) tranny and there it sits still on their lot 6 weeks later. In the meantime I decided to get a 2017 TRD Sport access cab with the tech pack! Happy guy, drove her home Tuesday and I'm lovin' it!
Thanks for your help. Now I'm off to the third gen forum and continue my schooling...

 

Congrats on the new truck!

High school level education and drama in 3rd Gen, graduate school level training and camaraderie here in 2nd Gen.