What are my options for getting into a different lease?

Since you are in Ottawa, explore leasebusters.com, as a way to get someone to take over your lease. While a 5 year lease is more attractive from cost/month, I think the norm for less is usually 3-4 years, not 5. You also have an SR5 Access Cab, which is not as popular as the Double Cab. You'd likely need to offer some incentive to any potential lessor.

I also agree with the people who are saying to drive it for a few months so the transmission "learns" your driving habits. Do you know if the auto transmission reprogramming (TCI 4419 in Canada I believe) was done on your truck? It should have been, if you only recently bought it, but worth checking. Canada uses "TCI's", where US uses "TSB's", and numbers are not the same. Checking the transmission fluid level requires it to be done through the fill plug, as there is no dipstick, and I also think it needs to be done cold. You may need to leave overnight at dealer to get it checked properly.

 

Lots of people disagree

 

Good luck. Long threads here do not equal widespread problems in the real world.

 

They're not exactly proof to the contrary either buddy.

 

He is right. But if you listen to haters than you know the decision is made

 

Haters? These are OWNERS complaining about the driving characteristics. What's it to you anyway if someone has a gripe with their truck? You enjoy yours right? Great. Awesome. But don't tell me problems don't exist or that no one else has complained.

 

I invite you to stick around the forum and participate. You will understand. Have a good one

 

jesus christ. if someone can close this thread at this point that would be great, thanks.

 

Lol they always do.

 

Ohhhh, people tend to get offended when you slam a product that they spent their hard earned money on.

Have been driving Toyota trucks for over a quarter century, they have come a long way from the old days, they lost some things and gained elsewhere. Nothing is perfect, if it were...it would cost a hell of a lot more.

I am not totally crazy about the 3rd gen either, but for different reasons than you, being a long time "truck guy"...think it has gotten a little soft, and don't take this the wrong way...it has gotten soft because of car guys now buying trucks...the Tacoma is not alone, pretty much all trucks are expected to ride like cars now-a-days...plus get great mileage, while towing a house (which most won't carry anything more than golf clubs or groceries)

Most of the complaints about the platform seem pretty minor overall to me, like wind noise because of holes in a control arm!!?? I mean really!? Gimme a break! I'll admit the poorly shifting auto is pretty sucky, but we should be pushing in clutches and shifting our own gears anyways, speaking of things that are being lost because of car people now buying trucks.

These things were originally designed to to this:

No one is forcing us to buy/lease new vehicles. Plenty of used trucks on the market, but most people don't want to spend the time fussing with them, you can find somewhat clean examples still out there. Like this one, and still have $10K in the bank to throw at it to freshen it up.

https://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/cto/d/1981-toyota-pickup-4x4/6468174058.html

 

Normally I would agree with that, but he's in a lease so things maybe different for him. I'd nervous every time a bird pooped on mine if I had a lease.
As it is for me, I'm not concerned, and I drive mine like I stole it, runs like a top!

^^Me thinks...This guy hit the nail on the head^^

Too many former BMW guys buying this truck because they're tired of their BMW being in the shop 2-3 X a month costing maga $$ bucks each time (true story) and come expecting it to drive and handle like a car.

Errr...I don't think we're there yet, it's come a hell of a long way baby, but we're not there yet.

 

It’s like looking at a sexy cougar

 

Thanks. Sport sedan guys have changed trucks overall on general...some for the good, some for the bad.

Think the OP would of been happier in a Honda Ridgeline. Given what I said about trucks getting soft, I actually like the Honda...but for different reasons than why I like Toyotas.

 

Duuuuude...

I over do for a new truck...gave myself a $30K budget, which is basically a brand new SR OTD. But part of me wants to buy an early 80's truck and restore it, $30K would do a lot on an old truck. Like tossing in a modern 2.7. Scary thing it, my wife is in full support of buying an old one.

 

Like x100!!

 

One day.

 

Till you hit something and the steering wheel pierces your chest.

 

I know you say you hate driving your Tacoma. I can understand that. Driving a truck is way different from driving a car. If all you've ever had are cars before, perhaps your driving style isn't tailored to driving a truck. I find I like driving my truck slow. It seems to really like it. Laid back, calm. Chill and cruise down the road. In cars I can't stand that style of driving since they're so low to the ground and "want" to go fast.

Also, every time I start thinking "maybe I should have just got a really nice car instead" I take it off the asphalt. Instantly I have no regrets. The truck is AMAZING off road and if you're never ever doing that, I can see why you might not like driving it as much.

 

Exactly. I was close to feeling like you. Purchased in November 17 and took until just last week for me to notice things really smoothed out. No more crazy shifting up or down and it drives like it should have from day one. It does take some time but in the end it is much better.

 

I don't want to sound like a dick but these "trucks drive different" comments are getting a bit patronizing. Guys you aren't driving 18-wheelers or the Caterpillar 797F. Pickup trucks are not as different from cars as you're trying to make them out to be. I've driven enough full-size trucks to say that confidently.

Besides my issue is with the transmission. I can understand the comments if I was complaining about the stiff suspension or steering precision but an automatic transmission shouldn't be a clunky mess just because it's in a truck.