Why I love my 3rd Gen Tacoma more than any other car/truck

Let me start by listing my previous cars to provide some background. 1991 Toyota Pickup - 22RE, 2002 Mini Cooper S (6 speed), 2001 4Runner 4wd Limited, 2012 VW GTI and now 2016 DCSB Sport 4wd.

I'm enjoying my Taco more than any other car I've owned (maybe with the exception of MINI). It is like a combination of every car I've owned. It is a 6 speed like my MINI, is refined and quiet (almost) like my GTI, adventurous and capable like my 4Runner and hopefully will be as reliable and dependable as the original Toyota pickup.

I finally rolled over 1000 miles the other day and I let it rip for the first time above 4K rpm. I was astonished at the power this beast hides in the upper range. Some say "Yes, it's a car engine". I say "Awesome". I sold my GTI because the damn roads are so bad in some areas where I live to where it was unbearable to truly enjoy driving it. Now I can fly through the gears without hesitation. The suspension is very firm and sporty, the truck can corner well and highway driving is smooth and quiet. I've also off-roaded three times now and it's perfect for what I need (no locker, oh well).

I just wanted to say to all the naysayers out there, "Buy this truck for your purpose". My purpose is to have a no-compromise utility "sports car" around town, off-road beast for adventures, a pickup for house improvement projects and a friends/family hauler all day every day! I might be one of the rare ones who loves the (car like) sitting position, the power in the higher RPM range and sporty suspension but this is why I bough my 2016 Tacoma Manual and enjoying every minute of it!

 

Congrats on a getting a great truck!

 

Best vehicle I've ever driven. Hands down. Feels sturdy, well built, and while some may not agree, best interior I've personally been in. Except maybe the ltz silverado I checked out as far as features. But initial view and look. Tacoma for sure.

My vehicles. Nothing special.
84 300zx
91 rodeo
99 miata
96 talon
00& 02 silverado
02 trans am

I've drove every full size and mid size truck due to my line of work.

 

I'm happy to read this. I'm a driving junky who lives to drive anything, especially with a stick, and i spend all my free time in my racing simulator too.

i just totaled my pretty modified 2008 VW R32. i hit a semi truck tire sitting in the fast lane going 75mph and a 9 year fun round was over in a moment. so i went for durability... and with a 6MT. ordered the pro, couldn't much wait before but posts like this get me impatient. love that color and may wrap mine in a similar color.

 

Also want to add that 0-60 the mt Tacoma is #1 among mid size trucks 0-60. These things move when geared properly.

 

Glad that you like it so much, and that it seems to suit their needs. Whereas the third gens have some issues, they are still good and capable trucks. The truck is still pretty new, and anything new is going to have issues that need to be worked out. Glad to see someone that likes their truck instead of all of the negative crap I always see.

 

It could be the #1 0-60 truck. 6 seconds is achievable at sea level with a perfect launch. The 1st to 2nd redline shift is lethal.

 

It's true. I actually have hard time staying hooked up shifting to 2nd, it wants to break the tires loose every time.

 

OP can I just say...

I LOVE your post!
You also happened to pick the best color! (Yes I am biased)
I am also trading in my Golf for a new Taco.

Continue to enjoy! Can't wait till mine shows up!

 

Love that VR6 Chewbacca growl! (Sad to hear it got totaled)
I owned a 2003 MKIV GLI with the 24v VR6. (miss that car, it was clean)
The Golf I am trading in is actually a 2012 R. Love the boost, miss the VR6 growl.

I hear you, love seeing posts like this but they make me impatient.

 

Nice!

 

Beautiful truck OP.

 

Great Review!!! Nice to see a positive post for a change, glad you're enjoying you're truck as much as I've Ben... And Awesome Color by the Way!!

 

I didn't know Mini produced a 6 speed automatic

 

This thing is a bit weak in the low RPMs but you are right, it really let's it fly in the upper power band. I don't really romp much, but if you're in the right RPM range and you hit it, it never looks back.

 

Great post OP

Glad to see you are enjoying your beautiful BBP.

 

I like this thread and I love mine, too. Nice to see a few of these positive threads sprinkled around all the negative, whiny-ass ones!!

My last ride was an '09 Sport 4x4. This generation is different compared to the 2nd...not shitty...just different.

 

congratulations on owning and enjoying your new taco.I love my trd or ac.

 

No disputing the reasoning in first post. Even tho 2nd gen, good to see positive threads for the 3rds. I also have a lowered sportwagon that is nerve wracking to drive because of roads and debris everywhere. Truck is so much better for those issues to not be an issue.

 

No disputing these trucks move out and sound really good when hitting upper rpms. I demonstrated it to someone the other day and they are like wtf !