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Wish list for Next Gen Tacoma - what would you improve
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Who is Toyota going to compete with? No other manufacturer can bring a diesel into play nearly as fast. Maybe Isuzu/Chevy but they'd have to adapt alot more than Toyota would. Same gig VW has going for them. Want a small diesel car? You're only choice is the Jetta/Golf/Beetle and good luck buying one. I tried back in July and they were taking orders for late '02 models. Used ones were through the roof as well.
Send over that Diesel and I'll come back to the Toyota fold!
Bring on the Chevy Cyclone!!!
I didn't know they stopped making 2Wd Xtracab V6s... They never sold them in Canada, but I thought they were still available in the states... I know they were...
As secondary suggestions, I would add about 1 inch to the overall cab height. I would also update the dash to include full instrumentation (oil pressure, voltage), make it more visible and ergonomically viable.
I actually find the current version a very good truck and potent contender just as it is, but the box length takes it off my primary list.
Dusty
Has your dealer been unsuccessful (or uncooperative) in trying to resolve the problems with your dashboard creaking?
My dealer has had my Tacoma's dashboard apart at least three times because of a non-functioning tachometer, and finally was able to correct this by replacing the printed circuit board that controls it. The creaking has gotten noticeably worse since the cold weather began. It gets a little better as the day warms up, but it's still there. Of course, it's at its noisiest early in the morning when I'm at my least jovial. I'll give the dealer, who has been very accommodating, another opportunity to take the dashboard apart. I don't enjoy owning the test model.
Well, I can understand your frustration then. Sounds like your dealer's service department has been trying, at least.
I have a 1995 Toyota pickup (previous generation) that I bought new. It came out of the NUMMI facility, and while it is no Lexus, it certainly has been very trouble-free (and creak-free). I have read a couple of posts here and there about the dash problems, and am interested since I hope to be replacing my pickup (and a 90' 4Runner) with either a Tacoma or Tundra in the coming year.
I live in Connecticut and I had guessed from your user name that you do too (?). If you have any opinions about your dealer or other dealers that you'd like to share, maybe you could send me an email off-line from this discussion.
Good luck in getting those problems resolved.
Steve,
Despite the wide held belief about Toyota quality, I have to agree with you about the design and assembly quality of Toyota's interiors.
Out 1999 Avalon, while an otherwise excellent automobile, does suffer from a plethora of buzzes, creaks and rattles, much more than one would expect from the "quality" reputation of Toyota.
Yes, we have the same problem with the key chain rubbing against the instrument panel making noise. The moon roof has always made an annoying twanging sound over bumps, and there are various plastic snapping sounds that come from the dash. We now have something loose related to the right front wheel and the brakes make all sorts of pops, clicks, snaps, and bangs. And the headliner is loose and makes a creaking sound.
What is most annoying is the lack of illuminated controls on the instrument panel (mirror control, etc.) and the window/lock controls on the doors. I've been test driving at pick-ups lately and much to my surprise Dodge illuminates the power window and door lock controls. The only vehicle I have ever driven that has done so.
Toyota's execution of instrument panel ergonomics is not up to the design or quality of the rest of the car. And having been in other Toyota products, it apparent that buzz & rattle is behind the rest as well.
Our '92 Nissan Sentra at 96,000 miles is still almost 100% buzz & rattle free.
Dusty
My Tacoma is a 4WD XTra Cab SR5 model with the V6 auto combo. It has bucket seats and a console. If you are over 6 ft or over 200 lbs, you may want to take an extended test drive before you decide for sure if this is the truck for you. It is very maneuverable, which is important living here in southern CT where we don't have very wide parking spaces and our country roads are narrow and winding. This was my main reason for selecting a compact pickup.
I did take the truck on a 500 mile trip (highway driving) one day this summer and got 22 mpg at 65-70 mph, so I was pleasantly surprised with that. The seats are no Barcaloungers, but I do wish that they had height adjustments- you sit too high in the cab in this truck if you're on the tall side.
If the dealer can fix my creaking dash, I'll learn to live with the poor ergonomics. If they can't, it's going to be traded in. It's THAT bad!
Thanks again for the information. I'm just under 6' and about 40 lbs shy of 200, so I'll have to see how the Toyota bucket seats fit me.
I know what you mean about the maneuverability factor - it holds true here in the Northern part of the state as well. The last thing I want to drive is a mush-mobile land yacht. I'm going to be sure and get in some quality test drives before I buy anything.
Rob
More wishes--for DC
Removable rear seats
Factory installed sliding bed cover
Better gas mileage (5 speed automatic?)
Leather seat option
Go to Menards and buy 1.25" window seal foam. They have it in gray and brown so it will match your interior. Just push it between the windshield and the front of the dash. The foam expands with the dash so it eliminates all of the squeaking. I had the same problem as you, then I added the foam and the problem is gone and headache free once again. It was definitely the biggest complaint I had of this truck. Otherwise I think it is GREAT. Hope this works for you. Just run the foam from the VIN to the other side of the dash.
I'd like a sliding cover not only on DC, but on all Tacos. As for better gas milage.....I think it's getting pretty good milage. I drive an Xtracab, and get, depending upon the speed, 20mpg on highway (or 16, if I go 90), but I have a manual, although on freeway it doesnt matter.
And how about swapping positions between the clock and the passenger airbag switch?
Roberto
has them standard on their 1/2tons.
I'm sure more will follow. Anyone heard of any
plans for them on the Tacoma?
1. A full time 4WD system like Chevy Silverado
2. A column mounted gear shift lever
3. A bigger engine, possibly a smaller version of the iForce V8 in Tundra
4. Leather Seats
5. 5 speed automatic
6. Get rid of the jumpseats and put a small set of bucket seats or a really small bench seat for carrying 4 or 5 people in a pinch
7. Get rid of the floor mounted 4WD lever and engineer the whole darn 4WD system into the dashboard.
8. An AWD version for the S-Runner
9. Maybe a crew cab version of the S-Runner too?
10. update the 4 cylinder engine to Camry's 2.4 or RAV4's 2.0L.
11. Audjustable ride suspension
12. new clock design
13. Power rear roll down window (eg. Ford Explorer Sport Trac)
14. A center console and a HomeLink system.
some thoughts and comments.
<1. A full time 4WD system like Chevy Silverado>
Do you really need full time 4WD? Won't that make the gas milage suck?
<2. A column mounted gear shift lever>
<5. 5 speed automatic>
If it floats your boat then what the heck. I personally don't mind the floor mounted shifter with buckets seats. I do however wish that the Double Cab had the option of a stick shift instead of an automatic.
. A bigger engine, possibly a smaller version of the iForce V8 in Tundra>
The Tacoma is a compact pickup. When does the quest for more HP become too much? My 2002 DC has the 190 HP V-6 and I find it is more than adequate. IF you want a V-8, do you really want a compact pickup?
<4. Leather Seats>
Right on... I would love to have had the option to get leather seat. (along with the choice of a leather wrapped steering wheel without getting the more expensive option package)
<6. Get rid of the jumpseats and put a small set of bucket seats or a really small bench seat for carrying 4 or 5 people in a pinch>
The Double cab sits 4 comfortably and 5 in a pinch. For the extended cabs, in order to do this you would probably have to increase the cab to just about the dimensions of the DC. They probably won't do this as you could get the DC.
<12. new clock design>
I agree - what the hell were they thinking of. If they stuck it where the airbag off swich is, it would have made a lot more sense.
Dakar
Personally, I hate column-mounted shifters. I'm very happy with my manual tranny Taco.
1. Don't need an all-time 4WD. You can switch into 4Hi on the fly, that's pretty good.
2. Yuck, but that's my preference.
3. 2004 Tacoma will get a new 3.7L V6 (230hp/tq or so) or 4.7L iForce as an option.
4. It's a truck. Would you like a DVD player, Xbox and a high-end stereo system with a full bar while you are at it?
5. 5spd auto would be nice. Or a V6 in the reg cab. Or a manual in a DC.
6. I don't know.....I guess you're talking about the Xtracab..I rather doubt there's any space in there for anything, unless I want to drive like a grandma glued to the windshield and moving the seat all the way up. I don't think I could fit anyone in the back of my Xtracab, only coolers and some trip stuff.
7. Nahh...it looks fine as it is.
8. AWD S-Runner? Doesn't sound too bad.
9. DoubleCab S-Runner? Umm...why? S-Runner weights like 3000 lbs, and adding a DC to it will make it a 3500lbs vehicle. Not-so-S-Runner. It's supposed to be a sports truck, not a van.
10. People swear by their 2.7L I4s. The 2.4L I4...maybe. But that's an engine for 2WD models only, so.
11. TRD is fine and good for those who want it. Stock is soft enough for those who don't want it.
12. Yeah, definitely. Although some tall people don't have any problems, but that's a rarity.
13. Maybe....I can always open the window with my right hand.
14. Maybe.
So essentially you are trying to make this wonderful potent truck into a ......grocery-getter?
Leather seats? Softer ride? If you want all that, get a van. This is a truck (and a pretty good one, at that). There'll certainly be posers who will want a truck to show off to their friends (like the Prerunner DC I saw the other day: dealer-warrantied 3" susp lift with 265x75x16 (33s) tires: an ultimate pooser vehicle, because it can never go offroad due to rubbing), but can we please just leave this truck the way it is? There's already enough people buying up TRD and the only offroading they do is when they accidentally drive off the driveway onto the lawn. Just my opinion.
I'd also like a standard radio that I can replace at any car stereo store when it fails.
I like everything about the DC except the fact that you can't get a 5spd with the V6 and 4WD. Don't the SRunners come with a 5spd and V6 and 2WD? Why can't a TRD 4WD DC come this way? That would be an irresistable truck to me.
I do think a v8 in a Tacoma in it's current size would be overkill. If they make it bigger even slightly, say to the size of a Dakota, it might be a good option.
There's a 3.7L V6 in the works that'll give 245/285 output. If that's a 4Runner specs, then it's almost guaranteed that Tacoma will have higher output due to less-restricted exaust.
That new engine is rumoured to be the standard engine for 4Runner, with the current Tundra iForce V8 to be an optional one.
The risk is that since 4Runner shared drivetrain with Tacoma, and Toyota is set out to make 4Runner a "mallrunner", 3rd gen Tacoma might suffer from that. We'll see. It might be ok.
I hope that the Tacoma doesn't get emasculated with this new change. But the new V6 sounds awesome. Imagine 260hp 300ft-lbs! Even if it gets the same engine as the 4runner it will be tough for any other compact truck to compete.
I am looking into getting and '03 next year (on clearance hopefully)
Anyone that has the double cab please sound off and let me know what you think of it!
I am seriously considering one next year, and I would love to hear your experiences!
Also if you have the cap for the back what do you think of that too would help.
Here's something I noticed at the dealer - they had a nice double-cab with a cap on it, but I noticed that the bedliner was under the rail, and I'd really only want one with an over the rail bedliner. So my real question is:
Does anyone also have a cap with an above the rail bedliner? The dealer said it may make some noise when your driving because the seal isn't that tight, but I don't believe him. Anyone have this setup? Thanks!
I am looking into getting and '03 next year (on clearance hopefully)