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Comments
Exactly what do you want the 4wd for? 4WD cost a little bit more to maintain and uses more fuel, but when I balance that with traveling to Buffalo in the winter and off roading then the difference seems slight.
Thanks in advance.
Glad you are okay there Loren.
-wsn
Thank you very much.
Henry
henrynng@webcombo.net
If you plan to do any kind of towing, get the V6. The MPG is similar and it really moves. Too much temptation for my lead foot!!!
Terry
Your payload rating will actually be less with a V6 because the GVWR is the same for both engines, if I remember correctly, but not enough to matter. I'd say if you've got the money up front and likes to stomp on the loud pedal, get the V6. Otherwise, the 4 pot is plenty motor.
DO NOT GET A SUNROOF, they leak and go straight into the electrical housing component under the dash. Hence, all sort of electrical problems, such as the radio turning on and off when the truck was parked without any keys in it; headlights blinking on and off, once again, without any help. It took months before the dealer would really listen because they couldn't replicate the problem in their presence. It took 6 times of returning it and twice of them witnessing the "possessed" headlights before fixing. Since the first "fixing" it took another time 3 months later and a major battle to get them to replace the entire electrical housing.
I am now having problems with the air conditioning leaking into the cab under the dash, thus....more electrical problems will begin.
The body is flimsy. I had a VERY minor accident. Rolled slightly into the rear end of a (of all things Camry). It was an impact of approximately 2mph. The Camry's bumper wasn't scratched, but the front end of the truck was destroyed. New radiator, new grill, new headlights. It was as if the front of the truck was made of putty. If you examine the grill and bumpers, you'll see that they are made of a very thin aluminum (tin foil).
The only way I was able to get results from dealing with the dealers was contacting the Toyota national 800 hotline and screaming "lemon laws". It took many many trips and many times where the truck was not able to be used because of the dealer saying that Toyota has to approve the warranty before they could work on it.... and the national office said that it was the dealer giving me the runaround.
CRUISE CONTROL - when on cruise control and encountering a minor hill, it drops the transmission out of overdrive and remains out of overdrive even when declining from the hill. We live in St. Louis Missouri and there aren't huge hills here.
I am now getting ready to dump it and looking into a V8 so we can tow the boat without any problems and have a better body. This may have been a "lemon" with the sunroof problems, but the transmission is a performance problem and the extensive damage with such a minor accident is a materials problem.
On a more positive note -- this is the first disappointing Toyota we've seen and we have believed in Toyota's more than the big three.
As an overall comment, I drive my 98 x-cab 40 miles each way to work every day, get 24 mpg at 70-75 mph and am quite happy with it. My only regret is no third/fourth door access to the x-cab.
Terry
Gischpel, you live in Ohio? So do I. You mentioned getting the same truck but w/ a manual. Does this mean the same engine too?
Yes it is important to breakin any vehicle right. If I remember the right the book does not say to keep it at 55 mph, but to vary your speed up to 55 mph.
Last time I look the front bumper was steel on the Tacoma. Anyway sorry to hear about your troublesome Tacoma truck and hope all goes well in resolving your problems. I know that my former 89 Camry with the 4 cylinder on cruise control when going uphill would downshift just to maintain the speed. Seems like that is a common trait amongst 4 cylinder Toyotas that are underpowered.
I'd consider the automatic with the four cylinder in Ohio when I am ready to replace this truck. But if you plan to pull anything over much distance/varied terrain with the four cylinder, then get the manual transmission. I think you'll be happier in the long run.
I agree with you on the stock tires. They look wimpy, but I haven't had the $$$ to replace them yet. Can't offer too much on the tradeoffs of having the big ones. They do look good though...
thai2,
I asked the same question you did. Several answers were amusing including:
Follow the guidelines exactly.
Break it in the way you'll drive it.
Toyota requires 1000 miles to break it in rather than 500 miles because it is twice as good (or something like that).
I drove mine the way I will always drive it --at varied speeds up to 75 MPH on the highway, not too high RPM's, or fasts starts until about 1000 miles. So far so good.
I think the key is you want time for everything to settle into its proper place without overdoing it. They probably suggest 55 MPH because otherwise someone will try to do 75MPH in third gear the week they buy it and then wonder what went wrong!
Good luck,
Terry
Well I sprung for a Tacoma SR5 4X4 with 2.7L four.
Good economy good looks BUT
It is the most UNcomfortable truck I've ridden in
both drivers seat and read jump are terrible.
The arm rest rubs on my left leg until I almost have a muscle spasm on trips ove twenty minutes and I find myself endlessly adjusting the seat and turning sideways to get away from it-- I told the
dealer I want them to take it back and have contacted a lawyer--so far everbody at the dealership is on vacation or a seminar.
Any body out there actually like the cockpit
of the tacoma?? respond and I'll sell you one
with 280 miles on it, beautiful metallic maroon
with running boards-I just hope you have a wooden leg.
I'll be negotiating my own price when I lease next month!
About the UNcomfortable Tacoma:
I talked with the Sales Manager He said I could
return the truck IF I compensate the dealership
the compensation is $1000.00 dollars, because the truck is now used.
Should I fork over the cash or should the dealer just take it back????
Am I being taken to the cleaners??
RP
I personally dont see why the dealership should have to take the truck back. they did not ask you to buy the truck, you went to them. I take all vehicles that I possibly intend to buy for extended test drives without the any salesman, so I can see how me and my family fit in the vehicle. The worst thing I could imagine is your situation. If the dealer only wants a 1000.00 dollars to let you walk away from the truck, and you hate it that bad, I say take it.
i also suggest that you spend more time test driving and evaluating whatever car of truck it is that you intend to purchase. Every auto that I bought, the dealer has put a plate on and let me take, some for overnight even. I tell them that if I spend that kind of money, I want to be sure that its for what I want.
Good luck on getting out of this truck and better luck next time.
Regarding the alignment problem my truck has been trouble free since new. If I did have an alignment problem I would probably take it to Goodyear, because they have the 4 wheel electronic alignment.
Went camping on the beach about a month ago. It was our first time camping so, we took everything except the kitchen sink! The truck was loaded to the top with tents, stove, coolers, etc. I was actually concerned about dragging my chasis because I've seen some high trucks out there and they make very deep ruts. Well, my cousin had her 4x4 '91 Blazer, my brother-in-law had his '98 Blazer and my father had his '78 Ford Explorer.
When we get there I lead to the camping spot. I get out lock my hubs, put it 4L. The sand on this beach is far from packed...it's well.. sand! When I get to the section that separtes the real 4x4's from the pretenders, I could have sworn my truck morphed to another character. Man, this truck carried the load with no sweat, hell, it rides better offroad! In fact, I left the others so far behind you could barely see them. I wasn't even going fast. This truck is awesome off road! It never seemed to strain, it was like a walk in the park! Everyone made it to the campsite but, my B-I-L did get stuck making a trip into town. A Frontier pulled him out. He said the Nissan didn't have any trouble pulling him either!
Well, I am sorry it's so long, but I was just trying to express my satisfaction with my first truck. My only complaint is that I have an annoying squeak coming from the left rear. I only hear it over certain bumps. Looked under the truck, but everything looks tight. Minus that nuisance I am ultra-satisfied with my Toy!!!:)
I am keeping my Tacoma I put a small piece of
spongy material on side of arm rest it helps.
I agree with others that many features and
capabilities of the Tacoma are great!!
RP
About 10% of the Tundra production will have V-6's. Probably 99% of the people looking at them want the V-8. So I would guess there are some V-6 Tundras out there for the same price as the Tacomas?? A few anyway. Maybe this would be a solution for those who want a more stable tow vehicle? or more room?
I changed mine at 1500 when it was new. I always change mine at 2,000 to 3,000 and guess most people also do the same.
I'VE HAD MY EYE ON A NEW TACOMA X-CAB 4X4 WITH A V-6 FOR AWHILE NOW. IF POSSIBLE, I'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM OWNERS OF LIKE EQUIPPED TRUCKS. MY MAIN CONCERNS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
1. COMMUTING COMFORT - RIDE & DRIVE, SEAT COMFORT/POSITION,ETC.
2. 3.4L V-6 ENGINE - ANY PROBLEMS? HIGHWAY PASSING POWER?
MAINLY, THE TRUCK WILL BE USED FOR COMMUTING TO WORK & BACK. HOWEVER, I'M AN AVID OUTDOORSMAN (DEER HUNTING, DUCK HUNTING, FISHING) AND THE TRUCK WILL BE USED OFF-ROAD. NOT FREQUENTLY, BUT INTENSIVELY.
I APPRECIATE ALL THE HELP FROM EVERYONE! THESE QUESTIONS ARE PROBABLY ANSWERED IN PAST MESSAGES, BUT BEING AT WORK DOESN'T LET ME SCROLL THRU ALL OF THEM.
THANKS AGAIN!!
KEITH
-wsn
There has been gripes about the seats I have seen in reviews and in some of the post here, but I have bucket seat and it is fine.
V6 engine runs great with great pickup and passing ability. With the AC on it is not as quick.
Off roading the truck is great, but for extreme off roading the TRD is better.
Surely I can find seats in the aftermarket.That's what I get for being a cheap [non-permissible content removed].