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Comments
As for whether you need 4 wheel drive or not, here are my two cents: I have had a RWD Chevy S-10 for many years now. I have taken it down rough roads, towed, and carried loads in the bed, and haven't truly needed 4 wheel drive. There were times when it would have been nice to have 4 wheel drive, but it was rarely truly necessary. For a light truck, sometimes 4 wheel drive would have been nice for towing (to get better traction since the S-10 ways so little--may not be as much of an issue with the heavier Tacoma).
I also lived in Michigan for many years and never needed 4 wheel drive in the winter. In my opinion, if roads are bad enough that you need 4 wheel drive to even get moving, then you have no business being out!
So, 4 wheel drive is something that is nice to have but rarely necessary unless you do some serious off roading. (I have friends who claim they can can get farther off road with a RWD truck than most people can with a 4x4...) If you can afford it, it is nice to have. Another option that is probably nearly as good as 4 wheel drive is getting a locking rear differential. I haven't looked at the options on the pre-runner, but I know the Nissan Frontier has a locking rear differential on their 4x2 model. Toyota may do something similar. Finally, if you can't afford a 4x4 right now, you might be able to easily trade up for a 4x4 in a few years (after you leave college and have money) if the pre-runner maintains its value.
This is probably more than you wanted to know, but it is my 2 cents.
this truck is sweet!
I am getting the base model access cab. v6 4x4 at.
What shocks do they use on these?
Both the sport and trd packages offer bilstiens.
My question kinda ties in my tires question because i am wondering if 265-75-16's will fit if the truck sits a little lower.
I have no reason to believe the truck will sit lower, but its a question nonetheless. thanks
I just returned from an extended road trip and 3000 more miles since my last post. My highway MPG has improved to at least 17 on high speed driving (75-85mph). I was only getting about 14MPG prior to hitting this point (over 7K miles now).
The difference was probably a forced oil change I did (put synthetic 5W-30) when I unexpectedly got the MAINT REQD warning when I hit the 5000 mile mark. If this is programmed at every 5k, then it won't matter if an oil change was recently done which i did at 2200 miles (after break-in)and not quite 3 months earlier. I disabled the warning light myself as it didn't automatically go off after the required maintenance (oil change) was done.
I will post pictures later and show you folks how the DZ tube steps worked vs road salt and ice.
I LOVE THIS TRUCK!
G+
I would have to say that I wouldn't recommend the iPod interface used in the pictures. I have that interface, and while it works okay, it could be better. More than half the time, it won't start playing by itself, which means you have to switch between FM and DISC a couple of times to get it going. It is also at a different volume that the radio (it's slightly quieter), which means the radio blasts when you switch to it without turning the volume down.
I e-mailed them over 3 weeks ago about these issues, and have yet to get a response from them. Therefore, I can't justify someone else spending $200 on the product, if they aren't going to support it.
There are others out there, and some just coming out, from what I hear, and these are much better, giving you text information on the radio itself.
[cruise control]
Well, the rolling plains of Oklahoma are no "mountains," that's for sure. I'd consider most of the hills between Texas and Oklahoma (except the pass over the Arbuckle Mountains), very minor. Every other car I've had, has had no problem navigating these hills, especially without dropping two gears.
I just thought I'd give some advice, since you're asking about monthly payments. Don't let the dealership talk to you in terms of monthly payments. BYO calculator, and talk to them in terms of the final price of the truck. You can then calculate your own monthly payments (check out some web sites on how to calculate monthly's when you know final price, down payment, and interest rates (don't forget sales tax)). Dealers will ALWAYS try and rip you off, if they know you are willing to deal based on the monthly payment.
Lastly, if they won't deal with you, get up and leave. It's hard to do when you really want the truck, but it shows that you are not going to get taken, and if they really want your business (and they do, better sell a car with some profit, than not sell one at all), they will either call you the day after, or hurry after you to have you come back. These trucks are not that hot anymore, now that they have more in stock. Don't let them sell that trick on you either.
Anyway, my insurance is around $600 (I think) every 6 months, and I'm 29, and have a decent driving record (no wrecks in the last 3 years).
well good luck on finding the truck you want, i have been hearing that the 05 tacos are hard to find right now.
Now I have a bad vibration at 120 kms/hr, and they checked and found it NOT to be the tires, so they balanced them anyway, now I have a shimmy in the front.
I feel the public has the rite to no, I have more concerns regarding Money lost during a deal from a lease from a 2004 Tundra to this Tacoma, that I have purchased.
If my probs are corrected, I will delete this message, or update it. If anyone wants the full story on my cash loss, or the deal, or this 2005 Tacoma, Please contact me at
jim.miles@sympatico.ca
If price is an issue, I would look for a left over 04. That's exactly what I would do if I were in your shoes. You can get a hell of a deal on one right now (could most likely get a double cab for the price of an 05 access cab). Dealers are really trying to get rid of their 04s and are practically giving them away. Not to mention the 04s are great looking trucks!
Anyway, as for insurance I am 31 and live in MD and pay $350 every 6 months. But I also have things like homeowners and accident free discounts.
The filter just twists off, but if this is your first change then it is probably on pretty tight. I had to use the ole punch threw with a screwdriver method to get it off.
Engine is great..broke 'er in good.Interior changes light yrs. above the '04.No leaks..Don't really notice any rattles either..Hey, It's a truck anyway!
I have asked dealers and have not received a satisfactory answer as to the strength of the composite bed floor and tie downs. I am looking to load my motorcycle in the bed and want to make sure I have a place to connect the ratchet straps, and that I can compress the front fork without ripping up the tie down hooks. Also are there aftermarket tie down hooks for this purpose.
Please advise,
Justin
Any body else noticed this? Is it only on the Quad Door Short Bed? I've seen Borla advertising a cat back system for the 2005, have they re-routed this pipe, or is it the same OEM routing? Anyway, was really surprised when I crawled under my truck and saw how vulnerable that cross over pipe is. Stupid engeering to say the least.
How is money lost on a lease a problem for everyone else? It sounds more like uninformed shopping and poor negotiating. You found Edmunds, which is chock full of information to help you with the financials, yet signed the deal anyway?
If you look on the cleats in the track system near the top of the bed, they say 200 lbs, though I also heard that each track can only accomodate a max of 300 lbs, no matter how many cleats you have in the track (this was from a document from the Nissan dealership comparing the Tacoma and Frontier, so take it as you will...) The D-rings on the bed floor are 400 lbs (can't remember if I read this, was told this, or what).
Point is for a 4x4, and lets choose a rock or stump this time, there is no skid plate, and it curves just below the cross memeber brace, so be carrying a hacksaw so you can cut it out and make it to the muffler shop. Thanks for the reply.
"Technically, I think the dog or cat take the critical hit." OK, that was funny.
Tom Clark
(vmiman)
B
Asked him about the pipe. He said no problems so far. Maybe we should all go out and off-road..
armed w/ hacksaws and unite for the good of the 2005 Taco!!