Are You Happy with Tacoma? - Part II
This topic is a continuation of Topic 425...
Are You Happy with Tacoma?. Please continue these
discussion here.
Are You Happy with Tacoma?. Please continue these
discussion here.
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I believe the Limited is the Tacoma that comes standard with the power package.
keith24
engine.i owned a 95 x-cab for 2 years with that engine but it's no match for the newer 3.4 4 cam
engine with it's 195 h.p,the new 2.7 is rated at
150 h.p also but i have yet to compare one to a
3.0 liter.once i drove the new tacoma with the v6
i was sold!i had a 97 and now a 2000 model TRD.
By the way, I am enjoying my truck very much. It is quite refined in every way. Initially, fuel economy was below EPA estimates, but it is slowly improving as the engine loosens up a little bit. That was my only complaint, but my concern is becoming less as the miles roll by.
Would anyone know if its necessary to use the overdrive lockout button when towing a mild load (boat and trailer weighing 1500 lbs)? Thanks for any input from other owners.
1) Bought the Tacoma TRD last June. Since that time of purchase, I have noticed some vibration coming from the front of the truck. Thinking it had something to do with the balance, took it back to the dealer who said that two of the Goodyear GSA 31"x10.5" tires were out-of round. Went to Goodyear who replaced two of the tires. Had about three balance jobs done since June, but still notice some vibration at speeds greater that 60 mph. Wondering if the other two tires could be out-of round or if the TRD suspension might be contributing some of the vibration at the higher speeds. Was recently told by the dealer that a number of customers have gone to the Michelins and seem to be more satisfied with these tires than the Goodyears.
2) At speeds between 30 to 40 mph, I have noticed a whistling sound around the front left corner of the dashboard. The dealer thought that it might be a filter that is attached in the engine compartment near that corner. I normally do not hear it when the radio is on.
3) As mentioned some months back on this bulletin board, I also have noticed a squeak in the clutch when depressing it about halfway. Thinking it probably only needs to be lubed, but am wondering if there is any other recent solutions to this problem.
Would appreciate any comments or suggestions to the above three issues. Thanks, Zane
sure would ride nice!
-wsn
The position is great now, and I find the seats very comfortable. The local dealer came up with seat covers, a steep $172. They add a little padding, but don't seem to cover the head rests.
I also put in a Hellwig rear anti sway bar. Had trouble getting it in with the upper shock mount driver's side, but it turned uncontrollable oversteer into controllable understeer; controlled 4 wheel drifts flat as a pancake! Yeah, it ain't no sports car, but evasive, emergency maneuvers can be controlled.
Jason
-wsn
Thanks for any opinions.
Dan
small vibration at highway speed.My previous tacoma (97) had the wrangler rts tires on it and those things were great! I went to my local goodyear store and traded my gsa's for the rt/s
models.I had to pay 90 bucks but it was well worth it.I did the mounting and balancing myself.
(i work for a independant garage)
automatic. This model comes with the 2.7 liter 150
hp engine, I believe, as opposed to the base 2.4
142 hp. Apparently, there's a decent difference in
the mileage, according to EPA numbers. Anyone have
accounts to back this up -- is the mileage difference between these 4-bangers fairly significant?
I sort of just "discovered" the Tacoma PreRunner for myself
just recently -- haven't really looked into
pickups, but would love to have something new maybe
by late this year/early 2001 (far off, I know, but
I love reading up). I've never had a new vehicle,
and I've no wife or kids now or in the immediate
future, so practicality isn't really an issue --
here's my opportunity to get something fun, you
know? I moved out of NYC after three years without
needing a car; I bought a '91 Corolla a few months
ago (only 70K on it), and only had an '88 Dodge
Shadow before that (first car, a cheap auction
purchase that became a semi-nightmare). I think the look of the Tacoma PreRunner and 4X4 is great; it just oozes FUN. I wouldn't do much off-roading
(maybe once in a while), so the 4x4 really isn't worth the extra $ for me. I think a little over
$17K after NY tax for a nearly loaded PreRunner --
especially for the good 4-cyl hp you get compared to rivals (30 more than 2WD Ranger, for ex.) --
is a pretty good deal. And you get Toyota's reliability rep and higher resale to boot.
I'm getting my $17K figure based on $200 over invoice,
which I can maybe get over the Net, judging from
what others are posting.
One final question: If the suspension and other things are enhanced to resemble a 4x4, is a PreRunner *noticeably* better than regular 2WD trucks in the snow? Or any off-road surface for that matter? Or is a PreRunner simply cosmetic surgery? Thanks in advance for any feedback.
automatic. This model comes with the 2.7 liter 150
hp engine, I believe, as opposed to the base 2.4
142 hp. Apparently, there's a decent difference in
the mileage, according to EPA numbers. Anyone have
accounts to back this up -- is the mileage difference between these 4-bangers fairly significant?
I sort of just "discovered" the Tacoma PreRunner for myself
just recently -- haven't really looked into
pickups, but would love to have something new maybe
by late this year/early 2001 (far off, I know, but
I love reading up). I've never had a new vehicle,
and I've no wife or kids now or in the immediate
future, so practicality isn't really an issue --
here's my opportunity to get something fun, you
know? I moved out of NYC after three years without
needing a car; I bought a '91 Corolla a few months
ago (only 70K on it), and only had an '88 Dodge
Shadow before that (first car, a cheap auction
purchase that became a semi-nightmare). I think the look of the Tacoma PreRunner and 4X4 is great; it just oozes FUN. I wouldn't do much off-roading
(maybe once in a while), so the 4x4 really isn't worth the extra $ for me. I think a little over
$17K after NY tax for a nearly loaded PreRunner --
especially for the good 4-cyl hp you get compared to rivals (30 more than 2WD Ranger, for ex.) --
is a pretty good deal. And you get Toyota's reliability rep and higher resale to boot.
I'm getting my $17K figure based on $200 over invoice,
which I can maybe get over the Net, judging from
what others are posting.
One final question: If the suspension and other things are enhanced to resemble a 4x4, is a PreRunner *noticeably* better than regular 2WD trucks in the snow? Or any off-road surface for that matter? Or is a PreRunner simply cosmetic surgery? Thanks in advance for any feedback.
You will likely have higher ground clearance than the standard 2WD Tacoma and depending on the tire package (i.e., TRD), substantially more ground clearance. You can look up the statistics on Edmunds, I imagine.
I have the 4 cyl. in my '98 Xcab 4x4 and am very happy with it. I get 21-24 MPG in a mix of city and highway driving (usually at 70-75 mph). I paid $18,300 for my 4x4 with SR5 and chrome, etc. two years ago, so I would guess the $17K number is pretty good for an '00.
Terry
If so glad to see you around here. If you get a chance visit the latest Tacoma rooms. You bring much to the table...
TIA
-wsn
and they have been nothing but awsome!
traded in an old reliable Nissan for a new Toyota. I did just the opposite. I traded in an old Toyo for a new Frontier. I still keep up with what's going on in the Toyo world (like here at Edmunds). I love the heck of the Frontier, and to me personally, it drives a bit smoother (i.e not as bouncy as the new Tacoma's I tested). Other than that I'd say both are great trucks - just depends on what you use it for. The 4x4 on this Nissan so far is king. I got it bogged down in some nasty mud in 4 high and when I went to 4 low I motored on out with ease. I love it.
These tires certainly do whine and would replace them, but hate spend money on new tires for a new truck. Otherwise, I love my Toyota (2nd one)!
From day 1, I thought the truck had great handling, at the expense of the ride, which was just awful. Bounced all over, and hold on tight if you encounter a bump in the middle of a curve. The rear end would jump/hop to the outside of the curve. Very disconcerting! By the way, this abberant behavior is not something one will notice on a test drive, unless you're able to take a truck for an entire day.
The truck was reliable with only one trip to the dealer for a leaking power steering hose. However, I had to remove nine bolts holding on the skid plates to change the oil and filter. THAT was a real pain in the butt!
In addition to the awful ride, the Tacoma has uncomfortable seats and was VERY noisy on the freeway due to both tire and engine noises.
Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to try the off-road capabilities of the vehicle, which many tout as its strong point. After all, how many people go four-wheeling more often than once or twice a year?
To make a long story short, we relocated to Aurora, which eliminated the need for a truck to commute in. I couldn't get rid of this Tacoma soon enough and traded it last week for a used 1997 Lexus ES300, which I love.
After owning MANY Toyotas, including six trucks or 4-runners, I can only conclude that Toyota has somehow lost their vision of what constitutes a good truck. Reliability at the expense of comfort? Not what I'm interested in. If I ever need another truck, I will sure look at ALL the trucks on the market before I spend my money.
Oh yes, amazing how much depreciation takes place in less than a year with only 12K miles. Depressing....
Others have written here that the Tacoma only rides well and quietly with the TRD package; other like the ride without TRD; still others with TRD, but change the tires. The same goes for seats -- bench vs. bucket, I am tall, I am short, yadda yadda yadda... I think the 4 cylinder is very quiet while others don't. It's all a matter of preference and past experience.
I do agree with you on the backend hopping around. It has scared the crap out of me more than once.
You probably know this, but the depreciation you paid is your price for owning the vehicle such a short time. That would be the same no matter what new vehicle you were selling. When someone can get a new one for very little more than what you are asking for your slightly used model, why should they? With 4x4s, I think most people would opt for the new one, unless they knew the owner.
I hope you enjoy your Lexus. They are great cars!
Terry
I'm 6.0' tall with a 32" inseam; pretty average. Our 1989 Extra-Cab Toyota had so much seat travel that I couldn't reach the pedals with the seat all the way back. The '89 also had the excellent "sport seats", which you now have to pay $5000 for as they're only offered on the Limited. I sat in a new Ranger, and it had more leg room than the Tacoma. What happened at Toyota? After all, the Tacoma was designed in California, so it easily SHOULD have been made to fit Americans, not Japanese-sized people. So yes, my PAST experiences with Toyota trucks was much more pleasureable than my Tacoma experience, which is why I'm unhappy and posting my opinion.
As far as the depreciation goes, again I agree with you. Thank God I got a great deal on the pickup when I bought it.
Here in Colorado, you don't pay sales tax on the value of your trade-in, so I saved way over $1000 by trading it compared to selling it and paying cash for the Lexus. Given that used '99s are advertised around here for only about $1500 over what I was finally able to get as a trade-in, $500 isn't too great a loss, compared to the hassle of advertising and selling a used car. But, it took over an hour to negotiate the deal. Good thing I brought print-outs from Edmund's to support my negotiating position. It really worked!
Even with my comments above, there are a few things I would change with the Tacoma.
I would like to beef up the front end suspension. There is way to much body roll for my tastes. My tires are always squealing when I turn.
I'd also like Toyota to add third and fourth doors to the X-cabs. What a pain getting kids in and out of back there.
I am not totally satisfied with the chroming on my rear bumper. The metal underneath has some jagged edges that cut my hands every time I rub past them when washing. It also seems to rust pretty quickly.
On the other hand, I get the perspective/view like I was driving an SUV without the extra $10-12k, I have 4WD when I need it, and I get 21-24 MPG.
As you said, these are the differences between a good truck and a GREAT truck.
Terry
Terry