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Are You Happy with Tacoma? - Part II

meredithmeredith Member Posts: 575
edited March 2014 in Toyota
This topic is a continuation of Topic 425...

Are You Happy with Tacoma?. Please continue these
discussion here.
«13456

Comments

  • gozgoz Member Posts: 3
    After spending some time on the Toyota website, I'm seeing that one cannot order a Tacoma with just the options desired, but has to pick a truck equiped with a "popular option package". I'd consider ordering a 2000 extra cab 4x4 with just the following: SR5 color-keyed package, 4WDemand,and alloys w/265's. This truck would retail at under 20K, and give me pretty much everything I'd need. The question is, will it be possible for me to buy it? I'm not really interested in power accesories and tilt wheel- I just want a solid, functional truck. Any insights out there? This is one of the big advantages I see in buying a Ranger instead
  • bg4dgbg4dg Member Posts: 44
    You will NOT get a SR5 without power. The Toyota however, will hold it's value better, and probably have fewer problems if you can stand getting "the treatment" from a Toyota dealer.
  • mviglianco1mviglianco1 Member Posts: 283
    I belive you can get an sr5 without power. I wanted power when looking for my Tacoma a few months back and passed up one sr5 that did not have power group while the dealer searched for one that did. I belive you can order one the way you like but the dealerships I was talking with tried to tell me that it could not be done untill I inisted several times that I knew that they could. It will however take a while to get it.
  • keith24keith24 Member Posts: 93
    You can in fact get an SR-5 without the power package. I test drove 2 last Friday.

    I believe the Limited is the Tacoma that comes standard with the power package.

    keith24
  • mrwhippy2mrwhippy2 Member Posts: 7
    Seeing as how the topic is asking If I'm happy with my Tacoma. I'd have to say without a doubt, yes I am. This is really the first car I've ever owned and I am in love with it. My girlfriend gets mad at me because I spend more time tuning up, and adding onto my truck than I do with her (even though I don't think so). I love my Tacoma nad suggest that any perspective buyers get ahold of one now. Whether you like trucks or not, it is a great vehicle for all applications.
  • ponmponm Member Posts: 139
    Lately, i have noticed many v-6 reg cab tacomas on the road, which appeared to be models from a few years back. I was wondering if those trucks had the 3.4l v-6 or a 3.0 v-6 i have heard mentioned before. Does the 2.7L compare to the the v-6 engine that use to be in the reg cabs.
  • y2ktrdy2ktrd Member Posts: 81
    those trucks came with the 3.0 liter 2 cam 150 h.p
    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.
  • ponmponm Member Posts: 139
    Thanks for the info
  • LohengrinLohengrin Member Posts: 84
    My girlfriend wants to buy a new truck in a few months and really likes the reg. cab Tacoma 4x4. Those only come with the 2.7, as far as I know. Can't find any reviews for this engine anywhere - they all feature the 3.4L V6. Is there anyone out there with a reg. cab and the 2.7? Is this a good engine for a small truck or is it a dog even with the reg. cab? Any head gasket problems on this one? She'll probably want an auto tranny. Is that gonna suck the life out of this engine or will it be okay?
  • cwopetecwopete Member Posts: 22
    Just bought a Xtra Cab Tacoma with the 2.7 manual transmission the other day. Traded in a 99 Nissan with a V-6 for this truck. Couldn't be happier with it. The 2.7 Toyota runs much stronger than the nissan V-6. There were a few regular cab 2.7's on the lot, shouldn't be a problem finding on. I also had a 92' Xtra Cab before this, 4 cyl with the autotranny, ran great, no problems. Should've kept that truck, messed up bad getting into that nissan, now I'm back in a Toyota again (for good!).
  • tundradudetundradude Member Posts: 588
    I owned a 1994 T-100 with the 2.7. I literally had one of the first ones. I drove this vechicle for a little over 5 years and it had around 85000 miles when i sold it. It had one problem, the EGR valve went out somewhere in the 40's. It was covered under the powertrain warranty. The 2.7 does have a timing chain, so you never have to replace those belts. It also was a wonderful engine to haul stuff with, lots of power. A Tacoma would be more responsive than the T-100 because the Tacoma weighs less. I had a manual in mine, but my cousin has a 96 Tacoma LX 4x4 extended cab with an automatic and it has plenty of power. All of the automatics are ECT which means electronic controlled transmission which basically means no power loss. My 2.7 also got around 23 miles to a gallon.
  • cajunmancajunman Member Posts: 4
    I own a new Prerunner V6 Extracab.While accelerating slowly and watching the tach drop with each upshift, I noticed that it has a pronounced drop at 45 mph. I am guessing that this is the lockup point in overdrive. Is this correct?

    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.
  • zane5zane5 Member Posts: 6
    Just a couple of issues concerning my 1999 Toyota Tacoma V-6 TRD:

    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
  • y2ktrdy2ktrd Member Posts: 81
    yes they have problems with those gsa's and you will probably have to get them replaced with new ones or some different tires to cure the vibration problem.i replaced my gsa's with some rts's and they are so much nicer!
  • LohengrinLohengrin Member Posts: 84
    Thanks for the info on the 2.7. Sounds like it will run just fine. Definitely an option when the time comes to start shopping around.
  • hindsitehindsite Member Posts: 590
    Congrats on your new Taco. The Fram PH3614 is a staple for Toyotas. My 89 Camry had it. My 99 corolla has it, my 99 Camry had it, and my 99 Taco has it. Only thing I am not too keen about is the oil fill hole is over the alternator.
  • y2ktrdy2ktrd Member Posts: 81
    i wonder if toyota will ever use the rear coil spring setup from the 4 runner on the tacoma's,
    sure would ride nice!
  • tmakostmakos Member Posts: 1
    I have a rattle coming from the under side of my truck. I think it is coming from my suspension. Whenever I go over a bump I hear the rattle. The dealer is telling my it is normal suspension noise. Has anybody ever heard of this before? Please Help!
  • jbingjbing Member Posts: 1
    I've wanted a Tacoma for years, love the looks and the Toyota quality, but all the reviews I've read say that the seats are way uncomfortable. Could anyone whose fanny has ridden in one for a few thousand miles comment?
  • hindsitehindsite Member Posts: 590
    22,000 plus miles later I have no complaints about discomfort from the bucket seats in my 4x4 Taco.
  • hindsitehindsite Member Posts: 590
    Exactly where under your truck? Sorry, that I can't help, but I would take it back to the dealer if it persist.
  • GischpelGischpel Member Posts: 133
    I have 24,000+ miles in the bench seat and I, too, have no complaints about the seats. My brother is 6'3" and we just road-tripped 1,100 miles in one day with him doing the bulk of the driving. Afterward, he said he'd buy a Tacoma in a second, except his son won't fit in the X-cab seats.
  • wsnoblewsnoble Member Posts: 241
    Have 20k on my 98 Xcab 4x4 and i have no complaints about my 60/40 bench...

    -wsn
  • rwag66rwag66 Member Posts: 4
    I just crossed 2000 miles, I have the 60/40 split seats. I think the uncomfortable thing is due to perhaps the higher placement of the legs with respect to the [non-permissible content removed]. Also, at 5'9", I sat too low and with no way to raise the seat, a urban phone book did the trick, about 2". So I dismantled the seat runners and bolted in 1 1/4" square aluminum blocks. The outboard needed just longer bolts. The inner contains the hinge and seat belt assy., so I had to drill, chisel, saw and grind 3 rivets, 2 spot welds and one weld. Unless you have all the hacking tools, you might want to work out an arrangement with a fab shop.
    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.
  • jgggjgjgggjg Member Posts: 1
    Has anyone heard if Toyota plans to continue producing the Tacoma in a 4X4 REGULAR cab in 2001? I had planned to replace my 1991 Nissan 4X4 Reg. cab this summer with another Nissan, but learned the Nissan reg. cab is only available as a 4X2 in 2000 and 2001 (and I don't want the king or crew cab). So, last night, I test-drove a Tacoma and loved it! When compared to my Nissan, the Tacoma rides like a luxury car, though the clutch was really stiff. Road noise was less than my Nissan, and it had better power, and road gripping. Anyone else trade-in their reliable older Nissans for a new Tacoma?
    Jason
  • tblddstbldds Member Posts: 1
    Iave a 1999 tacoma prerunner ext cab 4x2. It is dark metallic green. After only owning it for 6 mos I noticed that the paint on the hood and cab is peeling. Toyota says it is due to tree sap. I live in a new neighborhood with no trees. Is anybody out there having smilar problems?
  • hindsitehindsite Member Posts: 590
    I have been also been told that by my friend at his collision repair shop. I have a 1998 Corolla that my wife was driving when it was rear ended by an Escort at 30 mph. When fixing it he commented on the fact that bird droppings and sap will cause the paint to peel.
  • hindsitehindsite Member Posts: 590
    Let me clarify it to you that I have five spots on the hood roughly 1/8" in diameter. Now you can call that peeling or just spectacles. Your a total idiot.
  • wsnoblewsnoble Member Posts: 241
    Post # 32 was posted by someone who does not own a toyota product and is biased agaist them. Trust me the person who posted # 33 will attest to this...

    -wsn
  • letmetalkletmetalk Member Posts: 19
    I guess I would be one of these guys who wants a 4x4 but will rarely engage it, let alone drive it off road. I am currently driving an inherited Jeep Cherokee which did not see 4WD until the last two weekends in Big Bear (California snow camp and ski area.) Conditions were awful and having the 4WD was a dream. My current needs are to have a pickup for my projects but it will also serve as my primary camping vehicle with the kids (Scouts, Indian Guides ...) I like the ride and handling of the TRD package the best after test driving several configurations. I didn't look closely at the Wrangler GSA's, are they Mud + Snow rated? Has anyone bought the TRD package and negotiated for different tires? Any particular reason you would not want a M + S tire on an Off Road Package?

    Thanks for any opinions.
    Dan
  • y2ktrdy2ktrd Member Posts: 81
    I have a 2000 trd and i too was not happy with the gsa's,they were very loud and the truck had a
    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)
  • jpnycjpnyc Member Posts: 3
    I'm interested in the 2WD PreRunner 4 cyl.
    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.
  • jpnycjpnyc Member Posts: 3
    I'm interested in the 2WD PreRunner 4 cyl.
    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.
  • GischpelGischpel Member Posts: 133
    I will certainly offend some with this, but I think the PreRunners and 4x4s are so much better looking than the standard 2WD Tacomas.

    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
  • zane5zane5 Member Posts: 6
    I also am noticing a small vibration from the Goodyear GSA tires on my 1999 Tacoma TRD. Took it to a Goodyear dealer who said that Goodyear now has a special cone to fit the 31" rim when balancing. However, after having this done (been balanced several times), I still notice a little vibration. I agree with Dan Post #36 that the vibration probably is the GSA tires and it would be worth it to pay the extra cash for a replacement set. Any one else having similar tire vibration problems on their TRDs? Any recommendations for a set of tires to replace the GSA? Thanks
  • doug103doug103 Member Posts: 4
    I own a 1999 Toyota 4x4 Extracab with the 4cyl engine. I absolutely love this truck! It gives a great ride, it's very stable and sturdy. The truck is also very solid on and off road. I was blazing the trails only two weeks after I got the truck and I was impressed. The 4cyl has plenty of torque for going over those rocky trails and having 12" of clearance helps avoid and under carriage damage. I would recommend to anyone to purchase the Toyota.
  • y2ktrdy2ktrd Member Posts: 81
    I replaced my gsa's with rt/s models and they are great!Did they try rotating your tires on the wheels to get the best runout?...i had to do this to a couple of my tires to get them right.
  • cwopetecwopete Member Posts: 22
    Just finished cruising through the Ranger vs. Tacoma topic #1639. Too bad it's a frozen topic, alot more to be said there. Yes I too have been to the F.O.R.D. (Found On Road Dead) dealer prior to purchasing my Tacoma. This dealer had "great" prices in the paper, turned out to be B.S. Sure, they'd sell you a Ranger at invoice, but they only offered me $2,000 for my trade-in, a 92 Toyota Xtra Cab 2WD. Sure, it had seen better years and had 89,000 miles, but it still ran great, looked great and ran better than that wheezy 4.0L V-6 in the Ranger. To top it off, the salesman is talking the old "Ford quality job 1" story, and the wife and I are going over the truck, and the carpet is coming up, not installed right at all, the door panels didn't fit right, the hardware was cheap plastic, and the engine rattled like an old VW Bug. So we bailed on them and went to the Toyota dealer. Bought a 2000 Tacoma SR5 Extended Cab 4x4, 2.7L, 5 spd, CD stereo, super nice truck below invoice and they gave us $7,000 for our trade in. My point here is that if you have doubts about your Tacoma purchase, DON'T. You made a great choice, the domestic manufacturers still can't match Toyota quality. Maybe someday they'll get it right, but until then, I'm not throwing my hard earned cash away on a second rate truck.
  • briscoe1briscoe1 Member Posts: 7
    If you or others have Toyota alloy wheels therein lies your problems with balancing. Toy alloy wheels are lug-centric not hub centric. When they are balanced they need a special hub that the wheel/tire is mounted to then placed on the balancer. It is like fingers with the lugs on it and the shaft is mounted on the balancer. If your tire shop balances off the hub (as is standard) you will always hve the vibration problems. This is a problem even at Toy dealers, duh. I wouldn't trade my Tacoma for anything, I just wish they would let all tire dealers know about the balancing issue. Trust me, been there, done that. Get the word out, you have to have your wheels/tires lug centrically balanced!
  • wsnoblewsnoble Member Posts: 241
    Is this the same Briscoe from tacoma territory?

    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
  • zane5zane5 Member Posts: 6
    Briscoe, thanks for information concerning the balance problem with the Tacoma alloy rims. I'm sure a lot of Tacoma owners will thankful in knowing this information when having their tires balanced. Zane
  • y2ktrdy2ktrd Member Posts: 81
    i had a 97 tacoma for three years and now a 2000
    and they have been nothing but awsome!
  • cygnusx1cygnusx1 Member Posts: 290
    Somebody a ways back posted whether anyone had
    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.
  • tistevetisteve Member Posts: 142
    I have a'99 TRD Extra Cab with the GSA's and have had problems with vibrations at 60 MPH. The dealer spun balanced them twice with no improvement. Was told to take it to a local Goodyear dealer, that the front two were out of round. Goodyear said there was no problem ($60 later!) and that bushings were loose and front end was out of alignment (at 5,000 miles, yea right, this is a TOYOTA!) Went back to Toyota dealer and they agreed to replace the front two at no charge. Another example of Toyota taking care of their customers. Seems much better now, but I am concerned that when I rotate, problem may re-occur. Thanks for the tip on "lug-centric", never heard of it. I now have lifetime balancing and rotation from Goodyear(after $60)and will certainly mention it to them next rotation.
    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)!
  • rickc5rickc5 Member Posts: 378
    I purchased a 1999 Tacoma in June of 1999. Pretty loaded vehicle: 4x4; V6; Auto; TRD; AC; PW; PDL; Cruise; etc. Got a good price from Boulder Toyota. My reason for buying was that I changed jobs and had to commute long distances on the crowded Denver freeways, where sitting up high in a 4x4 has distinct advantages.

    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....
  • GischpelGischpel Member Posts: 133
    It's too bad your experience with the Tacoma was not so good, but much of what you've conveyed deals with subjective topics -- seat comfort, ride comfort, engine noise, and tire noise.

    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
  • rickc5rickc5 Member Posts: 378
    You're absolutely right about my subjectivity. But ya know, that's what separates a good truck (reliable, competent, etc.) from a GREAT truck (totally love it & would buy another). IMHO- The Tacoma was a GOOD truck, but not a GREAT truck.

    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!
  • GischpelGischpel Member Posts: 133
    Glad to hear you got a good value on the trade. I recently traded my wife's Taurus for a Honda Odyssey and still kick myself for not selling it outright. I guess I will get my reward in Heaven.

    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
  • jaguar245jaguar245 Member Posts: 4
    Within a year I am going to be looking for a new truck. I am looking for a 95 or newer Tacoma ext cab and the 3.4L v6. Have any of you driven one with an automatic, if so how was it. I would prefer a manual trany. I am also a person who can justify the need of 4-wheel drive. How good are the 1995 and 1996 models compared to the 98's.
  • GischpelGischpel Member Posts: 133
    I am not the history expert here, but I believe it was not until the 97 or 98 models that Toyota fixed a somehwat notorious head gasket problem with the V6s found in Tacomas. If you scroll back a ways through the posts, it is spelled out somehwhere in detail. I have a 98 and am quite happy with the 4 cyl and manual tranny. The V6 was too many horses for my lead right foot.

    Terry
This discussion has been closed.