Tacoma thoughts

"CB" (jrcb) 11/18/2019 at 14:12 • Filed to: Many months too early car shopping with CB

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I think it’s off my list. The cab feels tighter than my Fiesta (as in I smashed my knee on the steering wheel getting in), both the Ranger and Colorado felt bigger inside . It’s $44k for a model with next to no options . Yeah, it'll run forever and go to the ends of the earth, but for daily livability, I can't see this as my only vehicle. No test drive today, but maybe I'll try next summer during serious shopping. 

Tripper > CB 11/18/2019 at 14:25

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Very crude for the price indeed. I’m back and forth all of the time with a Tacoma because of the 3 pedal options and my previous need for a newer car that is safe for my child.

When comparing it with the Alltrack that I bought, the bottom line was “Tripper do you think the Taco is worth another 18k!” Nope, depreciation and all.

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > CB 11/18/2019 at 14:26

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I’m thinking of buying a friend’s Tacoma. Its about an 07 but the kind of tacoma that got it’s oil changed every day, twice on sundays, parked on a wool carpet (natural fibres only) and had soft kitty sung to it every night. I feel I might be a di sapp ointment to the current owners as I would do truck stuff with it, and probably put stuff in the bed and scratch it/get it dirty. 

Ash78, voting early and often > CB 11/18/2019 at 14:27

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I agree — after sitting in one, I felt like I was cramped into a smallish hatchback with giant overhangs. I’m generally wary of not being able to see the road in front of me for 20+ feet, as well. Making the cab another 1-2" taller would make a big difference.

HammerheadFistpunch > CB 11/18/2019 at 14:27

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the Tacoma is like a hiking boot. it will either fit you and become part of you as it breaks in, it will be inoffensive and durable, or it will be a completely wrong fit.

long leg people i think struggle with it.

Future next gen S2000 owner > CB 11/18/2019 at 14:29

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I like my Taco. The high floor is weird. The manual makes it for me. When I got mine, the Ranger and Ridgeline weren’t out. If the Canyon had lumbar support in the lower trims, I probably would have gotten that. Dollar for dollar, I got more stuff in the Taco over the Canyon. Taco’s are low to mid 30's trucks. Over 40K is crazy.

dogisbadob > CB 11/18/2019 at 14:29

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What do you think of the Ridgeline? Or possibly even a van like the Transit Connect or Metris

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Future next gen S2000 owner 11/18/2019 at 14:33

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Yeah, my Tacoma was 32.5 (Off Road 4x4 manual).

Future next gen S2000 owner > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 11/18/2019 at 14:36

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That’s where my sport came in. 32K I believe. I went Sport 4x4 manual.  

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > Ash78, voting early and often 11/18/2019 at 14:36

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And the trd adds a dumb  1” hoodscoop. 

Textured Soy Protein > CB 11/18/2019 at 14:42

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I’m not a fan of any truck/SUV that lacks a proper full-time 4wd mode. 

Tripper > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 11/18/2019 at 14:43

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Damn, That is what I’m talking about! Maybe it’s the area or that I just looked at two really nice ones but they were both over 40k. Didn’t you order yours? Even now I just built a base off road with a manual and it was 36k. I guess they’re giving a slight break on sticker?

I would probably still be in the Alltrack because I wanted a “car” and I made what I believe to be a great deal. S ticker was 36 and I paid 27k.

jminer > CB 11/18/2019 at 14:44

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I'm in a rental Frontier this week and know how you feel. It's large but not on the inside and is pretty expensive for what it is.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > CB 11/18/2019 at 14:45

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I think (not having ever met you however) that the Outback is going to be your best bet.

Don’t give into peer pressure, you don’t need a truck!

HammerheadFistpunch > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 11/18/2019 at 14:47

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That hood scoop is so stupid.  It boggles the mind that people will pay aftermarket to get the sport hood on their Tacoma’s.  ITS ONLY AN UGLY LIABILITY PEOPLE!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Tripper 11/18/2019 at 14:51

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Yeah, made just for me in San Antonio! Zero options, and I did get some off MSRP (and a $1000 Toyota sales incentive ). Mine’s an ‘18. 

Nothing > CB 11/18/2019 at 14:51

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I liked my 2nd gen. I sat in a third gen and the roof support beam they’ve added was intrusive for my seating position . The rest of the ergos felt similar to the 2nd gen. 

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 11/18/2019 at 14:52

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That’s the Sport or the Pro. Off Road has no scoop.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer 11/18/2019 at 14:53

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Sounds like a pretty great purchase.

nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul > HammerheadFistpunch 11/18/2019 at 14:53

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Just did a 9 hour drive in my dad's '12 Tacoma and at 6' I felt way cramped. Hell work boots barely fit where the pedals are. 

Tripper > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 11/18/2019 at 14:53

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I just looked back in my emails and both were TRD pro’s with the six speed. The one that I was really hot for was 43xxx and they said I could take it for 40 even if I put xyz down...

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Tripper 11/18/2019 at 14:56

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Yeah, I think the Pros are overpriced.

HammerheadFistpunch > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul 11/18/2019 at 14:58

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as a barely 5 niner with short legs i can't say i know that feel. Japanese cars for me.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Tripper 11/18/2019 at 14:59

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That is a great deal you got on the Alltrack - did it come with the super-long warranty, too?

Gone > CB 11/18/2019 at 15:00

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Could not deal with the seats/seating/ergos, the transmission weirdness (auto because wife drives it too sometimes), the initial cost (resale or not), and the smaller cab - especially the backseat area. Got a ZR2 V6 Crew that had a lot of cash on the hood instead. The Ranger was floppy, drivetrain was nice, nice front seats, no split back seat is dumb (we have a kid), and Ford’s chime sounds bug the hell out of me for some reason.

At near 800mi now. Initial thoughts - good:
DSSV shocks are mint - rides like a stiff truck until the wheel velocity is high enough that it still rides like a stiff truck but you just hit a giant pothole and didn’t even notice it.
Quiet inside
Like the seats (mine have the power lumbar - 6way)
Entertainment interface is good w/Car Play and Android
Drivetrain combo works for me, but am getting used to 8 vs 4 gears lol. The diesel needed +30-40hp, what a dog. Was all aboard the coal roller until I drove it.
Decent payload (1260lbs)

Dislikes:
Fuel tank is too small (needs +5gal, but all midsizes do)
Headlights are meh and no foglights sucks
Wish it had a knob instead of a shifter, total waste of console space
Turning circle kinda sucks
WTF with the bed floor load heights on these midsizes. Damn!
Crap towing at 5k lbs (because ZR2 yadayada)
Edited to add - The faux scoop/raised hood is silly and I feel like a 40yr old Bro Douche having it there

Nothing > Textured Soy Protein 11/18/2019 at 15:04

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That’s an awfully small list. You might as well say you don’t like trucks/SUVs.

Textured Soy Protein > Nothing 11/18/2019 at 15:12

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I don’t like trucks and SUVs. But I’ve owned a couple of Grand Cherokees, which had full-time 4wd.

For driving on-road, in bad weather , full-time 4wd is so much better than locked part-time 4wd. Yes, locking the front & rear axles together is useful to get un-stuck, but driving around locked all the time is not the most desirable way to go in bad weather. You want a center differential for bad weather. A lmost every “real” truck/SUV with a real transfer case that contains a center differential for full-time 4wd is capable of locking.

The only reason the automakers keep leaving full-time 4wd out is because it’s cheaper for them to do so and truck/SUV buyers are often idiots who say HURR DURR FULL-TIME 4WD ISN’T REAL 4WD THAT’S FOR LADIES.

Tripper > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 11/18/2019 at 15:15

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Oh yea, 6/72k. It had been on their lot since January and I bought in July. That’ s on top of it being a high spec version of a car that no one in A merica wants with even fewer wanting the 3 pedal variant.

The woman in finance got a big “told ya” to the sales guys as the car had become sort of an inside joke. They all said that they only way they would get rid of it is to trade it to another dealer that really wanted/needed something else they had. She argued that one day someone will call asking about that car in particular, and that that person would be the buyer.

On July 6 I called and said. “Hey I’m calling about the grey Alltrack with the manual transmission”

The guy: “yup”

Me: “do you sill.....”

The guy: “YUP”

Me: Cool, I will be over in an hour to check it out

Dealership people: *Do dealership things*

Me: Buys car

The finance woman told me that she snapped up her Diesel Toureg off of employee lease before they could tell her no during the scandal. Car enthusiasts, a predictable bunch.

Shift24 > CB 11/18/2019 at 15:19

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Did a review on one a year ago. Overall impressed but lacking interior wise. Wouldn't rule out a full size because of the incentives they hand out for them. $44k can get you a decent full-size if you have to get new

https://oppositelock.kinja.com/road-trip-from-the-devil-saved-by-a-taco-1827652546

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Tripper 11/18/2019 at 15:19

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That’s great.

Pickup_man > HammerheadFistpunch 11/18/2019 at 15:21

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Pretty much this, the Tacoma’s problem IMO is that the floor is just so high. Of the few I’ve driven I’ve liked the overall cab size, but always felt like my knees were in my face. The Tacoma is really the only Japanese vehicle I notice this in.

6'0" for reference. 34" inseam. 

LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com > Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer 11/18/2019 at 15:24

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I laughed at the excellent description of current treatment. Beautiful.

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 11/18/2019 at 15:32

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It’s only slightly hyperbolic. It probably has never spent the night outside or even in the dark.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > CB 11/18/2019 at 15:53

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So weird reading all the comments. My work Taco is absolutely cavernous to me, and I’m 5'11". Maybe it’s a matter of... “volumptuousness.”

Grindintosecond > CB 11/18/2019 at 15:54

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Get last year of gen.2, enjoy.

MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick) > HammerheadFistpunch 11/18/2019 at 15:56

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#beingsmallrulessometimes

MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick) > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 11/18/2019 at 16:00

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Once you’ve seen what the developing world does with worn out economy cars and utes  you realize almost no one ‘needs’ a truck

CB > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 11/18/2019 at 16:01

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I'm the same height and lanky. So who knows.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick) 11/18/2019 at 16:01

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true story

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > CB 11/18/2019 at 16:03

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I will say I was in a 4Runner Limited recently, and with the sunroof headroom was pitiful. Did your tester have a sunroof?

CB > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 11/18/2019 at 16:06

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Nope, no sunroof. I wouldn't want less headroom, either.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > CB 11/18/2019 at 16:12

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Hmm... Maybe I just have really awful posture...

CB > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 11/18/2019 at 16:15

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Yours is also a second gen, right?

Gone > Textured Soy Protein 11/18/2019 at 16:16

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T he half ton GMs , the Ram, and the F150 offer full-time 4wd , either standard or by way of options. The midsize GM twins have it standard on all but the WTs. The Tacoma has a full time system on some models , but the Ranger and Gladiator don’t.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > CB 11/18/2019 at 16:17

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That’s true, it is. Though I thought the proportions of the third were supposed to be extremely similar, but maybe it really is smaller inside

Textured Soy Protein > Gone 11/18/2019 at 16:18

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I’m not aware of any Tacoma with a center diff.

The 4th gen 4Runner offered a Torsen center diff as standard but on the 5th gen only the Limited gets the diff and the other trims are all part-time. 

LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com > Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer 11/18/2019 at 16:28

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Really? They leave the lights on inside the garage to keep it company?

DasWauto > CB 11/18/2019 at 16:32

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I’m going to look for a manual Tacoma to test drive at some point, as that’s the only reason I’d consider one. I drove one 3+ years ago now  before I bought the WRX  but I need to refresh my memory and see if it suits me. 

Gone > Textured Soy Protein 11/18/2019 at 16:38

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Who ops . For some reason I thought it was available on the Tacoma too . G ood catch.

CB > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 11/18/2019 at 16:41

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Mind comparing for us the next time you look at a Corolla?

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > CB 11/18/2019 at 17:01

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[depressed sigh]

nermal > Textured Soy Protein 11/18/2019 at 17:16

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All of the domestic 1500 trucks have this available, and so do the GM 2500 / 3500s now.

I’ve had both with and without, and agree that if it’s available I want it. Current truck doesn’t have it though.

IJustWantMyZBack > CB 11/18/2019 at 17:41

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I wish they would have used  the higher roof that they had in the first gen Tundra in Taco.

Under_Score > CB 11/18/2019 at 19:30

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I fit in these fine and I’m very tall. 

Captain of the Enterprise > CB 11/18/2019 at 20:34

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My issues are the drum brakes in the rear and the non height adjustable seats. I’d rather have the 4Runner since I prefer SUVs but I test drove one and it was sooo slow that I eliminated it for the future. I basically had to floor it to get it moving from a stop and definitely had to just to merge on the freeway. 

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 11/18/2019 at 20:35

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acording to the interwebs, the 3rd gen roof is .5" lower and the seat is shaped differently as some were trying to put 2 gen seats into 3rd gen tacos.