[TerryB2008]

I agree that there seems to be 2 different problems with the Tacoma. The lurching that is associated with actual accelleration. This one seems to be totally out of control. And the type that seems to bring the truck lurching out of a stop with the drivers foot clearly on the brake. I believe my accident was the first type. Though of course until reading of the problems, I just thought I was somehow an idiot who made some strange and unknown error. I have had the vehicle lurch hard when parking more than once, though controllable. Not the crash or disengaging of the engine type. And I jump out of a stop at nearly any stop so I know to keep my foot more firmly than normal on the brake. Knowing this makes it controllable, though I do not seem to feel it is or should be normal. And I do not feel it to be safe.
That being said, some ideas I've heard are there is a throttle sensor that gets gunked up. Forgive my nontechnicallity... I am no mechanic! It can be replaced (at intervals it sounds like) and can help, what I understood to be the lurching at the stop signs. Also can make the brake feel stiff and sticky and give a bit at the stop and can contribute to the higher and inconsistent idle. So that is where my mechanic will start. It does not sound like this shows up on computer diagnostics, so it is a trial and error. I mainly chose a mechanic who sounded like they've at least heard or and experience some of the issues. I avoided the place that told me that I had my floormat on my gas pedal.
I just do not want to put my soon-to-be new driver (my 16 year old) behind the wheel of an unsafe vehicle.
I've owned a Celica, 4runner, and Landcruiser in the past. I have no "issues" with Toyota. I've always been very happy with them. My concern is safety and making sure that things get fixed....
Terry