If you had it to over again, would you still buy a Tacoma? - Page 6

WilsonTheDog · #76 (**permalink**) 10-12-2008, 03:02 AM

I'd definitely buy my Tacoma again. The Scion tC, if I had it to do over I'd get a Matrix instead.

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Phoenix

If I had the chance to do it all over, I would have gone back to 2001-2004 era. My 2007 is nothing but a headache with people hitting me (and not having insurance) and a clutch disc separating at 21K.

Been there, done that (drunk illegal alien rearended me and guy in a Doge Ram ran a stop sign and sideswiped me), but I don't get how that is the fault of Toyota (people hitting you).

clifpaul · #77 (**permalink**) 10-12-2008, 04:33 AM

I'd gladly buy the Tacoma I got now all over again. It does everything I need and hasn't let me down yet.

Jason.MZW20 · #78 (**permalink**) 10-12-2008, 08:32 PM

Well, while this thread is bumped, I might as well chime in. Even with all of the issues of my early 05, I'd still get another one. It's matured well, has excellent capability, and has never let me down in the snow, dirt, etc. etc. My only gripe with it now is the automatic tranny. It's slow to downshift, quick to upshift for fuel economy. I hate it because it's usually never in the right powerband and it seems to bog the engine at times. So, to get around that I shift it manually when the A/T ECU is slow to act.

I know the manual tranny isn't that great either, but I'm much better with manuals than with automatics. Afterall, I did come from an MR2. I'd definitely get a manual V6 with a short throw shifter. I've had experience with Toyota's sychros, since my MR2's were worn in 2nd and 3rd and would grind occassionally. Sometimes it'd be hard to get it into 2nd at all until I slowed down a bit, but that was only when I was really getting on it.

I also think the 4-leaf springs should be standard on all of the larger Tacos with higher payload ratings.

Gary Olson · #79 (**permalink**) 10-12-2008, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icepick

No I would not buy one again. I would go back to my 99 tacoma. I don't like the larger size.

When I first looked at the '06 Tacoma, that was my first thought "Who put my favorite truck on steroids?" First test drive I thought I had a trick truck: this big thing moved too easily thru traffic with a tight U-turn. Second test drive and really putting the screws to the sales guy, I was sold.

Getting older, I like the higher ride: easier in and out and better view of the traffic. It's a little light in the back for a truck of that size; but, that helps with mpg. Really does need a modern locking fuel door with release lever. The seats could be 4 inches longer for leg support. The standard radio/CDplayer could use an mp3 player input. And with a cap, a back up camera would be useful.

But, yes, I would buy the exact same truck again.

dickinsonj · #80 (**permalink**) 10-13-2008, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason.MZW20

Afterall, I did come from an MR2.

So, what MR2's did you have? I had an '86 that I drove until somone was nice enough to total it for me. Then I had an '88 Supercharged MR2 that I drove for a few years but eventually sold because it was getting too rusty and needed too much work. Those were both great cars and I really miss them. I friend of mine just sold a cherry '94 Turbo MR2 a few years ago and if I could have afforded it I would have grabbed that car.

I also would buy my 2005 Tacoma all over again. Like any vehicle it is not perfect, but overall it is really nice and it is holding up very well. Someone I work with just commented this morning that it still looks brand new. You mention the automatic not shifting as you would like - is yours a 4 banger? I have only owned one other automatic vehicle ever, but I think mine shifts fine with the V-6. The only thing I have had done was the cab mount TSB, and otherwise it has been a great truck and met all my expectations.

Jim

lelandstanford · #81 (**permalink**) 10-13-2008, 12:36 PM

Not really.

Since Toyota does not offer HiLux it's the next best choice.

huntinbambalam · #82 (**permalink**) 10-14-2008, 12:23 PM

i would not buy a toyota again, ever. this truck has been plagued with mechanical/quality problems from day one. Nothing but trouble. Brake clinking, electrical problems, driveshaft shudder, lunging, rearend squeek, tailgate bending, instability on the highway, rough starts, clicking sounds from the motor and on and on and on. Toyota refuses to acknowledge that it put out a real junker in this one. Maybe 10 years ago toyota made a truck, but today they are just like all the rest put them out as fast as possible and make all the money you can. Screw the consumer. I bought this truck because of the reputation of "quality" that toyota seems to have somehow gained a reputation of (big snowblow). buy one of these and you will soon be sorry. i went to trade it in and local Ford dealer said no thanks, he said "with all the known problems with toyotas, especially your model Taco, we are not even prepared to make you an offer on a trade in."

so if you want to not be disappointed, to somewhere else. And that bed that the dealer said was indestructible, stronger than steel, put something in the back and you will quickly see how tough it is. i would rate the tacoma a grocery getter at best. Just dont expect too much out of it
so no, i would not buy one again,
oh, and that bed rail system, what a joke, if you tie something down, dont use anything heavier than dental floss and have your 5 year old pull on it. any more than that and those will pull out

Jason.MZW20 · #83 (**permalink**) 10-14-2008, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dickinsonj

So, what MR2's did you have? I had an '86 that I drove until somone was nice enough to total it for me. Then I had an '88 Supercharged MR2 that I drove for a few years but eventually sold because it was getting too rusty and needed too much work. Those were both great cars and I really miss them. I friend of mine just sold a cherry '94 Turbo MR2 a few years ago and if I could have afforded it I would have grabbed that car.

I also would buy my 2005 Tacoma all over again. Like any vehicle it is not perfect, but overall it is really nice and it is holding up very well. Someone I work with just commented this morning that it still looks brand new. You mention the automatic not shifting as you would like - is yours a 4 banger? I have only owned one other automatic vehicle ever, but I think mine shifts fine with the V-6. The only thing I have had done was the cab mount TSB, and otherwise it has been a great truck and met all my expectations.

Jim

It's good to see previous MR2 owners on this board. I still have my two MR2s. The one in my signature (1991) is the one fitted with a 2000 Camry V6 mated to a rebuilt manual tranny. The heads are also ported on the engine and I rebuilt the bottom end myself. Haven't gotten to take it for a spin yet because it needs a custom passenger side motor mount that I'm waiting on. My other MR2 is also a 1991 but non-turbo. Slow but it's still fun through the mountains.

Well I have a double cab V6 with the A750F (4x4). My previous transmission blew up after numerous visits to the dealer about a burning automatic transmission fluid smell and extremely harsh shifting (i had my rear wheels hop in LA traffic one time). Turns out one of the main seals in the transmission failed and completely burned up the tranny after the fluid blew out of it and nearly caught fire on the hot exhaust (i had a trail of smoke for a little while until there was no fluid left to turn the turbine). So, I got a replacement without hassle because of how many times I went in there, and I pretty much said, I told you so. They were relying on OBDII/CAN codes when there was an obvious mechanical fault.

Generally, it does shift fine now on flat roads, but when climbing a steep grade, it never seems set on holding the gear (even with a steady pedal) unless I'm in cruise control or I do it myself with the lever. It'll upshift and downshift constantly like an old, dumb A/T. And then other times, it'll hold it fine without CC. So, I don't really like its programming or its shift maps. And if someone else drives it for a while, it gets confused because it learns driving styles. Then when I resume driving it, it just doesn't know what to do, so I usually clear the ECU via the OBDII port.

dickinsonj · #84 (**permalink**) 10-15-2008, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason.MZW20

It's good to see previous MR2 owners on this board. I still have my two MR2s.

Cool - nice cars - I bet the V-6 is a real hoot! I have been thinking about looking around for another one myself. I have a '93 Lexus SC300 with a 5 speed manual and some nice wheels and tires that only has 38K miles. I may see what I can get for it next spring and start looking around for another MR2. Any favorite years I should check out, or are all the 2nd gen cars pretty much the same?

I drive my truck fairly hard, so maybe my personal shift map makes it more responsive. Hard to say.

enlightened · #85 (**permalink**) 10-15-2008, 08:52 PM

Definately. Excellent gas mileage with the 2.7 four cylinder (almost double the MPG of my '01 Tundra's V-8...19mpg vrs. 10-11mpg), carries almost as much weight (*with the Superspring addition), has a solid feel (except on big bumps) and is extremely reliable and trustworthy, and as a added plus I get it serviced at one of the best dealerships around (Toyota rated #2 in the Ann Arbor area beaten out by a VW/Audi dealer that won it 11 years straight! according to local monthly rag).

Only thing that I would consider as a replacement: An electric/gas hybrid combination, or an L4 diesel (also with possible hybrid combo) w/slightly smaller version body style something like the Hilux in foreign countries.

rotty23 · #86 (**permalink**) 10-19-2008, 06:37 PM

I have a 06 4x4 extended cab V6 that I absolutely love...I will definately buy again

USAFTUNDRA · #87 (**permalink**) 10-19-2008, 11:10 PM

I have your 4.0 in my AC Tundra. I love this engine. I've heard some have complained about the transmission and it's shift points. I put a 18" magnaflow on and duals from the muffler back. This helped a lot on hills. She's not so quick to hunt for gears and only down shifts on a pretty good grade. I drove across Missouri foot hills for 3 hours and I can count on a hand and half how many times it down shifted on grades.

Size wise, my truck is very similar to the DC Taco.

I would buy again. For Sure!

Jason.MZW20 · #88 (**permalink**) 10-20-2008, 02:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USAFTUNDRA

I have your 4.0 in my AC Tundra. I love this engine. I've heard some have complained about the transmission and it's shift points. I put a 18" magnaflow on and duals from the muffler back. This helped a lot on hills. She's not so quick to hunt for gears and only down shifts on a pretty good grade. I drove across Missouri foot hills for 3 hours and I can count on a hand and half how many times it down shifted on grades.

Size wise, my truck is very similar to the DC Taco.

I would buy again. For Sure!

I've resorted to using 91 octane only as this increases the engine's torque production by about 19lb-ft, and is dyno proven. Toyota rates the 1GR on 87 octane at 266lb-ft, but dynos on 91 octane show 285lb-ft.

I drive through a steep mountain pass every so often here in southern CA, so it can be very annoying when the transmission can't make up its mind. If I do use 87, I just put the truck in cruise control and the transmission downshifts and holds without issue.

I would like to see Toyota return to its roots with a rugged Toyota Pickup/Hilux type for the U.S. market. Something small and agile.

scottto93 · #89 (**permalink**) 10-24-2008, 12:45 AM

tacoma needs a V8 and the driveline vibrations eliminated.......oh and the cruise control is insane