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TacomaGeneral discussion forum for the 2005 and later Toyota Tacoma.
This is a discussion thread titled "- Test Drive 2005 Tacoma Thread -", within the Tacoma forum, part of the Truck Forums category.
Well, my dealership (Coggin) in Jacksonville, FL got a white Prerunner V6 DC Long Bed with TRD Sport Package. The internet sales manager and I have been exchanging emails for the past 6 months about them. He called this afternoon and told me to come on in. Of course, I dropped everything and went for a test drive. Here's my impression:
Outside: very good build quality; composite bed is much more stronger and durable than I expected; a pleasant relief indeed. Tight tolerances between meeting body components.
Engine compartment: More than enough room to root around in there. And the oil filter is on top just as the 4Runner 4.0. Very clean layout.
Inside: The silver center console is much more pleasant in person. I was worried it would be more of that el cheapo silver painted plastic. But, this is a reverse dimpled type material. It seems it would be very durable and take some good abuse. Not an issue at all for me anymore. Seating seems just like the 4Runner. Its a little tight for me at 6'2" 200lbs, but that may be because I'm used to test driving Tundras for the past week. They dropped the very versatile tilt steering in the old Tacoma and Tundra for the more limited mobile one found in the 4Runner. Not good for long leggers like myself. The highest position of the tilt that I needed made the top of the wheel interfere with my seeing the top of the gauge cluster. They added the telescopic feature as you know, but that did nothing for me; at least in this particular vehicle.
Driving Experience: Strong engine and quiet unlike the last Tacoma V6. I cruised up to 70mph and wind noise was comparable to the Tundra. The transmission was very fluid. Brakes and steering were natural. A very intuitive driving experience typical of almost all Toyotas. It took bumps in the road fairly well, but still not quite as good as the Tundra. I guess that's to be expected in a lighter, shorter wheel base truck. Takes turns such as on and off ramps very confidently with little body roll at all.
One thing I noticed is that it was turning 3000RPM's at 70mph. I was wondering if that was a little higher than expected given its VVT-i and 5-speed transmission. Can anyone comment on whether that sounds right?
Price: The final sticker that the dealer adds after the factory sticker with destination, mats, stripes, and all that jazz came to $27,100.
I was thinking the same thing. So, I purposely set the cruise to make sure I got a good reading.
And yes, I'm thinking along the same line as you with the Tundra. Better ride & comfort, more space. Gas mileage obviously takes a hit. But I can get into an SR5 V8 Access Cab for around $24k with the 1k rebate right now.
Posts elsewhere on TS show that the two top gears of the new 5 speed auto are about the same as the two top gears of last year's 4 speed. The additional gear gives the 5 speed a lower low and less jump between gears 1 thru 3. With the Tacoma's 3.73 (or so) rear-end, the 3000 rpm in 5th at 70mph may be correct--- but I hope not. 2000-2200 at 70mph would be much better for fuel economy and the improved torque of the new 4.0 motor should handle a 4000lb truck easily at that rpm. Maybe someone can hold one in 3rd, 4th and 5th at 70mph during a test drive and tell us what the rpm's are in each gear.
Its a little tight for me at 6'2" 200lbs, but that may be because I'm used to test driving Tundras for the past week.
The specs give the Tundra just .9" more headroom and .1" more front legroom. It's the width (hip & shoulder room) where the Tundra has 4-6" on the Tacoma. Is this where it felt tight?
Also, the Tacoma dc longbed has a .4" longer wheelbase than the Tundra dc. So maybe the ride was due to the TRD package and/or the lighter weight?
3k rpms at 70mph is too high for a V6. Is there an overdrive cancel button? The overdrive must have been off somehow. According to Car&Driver the 6sp manual will do 84 mph @3k rpm or 75mph @2600. This translates to about 2500 rpm at 70mph. The auto can't be that far off.
I looked for an overdrive on/off switch and for an indication on the dash that O/D was off. But could find neither. Then again, I was trying to take the whole vehicle in at once. I could have missed it to be honest. We'll know soon enough.
Yes, the shoulder and hip room did feel a little tight just like the 4Runner. I could get used to it. Again, I think I'm just used to test driving the Tundras lately.
I looked for an overdrive on/off switch and for an indication on the dash that O/D was off. But could find neither. Then again, I was trying to take the whole vehicle in at once. I could have missed it to be honest. We'll know soon enough.
Yes, the shoulder and hip room did feel a little tight just like the 4Runner. I could get used to it. Again, I think I'm just used to test driving the Tundras lately.
OD off = move gear selector into 4th gear
3000 is high. My car, 5 speed auto, turns 2000 at 70.
Bluto - I think you're right on the money. Now that I recall, the "4" was illuminated in the instrument cluster that indicates the gear you're in. Thanks for mentioning that. That's a relief!
Just got done driving a 4x4 double cab and all i have to say is niiiiiiiice. this truck is excactly want im looking for right size and right value.
it had the trd sport package but the tire were kinda weak but that let me spin the wheels easier. the seats were very comfy and suportive but i could see how a "big Guy" would find them a little to small. engine and tranny are super smooth the 4.0 does the job with power to spare, guess that means no dakota 4.7 for me, the shifter is cool i like it in the center console but i little tricky getting into reverse compares to reagular staight console shifters.
the bed liner is really nice its feels like a drop in but has the look of a spray in the radio was more than suffcient, rear doors open nice and wiiiiiide, there is plenty of storage under the seats and a couple of little boxes in the bed.
the sticker was 29,000 but im sure that i could bring it down a little but since im not going to start talking price with the salesman till after the first of november or even wait till december. either way there is a spot reserved in my garage for a new tacoma.
can the compartments in the bed be locked? not a big deal just curious. i really want to stop by the local dealers to see if they have any in yet. i wonder if longo has any in yet?
over in the ttora boards Donahoe Racing is working on a double cab 4 x 4 trd sport with some spy pics. i'll try to post a pic, but we'll see...
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Drove an '05 Tacoma Prerunner DC Today!
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