WELCOME TO RIVER DAVES PLACE

Tacoma Drivers

DWC

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 9, 2012
Messages
12,469
Reaction score
27,688
I got one as a one way rental from Phx to Havasu a few months ago. The power was underwhelming and mileage sucked.
 

Paradox

Known Inmate #27012
Joined
Jul 12, 2020
Messages
1,173
Reaction score
3,250
Lol. I (almost) drive my leased 2023 daily. Shitty gas milage, horrible power but, comfortable, good in the rain, it’s a 4x and I get a lot of utility out of having (abate a small) truck in Cali. The big truck stays in Havasu.

Added plus: Because the resale is so high on these, the lease was cheap. One payment up front and done.

In terms of how I drive, I may be a bit more aggressive than I should..

Edit: a lot of negative thoughts on the Taco today. I guess I’m one of the few that don’t think it’s that bad..

IMG_8234.jpeg
 
Last edited:

JFMFG

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 9, 2018
Messages
4,190
Reaction score
6,675
My shop foreman bought one a few years back. Base model work truck for 52k otd when he told me I almost fell out of my chair. 750$ a month for that thing.
 

attitude

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 30, 2009
Messages
4,010
Reaction score
7,176
My company truck was a TRD Tacoma, total POS. Uncomfortable, flaking clear coat after just a couple years, wiring that rats love to eat, crappy mileage, horrible torque convert engagement, expensive.

These are the poor man’s G wagon, aka people just drive them to say they drive them lol…

Before the TRD I had a SR5 that had the same exact MSRP as my Ram, no idea why anyone would choose to drive a Tacoma over a Ram or any other full size truck.
 

Gelcoater

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 26, 2009
Messages
22,349
Reaction score
38,964
Ram, no idea why anyone would choose to drive a Tacoma over a Ram or any other full size truc
Size I’d guess.
I know a guy that drove a Ranger for years because it would fit in his driveway. A full size truck? Not so much.
He retired and moved up north, Drives a Ram now.
 

attitude

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 30, 2009
Messages
4,010
Reaction score
7,176
Size I’d guess.
I know a guy that drove a Ranger for years because it would fit in his driveway. A full size truck? Not so much.
He retired and moved up north, Drives a Ram now.
Tacomas aren’t as small as people make them out to be, mine was longer than my Yukon XL and only a couple inches shorter than my Ram.
 

FROGMAN524

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 16, 2013
Messages
5,689
Reaction score
10,358
I know they’re the poor man’s Raptor but damn if they don’t drive around like they’re in the Baja 1000 constantly racing everybody for no apparent reason. I had one as a rental a few years ago and it was cool but no power, poor mileage and not nearly as comfortable as my truck.
 

Waterjunky

RDP Inmate #94
Joined
Sep 24, 2007
Messages
4,905
Reaction score
4,245
What do you expect out of people who buy a mini truck for full size truck prices with a V6 that gets V8 full mileage with 4cyl performance.

I would like to buy a nice used one for my daughter. Those dam things won’t die 🤣
This!!!!

Engine and powertrain are good, honestly everything else is total and complete garbage. I inherited a 4 runner a few years back. I know from experience.

Talk about a cash cow for Toyota though. My guess is its one of if not the highest profit lines. All the tech is 20 years old and long paid for, the interior and materials quality of most of the vehicle are terrible. The list goes on.......
 

monkeyswrench

To The Rescue!
Joined
Sep 7, 2018
Messages
29,056
Reaction score
82,489
Funny, out here, every late model Tacoma 4x4 is owned by a retirement aged white guy. Two on my street alone, both white crewcabs. One is a 6spd, it's pretty cool.

They are not Robbie Gordon drivers...at all. Pretty sure that 6spd has only seen 6th once or twice.
 

NicPaus

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 15, 2010
Messages
14,045
Reaction score
14,785
One of guys bought 1. It's pretty loaded. Not sure if 4x4. He paid 60k and it's red.

I bought a nice 1 for My Mom. It had 10k miles and was 2 years old. Paid 32k. She says it's gutless and She has to floor it when getting on the freeway. She misses the power of the tundra. Tailgate got stolen that was a pain in my ass. Dealership will only sell a new one in pieces.

It gets around 16 mpg avg.
 

HNL2LHC

What is right and what is wrong these days!
Joined
Jun 25, 2018
Messages
15,886
Reaction score
30,354
Typical Toyota over priced underwhelming performance. Runs like a top and resale is high. Happy to have sold the MILs when Covid pricing was in effect. 200k miles and about 18k price. Too small of a truck for my likings.
 

GreenEnergy28

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2022
Messages
557
Reaction score
1,660
I love the yellow LED fogs and Raptor grill lights running down the freeway with full overlanding gear, commuting to work at 80 mph.

Can't lie though, my son has a 2003 crew cab pre runner and my wife loves her 2012 4Runner. She talked about getting a new one, but they haven't changed anything since 2010 so what's the point? We may wait for the 2025 to hit the lots so we can pick up a new 2024. Not loving the way Toyota has gone with the new styling.
 

bilz

Newly Retired!😁
Joined
Mar 15, 2011
Messages
2,657
Reaction score
4,060
I guess the jury is still out on the turbo 4 banger.
Longevity is a strong selling point for Toyota.
Hope they didn't screw the pooch.
 

bilz

Newly Retired!😁
Joined
Mar 15, 2011
Messages
2,657
Reaction score
4,060
I got jacked by covid, I wanted to buy a 22 Tundra with the 5.7. When the dust settled I missed out. Good thing my 07 Tundra is still kicking ass, poor fuel economy and all.😆
 

FROGMAN524

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 16, 2013
Messages
5,689
Reaction score
10,358
I love the yellow LED fogs and Raptor grill lights running down the freeway with full overlanding gear, commuting to work at 80 mph.

Can't lie though, my son has a 2003 crew cab pre runner and my wife loves her 2012 4Runner. She talked about getting a new one, but they haven't changed anything since 2010 so what's the point? We may wait for the 2025 to hit the lots so we can pick up a new 2024. Not loving the way Toyota has gone with the new styling.
My wife had a 2014 4Runner Trail edition and a 2015 4Runner Trail Premium edition and they were extremely gutless, got terrible mileage, had canister oil filters that you needed a special tool for and when you would hit the brakes they would nose dive so bad it was hard to keep control. They both also developed a shimmy in the steering wheel. Not sure why though.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TPC

GreenEnergy28

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2022
Messages
557
Reaction score
1,660
My wife had a 2014 4Runner Trail edition and a 2015 4Runner Trail Premium edition and they were extremely gutless, got terrible mileage, had canister oil filters that you needed a special tool for and when you would hit the brakes they would nose dive so bad it was hard to keep control. They both also developed a shimmy in the steering wheel. Not sure why though.
I bought the tool for the filter and solved the nosedive issue with a set of Toyota FJ coil overs. Made a world of difference. Gets about 14-15 mpg but she doesn't drive much so that isn't really a concern for us.
 

Waterjunky

RDP Inmate #94
Joined
Sep 24, 2007
Messages
4,905
Reaction score
4,245
My wife had a 2014 4Runner Trail edition and a 2015 4Runner Trail Premium edition and they were extremely gutless, got terrible mileage, had canister oil filters that you needed a special tool for and when you would hit the brakes they would nose dive so bad it was hard to keep control. They both also developed a shimmy in the steering wheel. Not sure why though.
Sounds about like the one I had. Trust me, you didn't want to be in a wreck in them either! Toyota met the minimum legally mandated requirements and that's about it.
 

DarkHorseRacing

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 14, 2014
Messages
6,462
Reaction score
12,814
We have a ‘24 TRD off-road. Not super impressed with the noisy 4 banger though the turbo does seem to help, when it boosts it seems pretty inconsistent. Toyota swears it runs on 87 but I'm wondering if trying a mid or premium grade would help. Rides like a truck. And it was pretty pricey for what you get, it should have been at least 10k cheaper than it was.

Isn't as fuel efficient as I thought it would be though we specifically avoided the SR5 and the Sport with the giant chin spoilers so maybe that's part of it.

I personally would have waited for the 2025 4Runner to at least compare, but she wasn't going to wait. Wanted out of her Subaru Outback.
 

lbhsbz

Putting on the brakes
Joined
Jan 11, 2010
Messages
12,969
Reaction score
33,316
My wife had a 2014 4Runner Trail edition and a 2015 4Runner Trail Premium edition and they were extremely gutless, got terrible mileage, had canister oil filters that you needed a special tool for and when you would hit the brakes they would nose dive so bad it was hard to keep control. They both also developed a shimmy in the steering wheel. Not sure why though.
Probably just needed a man to drive it

Momma’s 2023 doesn’t do any of that shit…except for the gutless part. Click it into sport mode so the trans works like it should and it does pretty good though….

(that's her old one across the street....2003, bought it with a bad motor...self induced by the fucktard who did headgaskets and didn't tighten the timing chain tensioners...$1500. Did the motor and put 100K miles on it. I could smoke the tires in that thing (V6)....it was rough when I bought it...but good enough for a dog and kid. It got rougher lol. Finally called it when it took more than 4 minutes for the broken auto antenna, blend doors, and CD player to stop clicking away every time you fired it up...lol.)

IMG_2080.jpeg
 
Last edited:

lbhsbz

Putting on the brakes
Joined
Jan 11, 2010
Messages
12,969
Reaction score
33,316
When they can’t tow a shopping cart and a 6.4 Hemi costs less and gets better mileage yes.
You don't buy a Tacoma to tow heavy shit...you buy a Tacoma cuz it's easy to park and does OK at most truck stuff. Mine gets 1500lbs of iron loaded in it regularly and hauls around my little 19' boat without issue. If I wanna tow something big or put 5000lbs in the bed, I grab the chevy....

I've seen 28mpg in my Tacoma...but I had to work for it.

I haven't really given a shit a fuel mileage since my balls dropped though, so there's that. Want better mileage?....drive under 60mph. Then you get to save $20 on the way to the river even though it takes an extra hour to get there. My time is worth more than $20/hr, especially when I'm on vacation, so I don't care to get another 3 or 4 mpg....
 

hallett21

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 9, 2010
Messages
18,277
Reaction score
23,402
They’re consistent and run forever 🤷🏼‍♂️

I’m not a fan of the “jerkiness” to them or the blind spots the crewcabs have. However I don’t know of a better stock truck in the dirt or snow.

As said earlier you don’t buy a Tacoma for towing or fuel mileage.
 

lbhsbz

Putting on the brakes
Joined
Jan 11, 2010
Messages
12,969
Reaction score
33,316
They’re consistent and run forever 🤷🏼‍♂️

I’m not a fan of the “jerkiness” to them or the blind spots the crewcabs have. However I don’t know of a better stock truck in the dirt or snow.

As said earlier you don’t buy a Tacoma for towing or fuel mileage.
130K on mine....I've changed the oil, a belt, and an idler pulley. You buy a Toyota because you want an appliance, not because you want horsepower or a fun factor. I'm tired of working on shit.....if I get the urge, I keep a Chevy in the driveway
 
Last edited:

CLdrinker

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 28, 2011
Messages
9,428
Reaction score
19,018
You don't buy a Tacoma to tow heavy shit...you buy a Tacoma cuz it's easy to park and does OK at most truck stuff. Mine gets 1500lbs of iron loaded in it regularly and hauls around my little 19' boat without issue. If I wanna tow something big or put 5000lbs in the bed, I grab the chevy....

I've seen 28mpg in my Tacoma...but I had to work for it.

I haven't really given a shit a fuel mileage since my balls dropped though, so there's that. Want better mileage?....drive under 60mph. Then you get to save $20 on the way to the river even though it takes an extra hour to get there. My time is worth more than $20/hr, especially when I'm on vacation, so I don't care to get another 3 or 4 mpg....
Sorry to strike a nerve with you. I was just pointing out that trucks damn near twice the size and double the capacity cost the same and get better fuel mileage. Cool story about your balls dropping and if you time is so valuable why do you come here so much?
 

FROGMAN524

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 16, 2013
Messages
5,689
Reaction score
10,358
130K on mine....I've changed the oil, a belt, and an idler pulley. You buy a Toyota because you want an appliance, not because you want horsepower of a fun factor. I'm tired of working on shit.....if I get the urge, I keep a Chevy in the driveway
Just turning 100K on my 10 speed, 4x4, L5P this month without a single issue to speak of, power to spare, will pull anything I want and run to 3-400,000 without hesitation. Same reliability as a Toyota, but way more useful, comfortable and luxurious. Once you go Diesel, you never go back to gas.
 

hallett21

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 9, 2010
Messages
18,277
Reaction score
23,402
Just turning 100K on my 10 speed, 4x4, L5P this month without a single issue to speak of, power to spare, will pull anything I want and run to 3-400,000 without hesitation. Same reliability as a Toyota, but way more useful, comfortable and luxurious. Once you go Diesel, you never go back to gas.
lol I love a diesel but you’d be out of your mind to claim a modern day (even deleted) diesel will last as long as a Toyota.

Comparing a $70-100k 3/4 ton to a $50-60k Tacoma isn’t apples to apples other than they both have a truck bed?

I think Tacomas are overly priced for what they are but Toyota built a following on reliability.

I think it’s great that we have as many vehicle options as we do today.

Zodiac still sells a ton of inflatable boats at a high price point. You can go get more boat for less but it won’t carry that well known name.
 

lbhsbz

Putting on the brakes
Joined
Jan 11, 2010
Messages
12,969
Reaction score
33,316
Sorry to strike a nerve with you. I was just pointing out that trucks damn near twice the size and double the capacity cost the same and get better fuel mileage. Cool story about your balls dropping and if you time is so valuable why do you come here so much?
for sport
 

Todd Mohr

Will Race For Beer
Joined
Feb 26, 2019
Messages
1,857
Reaction score
5,085
I think the 4 Runner and Tacoma issues all go away if you have a roof top tent on it year round. More power and better gas mileage.
 

CLdrinker

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 28, 2011
Messages
9,428
Reaction score
19,018
Just turning 100K on my 10 speed, 4x4, L5P this month without a single issue to speak of, power to spare, will pull anything I want and run to 3-400,000 without hesitation. Same reliability as a Toyota, but way more useful, comfortable and luxurious. Once you go Diesel, you never go back to gas.
The thing about diesel fans is they will tell everyone that they own a diesel. Wether you ask them or not.

They are also just getting broke in at 100k and they are the most reliable trucks ever.

Yet they all go up for sale soon as the warranty is up.
 

beerrun

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 25, 2010
Messages
4,638
Reaction score
8,868
I bet you don't spend as much maintaining that as you on your diesels....do ya?
No but I sold my 2500 to a RDP member and now all I have is my tacoma and I'm ready to trade it in on a 1500 diesel
 
Top