Toyota Tacoma.....What Happened?

onewhippedpuppy · 05-07-2018, 06:19 PM

I would have previously classified myself as a huge Tacoma fan. I’ve driven more Toyota compact trucks than I can count, owned a Land Cruiser and 4Runner, and came close on several occasions to buying a Taco. So with the Emerald Club lane sadly empty at SeaTac I grabbed a 4k mile 2018 Tacoma crew cab 4x4 base model. I have to say, it sucks in nearly every way compared to the old trucks.

The interior is mostly cheap hard plastic and already showing scratches. Panel grains don’t match and the fit isn’t great. It doesn’t have keyless entry (WTF?) but has adaptive cruise and lane departure warning. The engine is thrashy, rough, and feels seriously winded, and the transmission is dimwitted and slow to downshift. Despite my 2013 F150 being lifted on AT tires with the HD max tow suspension, somehow this thing is rougher and louder on the highway. Directional stability is terrible and there’s a lot of body roll. Long story short, I really can’t believe this is a Tacoma.

I recently sold a 2017 Sienna because my wife and I found it to be mediocre in every way, obviously it’s not the only Toyota product that’s still selling on the reputation of the past. I’m sure it’s reliable but so are most modern cars. I can’t help but think that Toyota has been selling on reputation while the competition caught up.

drkshdw · 05-07-2018, 06:31 PM

To 95% of new Toyota buyers, none of what you mention matters. They honestly don't care about anything else other than it being new because new=better to them. Shiny, pretty and has a bunch of stuff we'll never use but just in case...

pavulon · 05-07-2018, 06:40 PM

It’s interesting to read of your Sienna experience. When I was shopping for a van, it was the most boring (and noisy) of the 3 we drove. There was simply no way I was going to buy a Sienna.

onewhippedpuppy · 05-07-2018, 06:46 PM

We ended up with a Ford Flex that we love but test drove the Odyssey, Sedona, Caravan, and previously owned a Quest. I would put the Sienna at the bottom of the pile by a LOT. Mediocre build quality, baffling and frustrating features, and the worst to drive. Case in point, the power rear hatch only powered open from the inside via button after a 2-3 second hold. From the outside it had to be manually opened at the handle but would then power closed. WTF? Great feature for the mom with a armful of groceries.

aigel · aigel's Garage

I recall looking at a 2010 vintage and at 30k miles it already rattled, blew some exhaust by the rings, had the anemic engine feel etc. - what you describe.

And then I looked again in 2015 and when I got into the taco, I hit my head first thing. They maximized outside size while minimizing the interior. I can't stand it.

I had a first gen Sequoia - granted, a different level vehicle, but THAT'S when they built nice vehicles.

G

chapo · 05-07-2018, 07:29 PM

Made in Mexico, see truckloads of them coming
Up the 5 through San Diego and OC all the time

chapo · 05-07-2018, 07:30 PM

Can’t believe what a new loaded one costs either, cost as much as a full size

onewhippedpuppy · 05-07-2018, 07:34 PM

George, I would argue that your first gen Sequoia is when they were still building to a standard. The 2003 4Runner that I sold to Seahawk many years ago was a nicer driving and better built vehicle in every way than this new Tacoma.

aigel · aigel's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

George, I would argue that your first gen Sequoia is when they were still building to a standard. The 2003 4Runner that I sold to Seahawk many years ago was a nicer driving and better built vehicle in every way than this new Tacoma.

Matt - indeed! I have a hunting buddy with 400k or so on his first gen Taco (second engine). While it is also small inside, it also is small outside. And no scratched plastic etc. The seats have seen better days, he may need something new there soon ... he probably has 40k of it on dirt roads.

G

Yorkie · Yorkie's Garage

I have a 2014 and love it. Drives great. Rattle free. Smooth. Now I read that the ‘17 models have a new motor that is not well regarded.

Cajundaddy · Cajundaddy's Garage

I have owned 20 Tacos and still own 6 in my fleet while currently driving a 2014. The interior and ergonomics are unusually tight compared to the 1st gen 1995-2001. The V6 motor does sound ragged when you get on it but honestly it is still a pretty decent appliance. 19mpg with my lead foot and not a whisper of complaint in 80k miles. We beat this things to death every day and they just keep running and running. I can't say that about my 20ish Fords and Chevys.

gtc · gtc's Garage

Buddy of mine just flew across the country to pick up a manual TRD Pro Tacoma. It seems ok inside. I wasn't impressed with the ride quality, but I generally don't like the way toyotas ride so that was no surprise. I also don't understand the 3.5L V6... it seems so wheezy, i'm not sure what it's supposed to be good at. It's not like the 5 foot bed will hold enough of anything to put much load on the engine.
He previously had a 2001 Boxster with lots of engine problems, so now he just wants something reliable. Hard to fault him for that...

Holger · 05-08-2018, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Case in point, the power rear hatch only powered open from the inside via button after a 2-3 second hold. From the outside it had to be manually opened at the handle but would then power closed. WTF? Great feature for the mom with a armful of groceries.

Have you tried to "swipe" your foot under the back of the car?
Some have a sensor there opening the "trunk".

KFC911 · 05-08-2018, 02:15 AM

When my F150 finally croaks....I'll be looking for another truck too. It'll probably be a few years old too....new ones are HUGE imo. It'll be another F150 though

onewhippedpuppy · 04:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holger

Have you tried to "swipe" your foot under the back of the car?
Some have a sensor there opening the "trunk".

Nope, verified per the manual that this was how they are supposed to work. Also found dozens of internet posts complaining about it. Just a stupid design. Everything on that car felt designed by lawyers, every feature required a long deliberate action to activate and then operation was slow. The sliding doors for instance, there was a solid 1-2 second lag between pulling the handle and the power door opening. Even adults inadvertently jerked it open manually because they assumed the door wasn’t power.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC911

When my F150 finally croaks....I'll be looking for another truck too. It'll probably be a few years old too....new ones are HUGE imo. It'll be another F150 though

Honestly the only thing I like better than my F150 is the ease of parking. Otherwise I find my 5 year old F150 to be a nicer driving truck in every way, and way more spacious inside.

Norm K · 05-08-2018, 04:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I can’t help but think that Toyota has been selling on reputation while the competition caught up.

Toyota (via Lexus) caught Mercedes Benz doing the same thing some twenty-plus years ago. MB, who had essentially priced cars to a build rather than building them to a price, suddenly had to compete. They've never been the same.

_

Seahawk · 05-08-2018, 04:37 AM

My son still drives the manual 2000 Tacoma TRD we bought new.

He has looked at new Tacoma's but echoes Matt's comments, which is a shame.

We got him started early:

Holger · 05-08-2018, 04:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Nope, verified per the manual that this was how they are supposed to work. Also found dozens of internet posts complaining about it. Just a stupid design. Everything on that car felt designed by lawyers, every feature required a long deliberate action to activate and then operation was slow. The sliding doors for instance, there was a solid 1-2 second lag between pulling the handle and the power door opening. Even adults inadvertently jerked it open manually because they assumed the door wasn’t power.

Yeah, neighbours VW Sharan is like that. I pulled the handle and was
asuming that the door will open automatically, like on his previous Sharan. It did, but with a huge lag. I had the door open manually before that.

Well, but what do you expect when you can sue everything and everyone for every (even selfinflicted) bruise.

Sarc · 05-08-2018, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

We ended up with a Ford Flex that we love

One of my neighbors is an elderly gentleman and old school hot-rodder (has some nice toys in his garage). He recently traded in his DD Dodge Wagon for a Flex and is currently tuning it with 600 hp in mind

sand_man · 05-08-2018, 05:52 AM

The fiance bought a Toyota Highlander, new in 2016 (I think she actually got it in 2015, but was the new body/model). All in all, it has been been a good ride. The leather and plastic interior has definitely suffered at the hands of kids...they have not been kind to it. My biggest gripe is the silly "automatic" open/close rear hatch! UGH!!!!! I HATE IT!!!! SO SLOW!!!! Some days I get impatient and just want to force it with brute strength!

I've moved from wanting a truck (Ford or Chevy) to now thinking that I'd like a new 4-Runner. I hated the looks of the latest iteration, but it has grown on me. I dunno...