New Tacoma...... just not selling itself.

[slowandsteady BJ]

Ive been lusting after a Tacoma for a while now, but I just can't seem to make the leap. I thought the new 2016 would come out and put me over the top but it just hasn't happened. Of course all this would change if a diesel was available. I just can't seem to justify it. One can't get a manual trans. Tacoma with a long box 4 door period. In Canada a 4 door TRD Off Road isn't available with a manual trans.

My manual trans addiction has me stuck with a short box TRD Sport 4 door as my only option. Plus once you ask the new 3.5l gas V6 to do any work at all (towing) the milage numbers plummet (like all gas engines). I have a long commute and fuel milage matters a lot to me.

Dunno.... any thoughts?

 

[Rigpig]

I bought a '14 4Runner for Jr, so the ol' ball and chain would be driving around trouble free when i'm out of town and while waiting at the stealership i took a "done-up" TRD for a burn. I thought it was a great driving truck, fit and finish was excellent, surprisingly roomy and had enough jam to move it along with ease. Felt really solid and well put together. Can't remember but they might share the same motor... We've had that old discussion about autos/manuals several times but if you're primarily commuting with it, sipping coffee vs. jamming' gears in traffic is a no-brainer and autos aren't what they were 20 years ago, let alone five and six, and realistically for the few times a year you're pulling a trailer, does it really matter?
Too bad about the long box, because i see no use in a short box truck in any of MY applications-ever-. And diesel, well i completely understand that one.
Anyhow, lets grab a beer and kick some tires...

 

[LX Avalanche]

I drove a TRD Offroad back in Oct. I really liked it besides the visibility when compared to my LX450. The hood seems long and you sit really low. Other than that I thought it was decently roomy, drove great, had lots of cool tech features, etc.

I'm trying to decide if I want to continue to build my LX up or get a new Tacoma myself.

Fwiw the autos have the ability to manually run through all the gears with the + and - option and if you want Crawl Control the auto is your only option.

 

[seapotato]

Yeah, I have too ( not new tho, that's just lunacy) but the combination of no manual, no diesel and people asking 20k for trucks that are 10+ years old just ain't doing it for me.

I almost prefer the looks of the tundra, looks like they're damn near the same size now anyways.

What pisses me off is, it's not like what I want in a pickup is that complicated. Mid sized, diesel, manual, extended or double cab. I've been eyeballing some early tundras, from some general basic measurings it looks like a certain diesel would fit with some minor shoehorning...


I hear chev is putting a duramax in one of it's smaller pickups next year. Colorado/canyon or some damn thing. Probably a piece of s*** but at least they're putting together the right combination.

 

[slowandsteady BJ]

I bought a '14 4Runner for Jr, so the ol' ball and chain would be driving around trouble free when i'm out of town and while waiting at the stealership i took a "done-up" TRD for a burn. I thought it was a great driving truck, fit and finish was excellent, surprisingly roomy and had enough jam to move it along with ease. Felt really solid and well put together. Can't remember but they might share the same motor... We've had that old discussion about autos/manuals several times but if you're primarily commuting with it, sipping coffee vs. jamming' gears in traffic is a no-brainer and autos aren't what they were 20 years ago, let alone five and six, and realistically for the few times a year you're pulling a trailer, does it really matter?
Too bad about the long box, because i see no use in a short box truck in any of MY applications-ever-. And diesel, well i completely understand that one.
Anyhow, lets grab a beer and kick some tires...

Agreed fit and finish is great. I had a look under one and still found grease nipples in the driveshafts, painted things, CAD plated hardware and all the good stuff that makes a Toyota awesome. Did you drive a 4.0l Tacoma or a new 3.5l?

I drove a TRD Offroad back in Oct. I really liked it besides the visibility when compared to my LX450. The hood seems long and you sit really low. Other than that I thought it was decently roomy, drove great, had lots of cool tech features, etc.

I'm trying to decide if I want to continue to build my LX up or get a new Tacoma myself.

Fwiw the autos have the ability to manually run through all the gears with the + and - option and if you want Crawl Control the auto is your only option.

Good feedback thanks. The manual shifting auto and Crawl Control aren't big deals to me...... both are things a guy should be doing himself...Ill do my own shifting and crawling thank you very much!


I agree they are great trucks, well built and their attention to detail is what makes them the best built trucks out there. It just sucks to loose out on a few options right at the finish line..... Diesel, longbox, 4door, manual trans.

The new direct injection 3.5l engine looks nice and from what I understand its not all that new.... Its been in the Lexus lineup for a while now. Nick??? You seem to have a good knowledge of new gasser toyotas.... any thoughts?

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

The new direct injection 3.5l engine looks nice and from what I understand its not all that new.... Its been in the Lexus lineup for a while now. Nick??? You seem to have a good knowledge of new gasser toyotas.... any thoughts?

I'm not sold on the new engine. I think it's better suited to large sedans and mid sized SUVs, but not a pick-up truck. Especially a truck which will be used for occassional towing. Peak torque in that motor is at 4600rpm....says it all really. A good short read on the motor: The new Tacoma's new engine

So, Dodge and GM have rolled out small displacement diesels in their small pick-ups. Nissan is rolling out a mid sized diesel in their Titan. I think the pressure is on Toyota. Could just be a matter of time. I hope they put their D4-D tech into the Tacoma, and not just a Cummins or what ever in their Tundra. You could wait and see what happens.

Cam, you've got the skills to do something like this. Less money, and you get what you want. *just* time is all. I'll help with the electronics....

 

[slowandsteady BJ]

^ Ah yes the Diesel Toyz....

I dream of this. With a little programming these little D4-D's can slaughter their gas counterparts in every way. If a guy could find a 2012-2015 tacoma with a blown motor it would be soooooo bad ass. I'm also sure there is no "real" reason Toyota doesn't put a manual in a 4 door long box. I'm sure it could all be done.

The thought of wrenching away on a rust free truck using all Toyota parts really seems like a pleasant project eh?

 

[Diesel Cruiserman]

I took the low road and purchased a little older toy pick up...

Then again my kids are gown up and no more hauling them around to socker, hockey, lacrosse, baseball....

 

[burnz]

Cam anytime u want to go for a test drive in a new tacoma let me know we can put some real testvdrive miles on it. Ive also got a mountain of info on it. By far the best tacoma built to date, and ive owned them all ( except for this years as my staff discout isnt THAT good). This is the first year of the atkinson cycle engine in the tacoma.

 

[slowandsteady BJ]

Cool 1st gen Burz..... I wish I fit into those! I had 2 of them while I was in my teens, back then I was.... let's say "more compact".

I have some time off coming up and Ill take you up on your offer. Heck I'd love to drive a 4.0 and then a 3.5l back to back if its an option. Now if we could factor in a dirt bike adventure and beer afterwards I'd be in there like swimwear.

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

Cool 1st gen Burz.....

I think it's Rob's?

 

[slowandsteady BJ]

I think it's Rob's?

Oops... my bad. Nice 1st gen Rob.

 

[Gsb15]

I was actually looking into a new tacoma before I bought the cruiser. Although I was thinking about a base model 4cyl extra cab long bed. Partly cause I like the idea of the simplicity, and also 159hp seems like plenty when I've rarely owned some though with 3 digit power

 

[themorb]

Cam, with your welding skills you could buy my truck hack the back off, and graft on a long box........ Even better than a diesel Taco, cause it would have a SFA.

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

Cam, with your welding skills you could buy my truck hack the back off, and graft on a long box........ Even better than a diesel Taco, cause it would have a SFA.

I think you guys should just straight up trade the cruiser for the cummins!!

 

[slowandsteady BJ]

I think you guys should just straight up trade the cruiser for the cummins!!

Nathaniel seems to be interested in a Duramax. 2nd best of the three worst in my mind. If I bought Nathaniel's 80 I could take the engine and tranny out and put it in a Tacoma!! But who would cut up two perfectly good trucks to make one?!!

 

[themorb]

But who would cut up two perfectly good trucks to make one?!!

Yeah, who would do such a crazy thing?

I do like the idea of all my cylinders being in a row... just can't wrap my head around how noisy they are. Maybe newer stock ones are ok? What about the rest of the truck? I thought in the past Chevy quality was better than Dodge, but maybe that has changed too?

 

[slowandsteady BJ]

Yeah, who would do such a crazy thing?

I do like the idea of all my cylinders being in a row... just can't wrap my head around how noisy they are. Maybe newer stock ones are ok? What about the rest of the truck? I thought in the past Chevy quality was better than Dodge, but maybe that has changed too?

Well, simply put.... they are all crap (all of the big three). They are bigger, heavier and more powerful than anything Toyota ever built.

Your tool box will need bigger hammers, every bolt will need an impact to remove it and you will constantly be amazed at the sheer size, abundance of plastic and lack of quality of everything everywhere. Both metric and SAE tools will be needed and once you are further into things you will also realize that hardly anything is actually built by the company displaying their so called product in the oversized, usually chromed placard adorning the epically proportioned grille. You will see names like: New Process, International, AAM, Cummins, International, New Venture, ZF, Dana etc... and you will come to the stark realization that American trucks are a conglomerate of crap. American crap. (Gawd i hope this doesn't get cross posted to an American thread)

So which is best? Dunno. Pick one.

I chose a Dodge because it has a Cummins (which I can fix myself but is least likely to ever need it), it has a manual trans, simple Common Rail tech and no emission equipment to worry about. My truck had an impeccable service pedigree, very few warranty claims, no accidents and the previous owner loved it and spared no expense. Do I love it like I loved my Land Cruiser?..... hell no. I do however take care of it like the OCD gearhead I am because it gets me to work everyday and when I go to sell it I will get top dollar. It also can shred the tires in 4 gears and gets incredible milage (better than a Tacoma!).

So for now I'm stuck with it.... until Toyota builds a new truck with a diesel.... that I can afford, or I win the lottery and get one from Diesel Toys.

My .02