Tacoma vs 4Runner Crowd

[SnowTrail]

I took a Tacoma dcsb trd off road home yesterday as long test drive and although I think that truck looks awesome and has cool gadgets and a much more updated interior with the bigger screen parking sensors and blind spot monitor, a rear locker and CRAWL, I couldn't get over the Tacoma crowd. It drove a little peppier than my 4R because of the light weight too. On top of that it would slash my payment in half, it'd be a 200 payment on a 40k truck, it's got better fuel economy too. I just really couldn't get over the Tacoma crowd, I lurked around tacomaworld, and although probably not the majority, the crowd just seemed like a bunch of Ricey 20 something year olds, hence decided on a another 4Runner. Just wanted to share this, never thought I'd kick a vehicle out because of its following.heres a size comparison with a trd sports[/ATTACH] and how I envisioned it

 

[Northern 4Runner]

Not sure I follow you on the locker and crawl control thing, as that sport wouldn't have those features, and a trail edition (trd off road) has those features anyway.

I have a 2nd gen Tacoma, and frequent tacomaworld almost daily. I agree with the fan boys, if you even suggest something Tacoma isn't as good as say a gm or Ford etc some of them will jump all over you.

I much prefer my 4Runner over the new Tacoma, test drove both and 4Runner hands down is the better vehicle unless you need a truck bed.

 

[cloudrunner]

I considered the Tacoma when I was in the market last year, but the back seats just seemed so small to me. I decided on a 2016 TE instead.

 

[gm350reratliff]

I wouldn't let the crowd of a particular forum sway me from a vehicle I like. I'm also a member on TW (Watt maker) and I do agree there are quite a few immature kids over there but there are also a bunch of really good people over there and a ton of good information as well. The 3rd gen section is a mess with every little problem blown way out of proportion so you really have to pick through the threads to find an honest post. The 3rd gen has had some teething issues and it has its own quirks, just like every other vehicle out there. If you like the Taco over the 4runner, go for it. They are nice trucks. If I was in the market for a midsize truck, there would be no question what I would choose. 4 of my coworkers have newer tacos and all 4 love them. 3 of them really get used off-road as well and one just hit a bull elk with one and was able to drive it home 90 miles. He only has some minor bumps and bruises so I would say they are safe as well.

 

[MattAK]

I wouldn't let the crowd of a particular forum sway me from a vehicle I like. I'm also a member on TW (Watt maker) and I do agree there are quite a few immature kids over there but there are also a bunch of really good people over there and a ton of good information as well. The 3rd gen section is a mess with every little problem blown way out of proportion so you really have to pick through the threads to find an honest post. The 3rd gen has had some teething issues and it has its own quirks, just like every other vehicle out there. If you like the Taco over the 4runner, go for it. They are nice trucks. If I was in the market for a midsize truck, there would be no question what I would choose. 4 of my coworkers have newer tacos and all 4 love them. 3 of them really get used off-road as well and one just hit a bull elk with one and was able to drive it home 90 miles. He only has some minor bumps and bruises so I would say they are safe as well.

Couldn't agree with this more. My brother loves his '16 TRDOR and there are several things I like about his truck and that I wish I had on my T4R (that MFD being #1). Don't let the crowd on TW scare you away from a really nice truck if that's what you truly want.

 

[Quentin]

Does the TRD sport have crawl? I thought that was OR or Pro only.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Northern 4Runner]

Does the TRD sport have crawl? I thought that was OR or Pro only.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No crawl, no e locker.

 

[G-52]

I took a Tacoma dcsb trd off road home yesterday as long test drive and although I think that truck looks awesome and has cool gadgets and a much more updated interior with the bigger screen parking sensors and blind spot monitor, a rear locker and CRAWL, I couldn't get over the Tacoma crowd. It drove a little peppier than my 4R because of the light weight too. On top of that it would slash my payment in half, it'd be a 200 payment on a 40k truck, it's got better fuel economy too. I just really couldn't get over the Tacoma crowd, I lurked around tacomaworld, and although probably not the majority, the crowd just seemed like a bunch of Ricey 20 something year olds, hence decided on a another 4Runner. Just wanted to share this, never thought I'd kick a vehicle out because of its following.heres a size comparison with a trd sports[/ATTACH] and how I envisioned it

You really didn't base your car buying decision on which Internet forum you liked better.... did you?

 

[bamma]

I do not think the new Tacoma issues are overblown. I have a 12 4R that my wife drives, and I wanted a 17 tacoma. The shifting issues are a major turn off. I am sure the truck will be reliable, and I really liked the fit and finish compared to a 2nd gen, but the powertrain is no bueno. I test drove 4 and they all shifted poorly. Tacoma owners will tell you to use s mode or adapt. That is simply not acceptable on a nearly $40k vehicle. I like the GX 460, but they have the same takata airbag issues
I considered a low mile 15 taco, but ultimately decided on a 2011 200 LC due to a great deal. IMHO, the 4R is way better than the 3rd gen taco.

That said, I have owned 1st and 2nd gen tacomas, and tacomaworld is a very valuable resource. Yes, there are a lot of young taco owners with different build priorities, but who cares?

 

[Repsol13]

I own both and I like aspects of each. The issues are overblown as I have yet to experience any of the issues people complain about along with 4 friends who haven't been hit with any. Majority of the issues seem to come from the 2016 builds.

 

[SnowTrail]

Not sure I follow you on the locker and crawl control thing, as that sport wouldn't have those features, and a trail edition (trd off road) has those features anyway.

I have a 2nd gen Tacoma, and frequent tacomaworld almost daily. I agree with the fan boys, if you even suggest something Tacoma isn't as good as say a gm or Ford etc some of them will jump all over you.

I much prefer my 4Runner over the new Tacoma, test drove both and 4Runner hands down is the better vehicle unless you need a truck bed.

I typed this all on my phone, I would have been getting an off-road package which has the crawl and locker, I only took pictures of the sport to compare...sorry about the confusion

 

[SnowTrail]

I considered the Tacoma when I was in the market last year, but the back seats just seemed so small to me. I decided on a 2016 TE instead.

I saw this notion everywhere as well, you need to haul people get the 4R you need to haul stuff get a Tacoma, in my case I'm not hauling either really lol

 

[SnowTrail]

You really didn't base your car buying decision on which Internet forum you liked better.... did you?

It wasn't really the online forum, it's the idea of generally the crowd it attracts...
maybe I didn't phrase it right...

 

[Sleeter]

It wasn't really the online forum, it's the idea of generally the crowd it attracts...
maybe I didn't phrase it right...

You might want to reconsider your selection criteria: The vocal crowd from a forum Is not a good representation of the average enthusiast. A good example is this forum... :yo:

 

[yardsale]

I agree with the OP 100%. Over on TW, in the 3rd Gen forum, most of those guys are whining millennials. Which is to be expected, Toyota markets the Tacoma that way. I am so glad I got rid of my 16 Taco, every time I see one on the road I feel sorry for the poor fool inside putting up with that lame transmission.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I like the new Tacoma as a whole, but Toyota's constant tunnel vision for fuel economy has for the most part ruined that vehicle and some of their others (and will ruin their future vehicles as well). The drivetrain is more suited to the Highlander than a small pick-up, most customer's concerns regarding temperamental shifting, lack luster power, and and over all "I keep having to fight this programming to drive it like a truck and/or tow" is not at all overblown.

You 5th gen guys commonly quip about how sluggish the 5th gens are off the line due to Toyota's obsession with "ECO Mode" being the main design priority in their vehicles, the 6spd and GDI engine in the Tacoma is programmed mainly for that; so using it for anything besides driving like it's a Prius just ruins the driving experience. Given that the drivetrain is going to most likely be carried over to the 4Runner at some point, the pattern of "it has more power on paper, but it's slower than the last gen" will probably continue.

I was talking to my coworker who worked for Lexus about how back in the day Lexus was this sluggish, soggy, overly soft, and gutless car brand and now they are realizing they can make performance and luxury in the same package without sacrificing either. Toyota went from making some decent performance vehicles with good reliability and decent power, to everything being an electric motor away from a Prius and it's lack luster driving experience. The odd switch-a-roo Toyota seems to have made to making these sluggish, temperamentally programmed transmissions, and poor power band vehicles when Lexus is getting their performance groove on is both ironic and rather sad. It makes any hope of something the Supra or anything deemed "powerful/performance" oriented from Toyota a pipe dream.

As for the forum, the T4R.org and Toyota120.com forums are probably one of the more welcoming/friendly forums in the automotive enthusiast world. I made this comment to a few coworkers who sort of gave me a weird look when I admit that I am often on this forum a lot helping people out. They're not wrong in that many car forums are filled with typically toxic and whining people as well as countless horrible recommendations and advice. For example the last time I was on the RX7Club forums, I found the 1st gen section to be very much like T4R; but the 2nd & 3rd gen seconds were rampant with toxic spoiled children and whiny kids (not just in age, but mentality). The Tacoma's fan base seems to be a mix, the few guys I have off-roaded with from Tacoma World seem like decent guys, but then I have had other 4Runner owners who I have wheeled with well tell me stories of their unfortunate run-ins with that community and how it left a bad taste in their mouth.

 

[davem]

we have both a 2011 Tacoma SBDC TRD Sport with a 3/2" lift and just picked up a 2014 4Runner SR5 Prem. to replace our 2004 4Runner Sport . Have the best of both worlds.

 

[Sparky1]

Hello... I just traded my 2016 Tacoma after 10 months. It was the worst Tacoma I ever had, jmo. I still have a 2008 tundra, wife has a 2008 4 runner. I have owned many toyotas, 4 tundras, 2 taco as and many Toyota cars. The new Tacoma not only had a weird/ not desirable tranny, but also had a terrible rattle/ sleek in the leaf springs. Totally unacceptable. The dealer service manager showed me a bulletin from Toyota, no fix, normal for a truck. Cannot believe anyone would accept that from a new vehicle especially for that kind of money. Yes, I know it seems most new vehicles have problems but that's no t a reason to be ok. Just my opinion. Glad I got rid of it, trd or.. The 4 runner is great.thanks

 

[G-52]

I agree with the OP 100%. Over on TW, in the 3rd Gen forum, most of those guys are whining millennials. Which is to be expected, Toyota markets the Tacoma that way. I am so glad I got rid of my 16 Taco, every time I see one on the road I feel sorry for the poor fool inside putting up with that lame transmission.

I'm in my 50s and have learned a lot from the folks over at TW (and here at T4R.) Did you have ecm rev 1 done on your Tacoma before you let it go? I've had my Tacoma since 11/15; really like both vehicles.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Hello... I just traded my 2016 Tacoma after 10 months. It was the worst Tacoma I ever had, jmo. I still have a 2008 tundra, wife has a 2008 4 runner. I have owned many toyotas, 4 tundras, 2 taco as and many Toyota cars. The new Tacoma not only had a weird/ not desirable tranny, but also had a terrible rattle/ sleek in the leaf springs. Totally unacceptable. The dealer service manager showed me a bulletin from Toyota, no fix, normal for a truck. Cannot believe anyone would accept that from a new vehicle especially for that kind of money. Yes, I know it seems most new vehicles have problems but that's no t a reason to be ok. Just my opinion. Glad I got rid of it, trd or.. The 4 runner is great.thanks

Yeah I just went through this with a customer on his 2016. The leaf spring silencer pads get loaded up with debris/dirt and they start squeaking a bit, the "fix" is to just clean them off. It's a "Tech Tip" not really a service bulletin, it's just to let the tech know it's a thing and this is how you take care of it.

It's something that's an issue for places where a lot of that dirt/debris collects like say here where we use ground up pumice stone in place of salt. The odd thing is that the design isn't really that much different than what we did in the older Tacomas and Tundras, they all use silencer pads; so I am not sure why the 3rd gen Tacomas are more susceptible to this than the others?