Who likes their Toyota Tacoma???

Mad Mikey · 12-14-2002, 02:52 PM

I'm going to be in the market for a new rig soon and although I've had two Rangers over the years with no complaints at all I've been looking at the new Tacoma 4X4 X cabs as a possible option.
I've put 110K of hard miles on my 95' Ranger, much of it towing a drift boat all over and haven't had to replace a thing, it does not burn oil or leak it, clutch is still solid.
My gal has a 96' Toyota 2X and one thing I noticed is that the body(or at least the bed) is single wide, not double like the Fords'. Lighter yes, but a little flimsier.
If anyone has had a Tacoma for a while with the V-6, how do you like it? Rangers' have one of the best front suspensions built according to consumer reports and I tend to agree, it tracks really nice on the highway and handles over corrections in crucial situations very well.
Toyotas have a reputation for longevity and this one is crucial, I plan to drive my next rig til it becomes a pile of bolts!
Power? Tranny problems? Clutch? strange electronic idiosyncracies?(Rangers have those

), Brake or power steering problems? How many miles can I get out of it if I take good care(like I always do!)
Any input is appreciated!

cheers,

MM

24 on/ 48 off · 12-14-2002, 03:40 PM

In October 1989, I bought a brand new Toyota 4x4 V-6 for $15,000. I sold it in May 1999 for $5100 with 176,000 miles on it! Still had original clutch.

I would bet that I put no more than $1,000 in repairs over its 9 1/2 year life with me. Sure, I bought new brakes, new fuel filters, new window washer pump, etc. But in the end, it was a great, reliable, strong and enduring pickup. I would recommend them to anybody.

The only reason I don't have one now, is that I wanted a true full sized pickup.

Now I own a badboy CHEVY!!

--spud-- :smile:

Mad Mikey · 12-14-2002, 04:54 PM

Thanks, there's one good report, anymore???

montster303 · 12-14-2002, 07:36 PM

I'm also looking to get into a new tacoma hopefully this next year...looking at the 4 door 4x4 V6....although the 4 door dakotas are looking good too...My 1992 toyota has 196,500 miles and doesn't burn oil or anything...still very strong (4 cyl)...only had to replace the starter and that's it besides changing oil every 15-20K miles :grin: ...I'm trying to break it to give me a good excuse to go new...no luck yet... :shocked:

blacktail · 12-14-2002, 09:03 PM

I have had several Toyota trucks and other than normal maintenance, I have never had a problem.

My last one was a 2000 Tacoma 4x4 V6 Extracab. It was a great truck.

I now have a 2002 Toyota Tundra. Wanted something bigger, but wanted to stay with Toyota due to their quality.

If I was in the market for a smaller truck, the Tacoma would be my only choice.

Mike

[ 12-14-2002, 10:04 PM: Message edited by: blacktail ]

SeanD · 12-14-2002, 09:40 PM

I sold my toyota a few years ago because i needed something bigger, so i got a Ford diesel as the T100 wasnt gonna be enough. After i graduate school and i dont need the pickup for work, a tacoma will be it, no doubts in my mind. Way more reliable, cheaper to maintain, and all all around a tougher rig in my opinon.

jet · 12-15-2002, 05:57 AM

Mad

I am a sales rep and travel putting on 30k miles per year... Toyota all the way. I really have not had a problem with any of them.

We have had 6 4-Runners, from 86-2001 trucks (toal of 9). The current truck is a 2001 Tacoma Doubble cab.

They are fully capable of pulling the boats. Our boat is a 21 foot and weighs 4300 pounds on the trailer. I can pull Sylvan at 55+ if I want.

My neighbor has a Ford 460 and my Toyota pulls better with the same weight. I am sure it is the power to weight ratio thing. The Toyota is not heavy so make sure you have trailer brakes on the larger boats.

The best part is 22 mpg on the hwy and 16 while pulling the boat. Try that all you v-10 and 460 guys.

Jet~~~

Mad Mikey · 12-15-2002, 03:29 PM

Thanks again guys, I'll only be pulling a driftboat too. I guess I'll check em' out. The prices are about the same as the new Rangers with the same stuff.

RichH · 12-15-2002, 04:27 PM

I investigated the Tacoma about this time last year and found it to be a great truck. I also checked out the Nissan Frontier and found it to be a great truck, just about 5k less $.
The only downside I found to the Nissan is that it is only 170 hp as opposed to 190 on the Tacoma. I haven't had any trouble towing the drift boat, last month I took it over the pass down to the Rogue Valley and it worked great. Food for thought.

proguide · 12-20-2002, 12:41 AM

Buy a american made truck. just my .02

[ 12-20-2002, 01:42 AM: Message edited by: proguide ]

chummer · 12-20-2002, 10:30 AM

I think toyotas are made in america by a japanese owned company.

ultralight · 12-20-2002, 10:45 AM

That's correct. Toyota's compact trucks are manufactured in Fremont, CA's NUMMI plant, since 1991, by Americans.

ultralight · 12-20-2002, 12:15 PM

Actually, the Toyota's truck bed production began in 1972 at Long Beach, CA facility. And indeed the compact trucks were assembled beginning in 1991 at the GM/Toyota Joint Venture NUMMI plant.

jet · 12-20-2002, 12:48 PM

Thanks

I knew they were built here.

Jet~~~

jet · 12-20-2002, 01:07 PM

I have owned so many Toyota trucks I do get them mixed up.

Jet~~

foxer · 12-20-2002, 01:44 PM

I had a 98 Tacoma 4x4 v6 that I lesed for three years. I drove the hell out of the thing, towing, driving in sand dunes and all i had to do was change the oil. Great trucks!!

jet · 12-20-2002, 11:50 PM

Ultralight

Correct but I don't think they started in 1991 I think it might have been later than that. In 1989 they were building the beds for the trucks here and then later the rest, excluding the drivetrain and motor.

current day they do have 40% imported content, Mainly the motor and tranny.

The easy wat to tell where the truck was built is by the VIN# the first letters tell it all.

JT******* Japan truck (only pre Tacoma)

T******* US built

Jet~~~