Did you do the accumulator mod on the MT? That thing drove me crazy in the brief time I had the 3rd gen 6MT...
Toyota 4 Runner shockingly disappointing rental experience
- Thread starter Wylie6G72
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- Feb 6, 2025
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I'm not sure it's cost cutting. Something is going on across the entire industry. New cars and trucks of all the brands are no longer reliable.
Overcomplexity to meet overregulation is my guess.
The old one, however, had the most reliable production engine ever made in the 4.0L V6 dual VVT-i despite its lousy gas mileage. 16 years of the engine in the 4Runner for a reason. The Car Care Nut, like him or not, said he'd never seen the inside of one bc they never broke as of like 3 or 4 years ago.
@grasscutter well said. Agree. Global marketplace has to be murder; the matrix of regulations they have to consider. Then use a magic ball to guess (bet) what the future holds. Take into account component sourcing, tariffs, taxes, interest rates, labor... gotta be a lot of grey hairs at any manufactures HQ.
It's no wonder more than half the "Cars" out there look basically the same. Koodos to Tesla for their success and fingers crossed things work out for Slate (Really rooting for them and hope to grab one in '28.
It's no wonder more than half the "Cars" out there look basically the same. Koodos to Tesla for their success and fingers crossed things work out for Slate (Really rooting for them and hope to grab one in '28.
And miserable to drive. Even worse, it sticks around forever torturing you.
We can agree to disagree. Not gonna say it's the best, but think you're taking it way too far. It's a truck.
Set cruise control at 70mph on a very slight grade and sit back as it constantly downshifts and upshifts to maintain a constant speed. It's hilariously annoying.Thank you! Exactly how I feel about our pastor's 2017 with the 3.5 and auto. It could be a great truck if Toyota could just get the throttle and shift mapping right.
In contrast my '19 JL is happy to respond to small throttle inputs. Similar model years, similar displacements (3.6 Pstar), same number of cylinders.
It's painful to see Toyota simply not understand how to improve the driving experience. I ask again: does anyone actually test drive these before releasing to the public?? Even inexperienced drivers could tell them "I push the go pedal more and more but it still doesn't go."
I believe that we’re entering a new malaise era of our auto industry. The whole industry!
During the last malaise era, the domestic auto industry led the charge in building the least reliable, poorly built vehicles. Now, they’re all taking part in this to some degree. And I only except this to get worse.
Pretty sure the folks here are definitely not in the majority. Sales figures looked pretty good for the launch of the 6th gen. I see more 6th gen 4R's than 4th gen Tacoma's.
My old manager had a 2018 4R and wasn't planning on getting rid of it ever. He test drove a 2026, sold his 2018 to Carvana, and brought home a 2026 4R Limited.
The turbo Tacoma sales are actually pretty good.
My old manager had a 2018 4R and wasn't planning on getting rid of it ever. He test drove a 2026, sold his 2018 to Carvana, and brought home a 2026 4R Limited.
The turbo Tacoma sales are actually pretty good.
Pretty sure the folks here are definitely not in the majority. Sales figures looked pretty good for the launch of the 6th gen. I see more 6th gen 4R's than 4th gen Tacoma's.
My old manager had a 2018 4R and wasn't planning on getting rid of it ever. He test drove a 2026, sold his 2018 to Carvana, and brought home a 2026 4R Limited.
The turbo Tacoma sales are actually pretty good.
I think brand loyalists drive a ton of the perception.
As Toyota has slipped, a segment of brand loyalists have become brand apologists.
Good review. I have had very similar reactions as a ‘24 Tacoma owner. The engine note was “fun” at first, then tiresome. On a whim I used 25% 30-wt oil in an oil change and it made a larger difference than I’ve ever known in a 4-cylinder, and have stayed with the formula. Engine note is well-improved by this, at least in mine.
The interior isn’t my favorite, but it’s been solid, squeak and rattle free @25k miles.
How did the transmission shift? Did it ever bang into gear between 1-2 upshift?
My taco is doing taco things well enough. But the 4R and LC may want a more upscale interior. Can you imagine that interior in an LC?
Note: I’m not a brand loyalist. I would not pay again what I paid for the Tacoma. However I am willing to hang on to it and stay in the game and see how this continues to play out. It is a *fun* daily driver and capable off-road, has towed well with what I’ve asked of it, and is a “right-sized” vehicle. As mid-sizes go, it doesn’t have the software issues the GM variants have had, doesn’t have the Ford 10R80 transmission. I didn’t consider the Frontier when I looked.
The interior isn’t my favorite, but it’s been solid, squeak and rattle free @25k miles.
How did the transmission shift? Did it ever bang into gear between 1-2 upshift?
My taco is doing taco things well enough. But the 4R and LC may want a more upscale interior. Can you imagine that interior in an LC?
Note: I’m not a brand loyalist. I would not pay again what I paid for the Tacoma. However I am willing to hang on to it and stay in the game and see how this continues to play out. It is a *fun* daily driver and capable off-road, has towed well with what I’ve asked of it, and is a “right-sized” vehicle. As mid-sizes go, it doesn’t have the software issues the GM variants have had, doesn’t have the Ford 10R80 transmission. I didn’t consider the Frontier when I looked.
Gone.
My 2019 definitely had to be modified to be lovable, but as far as problems go, the least issue of any car/truck ever. No squeaks or rattles. Solid. Again those stock shocks did suck, thank goodness they were shot by 30K. I'm not apologizing because I for one agree Toyota is monkey turds now and the prices, forget it.
The gen 3 has a heavy car engine in a truck. Stupid. Orange Virus Tune did the trick.
The gearing is super tall. Stupid MPG isn't that much better. Burn the clutch to back up? What?? Lower diff gears and RWD low mod did the trick
etc
True but we're already in it, I'd say we have been for almost a decade. Anything more than six gears in an automatic, or CVT, and most direct injection setups qualify. Plus add the openly hostile monthly payments for remote start or heated seats.
I own a 2020 with the 5.7 and while it’s not perfect it’s as good if not better than most of the big 3 available. I drive a lot of rental 1/2 tons pickups for my job that we sometimes put weight in the bed. Generally 500ish pounds or so.. I have drive F150’s and Rams with only a few thousand miles that rattled and made drivetrain clunking noise. Overall I take my 2020 over any of these trucks because of how well it tracks on the highway and handles weight. The vast majority of 1/2 tons feel like sedans with lift kits and larger tires. Not as stable as they should be considering OEM’s ridiculous weight ratings. The driving experience is admittedly better in a Chevy, Ford, and Ram because it’s a car not a truck.
CVT execution actually has turned into one of the few bright spots
