Toyota Folks... what say you?

Granny

Granny

One day at a time...
Joined
Jun 12, 2007
Location
Cabarrus County (Rimertown)
Hey guys & gals, I am looking for some advice, opinions, suggestions, etc. Last year I leased a 2020 Toyota Tacoma with the intent to purchase it at the end of the lease. However, I am slowly & surely developing a dislike for the truck... mainly the forever searching 6-speed automatic transmission that just can't seem to decide which gear it wants to be in. I have been doing a lot of reading and what I have come up with suggests that the 2000 to 2005 years were the best of them all. The dealer says no problem in taking the 2020 off my hands and I could actually make a few bucks on the deal. They are in high-demand and not so plentiful. Before I decide to make another move I would like to feel a little confidence of doing my homework. I did not research the 2020. I simply assumed Toyota quality and jumped on it. I am most certainly disappointed with what I got. Tell me your thoughts... ThanX!!!
 
If you don’t like it now you won’t like it tomorrow or a year from now. If you can get out of the lease and make a dime I’d do it. Keep in mind that if you have to replace it with something else you are probably SOL though.
 
I’ve got a 15 tundra with 230k on it and still rocking. Loading up this morning to drive to Jacksonville fl meet for 30 minutes and drive back . (I wonder how it got that many miles)

My daughter has a 2019 Tacoma.

we have never experienced the hunting transmission and have been very happy with it. Though it is a tad underpowered.
The best think about Toyota’s though is they hold their value. You can get your money back.
 
Btw, if you lease a Toyota the deals are up north. My daughters is a lease. Zero down, zero disposition, 199/month 4door 4wheeler drive sr5 sport…but you can’t buy it out at end. The los lease is because the residual is literally $1 below contract price
 
I think the issue will be finding a suitable replacement at a decent price. Used vehs are silly priced right now. Some deals are out there but you have to be lucky or quick with the cash.
 
Did Toyota offer different gear ratios in the axles? I know when I bought my Ram a few years back. Guys running the 3.23 gear set said the 8speed was always hunting, my 3.92 gears ran to top gear pretty quick and had the torque to stay there.

As said, replacing it will be a chore right now, I work with a guy who waited 3-4 months for his Tacoma.
 
Sorry so long in getting back... been busy with outdoor work. As of right now I am looking at older 2000-2005 models which are reported to be the best years of them all, and the 2015 which also has very good reports. None of these have the aggravating 6-speed transmission. This article offers a lot of info: Shopping For a Used Toyota Tacoma - The Problem Years to Avoid | Torque News Appreciate the feedback!!!! :beer::beer::beer:
 
I have a 2008 Double Cab short bed “PreRunner“ (kids model) I bought it with 255k currently has 306k, I believe it still has the original water pump on it. Truck has been rock solid, was a used as a fleet truck for 8 years. I’ve done front hub bearings, spark plugs, normal maintenance stuff. 4.0L w 5spd auto and towing package ( oil and trans coolers, receiver hitch and factory 7pin with wiring for brake already installed. It’s been driven cross country (Midwest) several times, 20mpg was the norm@75ish mph.
‘12-‘15 have a air injection fan that uses a cheap filter, it comes apart and jams up the fan, causes a check engine light, replaced that filter and that’s pretty much the worst part of them. ( lil more to it but that’s the gist)
Been toying with buying a newer one with less miles. Current pricing is insane….
 
Are you set on getting an old Toyota? 2 years ago when I was looking for a 1/2 ton gasser, I drove a Tundra, 2 Silverados, and 2 F150s. There was no comparison, the F150 was luxury compared to the other two. With the V8 and 10-speed it was a hot rod. I was worried about having so many gears it would constantly be hunting, but Ford figured that out. It skips gears when it needs to, it was so smooth. Ultimately my desire for a diesel won out and I only had the F150 for 2 years. But it was sweet.
 
I found some different info this evening. Whether it holds water or not remains to be seen. Bottom line... I like everything about my Tacoma except the wierd shifting of the six speed tranny. That said... maybe some light at the end of the tunnel. Not going to type much, just post a couple links. Also, next week, or when I can find the time, I am going to check with Hendrick Toyota concerning this issue. Cloninger Toyota offers no support on this issue at all. If Toyota can't offer anything, here are a couple options... maybe. I believe it's worth reading... Pedal Commander PC38 Bluetooth (Toyota Tacoma) Also, from searching for "OV Tune" which I read about on TacomaWorld.com... Here's why you hate the 3rd Gen Tacoma Transmission...and how we are fixing it. That's all tonight, need some sleep... busy day tomorrow. Again, thank's to all for comments... you are appreciated! :beer:
 
Granny said:
... and what I have come up with suggests that the 2000 to 2005 years were the best of them all.
Click to expand...
Incorrect.
Nothing beats a topless 1st gen 4runner ;-)

(unless its an actual race, then it's well, anything)
 
OK... finally some light shed on this subject. Per service dept at Hendrick Toyota. The Tacoma automatic is an Adaptive Transmission. It learns your driving habits as you drive. It can also be reset by simply disconnecting the battery. This will cause some programming presets (radio, door locks, lights, etc.) to be lost, but they can be set back to your preferences. At this time, I don't have enough miles (only 2,500) on my truck yet for it to adapt to my driving. I was told by the time I get 6-8k miles on the truck I will likely be very comfortable with it. My son has a 2016 and he reports no problems... he bought his truck used with 16k on it. I guess it had already learned something. Anyway, I am going to get off this soapbox and give things a chance to work out. Sometimes I have to learn to be a little bit more patient. Maybe will update this someday in the future... hopefully with good news!

And... I think RatLabGuy may have a valid point regarding the topless 4Runner! :D
 
ponykilr said:
I have read that during the adaptive learning you should drive it in a more spirited manner.
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I do not have an answer to that, but can only assume... since we all have different driving styles, and the mind (whatever that is) of the transmission supposedly learns from how we drive I can not imagine how that could even be a variable in the equation. However, I will say that I notice the shifting problems more when in small town or city traffic. Out on the open road seems OK for the most part. All I can really say is that I am learning too.
 
ponykilr said:
I have read that during the adaptive learning you should drive it in a more spirited manner.
Click to expand...
Yep, drive it like you stole it.

I dont believe that it takes as long as they say to "learn". I have a 2015 Sierra and if I only drive it very conservatively to work and back for a couple weeks, then do some spirited back roads driving, I can tell a difference.

It wouldn't make any sense to take 6k-8k miles to learn and then loose it when the battery is disconnected.
 
Granny said:
I do not have an answer to that, but can only assume... since we all have different driving styles, and the mind (whatever that is) of the transmission supposedly learns from how we drive I can not imagine how that could even be a variable in the equation. However, I will say that I notice the shifting problems more when in small town or city traffic. Out on the open road seems OK for the most part. All I can really say is that I am learning too.
Click to expand...
Last year I got out of a Ford E250 work van, 5.4 w/4r100 I think. Normal driving tank.

New van is Chevy 2500 w/4.3L V6 and 6L80 I think, it’s very fussy and seems to have a few neutrals at random times, usually first thing in the morning after backing out of driveway. 10 months out it is better but still fussy at times. Dunno why we need 6,8,10speed trans
 
LBarr2002 said:
Yep, drive it like you stole it.

I dont believe that it takes as long as they say to "learn". I have a 2015 Sierra and if I only drive it very conservatively to work and back for a couple weeks, then do some spirited back roads driving, I can tell a difference.

It wouldn't make any sense to take 6k-8k miles to learn and then loose it when the battery is disconnected.
Click to expand...
I agree, there isnt any reason it should take that long to learn. Now, i could see it taking that long for the trans to be fully "broken in", or there is some trigger in the ECM to change the way it drives before/after. I believe @ghost mentioned his truck being similar.
 
before you do anything, take it to the dealer and have them update the ECU if you haven't already done that. (toyota released a TSB/update) it corrected some drive-ability issues. i think they also released another update a couple months ago that fixed the throttle pedal lag. just make sure they put the latest firmware on it.

T-SB-0092-20​

 

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paradisePWoffrd said:
I agree, there isnt any reason it should take that long to learn. Now, i could see it taking that long for the trans to be fully "broken in", or there is some trigger in the ECM to change the way it drives before/after. I believe @ghost mentioned his truck being similar.
Click to expand...
Yes my truck made a noticeable jump in fuel economy around 1500 miles. Only have 38xx on it right now. F250 with the 7.3 and 10 speed. No gear hunting so far.
 
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