1998 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4X4 EXT CAB 3.4 V6

Summary:

A dependable, fun truck to own!

Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong yet. The drive-train seemed to have a "hard bump" when stopped and the brake let off, but in the last 10000 miles I have been using the "power" switch on the dashboard and all seems well now. It may also be helped by me switching to Mobile 1 trans fluid.

General Comments:

Great Truck! I love it overall, but the seats are a bit uncomfortable. The padding has been "flattened" over time and there is no thigh support left. Don't know what it was like when new, but you get used to anything and now it doesn't bother me that much.

The ride is fantastic. Haven't been off road much, but the 4X4 does great in snow on road (here in Chicago).

The combined gas mileage with the V6 and auto is around 17 MPG. I once maxed out at 23 MPG on the highway using cruise control with a tail wind!

I use this little truck to carry a 1200 pound slide-in camper (using air bags in the suspension) and pull a 1000 pound boat at the same time. It handled it very well for the 3200 mile trip to FLA and back. The V6 engine is rock solid!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th January, 2004

1998 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4X4 2.7L

Summary:

I would recommend this truck to anyone

Faults:

My rotors needed replaced when I purchased the truck.

General Comments:

This truck handles very well for an extended cab truck. The power is sufficient for now, but I plan to purchase a TRD supercharger.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd May, 2003

1998 Toyota Tacoma SR5 V6 2X2 3.4L V6

Summary:

A sleeper like no other car, and the bed is handy for... things

Faults:

The truck is so powerful that it burns out at will. It eats gas when you drive hard.

General Comments:

The fastest naturally aspirated truck on the road. It's so quick, I beat rice burners. Very reliable and takes cares of its passengers.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st October, 2001

1998 Toyota Tacoma SR5 2.4L

Summary:

A dependable, reliable truck that gets 30 mpg

Faults:

No repairs at all.

General Comments:

Sticky shifting, cured that with Mobil 1 in the transmission and differential.

Not the best ride, but it is a small truck.

I know when I get in that it will start. Can't put a price on dependability.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th August, 2001

1998 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 2.7L

Summary:

Most reliable truck out there

Faults:

At 26,000 miles one of the rear spring leaves cracked. I believe this had a lot to do with a bump I hit during a cold spell (-23f) one Chicago winter morning. Toyota replaced it under warranty with zeal and I was back cruising in no time.

General Comments:

Sturdy truck which I expect to run forever.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th May, 2001

24th Aug 2002, 00:12

Why say it is a sturdy truck when a leaf spring broke. Unless you really had it overloaded and hit a bump this should never happen. I'd sell that thing if I were you.

16th Aug 2004, 00:03

Actually, After I had the single leaf in the whole leaf pack crack and replaced by the dealer I had no problems. I chalked it up to Toyota buying their leaf springs from Mexico as it was stamped on the pack. I think they had a few problems in just that year with this.

Once that was done I drove this truck day in and day out and never had a single thing go wrong with it. This includes a road trip from Chicago to Alaska up to the Arctic circle in a variety of climates since it was October. Not one single problem at all. I now have 93,000 miles on it and she's running strong. This is a vehicle that was meant to be driven and not discarded after one mishap.

View 14 more comments