2004 Toyota Tacoma base model reg cab 2.4 from North America
Summary:
Excellent basic transportation commuter and utility vehicle
Faults:
No problems so far.
General Comments:
So far this base model, no options Tacoma has been a great commuter pick up truck.
Although the interior is small there is enough head and leg room for me. (5'9") But with two people the interior becomes cramped and there is no extra room for storage, being a regular cab.
It has not had any problems in 6500 miles and I expect it to stay that way.
The only major issue with it is performance in winter.
The back end breaks loose very easily. Even a high wind on a slippery road will cause the rear to slide a little. I just added 4 snow tires and some weight so hopefully that will help during the next storm.
However during cold days the heater heats up quicker than any car I have ever owned.
Another small issue I have is that there is a slight transmission whine in 3rd and 5th especially. It's noticeable, but I know if I take it to the dealer they'll just say its normal. So I will wait to see if it gets worse. Its not a big deal; the radio easily drowns it out.
The gas mileage is excellent at around 26 mpg combined.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 10th February, 2005
7th Dec 2004, 18:23
I too have heard comments regarding the dismal gas mileage of the 3.4 litre engines. True, it is a V-6 and a truck, but in comparison to say a Nissan Titan V-8 with 305 HP and getting similar gas ratings, Toyotas should command better mpg. As I perform additional research for the best truck on the market based on several key factors - reliability, mpg, resale, integrity, etc., I am seriously considering a purchase other than a Toyota. Owning Toyota trucks and cars for the last 21 years with excellent/trouble free experience, they just don't seem the same quality as past year models and of course the fortune a new model demands today.