2005 Tacoma base model - review at 8k miles

I have had this truck since Feb 05, this is just an unscientific
reaction to it. First of all I have owned two other Toyotas (79 pickup
and 99 Solara) and I am really satisfied with the overall quality.

I bought this pickup (05 Tacoma base model with 5-spd, standard cab) in
February of this year. I bought it because it felt good and my wife and
I were in the process of retiring and moving to Hawaii, and so far it
has been an excellent choice. We are in a rural part of East Hawai'i
(the Big Island) and we need a hauler - we live on an unpaved road and
need to move stuff around.

OK, now as to what I like & don't like about the truck.

The engine is a jewel, a most excellent truck engine. It pulls well
from 1500 rpm in any gear and also doesn't choke at high rpms. IMO you
do not need a V6 with this engine, it's pretty strong unless you are
pulling a big boat or the like.
Gas mileage. Unscientifically, about 22-23 rpm in "rural" driving,
mostly 55-60 mph highway.
Things to like. It's quiet at highway speeds. The controls are right,
no inconveniences or dumb things.
The suspension. Car&Driver said (about a different model) that it's
too soft. I think not, I've hauled stuff close to the truck's 1100
pound capacity and it's OK.
The transmission. This is not-to-like. Although it's OK the gears
need an adjustment in ratios - 1st is too high and so is 2nd. 4th & 5th
are too close together. I suspect that the real solution is a 6-speed,
available on some models. But the stock transmission is OK. Specifically:
You don't have a gear for parking lots, 1st is too low and 2nd too high.
4th-5th gears, no difference really, If I downshift from 5th to 4th I
want something to HAPPEN, it doesn't because the two gears are too
close. I have to admit though that I like the 30 mph/1000 rpm of 5th gear.

Other items.
Good radio considering it's the base (cheapest) version.
I like the plastic bed, it has been scratched but not wounded.
Excellent lights, I may not bother putting in aftermarket lights.
Decent seats (and I have back problems).
No mechanical or other problems so far

So, buy again - yes, exactly thhe right truck for this area, quality a
plus, minor details not perfect but acceptable. Fun to drive - yes, a
good truck.

JR

jim wrote:[color=blue]
>
> I have had this truck since Feb 05, this is just an unscientific
> reaction to it. First of all I have owned two other Toyotas (79 pickup
> and 99 Solara) and I am really satisfied with the overall quality.
>
> I bought this pickup (05 Tacoma base model with 5-spd, standard cab)
> in February of this year. I bought it because it felt good and my wife
> and I were in the process of retiring and moving to Hawaii, and so far
> it has been an excellent choice. We are in a rural part of East Hawai'i
> (the Big Island) and we need a hauler - we live on an unpaved road and
> need to move stuff around.
>
> OK, now as to what I like & don't like about the truck.
>
> The engine is a jewel, a most excellent truck engine. It pulls well
> from 1500 rpm in any gear and also doesn't choke at high rpms. IMO you
> do not need a V6 with this engine, it's pretty strong unless you are
> pulling a big boat or the like.
> Gas mileage. Unscientifically, about 22-23 rpm in "rural" driving,
> mostly 55-60 mph highway.
> Things to like. It's quiet at highway speeds. The controls are
> right, no inconveniences or dumb things.
> The suspension. Car&Driver said (about a different model) that it's
> too soft. I think not, I've hauled stuff close to the truck's 1100
> pound capacity and it's OK.
> The transmission. This is not-to-like. Although it's OK the gears
> need an adjustment in ratios - 1st is too high and so is 2nd. 4th & 5th
> are too close together. I suspect that the real solution is a 6-speed,
> available on some models. But the stock transmission is OK. Specifically:
> You don't have a gear for parking lots, 1st is too low and 2nd too
> high.
> 4th-5th gears, no difference really, If I downshift from 5th to 4th
> I want something to HAPPEN, it doesn't because the two gears are too
> close. I have to admit though that I like the 30 mph/1000 rpm of 5th gear.
>
> Other items.
> Good radio considering it's the base (cheapest) version.
> I like the plastic bed, it has been scratched but not wounded.
> Excellent lights, I may not bother putting in aftermarket lights.
> Decent seats (and I have back problems).
> No mechanical or other problems so far
>
> So, buy again - yes, exactly thhe right truck for this area, quality a
> plus, minor details not perfect but acceptable. Fun to drive - yes, a
> good truck.
>
> JR
>[/color]
Congrats on the truck and the move - I haven't been further than Kona on
that side of the island. What's gas selling for these days? (just curious)

I own a 03 Tacoma with the 5 speed manual and I know the 05 and 03's are
different, but I hate my gear ratio in my truck also. First gear is way
too high. From a dead stop, you have to really gas it and clutch it, or
it will go dead very easily. All the other gears are really close
together. I'm in 5th gear around 50mph.

Brian wrote:
[color=blue]
> I own a 03 Tacoma with the 5 speed manual and I know the 05 and 03's are
> different, but I hate my gear ratio in my truck also. First gear is way
> too high. From a dead stop, you have to really gas it and clutch it, or
> it will go dead very easily. All the other gears are really close
> together. I'm in 5th gear around 50mph.[/color]

Nothing new. I have an '88 pickup (22R -- 4-speed), and first is too
tall and high isn't high enough. . . :>))

I didn't have the money at the time to get a truck with a 5-speed, but
the dealer had half a dozen gray base models with no options. He said
some company had ordered a bunch of them as service trucks, but went
broke before the trucks arrived. I underestand many So Cal dealers got a
few each. I know I see them on the road pretty often, same gray, same
bed... :>))

Best vehicle I've ever owned...
--
Tom - Vista, CA