I think I'll be looking for a lightly used '05 Tacoma 4x4 Access cab next year. The girlfriend has two kids, 9 & 14, and my truck and MR2 both seat only two. Can anyone here enlighten me as to first model year problems that have been encountered? I haven't had a crush like this on a vehicle in a while, but I'm hesitant to buy first year...

 

I've read some paint issues... lots a rock chips. That's easy enough to tell. I've also heard a number of people have issues with the 6 speed manual. So I'd look Auto. That's all I've heard (for what it's worth).

I too was thinking about buying one... then decided the 4runner was better (plus no payments).

 

I have one and have been very pleased with it, mine is up to like 15,600 miles now and i haven't had any problems with it. My truck has two tiny chips on the leading edge of the hood. I think the chip problems were mainly confined to very early production ones, my truck was put into service as of January 2005 and it doesn't seem to have the problems most have. Motor is great, i bought my tuck in Indiana and averaged 21-22mpg running 75-80+ driving it home to atlanta. I do mostly stop and go driving in my commute here and average about 18mpg per tank. I love it but, it is horribly quiet, they really need some sort of exhaust to wake it up and take away the factory exhaust note. Luckily that isn't too bad, JBA headers can be had for about $350 and cat-backs are around $250. No real gripes except i couldn't get a sunroof even in a double cab and I really don't like the plastic bed either, no real reason though, it is holding up fine.

 

Thanks for the feedback. I suppose I wouldn't worry too much about paint issues, because I paint cars for a living. I'd prefer I didn't have to, so I'd likely invest in one of the many "invisible bra" products to protect it from chips. However, problems with the 6 speed manual do concern me, because that would be my preference. Most likely, I'll get mine with the TRD Sport package as I doubt I'll be offroading with a $25000 vehicle, and I prefer good road manners anyway. Which means the 6 speed is definitely in the cards. I'll have to surf around for more info on the tranny and paint issues.

 

Do the people "have issues" with the 6 speed manual, or there "ARE" issues with the 6 speed manual? I've heard no problems at all with respect to the 6 speeds. The only thing I've heard is the clutch is a little different from previous Toyota trucks (the clutch in my truck is really simple, basic, and easy to use and drive) but you can quickly get used to it.

 

My wife has an 05 extended cab with the six-speed. The only problem we have had in 8000 miles is the torsion spring on the clutch pedal has a crappy plastic bushing that creaks every time the pedal is pressed. I have used lithium grease to quiet the creak, but I think I will be tearing out the spring and replacing it with a linear type spring as soon as I have time.

 

I work @ NUMMI here in Fremont that builds the Taco & so far bullzeye is right and we have corrected that issue. Usually the first year has some quirks, but so far there were hardly any major quirks I've heard of. I work on the taco line & take pride building the Taco. It's great to hear & see the Taco is a great selling truck. When I saw the first Taco @ the end of the line built (Silver double-cab TRD 4x4), I knew this would be my next truck along w/ my Toyota family, 94 Toyota Runner, & 04 Toyota Sienna (yes, I have a mini van) lol.
Anyways, you (Cardiac) will not be disappointed w/ the 05 Taco.

 

Just curious, what has been done to fix this problem? The local dealership says they have not heard of a fix yet. When I took it in they only greased the shaft on the cylinder under the clutch pedal, which did nothing. I would like a permanent fix, but I think Toyota should do it, not me.

 

We got a Mar/05 NUMMI truck and we arent having any of the problems people are complaining of. No paint damage (Besides what was done by the stupid license plate), No leaf spring rattle, no front end rattle, very little valve tick.

 

More good feedback, especially from a man who builds the vehicle in question. I thought of another question: Has anyone sat in the back of the access cab? Does it have fold down seats like the old extended cab, or actual seats? The double cab jumps the price up quite a bit, and I actually prefer the access cab aesthetically anyway...

 

Justinh, any feedback on the Sport package specifically? Is it worth the additional $4700?

 

Oh yes it is. I test drove the DCLB SR5, DCLB TRD Sport, DCSB SR5, and DCSB TRD Off Road, and fell in love witht he sport. Handles surprisingly well (When Im driving it ont he highway my passengers crap their pants at the speed I take on ramps). Love the color-keyed everything, hood scoop, etc etc.

 

I sat in the back of an access cab '05 Tacoma in the show room of a local dealership about half a year ago and it was a significant improvement to my 93 P/U extended cab as far as leg room, plus with the rear opening suicide doors it's much more manageable as far as getting in/out, etc.. I mean it's not the most comfortable of seats as you still sorta sit upright with your knees up a bit higher because of how low the seat is, but it's much more bearable than the jump seats in my truck due to the added size/leg room of the truck in general plus with the front seats forward a bit it's even more manageable and there is room for the front seats to go forward too. So it's a suitable/workable compromise if you want to opt for the access cab over the double cab in my opinion. If you're just having the odd person back there every now and then I'd get the access cab.

 

My best friend had 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gear syncros go bad in the transmission at 15K on his 2005. He babies that thing, it must have just been a flaw or somebody screwed up, however he loves that truck.

 

Can you tell me how Toyota has fixed the clutch pedal problem?