Things to check on the test drive

I will be doing test drives in the Toyota Tacoma, Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon in a few months. I am doing lots of research on those vehicles trying to sense what things bear checking and further research.

I'd interested in ideas from those who own one of the trucks above. Granted, we all have different expectations when we do a test drive, but I am interested mainly in what you wish you had checked when you did your test drive; based on your actual experience of owning.

So, what advice would you give me? What things ought I check during the test drive and inspection?

Thanks!

 

made this a while ago

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/before-taking-delivery.452240/#post-13279324

 

Thanks for the list. I'll use that when I take delivery.

But I am mainly interested now in things that are a "common problem" with 2016+ Tacomas. For instance, many owners might say a transmission that clunks into lower gears at a stop sign, etc. You know, things that I should check on about a 30 minute test drive.

 

yep, that list was produced by reading the issues others expressed on the forum.

Good luck. I think some of the issues don't show themselves in the test drive, but after a while driving the truck. Not sure what the "test drive loop" your place will put you on, but I took mine on the highway, through the "city" street, on the country road and 4x4 in a field.

 

Not to be an azzhat but isn't the whole point of a test drive to drive it like you would normally drive and see if it behaves as you need it to behave? I'm unsure what sort of list you'd need to achieve that?

 

If the salesperson goes with you on the Tacoma test drive (or any other assuming like features) look to see if they turn on the ECT before leaving while ostensibly fiddling around with the radio, heater, etc. They assume you don't notice or know what it is. If they do that, beware as that's deceptive in my book. I went to 6 dealers before I bought my truck, and at three of them the salesperson did this. If they do, you can have a bit of fun with them asking what it is and listening to what they say.

 

Thunks, clunks, surges, and some whining is normal for this truck (leading to the same from owners, myself included). You must decide of you like these characteristics. I wouldn't bank on any changes from Toyota or fixes from the dealer. If it annoys you at all, even in the slightest, walk away. Good luck.

 

If at all possible try to get them to let you take the trucks home for an overnight test drive as you will be able to drive on the roads you usually drive.

 

Your bank account and debt report.....

Take a look before you spend 40k for a truck with production quality of 90s dodge or a car from Yugoslavia.

Seriously: make sure you are happy with the power of the truck, behavior of transmission, seat position, etc.

And all the other things listed in the thread.

 

Bed misalignment will most likely be on almost every tacoma. Check that for sure and decide if you can live with it. Toyota won't fix it. That's NORMAL to them.

 

I test drove the Tacoma, everything was as expected, bought it, everything is still as expected.

Going in with a biased list will only cloud your perception. Drive it like you would normally drive.

I bought my truck before ever looking at TW and I am glad I did

 

here's my 0.02, which i suppose applies to any vehicle, but certainly the 3rd gen taco....

i test drove 2 Tacomas. both were loaner quality crap. AT's with crappy shifting, rattling everything, whining rear end, horrible ride, plastic interior, etc. both were like that. then i got my MT Tacoma after more than 3 months waiting and it's fantastic, awesome, tight, comfortable, well built, great ride, no issues, super happy with it.

still do your due diligence and check everything, but keep in mind there's a huge amount of negative hype on this forum. it's just not representative of the total reality.

 

My 2 cents - I've always found the typical 30 minute test drive you get (often with the salesperson in the vehicle with you) is pretty much useless.

You get in the vehicle, you are "star struck" as everything is brand new, you want to try everything out (but you don't get time), the salesperson takes you on the route they want you to take....all and all such a short test drive does not give you any time to fully assess the vehicle before deciding to purchase.

When I bought my Tacoma, I was lucky and could "test drive" a buddies before I made my purchase.

My wife and parents recently bought vehicles separately (a Volvo and Honda respectively) and both dealerships offered a 24 hour test drive. My wife and I had the Volvo for about 6 hours before we returned it - we got to play with everything on the car, drive it on various road conditions, drive it on snow and ice, test how easy it was to park, drive it in the dark etc...

Same goes with my folks and the Honda - they kept it for 24 hours and fully assessed the vehicle before purchasing.

Long story short - I would look for a dealership that allows you to take the vehicle on an extended test drive (4 to 24 hours) by yourself before plunking down 40K. Those dealerships are out there and often have this information on their webpage.

 

@Tunngavik right, thus the advice to test drive like you'd normally drive, which may imply an overnight test drive or obtaining a rental truck so you can really give it a go.

FYI: http://www.toyota.com/rental/tacoma.html

 

Sadly, you see this on all makes of trucks. Dealer will usually correct it though if its out of spec...

 

I also recommended the over night test drive in Post #10, my Dealer let me have a 17 to test drive for 2 days, it helps feel all the quirks.

 

take it on the highway and go for a longer drive. make sure you drive at speeds of 60-75 mph withouth ECT on and in drive. see how the transmission acts. also try using cruise control for a couple miles.

see how the transmission shifts and runs at highway speeds and see if it is something you can deal with.


i would seriously suggest to try test driving the auto and then the manual. i made this mistake and never drove the manual. mainly because i couldnt get it in a double cab or a long box.


that and the ratting dash up near the passenger a pillar. theres a few other things to look for. maybe a howling diff if the test drive truck has a few miles on it.

 

I know a couple 3rd gen Tacoma owners who aren't on TW. Apparently they never got the message that they're supposed to hate their trucks; they're happy as clams. Go figure.

 

Okay let me contribute something again...

@Tacoma-or-Colorado? if you wear polarized sunglasses, be sure to try them out in the Taco. Though it doesn't much matter though as I seem to remember the Canyon headunit also sucked with polarized sunglasses.

 

^ This. While I have my opinions on the TurdGen, the OP was not looking for that but looking for advice on what to assess during a test drive.

Oh, and OP - if you want to get model with a sunroof make sure you sit in / test drive a model that has a sunroof.

When I sat in one I quickly realized my head would bang against the left roof liner where the sunroof rails impinge. Basically I could never own a 3rd Gen with a sunroof as I would constant have to have my head at an angle. I'm only 6'.