1998 Toyota Tacoma Reviews - Page 2 of 4

17th Jan 2008, 16:50

Your headline says it all.

I own one and wouldn't give it up for anything made before or since. I play in the mud in it, HARD, overload it occasionally, and then take it halfway across the country and it's perfect. Never a repair. I enjoy driving it more every day, and every day it proves to me that it can handle anything within reason that I can throw at it, and some unreasonable things too.

Not to mention, I live in an area where they salt the winter roads, and still not a speck of rust.

I have the V-6, and it's as rock solid as any engine ever built by anybody. It regularly sees 4000 rpms continuously while off roading, the 4 wheel drive system is absolutely perfect; hell, the whole truck is perfect. I wouldn't change a detail.

For on or off road purposes, for a truck this size, no one has ever built a better one.

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1998 Toyota Tacoma SR5 Extend Cab 2.4 from North America

Model year	1998
Year of manufacture	1998
First year of ownership	1998
Most recent year of ownership	2007
Engine and transmission	2.4 Manual
Performance marks	10 / 10
Reliability marks	10 / 10
Comfort marks	3 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper)	10 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)	8.3 / 10
Distance when acquired	10 miles
Most recent distance	100000 miles
Previous car	Ford F250 Super Duty

Summary:

The truck drives like a car yet works like a truck

Faults:

I needed to replace all four shocks at 75,000 miles. A handling problem was immediately corrected.

General Comments:

The truck travels on the highway like a car, quiet and low engine revs, however the low seat comfort is terrible. This small truck, even with extra cab has the largest bed space of any small truck. I tow a 19 foot bass boat in fourth gear without any problems, but braking can sometimes be lacking.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th December, 2007

1998 Toyota Tacoma SR5 TRD 4x4 2.7L I4 from North America

Model year	1998
Year of manufacture	1998
First year of ownership	2007
Most recent year of ownership	2007
Engine and transmission	2.7L I4 Manual
Performance marks	7 / 10
Reliability marks	10 / 10
Comfort marks	7 / 10
Dealer Service marks	10 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper)	7 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)	8.2 / 10
Distance when acquired	100000 miles
Most recent distance	105001 miles
Previous car	GMC Sierra

Summary:

Nice, reliable, but underpowered

Faults:

The drivers side light sensor stopped working, so when you open the door, the dome light dosen't turn on.

Muffler had to be replaced at 103k.

I have also heard a rumor about 1998 tacoma frames rusting out quickly. I haven't had this problem.

Other than that, the usual Toyota quality.

General Comments:

The rear "seats" are tiny. But the front seats are comfortable.

The 2.7L four is pretty quick to accelerate, but merging with highway traffic requires your foot to the floor.

The interior materials aren't up to Toyota quality. Hard shiny plastic is everywhere. But it is well assembled with no squeaks or rattles. I also have a Mazda Tribute with 37k miles and it has more rattles than my Tacoma.

It handles very well in the snow, and returns 24 average mpg. I think in 1998 anti-lock brakes should be standard on all models.

Tacomas hold their value a lot better than say, a S-10 or a Ranger.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th December, 2007

17th Mar 2008, 21:30

This is the same person that wrote this review. Another thing to add to the "what has gone wrong" with category"

My truck is equipped with the Toyota security system. It has a tendency to lock itself with the keys inside. I sat and watch my truck lock itself twice within 5 minutes with the keys sitting on the drivers seat. One time I started the truck, walked away, and the truck locked itself, WHILE IT WAS RUNNING!! Since then, I put a spare key underneath the rear bumper. Beware!! But I still love the truck to death.

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1998 Toyota Tacoma SR5 3.4 from North America

Model year	1998
Year of manufacture	1998
First year of ownership	1998
Most recent year of ownership	2007
Engine and transmission	3.4 Automatic
Performance marks	10 / 10
Reliability marks	10 / 10
Comfort marks	9 / 10
Dealer Service marks	1 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper)	10 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)	8.0 / 10
Distance when acquired	0 miles
Most recent distance	217000 miles
Previous car	Toyota Truck

Summary:

Precision

Faults:

Replaced the water pump.

General Comments:

This truck is great! I have over 217,000 miles and have owned it since new. Only major repair is a new water pump.

It does not burn any oil and drives like new! This truck is testament to the quality of Toyota engineering. I also like the fact that they assemble them in the USA.

I couldn't imagine buying any other truck!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th July, 2007

1998 Toyota Tacoma 2.4 inline four from North America

Model year	1998
Year of manufacture	1997
First year of ownership	2001
Most recent year of ownership	2007
Engine and transmission	2.4 inline four Automatic
Performance marks	5 / 10
Reliability marks	9 / 10
Comfort marks	5 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper)	4 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)	5.8 / 10
Distance when acquired	100000 miles
Most recent distance	150000 miles

Summary:

Basic transportation that is pretty reliable

Faults:

Random rattles.

Transmission needed work around 100,000.

Fuel pressure regulator needed replaced around 120,000.

Check engine light on.

Lots of rust on under body parts, no rust on exterior though.

General Comments:

Reliable, basic transportation; not really meant for towing/heavy hauling or off road use.

Parts are very expensive, as with any import.

Engine is underpowered for a 2.4L with double overhead cams, it always feels like something is holding it back.

One will need snow tires on the back wheels with 2wd if in a snowy climate, doesn't handle snow well at all without mud grips with studs.

Great A/C and heater.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 25th January, 2007