I bought this truck new. I drive it every day & have ridden it hard with frequent off-roading and towing. It has had almost no problems. I now have 130k miles on it (in 2010) & it runs like new. Other than regular maintenance, I've only had to replace the fuel pump & water pump. There is a door hinge pin that is a design flaw that must be replaced approx. every 100k mi. for $40. I've owned 3 Toyota trucks previously and got this because of the 0% 60mo. financing. None of my Toyotas ran this well for so long, with such comfort. The MPG was about the same. I average 16-18.
Best Features
Looks great. Runs flawlessly. Strong engine. Good comfort/convenience.
Worst Features
Wish it would have had a ZR2 option (it cost me around $1000 to install mild lifts to get the ZR2 appearance--before lifting, people thought it was a 2WD). Stock is too low. Bigger gas tank. I can only go about 270 miles on a tank.
My Sonoma never even got 19 on a good day. It only gets 17 on the highway. I drive 50 miles round trip highway miles to work every day. I have had it for 6 months and I have to sell it because of the poor mpg.
We are the original owners and are very happy with our first 4x4 vehicle. We cannot believe how great the ride is for being a 4x4. The performance is great with the 4.3 engine. We drive for 7 hrs to get up north in the summer and we both feel fresh, even tho we each sat in the same position all the way. We make sure that it is maintained regularly. We are seniors and are depending on never getting rid of our 2002 Sonoma 4x4 extended cab.
I have a roar in the engine from time to time that sounds like I have shifted to 4 WD when it is definitely in 2WD. Taken in to the dealer and he can never hear that sound. Does not do it all the time but when it does it sounds like the engine is going to come out from under the hood. Been in the shop 5x with shifting problems, shims, water in headlamp, wind noise both front doors, very poor gas mileage empty load or pulling trailor. Would not recommend this truck to anyone.Center console is too small and tight up front. backseat leg area too small. Just me and the dog and still not enough room.Bummer cruise control. Cheap, would have paid the difference for a good cruise controller.
Best Features
Fog headlamps, good exceleration if you are willing to spend the money on gas. Tows well if the engine is not stuck in a windup mode. Headreast on passengers side are too high and dangerous blind spot.
Worst Features
Go back to the design of 1997 and improve the gas mileage. Fix the seating so there is not a blind spot. Having to keep my truck for 7 days at a time to get the repairs fixed. Computer diagnostics did not work on my problems they had to run them down by trial and error!
Vehicle needs aproximately 50 more
horse power to be a good work truck.
It suffers from a blind spot over the
right rear corner due to the location
and size of the c pillar and rear seat
headrests. The fit and finish of the
sheet metal (out of Linden NJ) was less
than stellar. Warranty repairs to AC
compressor, transfer case electric
shift solenoid and air distribution
system vacuum motors required
Best Features
Appearance is sharper than the
replacement vehicle