General Discussion and BS thread -Safe Haven

^^ 100% agree... just my own opinion. Personally I'm hoping in 7-8 years when they do a refresh of the Tacoma they improve on the design (make it more cohesive) similar to how they improved the Gen 2 Tacoma with the '12 refresh, again just my own subjective opinion.

 

I remember when toyota teased us with the bumper and headlight shot, I was actually excited and hopeful, then when it was revealed disappointment, I even stayed up after a 12 hour mid shift to watch the unveiling, shortly thereafter I went and traded my 11 for my perfect 2nd gen 15 (being oggling doublecab sports) after hoping the 16 would be my next truck. There's alot of great ideas with the new truck, but I feel it was rushed or something cause its one ugly looking truck, 6 months later I still have a hard time looking at pictures. Powertrain sounds great, the improved frame, some neat features and a much needed interior update are all great, but not enough for me to walk outside everyday and have to stare at that horrible exterior design. But again thats just my 2 cents.

 

Dude get out of my head! jk
I had a similar experience, but what irritates me are the soon to be '16 - Gen 3 owners who make smart ass comments to me, "oh you're only bitching about the '16 Gen 3 Tacoma because you don't want to admit you made a stupid mistake by not waiting". Honestly I have no problem admitting to anyone including myself that I've made plenty of stupid mistakes in my life.... I could bore anyone to death about how I made a mistake buying a used Subaru Outback XT 5+ years ago. Second if I wanted a Gen 3, in 2-3 years I would just trade my '15 and get one, no reason to be jealous and hate. I've been blessed to have two decent paying jobs that afford me to do some wasteful spending, that and Tacoma resell values are kick ass. Because I too wouldn't be able to put up with looking at a '16 Tacoma everyday, I'm keeping my '15 for 10+ years, then I'll give it to my son.

 

Ditto dude, gets really frustrating with the new guys who say that your just hating cause you bought a 15, mind you I owned a 98, 08, 11 and purchased my 15 after seeing the 16. I will admit the features are nice and hopeful improvements toyota says they made, but Im not one to sugarcoat things and I call out some of the nonsense people are saying or hoping for with this truck, but to each their own. I too am not the smartest decision maker, but Im not new to these trucks either or toyota. Congrats on the 15. Im more than satisfied with my purchase. Buddy at the track the other day asked if it was a 15, before I could say yes he said, something about it being worth something someday cause the new trucks are not very good looking. Again just opinions, but there are alot of people that are tacoma owners and fans I know outside this forum that all agree, the new design has something left to be desired. I know this isnt a bitching thread cause inevitably someone will say something, so apologies.

 

Lol you're right [emoji14]
One thing I will say though, even though I've been the one to say "apples and oranges" I've recently realized that even though they're in different categories of truck, they are in the same category in one instance: when they are both options for your next purchase. So even though they're in different classes it's still an honest question imo.

Why do you want the old engine to be in the redesign? There would be riots.

Hey-you two- you need to chill with all the opinions around here. It ain't right.

 

I know how many feel, but.....just like any new car, judgement on looks are subjective. If the truck performs admirably, the looks will grow on the owner and subsequently evenone else. I am not saying these are the performance numbers, but suppose it is the quickest truck in it's class, the most economical, the best off road, the best handling, the quietest and the longest lasting but not quite the best looking now. You can bet it will start getting glances of appreciation quickly after the word gets around.

 

If this were true people wouldnt buy sports cars or full size trucks. Just because it performs well, gets good gas mileage and is reliable people still buy with their hearts, same goes for any consumer good, those factors play a role, but your still going to buy something that you thing fits your style or that you like the way it looks. I wouldnt buy a pair of velcro shoes cause they are ugly sure they are easy to use, last a long time are cheaper than my nike frees, but I love the comfort and styling of my nikes. Just like people who lift their trucks. Thats like saying Im marrying the fat ugly girl because eventually she will look attractive to me. Terrible logic. Yes some new designs grow on people over time, some also dont, I still dont like the new silverados, various other redesigns, etc, I have tried, I look at a 2016 tacoma probably every day and i understand it will probably outperform my current tacoma, but I still cant find myself trading in on something I dont enjoy looking at.

 

And yet I liked the look of the next gen Tacoma from the get go. Then again I currently own a Tundra so maybe that has something to do with it.

NG

 

This type of front end is here to stay for pedestrian safety.. I do a great deal of work for both Mercedes and Honda. Automotive engineers have mentioned having to conform to these new standards in conversation.

http://www.autonews.com/article/20120423/OEM03/304239967/european-safety-styled-cars-due-in-u.s.

 

you gonna get a 16 when they come out..

 

Normally I would agree with you, a new Gen needs a new engine with the latest tech. However that isn't always the case and I think the Gen 3 Tacoma might have been one of them. Example with the 4th Gen BMW 3 series (E46) they used their most modern engine at the time the M54... however the hot top of the line M3 engine was based off an older gen S54/M50 engine including it's less modern iron block, and most people still loved it, and kids in my generation oggled over it. The new Cadillac ATS-V with it's modern twin turbo charged 3.6 liter V6, to me, was the wrong engine even though it has all the latest GM tech. It should of had the (NA so it doesn't step on the CTS-V) 6.2 LT1. With the Gen 3 Tacoma I still think an argument could have been made that it would have been better if it had an updated version of the 4.0 1GR-FE with dual VVT-i pushing 285hp and 280+ lb-ft? I'm sure the 3.5 will be a nice engine, I'm just not convinced that an updated 1GR-FE wouldn't have been better.

"There would be riots" I don't think so, just more people bitching... "oh it's not true 3rd Generation it's carrying over to many parts blah...."

 

Okay, that makes more sense now. So you're saying an enhanced version of the 1grfe, perhaps meaning an enhanced version of the t4r engine, right? That's completely legitimate,I thought you were saying the 1grfe should go in the 3rd gen. That would cause... keyboard riots [emoji14]

 

Do we think that Toyota went with the 3.5L over a upgraded version of the 4.0L because not only can they get more MPG right now but also squeeze more MPG out of it in the future? Needing that ability depending on what their competition does in the MPG department in the near future?Did that factor into their decision or did they just want what looked like a totally new engine to help sell the fact they are calling it the next generation Tacoma. Just a thought.

 

Exactly, a slightly updated version of 4Runner 1GR-FE might have been better. The Hilux version already pushes out 278 hp if I remember, and to me Toyota could easy modify it to push out 285 hp with very little effort. The argument is similar to how there are decent number of GM fans complaining that the Colorado and Canyon should've had the 4.3 push rod V-6 from the Silverado instead of the more modern, higher HP yet smaller 3.6 high strung V-6. In the end I know it came down the MPG, but to me it's a truck, I rather have more low rpm torque even if it means losing 1-2 mpg. The Gen 3 would have improved on the MPG enough by going from a 5 speed to a 6 speed and adding the dual VTT-i.

Yes if Toyota carried over the exact same 4.0 236 hp V-6.... Toyota would have been laughed at.

 

I would imagine Toyota went with the newer 3.5 for both reasons, with the MPG being the stronger reason. I think Toyota wanted to match and or hopefully beat the GM twins in EPA MPG and the 3.5 allowed them to do that. Don't get me wrong, both the new 3.5 and an updated 4.0 from the 4Runner would have been great choices for the Gen 3, a significant upgrade from the Gen 2 V6.

 

You can thank the government for making the fuel economy standards tougher and tougher to meet. It's a trend from all manufacturers to downsize engines for better fuel economy.

 

2016 Tacoma with the sunroof and the long bed ... Definately

Four wheel drive ... Maybe

final decision will be after a test drive

 

I keep saying that to myself - don't commit before the test drive but I can't imagine
they'd drive much differently, do you?

 

4wd>sunroof

 

how many freaking people get hit with cars now a days???