3rd Gen Concerns

Re: Honda. All Accords are now built in Marysville, OH right? My 2004 EX-L V6 was awesome.

 

This is why I have a first gen, the Tacoma got really cheap in quality when they went to the second gen. Not saying they are bad trucks, they just aren't built as good. Sadly, Toyota is quickly turning into GM Jr. on us, profit is starting to mean more to them than customer input.

I've had both gens too so I am not blowing smoke out my ass when I say my 2004 is built with better materials than my 2011 had. It's a tossup when it comes to engines, both gens have rock solid engine choices. But the interiors in the 2005 and up models are more likely to fall apart quicker as time goes by. My 2011 had rattles in it within the first 2000 miles and felt cheaply made. My 2004 has none and is pushing towards 100k miles. I hope Toyota steps up their game with the 2016 and has a quality interior in it that will last.

 

Agree 100%, the quality difference is huge. I test drove a 1987 Land Cruiser about a month ago and it rode nicer than my 2004 Tacoma, and the Land Cruiser was 28 years old and had solid axles front and rear! Japan has way higher working standards than we do in the US. Face it, Americans are lazy, we expect to have everything handed to us on a silver platter and are spoiled as hell. In Japan, if you want to keep a good job you have to put your heart and soul into the work you do. If you get a soiled reputation in Japan, you will be hard pressed to find any decent work again for the rest of your life. Job competition is fierce over there too because they are much more densely populated in a small area so good jobs are hard to come by. The guys that have them don't want to give them up either so they are always putting their best effort into everything they do. Their life depends on having a good job so they don't fuck around. We used to have working standards like that in the USA, but that ship sailed a long time ago.

 

Agree on the JDM quality- my new to me 1995 4Runner is pretty remarkable on well it has held up. I have learned to downwardly adjust my standards for new-car quality. If a 3rd gen Tacoma can make it through one Michigan winter without having rust all over the frame, I would consider that to be enough.

 

Agree,I had a 2000 in high school with 200k and was solid. My 08 was nice, quality was good, my 11 not as nice as my 08, my 15 seems no where near the previous trucks, plastic scratches so easy, rattles, already had the tailgate handle oxidize within 5k miles (they replaced). I bought the truck not cause of the gizmos or the mpg, which it is behind right now the competition. I bought it cause I love the way it looks and most of all its proven track record of dependability. If toyota starts to step away from this they are gonna start losing customers. Sad.

 

Actually looking hard right now at the 2015 4Runner TRD Pro all black. Whoa! Might have to weigh the modest MPG gains of the Gen 3 Tacoma against what I really like in the 4Runner TRD Pro. If I go that route I will miss you guys.

 

If I didnt need a truck bed I'd be in a 4runner, still made in Japan, I sat in one at the dealer, seemed very solid.

 

Just saw a 2015 Tacoma TRD Pro all black at local dealership. Wow! What a nice looking truck.

 

That's 1 Adult if you're from Texas

 

MY 2017 at the earliest. I am considering postponing a 3rd gen Taco purchase to see if the 4runner gets some changes to help boost mpg. Such solid vehicles.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if they put the 7GR and the 6 speed transmission into the 4runner.

 

Yes, on the next redesign!

This engine will make it through the Toyota global gas truck based lineup- 4-Runner, Prado, and the regular cab Tundra. I have a feeling that this engine will be Turbo-charged for the Tundra in 2017 to compete with the Ford Eco-boost...?

 

I see a lot of dcsb from Texas, I had one before my current truck that was made in Mexico. They were identical. Toyota uses the same quality control for both factories.

The offroad I saw didn't have a hood scoop.

And I would've liked disc brakes but Toyota's engineers claimed it was not necessary and would have added unnecessary costs.

 

I don't wanna derail this thread too hard. Honda is strange and difficult to figure out their moves.

The Accords from 1998-2002 were made in USA, Japan, and Mexico. Extremely rare to find a Mexico one and they were only 4 door 4 cylinder DX or LX models. Japan built are slightly less rare and only came in 4 door 4 cylinder LX and EX, or SE models. V6s and coupes were ONLY made in USA.

2003-2007 Accords were made in USA, Japan, and Mexico (early years). Mexican made models again were only DX and LX 4 cylinder 4 doors. Japan made models were LX, EX, and SE 4 cylinder 4 doors. Coupes and V6s were made in USA but the hybrid V6 models only came from Japan.

2008-2011 Accords were made in Ohio, Alabama, and Japan. Japan made models were only LX and EX models with 4 cylinder and 4 door. Some V6s were made in Alabama.

2012-2015- All Accords now made in Ohio plant.

All I know is that a Japanese built Accord is better than a Mexican one.

 

Good advice is to stay away from the V6 all together. Moms late model 05 V6 EX-L auto has ran great since buying new but the trans leaks oil all over the driveway, this is a common issue. Sisters 2003 Accord V6 EX-L auto trans is dead. They had recalls out and the fix was an extra oil squirter on 2nd gear or something. This was a band-aid fix. We missed the boat on that and now are stuck with a turd that needs $1000+ in parts PLUS labor to rebuild trans.

Similar year, mileage, and trim 4 cylinder Accord fetches more money than the V6. I wonder why...

 

You guys going to miss me?

 

I like that 4Runner except for the fact that its Black. Just don't like Black or White vehicles.

 

The Pro only comes in white,black and Inferno. Tried to talk myself into the Inferno but went with the black. Just means it is tougher to keep it looking nice.

 

I try to like the new 4Runner, but damn that thing is still hard to look at...all I see is Predator. Me thinks the Toyota designers are suffering from radiation poisoning...

 

I like the inferno. Its a toss up if I am going to get inferno or whatever they are going to call the Blue on the 3rd gen.