Why I won't be "upgrading" to a 3rd Gen.

I, probably more than anyone, was REALLY pumped about the 3rd gen Tacoma. I had a damn January 12th calendar entry blocked off in my work calendar with an alarm for the release event. I don't want this to turn into a 3rd gen bash fest, but I'm wanting to share my outlook on my thought process with this "new" truck and why I won't be spending money on one.

I bought my my Tacoma TRD Sport brand new in 2009 and it's been paid off for quite some time now. I took care of it and it's still very solid. I have 108k miles on mine currently. I'm thinking I could get about 18-20k for it now; which is great. But that means I'll need to drop about another $18k to get a new 3rd gen because of how expensive they've gotten. The 3rd gen is only appealing for the following reasons.

• Warranty
• Slightly better fuel economy
• More top end power
• It's new
• ????????

Honestly, that's pretty much it. The truck is basically the same other than that. I was expecting a LARGE increase in fuel economy considering the new "advanced" engine and the fact that it's "the most aerodynamic truck on the market". Very disappointed by the EPA figures. There's more top end power from this engine while sacrificing torque on the bottom end. For me, that's NOT an improvement. I very rarely find myself WOT or above 4,000 RPM so more power in that region isn't really appealing.

The Plan
My plan is to simply keep what I have for a while longer. The market is juuuuust about to get competitive and I think buying right now would be a mistake. With the Duramax Diesel GM twins coming out in about a month Toyota's high horse really won't be that high. The Frontier is due for a refresh very soon and the "rumors" of the Ford Ranger coming back to the states get more and more concrete by the day. There are also talks of the Chicken Tax being repealed and that would be a HUGE game changer.

I'm planning to add URD headers, an intake manifold spacer, and maybe a few other small goodies to my truck. That will make it MORE powerful than the new 3rd gen (at any and EVERY RPM) and also increase mileage slightly. At that point, I won't have a warranty but that's about all I'll be missing.

More importantly, what will I be missing if I "upgrade" to a 3rd gen? Well, ground clearance for one. I'll have to remove that stupid chin strap on the front bumper to even come close to the approach angle of my current truck. The 3" lift I have right now blows away the new truck in terms of clearance and travel. Some have said the new truck is very quiet on the inside. Well, if you follow my sound deadener/noise barrier thread in the audio second, you too can have an even quieter truck for just a couple hundred bucks and a long weekend. Trust me.

So there ya have it. I just don't think the "new" truck offers much over a 2nd gen. Now, if I was buying new right now and could pick between a new 2015 and 2016, I'd likely get a 2016. But for many of us that already have a nice 2nd gen....I guess I don't see the point. I've taken care of the truck and it's always taken care of me. For $17,000 on top of my existing truck I see no reason to upgrade to the 3rd gen Tacoma from a well kept 2nd gen.

Picture of my current awesomeness. 3rd gen, eat your heart out!

 

Uh, ok?

 

Good for you. Another "piss on 3rd gen" poster. Most rational people would just move on, not buy the 3rd gen and get something else. Why not just do that? No one here gives a shit if you don't like the 3rd gen. If you don't have anything beneficial to other people interested in the 3rd gen, don't bother posting here. Everyone on this forum is an adult capable of reading up on this truck.

 

Seriously, if you don't want one then just don't get one. Why would anyone care why someone isn't getting one? Much less need an entire essay, complete with bullet points! Good grief...

 

He posted and you responded. Your thought is WHY type this up, my thought is why respond if you don't feel his post serves a purpose, thats what I did.
Great now you got me posting for no reason too

 

I'm just looking to see if I'm the only crazy one or if others have a similar perspective. Like I said, not bashing the 3rd gen at all. It's a good truck, just not quite good enough to get my money I guess. It's been a tough decision process for me. I put away enough money to buy a new one and now I'm here like, "uhhh...guess not?".

I wouldn't be surprised to see a lot of guys splurging for some extra goodies for their existing second gens with money they'd originally planned on spending with Toyota.

 

I like the ??????? bullet point, its a really now touch

 

He wants validation that he is making a good choice... I'm sure there are some haters lurking that will give him a pat on the back.

 

"Uhh, hey guys. I am not gonna buy a 3rd gen Tacoma and I expect you to care about it."

 

Wow, looks like a LOT of people had someone piss in their corn flakes this morning.....

 

I decided not to have someone piss in my cornflakes this morning and here are the reasons why...

 

That he can change at any moment he feels which just makes this all very odd.

 

Likewise, most rational people that don't care about what the OP has to say would just move on without giving him a lecture.

I see nothing wrong with him posting what he did and trying to work through his thoughts by sharing them with others who might be thinking the same, that's how adults communicate.

 

You've nearly doubled your total post count in this thread alone. Congratulations, welcome to the forum. Seems you'll fit right in here.

 

So you won't be getting a gen3 Tacoma because you don't want one. Coincidentally, that's also why the vast majority of people who won't be getting one won't get one.

 

Apparently that's a crime punishable by internet stoning. Guess times have changed and the forum is now just a place to say, "Fuck you buddy, and your opinions." I guess people like that are Toyota's new market?

 

Yes, but the vast majority of them won't be posting a new thread about how they are not going to buy something. I decided I did not like the Frigidaire at Sears and went with the Kenmore. I fully expect everyone to care about it and I am going to the Frigidaire forums now to tell people why.

 

I am just busting your balls, ItalynStallion. Congrats on not buying anything though. =)

 

I may be buying a fridge soon. I'll hit you up for advice lol.

'Appreciate it. If I wasn't given a hard time around here I'd not feel loved.

I guess what I'm saying for all of the TLDR people who need cliff's notes is that most products that companies make have a planned obsolescence lifespan such that when the NEW one comes out, existing owners flock to it. I almost feel like Toyota has shot them selves in the foot a little bit because the 3rd gen isn't a huge departure from the 2nd gen. Love it or hate it, the 2nd gen was a BIG difference (pun intended) from the 1st gen. You could really see where that extra money was going. Killer engine, beefier drive train, better interior...etc.