Is this truck the one for me?

Hi guys,
First post, but not new to forums. To start off I wanted to say I have been lurking on this forum for a while, soaking in all the info I could, but I am in the market for my first truck, and I wanted to know if the 2016 Tacoma would be the one for me. I am a Toyota fan, and still have a Toyota Camry for 17 years that has been reliable. Because of that, I naturally leaned towards Toyota when thinking about a mid-sized truck. If I got the Tacoma it would be the 6 cyl. 4WD, SR5 model. My question is simple, and although I know it's been discussed, I wanted some fresh opinions on it. This thread is in no way trying to rude, I just want to know what I am getting into when I make this large purchase. And obviously I know the answers might be biased considering I am on a TOYOTA forum. 1) Just plain and simple--Do you think this 3rd generation is going to be as reliable as the previous? I am not going to be hauling huge loads with the truck, I just simply want it to be reliable, and have more space for "equipment" than a car does. I would not be offroading, but I would use it to haul a trailer, and it would also be a commuter truck, driving maybe 15 minutes each way during the week. and 2) Can I buy this truck and not expect to replace the frame due to rust in the near future? I live in Pennsylvania so there is salt on the roads sometimes during winter, but I don't want to be afraid to drive the truck from December through March! That kind of relates back to the whole reliability thing. As I said I love Toyota, and I really want a Tacoma, but I want to be sure of these things first.
Thanks for taking the time to read this, and I respect any and all opinions on these subjects.

 

Dude, all we can do at this point with a new model is lean on the past superior success the truck has had. The new engine will probably bring issues. May not bring many issues at all. Only time will tell.

At the end of the day, no one here can help you make a decision with your money. Good luck.

 

1. Yes
2. Don't know

* I live in VT and my 05 had the frame replaced. With all the salt and snow we had for 10yrs, I didn't do anything to try and prevent it from rusting. I will be getting the krown undercoating done each year on my 16 just for good measure!

 

How reliable. One can only go on trends. The tech behind the 3.5 has been around for some time.
As far as frame rust. Only time will tell and how well owners keep the frames clean. Frame rust is not much of an issue in Arizona.

As the saying goes, time will tell. You do have options of Nissan or GMC/Chevy. You could wait a few years. Seems Honda and Ford is going to jump in the mid size truck pool again.

 

Good point. Other people's opinions can only go so far. The rest is up to me. Thanks

I have never done anything to prevent rust on my Camry, but when I get a truck I will definitely be cleaning the underside every once and awhile. Might even get that undercoating you talk about. Seems like it would help a lot.

The thing is my Toyota is starting to nickle and dime me after these 17 reliable years (the small things, but it gets annoying). I don't like to trade in cars every few years, once I get a vehicle I run it until it's done, so I don't think I want to wait to see a 2017 or 2018.



Thanks for everyones opinions so far.

 

I'm from PA as well. Just traded a '12 sport in on a '16. I didn't formally treat the frame for rust, but did keep it sprayed off every couple of weeks. No issues identified when traded in. I might treat the '16 as I plan on keeping this one for a long, long time.

As far as reliability, I have no reservations about the '16. If it does have issues, warranty should fix it.

Where in PA are you?

 

If I was to guess, I would expect the new Tacoma to reliable as the 2ng gen. I plan to purchase one. Just waiting for the buying frenzy to die down. Like you I tend to keep vehicles to around the 10 year mark.

 

That's good to hear about no rust issues with you. I'm from the Susquehanna Valley near Harrisburg.

Good to hear. I will probably wait till spring to purchase mine. I have the snow tires on my Camry so it will get me through the winter just fine.

 

So this was my plan but I understand everyone is different.

1) decide if you are ready for a new vehicle (it sounds like you are past this).
2) determine what you want/need and can afford
3) look the options available in the market based on 2 above and list the pros and cons of each
4) test drive each, make a decision, find the vehicle, negotiate a deal, drive, and enjoy.

Specific to your questions
1) in my experience vehicles have continued to gradually improve in reliability over the last 40 years. But who knows?
2) I can only tell you my 2004 had no issue with rust when I sold it and we use salt on the streets. I know that is not everyone's experience.

Good luck and don't get analysis paralysis

 

The basis for the 3.5 engine goes back to 2004 when the 2GR debuted in the '05 Avalon. There have been several varieties of the 2GR in many Toyota/Lexus products over the years...ranging in power from 268 to 275 hp, depending on the application. Lexus even has a 306 hp version with direct injection that's had no real issues. There have been some reports of carbon build up in DI engines (not limited to just Toyota), but it doesn't seem to be wide-spread. The Taco's version of this engine does contain some new tech and time will tell on that...but the engine itself is proven, with years of service under it's belt. Also, keep in mind that the 2GR is basically a destroked version of the 1GR 4.0 that so many of us have come to appreciate over the last decade or so. Both engines come from the GR family.

The new 6 speed auto tranny though? I know nothing about it.

 

I'm from southern PA .....and to be completely honest, your questions can't be answered with any kind of certainty. Nobody truly knows what the reliability is going to be. The only things we can go on - is history. Let's hope to god that Toyota continues to nail it.

When I bought my 07, I was concerned about the reliability. I think most anyone here who's owned a 1st gen will openly admit...the 2nd gens ARE NOT the same. IMO - my 96 was a tank and I beat the shit outta it and it kept going. My 2007?? The engine, transmission, diffs, and major mechanicals have been brilliant. I've had a few things that required warranty work and a few others that were fixed after the fact - but nothing that prevented the truck from functioning on a daily basis. I honestly can't complain!! Again...let's hope Toyota continues to nail it in 3rd gens - but nobody knows for certain.

Rust & the frame..? Nobody really knows. After 9 years, my frame looked pretty damn rust free from the outside. Guess what? They found a soft spot that rusted from the inside out. My truck has a new frame now. Let's hope they fixed the frame issues after 15 years of frame rust warranties extending back into 1st gens - you'd think they'd learned a few things by now.

I'll be shopping soon....but reliability isn't much of a concern as it used to be (to me). If a vehicle can't make it thru the 3/36 warranty period without major headaches - then I won't hesitate to kick it to the curb and move on. Toyota has always been at the top in terms of reliability. But...as I always say, what goes up, can eventually come down. While the other manufacturers catch up. It's only a matter of time.

Toyota is still your best bet.....if 'reliability' is the only thing you consider in buying something new.

 

I live in one of the salt capitals of the US. While I'll recommend getting your truck undercoated, especially since you plan to keep it for the long haul, if you are good to it and wash it good and often you shouldn't have problems when the frame rotting out. I like the black rubberized undercoating better than the oil based. The oil based breaks down and wears off faster than the black stuff. The oil stuff is a pain to work on afterwards and collects and traps dirt. And while that may actually help protect it a little more for a bit over time draws more of the oil off when you wash it. Get it sprayed when you first get it and maybe every few years after that and the frame will outlast the body no problems.

 

I'm in the Leigh valley area.

 

If the main concern is rust would the new aluminum F150 be a better option?

 

Im sort of in the same boat as you. Trying to decide if I should wait to see what will change with the 2017 or just pull the trigger now. I could be way off but I cant see Toyota changing the engine or tranny in the 17's. Maybe some tweaks but I would think whatever they improve upon can be done to the 2016 also.

 

Yeah that's my thought as well. Will probably stay mostly how it is until the 4th generation many years down the road.

 

Isn't the transmission a version of the Tundra transmission?

 

I have a 2008 with 137k miles on it and live in Massachusetts. My frame is fine and hasn't been replaced. I never treated it but Toyota did in the summer of 2014 as part of the frame campaign. I have done under carriage washes regularly since new. Ive had zero problems with the truck. I'm on my 3rd set of tires and have done the front brakes once so far. That's it outside regular scheduled maintenance.

 

Aluminum corrodes. The old Chrysler/dodge hoods were pretty bad. It would start corroding and the paint just falls off. I'm still skeptical on the full aluminum body of the new f150. With aluminum you have to be cautious of using other metals in direct contact with it. Already have had a few people want to me put universal drill mudflaps on them with steel sheet metal screws. The ford ones fold plastic around the aluminum and use a clip to hold it in place. The rears do have a metal brace they want you to install and you have to cover it with a plastic film so it's not in direct contact. Ford has used aluminum before and jag I guess has been using it for a while, that's where ford got it from when they owned them. So only time will really tell. But I'm sure a lot of people will be voiding there corrosion warranties by installing crap on there trucks not thinking about the corrosion accelerating they will be doing by mixing metals

 

I'd wait for the redesigned Honda Ridgeline....Looks like Honda is going to make a body on frame Pick up. I believe Honda has a better quality overall. That is after two Rav 4s and now a CRV for the Wife. MUCH better than the RAV 4. I am looking forward to the release.