To buy..2015 or 2016

Hello all, I have never owned a Tacoma, but will be buying one in the near future. The dealership has a couple 2015's and, of course, a few 2016's. I have (test) driven both and cannot make up my mind.

The 2015's seem to have mixed reviews (as does everything else on the internet) with a major complaint being the lack of options (or standard equipment) and the dated styling.

The 2016's seem to have mostly positive reviews, with folks raving about the updated styling, ride, new engine, etc...

I plan on keeping the truck for a long time, so reliability is important to me (hence..Toyota). Ford and GM/Chev are certainly more impressive out of the showroom in terms of fancy options, but I doubt they will be so impressive at 200,000kms (125,000 miles for my friends in the USA).

I like the 2016's, and if I could exclude cost from the equation, I would take a 2016. My concern is that it is new and untested in the real world. This brings me to my first question, what are the chances that given real world driving situations, the 2016's experience issues due to a totally new engine/features? Will there not be issues that need to be ironed out? And should this be a concern in purchasing one?

Up until 2015 the Tacoma was, from what I have seen, pretty much unchanged. I'm not a huge car guy, but that seems like a long run for a vehicle to remain virtually unchanged. To me, that says it worked well, maybe too well. Why not buy a truck that worked for 10 years straight until it was outdated by fancy electronics..?

I am looking for the opinion of Tacoma people, 2015, or 2016?

(That was long, sorry)

 

First off welcome.

Honestly they are 2 different animals

2nd gen like you said is a little dated and has a few things I would change, but honestly it has everything I need.

3rd gen is basically a nicer 2nd gen with a new engine and some new gadgets.

Get whatever is going to make you happy.

2nd gen isn't issue free but it is pretty much tested and tried and with care will probably last a long time.

I'm sure it is safe to say the 3rd gen will last awhile too. How long no one knows yet.

 

Any modern vehicle should be able to hit 125k miles with regular maintenance without breaking a sweat. That part of your criteria is seriously a non-issue. Now 250k and beyond on the other hand, not many vehicles made from automakers aside from Honda and Toyota that I'd trust to go the distance without major overhaul. There will be outliers at both ends, but I wouldn't get too worked up over them.

 

If you are looking for input on this decision, you should probably see this thread How many waited for a 3rd Gen but went with a MINT 2nd Gen?, if you haven't already.

Tacos are sweet!

 

You're on the right track, but you're asking the wrong question. What you should have asked is: "What year of 1st gen should I buy?"

 

If the 3rd gen hadn't come out, I'd be perfectly happy with a 15 to be honest.. I think side by side they both look dam nice. Only reason I got the 16 was because it made more economic sense. The difference in cost is/was not enough at the time of my purchase for me to nab a 15.. Just drive both and choose the one that feels "right" to you.. Crazy thing is I have a 16 TRD OR DC, but it doesn't give me that "special" feeling I got from driving my now gone 2012 single cab 4x4 4cyl.. I just can't explain it.. Kinda looking around for another one now to be honest, but I can't let go of my 4runner cause I'm so attached to it.. 206K miles and all... And I need the DC because of the room..

 

Whatever decision you make, be sure to choose the OR pkg over the Sport

 

BOOOOOOO! 2016 sport all the way! That way, you to, can be a happy hotdog!

 

welcome! i have a 2nd gen,2015. i bought it to replace a 1st gen with 200000. i got the 15 because i saved a lot of money,$25,000.00 out the door. i had to take what they had, the only thing i didn't get was the color i wanted,no biggie. i really like the 16's, so i would shop for best deal, just my $.02

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/why-the-hate.409211/#post-11515590

Post 12 is why I'd not buy a third gen.

I actually like the looks and overall size of the 1st gen best.

I like the interior and bed size of the 2nd gen ACLB best (which is what I own)

Most folks here would thumb their noses at my '13 base ACLB 5 lug 4cyl auto. But for how I use a truck, it's perfect (bikes, kayaks, home store runs). It was a lot cheaper than a '16 (used, 8500 miles, I don't care about 'new') and it gets over 20 in town and high 20s on the road. It's white, so easy maintenance and touch up. I expect it to be a 20-year-end-of-my-driving-life vehicle with minimal issues. I don't need 4wd, don't need big tires, don't need 'lift'.

Buy the truck that will meet your use of the vehicle 80% of the time as it sits, and ignore all the other noise around you.

 

I guess the functional hood scoop is worth it. Oh wait...

 

Drive them all and pick what you want. 200,000 km is nothing for any truck (not sure on the inferior domestic comment) buy what suits your needs the best. I always look at resale value and a new model will almost always bring more when you go to sell.

 

If you want the 4cyl.... buy 3rd gen
If you want v6.... buy the 2nd gen

 

Honestly I like the look of the 2nd gen better but they were all gone when I went to the dealer. I would have had to save atleast $5,000 though to get it over the third gen just on resale.

 

But honestly used 2nd gens go for within a thousand or two of what I paid for my '16. Atleast around here.

 

Two year old Trd sport here with 100,000 km sells for 30 grand. New one is like 35 ish.

I will definitely be buying new!

 

The third gen does not have a brand new engine, it's been around for awhile now. It's new to the Tacoma line but not new in Toyota. Any truck you buy, as long as you maintain it correctly will far outlast your investment. Get a third gen, the amenities were a big deal to me and is why I chose it over a 2015. Plus the GM trucks in the same category had some missing things I was wanting in a fully loaded truck and is another reason I chose Toyota.

 

For me, the (arguably) better comfort and road behavior of the 2016 was a big selling factor. I am very opposed to buying first-year-of-production anything, so it did take me some big breaths to sign on the dotted line for an "unproven" platform and design. However, I'm super happy with my purchase. Granted, this is my first truck and so I lack any realistic baseline, but I have no complaints and I feel I got my money's worth. It has certainly fit my life style like a glove and it is allowing me to go places and do things that my other vehicle couldn't. If you like the 2016, get it.

 

Hey, Tacoma hook scoops.
Killing bugs since 2005!!!

 

Since you're not a car guy, you probably don't work on your own vehicles. I'd say get one with the longest warranty. Which will probably be the one with less mileage AKA 2016.

And because you're not a car guy, you probably don't care much for the power, as long as you can get on the freeway with speed (all modern cars can, you'll be fine with power). 2015 V6 has a little more torque and 2016 V6 lacks a bit in the torque section. If you've test drove both and haven't noticed, I'd say just get a 2016.

...However, if you're getting a 4cyl, they are the same exact engines.