2nd Gen vs 3rd gen, which do you prefer?

Having owned a '14 for 18 months I am looking forward my '16 arriving in a couple weeks. To me the '14 was just a plain old boring truck. It didn't have much more compared to my '03 and just is not as much fun to drive. Ever since I saw the specs for the '16 I knew one was in my immediate future and the '14 would be toast.

 

I can only speak in part on the Canadian side of things but the 3rd gen has increased in price substantially up here - that may be due to fluctuations in the currency or just because Toyota Canada decided to jack up the price a whole bunch.

Some of the tech. stuff is a bit of an oversell. My wife bought a new Volvo with all the safety bells and whistles. After driving it some time I find the blind spot monitoring and lane keep a bit useless. The low speed auto braking could potentially be useful.

It would be nice if the new Tacoma incorporated Android Auto / Apple Car play. Having driven a car with this in it or an android head unit it makes you realize how crappy OEM systems are.

Having said that - if money was no object then I'm sure you'll be happy with 3rd gen. If money is an object, then if you can find a good deal on a low mileage 2nd gen then I'm sure you would be happy with that.

 

My 15 is not much different than my 06 AC other than the DC and fresh ass mods.. What made your 14 not fun to drive? Do you no longer have the newest model out there? Or do you need a cpu to tell you your MPG? I'm sorry i just don't get the disregard for something that you just bought vs something you don't even have yet.

 

2nd gen all day we're everyone at its only 3rds in here

 

I did not trade or have the 2nd G Taco for my 3rd G, but if I had a 2nd G In good condition I would have just upgraded the entertainment HU.
Money was not an issue for me, I started out looking at the 4X4 limited but it looked too flimsy stock to take me places were I wanted to go without spending an additional 3k in tires, rims, and other goodies. Good nuff for a night out in my tux though.
I then looked at the OR and sport but they did not have the white in LB 4X4 configuration I wanted, and again, I would have had to ditch the tires and rims at least.
But they did have an SR5 in 4X4 white with decent rims and tires, bars etc, but it was with the over priced TSS pkg.
I decided to take it if I could get rid of the MSRP on the TSS pkg and other dealer add on stuff.
Let me just say that I originally wanted the push start, smart entry, and sunroof.
But when I found out it’s only the driver’s side that gets the touch open, (I have a 4R limited with it on passenger and rear lift gate)i was disappointed.
Then the sunroof.
It’s tiny, on a tiny truck! Du! (What did I expect?)
And last I thought, the smart key.
What if I Jump in water with it, or it goes into the washing machine like I’ve done before?? Ayy amigo!
It's Mucho dinero to replace, and you can't get home from the beach or on foot if deep in the Wilderness If I jump in that pond with them. Not so with the dumb key.
But what about the crawl control? Agh!
It’s just low speed cruise control, really!
Ok and the MTS?
Well, It’s not a smart one like the Land Rover MTS, If you don’t have the off-road skill to drive without it, you shouldn’t be on that particular road.
SO I struck all that off, bit the bullet and couldn’t be happier!
But having said all that, the gas mileage it’s about the only thing that the 3rd G has the edge on the 2nd G mechanically speaking.
Aesthetically speaking, beauty is only $$ deep in my pocket.
But for the extra $$ in price difference and at these current gas prices, I can love and drive a 2nd G long time, unfortunately they were all out of new 2nd Gs.
Either way, I'm loving my truck a little bit more each day.
Hope my experience can be of some help, best of luck on your decision OP.
Cheers!

 

I enjoy my 16 much more than my 06.

 

I prefer the 3rd gen cab with the front and rear end of a 2005-2011

 

I had a 2nd gen, and now the 3rd. No comparison. You went from a 2004 interior to something modern with modern amenities (dual zone auto climate control, heated seats, push button start, moon roof, etc..) List goes on.

Go drive a 3rd gen and go back to a 2nd gen and you feel like you've stepped back in time. Remember, when the 2nd gen came out, the TV show Friends was still on the air!

 

#whycomenopowerseatsin2016. The interior is quite nice but I reached to the side and there was no button. Salesman smirked and said manual buddy! I bet there must be some reason for it like the drum rear brakes lol.

 

I don't really get the big deal with the power seats, or lack thereof. I set my seat to the way I like it, if someone gets in the back, I move one notch forward. They get out, I scoot it back. Is there something I'm missing here?

 

Hahaha

 

But you shouldn't have to do those to a brand new vehicle....ever.... until the initial required maintenance.

 

I had a 2014 2nd gen and totally loved it until the 3rd gen came out then I couldn't sleep at night till I got one a month the later now I love this truck .I still love 2nd gen though I also love 1st gens. The thing I miss about second gen is when you stomped on it at the lights it would launch like a beast with wheels spinning ,but I would never go back my 3rd gen is just a newer version tacoma

 

Fuck your ugly turd Gens! More computerized junk to break and cost a buttload to fix. And people bashing the 2ND Gen interior! Wtf you doing looking around your cab when your driving? Eyes on the damn road! It's a goddamn truck not a BMW! And ya my 2ND Gen has bigger nuts then a 3Rd Gen all day son! Haha j/k but seriously love the 2ND Gen!

 

So you think the 2nd gen has more power? I want to test drive the 3.5, without a salesmen.

 

https://youtu.be/jbmOYTMirrw

 

I think the 2nd gens power comes on sooner and from a standing start it would have the edge but I'm not sure once you are moving which one would be quicker the 3rd gens has alot of power as you wind it out. Don't forget the ect button on you test drive

 

It's not bells and whistles, if it was I would not have kept my '03 for 190,000 miles. You may have missed that part of my post.

 

Ahh i see the light now..thanks for clearing that up

 

third gen is way better looking and can tow more with its balls .