Thinking of getting a 3rd Gen

Hello Tacoma World!

I have recently got out of the Marines, and have been toying with the idea of getting a Taco. I have always bought 2nd hand and after years of buying other peoples problems I want to get something nice and new.

I had a 04 Tundra TRD offroad way back when and loved that truck, so Toyota has always had a special place in my heart when it came to trucks.

So since this is the newbie intro form I got some newbie questions.

1.) I rally (race cars) and I do events once to twice a month. A big reason for wanting a truck is something that can tow my car to events with gear. I have a 2005 STi and do not like driving 2+ hours to events then beat the hell out of it and drive back. I have read and watched reviews about its towing, and was wondering how would it do towing the car + trailer (5500ish lbs), with spares in the bed? Will it be terrifying? I have only towed with full size trucks, but the full sizes now are getting TOOOO big.

2.) I am looking at the double cab with short bed. A lot of people I run into in the past with the 2nd gen tacos is they all said they wish they had the long bed. Does that one foot really make that big of a difference? I feel its a bit long in the tooth, even though it's only one foot.

3.) For the offroad model is it fairly capable? I have seen the videos and think its awesome, but real world is what matters. I don't do any crazy rock gardens or anything, but I like wheeling and exploring. Would getting some proper skid plates be recommended?

4.) I am a bit confused on what I have been reading about the engine and was wondering if someone can explain how / what the "Self Clean" feature does. Does it clean the Valves? I know direct injection is known to get gunky even under lower milage.

5.) What are some things you are not a fan of and what things do you love about your Taco?

Mahalo!

 

Maybe look at the Tundra again if you're serious about towing.

 

Is it really that bad? I was thinking I can drop about another 1k off by getting a new trailer. Like a feather lite or something. The Tundra is MASSIVE. I test drove one and felt like I was driving an old F250.

 

but it wasn't an old F250; that's what counts. I could be wrong but I think people like the Tundra, don't they? I'm sorry I just envision a black Tundra lifted with big wheels and tires. I mean what's not to love?

 

hahahaha touche good sir. The sales man at the dealer was actually telling me it would feel similar to my old Tundra. I towed my old race car with that for years, and it seemed fine. I knew a couple people that towed with the 2nd gen Taco's and said it was fine, just needed to add some space for braking. The trip would be fairly flat.

 

I vote tundy for towing, but then again if your gonna spend 50k on a truck might as well get a dirtymax or cummins. Tacoma is definitely not a designated tow vehicle

 

3rd gen.for towing,no!

 

Why do you say that? Not trying to start anything. Is the 2nd gen better off? I know the trans is quite stout as stated earlier in this thread.

 

Sorry Jack not trying to start anything either.I'm not like that.I just had an encounter with a 3rd gen.owner months back by asking them how they liked the truck.They told me it was horrible for towing and simply were disappointed with the truck period and were going to sell the truck for a loss.
A stout trans is a plus but lack of horsepower(engine size)won't help.Good luck with what you decide on!Hope it all works out for you either way!

 

Thanks Ron! One of the guys at work told me I might be able to find one to rent and get a trailer hooked up and see lol.

 

I agree with full size. Would not recommend a Tacoma (any gen) for your needs. And thank you for your service and welcome to TW.

 

Offroad capable? Yes!!
Towing? not so much. Only use it for light weight stuff.

 

That's seems like a mother more weight than I'd be comfortable with. I towed this, 2500 lbs for 10 hours and felt fine. Probably wouldn't push it more than 4000 lbs. That's just me.

 

Thank you for your support.

So, say I got a feather light trailer, or some really light alum trailer and got it down to say 4500 (est). You guys still think thats to much? I would only tow maybe once a month or twice, and thats a 50/50. I am not really trying to justify but I would be under quite a bit of the "max towing."

 

Meh... I mean your within the limits at 5500lbs... I'm sure the Tacoma would be adequate... Just don't compare it to a full size truck or your gonna be pretty disappointed lol. Towing for two hours doesn't seem that bad. I'd use a Tacoma for towing heavy loads once or twice a year. If its a regular thing and I had the money I'd buy Tundra.

 

Short distances like 2 hours and not all the time you'd probably be fine with the taco. But you probably won't be happy any time you're towing that weight either.

 

I think I really gotta go drive one again. I mean i figured that it wouldn't be toooo fun towing with it, but it would get the job done. Sadly the full size pickups now are just too damn big. I mean I feel I could fill the cab of the Tundra with a fire team and still have space for random crap. The milage is also worry some with these fullsizes. They all remind me of F350's from the earl 2000's. Now would the 2nd gen be any "better" feel/ability for towing since its a 4.0? (Again not trying to start a war)

 

F-150 or Silverado 1500. You'd be so much happier.