Should I trade my second Generation Taco

While I get where you're coming from, and would normal agree for cars, I don't think a more aggressive or muscular look on a truck will ever age poorly.

 

I need to start a stop bitching about your truck thread! Lol

 

The interior was a huge part of the reason I got a third gen. For me, the quality of the interior is one of the most important aspects of a vehicle - it's where you spend all your time, and it has to be pleasing and comfortable. My previous four cars were all BMW/Mercedes (all - even the 2005 models - had way higher quality interiors than the 2016 Taco), and even with those I was incredibly picky on what model/features/condition of a vehicle's interior satisfied me. It's very important to enjoy your time in a vehicle.

Had a 2014-2015 been available with a third gen's interior, that would have likely been my choice in the overall-looks department.

 

I think there's such a thing as "too aggressive" looking, and it'll apply to both cars and trucks. Anything too extreme (in either direction) will get old quick, so there has to be a fine balance between sportiness and class.

There are plenty of highly-modified, way over-the-top-aggressive looking cars and trucks out there (including '16 Tacos) that I think look like shit simply because of how aggressive they are. Everything's good in moderation, including vehicle mods.

 

It sounds like the OP's particular model/colour combo is known for issues. I personally don't know anything about that.

I've heard that the paint/clear on the '16 Tacomas is thinner and generally poorer than earlier years. That said, the OP's combination may be even worse - again, I don't know.

One thing I don't like about the '16 Tacos is the move to water-based paints - there's a hell of a lot more orange peel all over the truck. I don't like orange peel because to me, it screams "cheap, aftermarket paint job." But that move is an industry-wide trend, so sooner or later you have to accept it.

As for actually comparing paint/clear, there are little devices that can be used to measure thickness, and people who know what they're doing can visually identify various paint defects, from orange peel to dust, to a million other indicators of lower quality.

 

I have to agree with this. Despite being perhaps a bit "dated", the second Gen looks are what I would call classic just like my old 1998 Chevy half ton which is still a good looking truck. The Gen 3s are a bit more trendy and current. Ultimately though, if the OP's paint is going in the shitter already, I'd rather drive a pristine 3rd Gen than a flaky/chalky 2nd Gen if it is that obvious of a paint problem.

 

That is about the same thought I had when I saw the first 2016 interior shots. A 3rd gen interior paired with the 2nd gen outer would have been a really nice combo. One thing I will say about the 3rd gen is I am a big fan of the black interior.

I haven't sat in a 3rd gen to touch and feel the fit/finish of the interior up close, but through the windows it looks very sleek. I know I've heard other TW members who had owned earlier model year 2nd gens mention when they bought a newer model year 2nd gen the interior materials felt cheapened, so I'm curious if that is a continuing theme as subsequent models come out.

 

I test drove 2nd gens, and the new interior is much, much better. But with that said, the materials and fit/finish was a definitive step down from my previous 2006 ML350.

 

Keep the 2nd Gen

 

OP, keep your truck. Dont worry about having to repaint, i have superwhite and its 2007, and its still on there
...Toyotas paint sucks, and it isnt any different on the gen 2.5s.

1.You have NO payment.
2.You will have to pay taxes on the vehicle purchase price.
3.Your truck is in good working order. Be content unless you really need a 4x4, yours is adequate.
4. Buying first years new gen has its issues. Let Toyota work them out.

 

And if you want, you could even plasti dip parts of your truck or the entire thing if you are into it. And any color you want.

 

Man, I sure stirred up some passionate taco owners. LOL.

Anyways, I went back and drove the 2016 TRD Sport again today and I am just not willing to learn to live with it's constant "seemingly" hesitant acceleration. I even tried with the ECV button pushed. Still not as strong as the 2015. It is a smooth riding truck though and very quiet once it gets up to speed. I understand that the engine is very technonlogically advanced and meant to save gas. Toyota did not make either one to race, but I live in an area where you have to jump in and out of parking lots and change lanes on the road in traffic and it would be a real chore for me to try to learn to time the gas pedal and the computer's willingness to move the truck. In the parking lot of the dealership, I floored it and let off quickly and the RPM gage did not move. Not the case with the 2015. I even tried a different truck and it was identical in performance.
Some guys say that you just get use to it, but I don't want to, yet. LOL. I say "yet" because even if Toyota never improves this, I will still end up buying one out of necessity, but I am going to wait for now.

For someone who never drove the other Tacos or the original TOYOTA trucks, they would probably never even know the difference. If I drove my wife's minivan for a week, I might not know the difference either.

The 2016 is a very good looking truck and the technology in it is incredible. I am saving up though. I think it is a great truck and it could probably be tuned to react different, but I am not into messing with the stock performance of the engine. I am just a creature of habit and I have been driving the original,first and second generation Tacos for many years. (1985,1996,2005,2010,2015) you just can't beat the trade in power these things have!! I will eventually own one because I am totally convinced that the Tacoma is the only vehicle I will ever own, but the power has got to get much better. I don't pull trailers or have allot of hills, but I do allot of city driving and this year's truck is not going to work for me.

OK. second issue..... Super white paint. As long as I wax it, it looks good for a quiet a few weeks. The white is nice, it just takes a little more attention than the other paints that Toyota puts clear coats on. BTW, I talked to some Toyota paint guys and they said that the new Tan color is going to have the same need for attention because it does not have a clear coat either. (Single Stage Paint). I did have the paint sealed by the dealership when I bought it and I use the Commodore Coatings brand wax and soap on it. Every six months when I get the oil changed, I pay $25 for them to wash it and apply a new coating of sealant. It also has a 5 year paint warranty, but who knows if they would honor it or not?

I have been waxing it once between oil changes, so it gets about 4 coats a year.

 

I would go for a two stage paint with a clear coat over the white. (Silver) I have a 11 year old silver car with a clear coat that looks brand new. I got white because it was a 2015 close out and they had 2. both white. Could not be too picky. Saved about $6000 when I got it.

 

So what is the final decision?

 

I bought a new 15 knowing the 3rd gen was around the corner. But I wanted a specific truck and thought if I liked the 16s, I will trade. If not I have what I want.

My 15 TRD Sport w/3400 miles was traded for $3000 more.....THen I added another $2700 for the premium and tech package I did not have on the 15.

 

White has always been an easier color of vehicle to sell. Personally I buy all white vehicles, based on looks, and because of resale value. Just chill out over the paint! It is what it is.... sucks they don't apply clear coat, but I'd take white any day over silver, red, black, blue, etc. MGM is a nice color too, which would be my next choice over white, but silver reminds me of a boring color, and not sharp. Just an opinion.

 

That was my plan too.

 

Keeping my 2015. My 2010 traded for $20,000 in 2015 with 55,000 miles on it. I will probably lose a little trade in waiting for a year or two, but I don't have a payment, so it will work out. I do think the 2017 TRD Pro is just NASTY!! Probably a little too much truck for me but I might jump on one of those.

 

Excellent

TRD pro is the sexiest Tacoma to date

I know my 16 will get traded in on a 17 TRD

 

I have owned 4 tacomas just like the OP and will likely own a 3rd gen, there is unnecessary 3rd gen hate here but there is also some fan-boy type burying of heads in the sand or skewing of actual concerns, problems and issues, facts not opinions.