3rd Gen Owners who previously owned a 2nd Gen

I probably chimed in here already but...

I had a loaded 2013 Texas Edition MGM DCSB with any 40k miles and traded it in for my 2017 DCSB TRD Sport premium + tech. I would make the trade 10000000x times again. It's everything I liked about my '13, with a bunch of new hotness. Wtf is with that stupid center console coke can holder in 2nd gens anyway?

 

I had zero issues with my first gen. I upgraded because I wanted 4 doors and cruise control.


My 2nd gen was a 2005, and it had its fair share of issues. The throwout bearing broke twice. Toyota had to replace a bunch of things all related to the manual transmission / clutch. Overall this was still a VERY good vehicle, and I'd buy it again.


I love my 3rd gen. I'm one year into owning it with no major problems so far. The hood glue is pretty broken now, so I do have the vibrating hood issue, but that's pretty minor. I will get it fixed one of these days.

 

^^Love those wheels, but hood glue??^^

I am actively seeking a low mile 14' or 15' 4x4 DC in Sport or OR models. I am seeing TONS of 16' & 17' tade-ins here in Jacksonville, with some of the 16's going for the same price as low mile 15's... Not a good sign for the 3rd gen. It even has me considering a made in Japan 14' or 15' 4Runner until they get the new Taco dialed in.

I really feel sorry for so many folks having the 3rd gen issues, that's a bunch of change to drop on a truck that seems to be failing many expectations.

 

I've owed 5 tacos, the first being a 97. Each one, I loved more than the older one.

I've had the 2016 now for 11 months...this will be my last Tacoma (miss my 2012)...not a fan, just my opinion.

 

All kinds of reasons a truck can be sitting on the pre-owned side of the lot, it doesn't mean there's a problem with the model as a whole. Impulse buy, financing fell through, upgrade to a higher trim or drivetrain, special program / prior rental, larger truck or 4Runner to suit changing needs. It can all lead to perfectly good used trucks for purchase.

 

Seeing that you had a manual 2nd Gen and a manual 3rd Gen, how do they compare?

 

That center console cup holder works great for my ashtray cup, one of the reasons I love my 2nd gen.

 

They're not too different. I feel like the new one is easier to shift quickly, maybe. And as far as reliability, it's too early to tell. I didn't run into problems until I hit 45k miles on the 2005.

 

@Benzdriver81 signature nails it: "Going to Tacomaworld.com and seeing all the problems is like going to the doctors office and being surprised at the number of sick people there."

There's tons of happy 3rd gen owners, I'm one of them. I've loved every Toyota truck I've ever owned.

 

Do they feel similar in power?

 

Had a 2010 4x4 V6 AC MT prior to my 2016 4x4 TRDOR DCSB V6 AT. The 2010 had more issues taken care of by TSBs than my 2016. 2010 got 18 mpg combined local street and highway max. The 2016 gets 23 mpg combined local street and highway. Straight highway driving it averages 27+ mpg. IMO the 2016 is a better truck in every category. Now we need URD to deliver a bolt on supercharger!

 

Believe me, I get it. Those who love it are fiercely defensive of the decision and want to back it up. I'd likely be right there if I had already pulled the trigger on a 3rd gen and hadn't had issues. Sounds like if we could put the old tranny in the new truck with a supercharger, we'd be golden for the most part. I'm Toyota loyal and on my 4th myself.

 

Old trans with a TRD supercharger would epic. The shifting is the only thing I'm still like "eh" about. My solution is throwing on a monster lift with monster tires so I have to regear. Seems to be the logical solution.

 

I had a 14,15 and 16. 2016 is a lot better it cost me $3000 to go from a 15 to a 16 plus I bought the $3000 audio package. No complaints. Trans seems fine. Yeah it is sluggish at times but I drive in Econo mode almost exclusively. Not in a hurry to get anywhere. Love the truck, but recently bought an SLK350 for my "fun" vehicle I am not into building trucks and or going off road. Just a Home Depot picker upper and yard work. Wife loves the 14 CRV she has so we will lease a 17 for her when they come down to earth.

 

I wouldn't say "fiercely defensive", I would say tired of non-owners of the new generation piling on the truck without any first hand experience other than drawing conclusions based on what they read here.

I get it though, it happened when the 2nd gen came out too... happens anytime a new model rolls out and the previous gen / year owners need to knock the new model as being untested, unreliable and buggy for early adapters. It happens with Mustangs, Corvettes, Camaros, F150s, Porsches, Harleys, just about anything with an engine in it, particularly if it has a loyal following. I still bristle at the "1st Gen" moniker for the 95 - 04 trucks, Toyota was building trucks long before they started calling them "Tacomas".

In some cases it's true, most cases it's just a myth. The 16 is not my 1st time buying a first year new model, I also have another car, same 1st year redesign that's now 19 years old, just under 200k miles on it running a prototype supercharger that has been running like a top since day one when I purchased it brand new.

 

Was the new one you drove a Manual also?

 

I have had 3 2nd gen. Picked up a new 3rd gen (dcsb auto sport 4x4) 3 days ago. Took it on a 140 mile trip day after i got it. Roads were mostly 60-65 mph. I am an old guy so drive conservatively.
I liked my previous trucks very well.
I found the new one to shift very smooth, heard no howling, no vibrating, accelerated fine off traffic lights, got about 22 mpg mostly using cruise, went to 4th on the same hills my 2nd gens did and the shift did not clunk.
Like the added lighting on buttons (4x4 etc) and improved trailer wiring location.
Dont like reduced in cab storage.
It is new and perhaps things will change, but right now I have no regrets trading for gen 3.

 

Took my TX Baja to Germany (military move) I had a blast in that thing all the way up till someone hit me and the Germans said they couldn't fix it in Germany... So I lost it. I'm a fool for even bringing it.


I have a 16 TRDOR now it's nice, but I was in love with my 2nd Gen.

 

My first Tacoma was a 05 DCTRD OR 4x4 MT. It took me a very long time to find one with a manual locally and pull the trigger, and I adored the truck. 4 months into ownership i got rear ended, and the frame got tweaked between the rear axle and the tow hitch, which the offending party's insurance subsequently totaled. The truck passed inspection and I drove it for another 20k (140k total)trouble free miles before deciding to upgrade to the 3rd gen. I have had my 2017 DC TRD OR 4x4 for 5 days now and adore it as well. It is a distinct upgrade from the 05, in ride, tech, and looks. I am still getting used to the "learning" automatic trans, and with 300 miles so far it is very smooth, but also very active. I never hurt for power, but it is a far cry from the instant torque of the manual at this stage. If my 05 had not been hit, I might have driven it another year or so, but I would have eventually ended up in the 3rd gen. The displays, smartphone connectivity, and just overall perceived quality is superior to the 05 in my opinion. Toyota's refusal to acknowledge(by way of frame recall, my truck lived most of its early life in SLC, UT) that their weakened, partially rusted frame, failed to absorb a 10 mph fender bender without totaling the truck made me a little hesitant to pull the trigger on a new one, but after a few test drives and number crunching, and the overall reputation and my own and families experiences with Toyota vehicles, I would absolutely do it again, for both trucks. In my opinion, there is no real competition to this truck in the segment for "lifestyle"users like me. I like "going places" in my taco, especially places other trucks cant go!