Should my girlfriend buy a 2016 Tacoma 4x4 DC?

I know I might be opening a can of worms here and I know I'll more than likely get 100 smartass replies but I'm looking for some honest feedback from some experts. I have a 2004 Tacoma TRD Off Road, V-6, 5sp, 4x4 and I absolutely love it. I recently purchase a 2016 Tundra because I needed something for towing and have had 3 other Toyota Trucks throughout my life. I love Toyota trucks but I'm on the fence about recommending the 3rd gen to my girlfriend to buy. I have read through a lot of the 3rd gen threads and it seems debatable on problems associated with the newer trucks. Specifically the transmission shifting. She is currently driving a Subaru which has a few years left in it so no rush on buying a new vehicle it the time isn't right.

So, at the local dealer there is a nice looking 2016 Tacoma, Automatic, DC, Longbox, 4x4 Limited. It is the TRD sport as well. It is a sharp looking truck and only has around 7,000 miles on it. They are asking $33k for the truck. I was surprised at how many low mileage 2016 Tacomas there are in the used lot but this is the only one with 4 doors and the longbox. There are also a few 2017s with the manual transmission but she cannot drive a standard.

So my question is; Should we even bother test driving the truck or should we wait for a year or two for Toyota to work out some of the bugs on the 3rd gens?

Here is a stock photo of what the truck looks like.

 

Does she desire more length?

Too easy!

 

I have a sport lifted 2.5 inches and my gf drives it no problem. Shes only 5' tall. Its a 2015 with the long bed. I bought mine a month before the 3rd gen came out i cant stand looking at the front end of it , shit looks like a big mouth bass just ugly

 

My 2014 is great. My buddy has a 2016 and thinks its great. He did complain about the shifting, but he complains about a lot of things. If its what she wants, go for it.

 

I think this should answer your question.

There are lots of them in my area too.

I would wait. In fact, I am still waiting.

Toyota still hasn't got the shifting right on the auto and they have told too many owners that decidedly abnormal behavior is "normal" for the truck.

I am sure they are aware of the issues with the 3rd gen, and the recent Consumer Reports article rating the Tacoma as the ONLY Toyota they would not recommend due to reliability issues has certainly caught their attention.

When they get things ironed out I will buy one.

That is, if the midsize market has not passed them by at that point.

Now if this is a girl you are trying to casually move away from, I would think that getting her to buy a truck that was possibly traded just before Lemon Law kicked in would be a good way to get her to resent you.

Better yet, tell her that a Fiat would be perfect for her

 

I'm pretty pleased with my 2016 and I have 22k on the clock.

I don't think I'd pay $33K for a used one though. Mine was $29.9k before TT&L. Of course it is a lower trim level and fewer options, but that just doesn't sound like a deal to me. I'd think I'd be able to get brand new for that price.

 

Many people complain about the shifting and performance feeling of the third gen. It's not even up for debate.

 

Yeah, my gf is just over 5' tall. We are both fire fighters and she drives big diesel trucks no problem. So I know she'll be able to negotiate a Tacoma.

 

It is if you're a Knight wearing White

 

no

 

I love mine 15900 miles and the only issue was the Battery had to be replaced after the first year.(Covered By Warranty)
2016 DCSB 4X4 AUTO PREMIUM PACKAGE !!! Blazing Blue

 

I'd say NO, not without knowing more details on which the truck comes with. My brand new sport ~15mi 2017 DCSB 6sp was 32400 before dealers fees out the door. I think you can get a truck one for very similar money. Either way, you both will enjoy the respective truck.

 

It's a good looking truck for sure! I think she should do it if it makes her happy and meets her needs. That's not how you asked the question, but if you're going to spend that kind of money then that's a key consideration.

For me: I drive a lifted 2012 4x4, and my wife drives a Civic. It's nice having the truck for fun stuff and occasionally home improvement projects, and a little cruiser car for scooting around the city and running errands. Then again, we live in Arlington VA and deal with Washington DC traffic.

Lastly, I went from a Subaru Forester to the Tacoma about 3 years ago. I loved that Subaru, it was a great vehicle, but love the Tacoma way more! Entirely different vehicle that serves a different purpose.

 

From a Subaru to a DCLB is a big leap- how does she like driving your Tundra?
Stay with status quo for now is my vote. You don't want to jeopardize the relationship over a vehicle.
Edit- have to add we bought a Forester in 2001 for my wife and hands down the best vehicle ever- my son drives it now and it still drives great, so a little biased towards Subaru- like the 3rd gen but I have been driving pickups almost exclusively for the last 30 years. The driving experience of the Subaru is way different than the DCLB- right?

 

Out of 10-12 Toyota trucks owned in past, my 2016 is doing good at about 11 months and 10,000 miles. Actually, maybe the best truck, especially for 1st year.

However, $33k is much too high for a used 2016. You can buy a new 2017 for that price with some haggling or via TruCar, USAA, Costco or etc.

I vote NO because of the price is too high and not because of the truck ... love my 2016.

 

Love my 2017 TRD OR longbed!

Love the color, interior, exhaust note, composite bed etc. Etc.

I've got nothing bad to say. It drives great and shifts great!

It's the best all around vehicle ive owned to date. Tell her to buy it!

 

I fully agree! Picked up a 2017 TRD Off Road MT Shortbox for $33,200 before TTL, got a couple more features and not some of the 2016 issues to be worked out. Had 5 miles on it.

 

Ok, so here is the real question: Does she NEED it for anything? Or do you just want her to have it because YOU want it?

That is a rhetorical question, of course, since it is clearly the latter.
Especially since you already have a TUNDRA, so if she needs to move anything big, she can just call YOU to move it, or borrow your truck.

There is RARELY any sensible justification for owning TWO pickup trucks.
Keep her in the subaru. When it wears out, GET ANOTHER SUBARU. They're great cars, very versatile, and actually a lot more comfortable than a truck. Also better on fuel.

 

many people complain the coffee is too hot.

I've had mine for a year and some change and 15K miles, no issues to report aside from the howling highway door, which is easily remedied. Not diminishing your issues or anyone elses.

 

If they sell it to you for 29k yes, 33k is a no for me as that is what I paid new on my 16 TRD OR 4x4....