Replace My 2nd Gen - Or Keep It?

I'd love some advice from owners who traded in / sold their 2nd Gen to buy a 3rd Gen...

My 2008 SR5 Double Cab Tacoma (2WD) has 65,000 miles and is in mint (garage-kept and Toyota-maintained condition). Other than the color-matched, Snuglid tonneau cover, it is all OEM. It is white with a tan interior.

I have a work car so that's why the mileage is so low.

I've been pondering trading/selling it for a few reasons: it is paid off yet potentially retains enough value to really get a low monthly note; the newer technology available in a Tacoma; and lastly - although still in great shape, it's almost a 10 year-old truck. I know a Tacoma will last forever if maintained but am pondering due to being in a place in life where I can afford to do it of I decide to.

So here is the question - overall, do you like the 3rd Gen as much as the 2nd Gen? Also - the 3rd Gen Tacomas are not rating as high in Consumer Reports (and other sources) as the 2nd Gen ones.

I don't tow and I don't off-road.

I've looked at some 2017s and they are nice. The cab, however, does seem slightly tighter/smaller.

Any insight would be appreciated.

 

Stay the course and drive that bitch, IMO. The 2025 Taco should be pretty sweet

 

I would go test drive a couple 3rd Gens and see if you like them.

 

If you don't go off-roading, don't want 4x4, and like your current truck I would keep it. Free is always better than any car payment, no matter how low they get it. If you do decide to get a new taco, read the thread on how to go about getting the best price you can on one. I bought used, but had I seen that thread earlier I might have given it a shot.

 

Yes, test drive, test drive, and test drive some more. I drove one while getting a state inspection done on mine at the dealership. It was a nice truck and has a lot of nice features, but it wasn't near as peppy as a 2nd gen. Plus the 2nd gen has years of proven reliability. I'm certainly keeping mine. If I sold mine for a 3rd gen, I would regret it terribly down the road.

 

I would hold out another year or two if you can. Newer technology and the bells and whistles are going to start appearing on the 3rd gen Tacos.

 

keep it..watch this video about the new atkinson engine. why would anyone want that, wish this video was on in the dealer showroom when i bought mine, i would have walked out.
https://video.search.yahoo.com/yhs/...c994afaa295f01aa428b704a6f973f27&action=click

 

Stay with your old truck. The 3rd gen. is not much of improvement, arguable a step backward in some areas.

 

Keep the 2nd gen

 

Are you kidding? Keep it.

The fewer transactions you make at the stealership, the better.

 

Id keep the 2nd gen since theres nothing wrong with it and its in great shape.
id trade it in if i was an old and dying chevy like i had and needed a reliable truck.
if money is no object and you're just itching to unload some cash then make the purchase
and write me a check cuz id like to help you out.

 

I would keep it. I personally drive my vehicles to the grave of 200K+ miles.

 

As previously mentioned, if you are thinking of a 3rd gen be sure to test drive a LOT of them.

And I would add, test drive a used one with some miles on it as many of the issues that users have experienced don't appear until the truck gets some miles.

In my area (Atlanta) there are tons of 2016 and 2017 used Tacomas with 10,000 or so miles (a quick Carguru search found over 100 within 50 miles) so it should be easy enough to find a used one to try.

Edit: After thinking about this for a minute, you realize that these are not likely to be lease returns as they are 2 years old at most. That means these were purchased and then traded at very low miles. I did the same search in the same area for used 2016 - 2017 Jeep Wranglers (which sells in about the same numbers as the Tacoma) and there were 11.

That said, with the miles on yours, I'd keep it if I still liked it and just put a modern Android Auto/Carplay compatible head unit in it to add some of the newer technology.

 

If I had a second gen I would trade it for a third.

 

On my 3rd tacoma right now (2008, 2013 and currently 2017). I enjoy the look of the 3rd Gen due to the face lift it was given but the day to day driving is uninspiring. And yes I have the automatic.Keep it.

 

@rjtoc2 This OP. It really doesn't sound like you have a reason to upgrade other than "nice". IMO if it aint broke don't take the risk. I know its not new and flashy, but I would consider modifying your current truck to be more "you" if it has lost its luster. Stick with the devil you know.

 

Keep it, why be a slave to a bank?

 

I have yet to meet a 2nd gen owner who bought a 3rd gen and say "I love this truck".

 

The 3rd gen is a nicer truck in a few ways..... quieter, Bluetooth, better mileage..... I doubt it rides much better.

Still to be honest, if you are looking for the modern version of your current truck, and you don't drive it daily anyways.... why spend the money?

 

The updated interior of the 3rd gen is nice but given the choice I'd rather have no car payment especially with such low & non-abusive miles on your truck.

Take the money you would have spent on car payments over 6-8 months and go on some amazing vacation somewhere.