Thinking of selling 3rd Gen for 2nd Gen???

I understand what you're saying.

But back to the point of this thread. There is a lot of these 3rd gen threads where people are unhappy with the powertrain, so I understand where the OP is coming from. Some people are happy, but if you came directly from a 2nd gen you would feel the dissapointment. It didn't make howling noises, clunky noises from the trans or cv joints. It had low end torque and felt like a truck powertrain. Didn't need OVtune, or a regear, it also had a real lsd.

It pains me to put all this money into my tacoma and still feel that regret with the truck...

 

The earlier generations are always “better” in value and cheaper in price.

The price is what you pay and the value is what you get.

Contrary to popular belief the 3.5L V6 is a bulletproof engine. Toyota just screwed up in the gears. Many have switched out to 4.88 gears with auto with much improvement.

I’m just biased since I went from 1st Gen to 3rd Gen. 1st Gen is the longest lasting truck made, but it’s a really small cab even AC, frames rust bad, drivetrain is noisy, they had recalls too.

But you can modify the hell out of that 3.4l, I’ve seen 1st gen V6 supercharged with 7th injecto, tuned, intake, exhaust, headers approaching 350hp+ which rips your face off in that little truck. They even made a standard cab V6 manual, perfect super light truck for street and 4wd off-road and can still tow 5000lbs!

 

I have 4.88s, it does feel more powerful, but not the solution. Low end torque is the issue.

 

If you stay with Toyota, you’ll have to get a V8 Tundra. I’m thinking that’s what they’re trying to do. Light hauling and hardware store runs with the Tacoma, heavy hauling and towing with the Tundra.

 

I am happy with mine. I buy my stuff because of how much enjoyment it gives me not the value that others see in it.





To the OP:

I don’t see major issues with my truck so my answer is biased. But like already mentioned why go back in time since you bought this truck because you wanted a new truck. Try another new truck from another make or model. My Tacoma is my only new vehicle I personally have ever owned and I am 45. Since I finally made the move to new the only reason I see to own an older vehicle is because I have owned it since new or it is a pure pleasure vehicle and not my daily driver.

 

I would love to own a tundra, but that mpg is a killer.

 

Plus they don’t come in manual

 

Dude, please look up the 4.0 "low end torque" and compare it to the 3.5. You will be surprised. I had the better version of the 4.0 in the new 4Runner. Very similar to my Tacoma. If you want low end torque get a diesel, not a V6 gasser.

 

Don't have too I drove the 4.0 for 10 years.
I dont need charts to tell me the 3.5 is inferior to the 4.0. The mpg is the same too, well for my manual it is.

 

Yeah, the butt dyno is always better than real data...

 

10 years of butt dynos, absolutely!

 

Both my roommates have 3rd gens. 2016 OR and 2017 OR. I've driven them several times and feel that the 4.0 is the better engine imho. I think the 3rd gens look better and definitely have more tech and amenities, but if I were going to get another Tacoma itd be a 2015 in a manual!

 

There's always this too
https://youtu.be/jbmOYTMirrw

 

I totally get it. You don't like your truck for whatever reason. It happens to the best of us. I have a TRD Sport that is stock less wheels and stock size tires. The MT does just fine for me, but not you. I get it. Just move on and get what you want. Life is too short!

 

It was for me! Dumped my 2014 for that very reason! I hated the Fisher Price 1980s interior and rental car level of features. Add in the wheezy air injection, crappy headlights and lame spark plug change intervals for good measure. Adios 2014, you are not missed!

 

A bump bump Diddy Diddy, bump bump Diddy.

 

I'm with you. I wish they would have left the 4.0 as an option.

I mean, shit, they still put it in the 4runners.

 

How the hell does that guy get 22mpg highway in his 3rd gen? If I go a hair over 65 I get like 17.5mpg. I average 19.5 normal driving around town and I drive like a grandpa. Do the OR tires really suck that much for MPG vs Sport? I can't imagine the air dam (or lackthereof) is really making that much of a difference.

 

Dunno I get 16.5 with my manual and 285s.

 

If I'm on back roads doing 55ish, I can get 20 easy, on the highway at 70 I'm around 16-18.