Are 3rd gens really as bad as they seem?

Reading the forum is a great way to know the "issues" before you buy. A lot of the "issues" really aren't true problems but rather quirks that get talked about a lot. And they get exaggerated. Every automobile has quirks. Every engineering and design decision has compromises, and hence every car wont please every person out there. So read about the truck on the forum and use your judgement. Mine's been perfect for 15000 miles. I'd buy the same thing again in a heartbeat.

 

All good points. It just seems like there is are an inordinate number of particularly bad problems with the 3rd gen. Most forums have a lot of problems but generally they are one offs or fringe cases. Here however it seems like as soon as one person posts a problem many others come out and say that they too have it as well. Some recent examples are the loose hoods, leaking 3rd brake light and CPS sensor failures.

 

To get back on topic, the place for posting cool pictures of third gens is in "what have you done to your third gen today" and also in the build threads. The main subforum seems to be a split between asking questions and complaining.

 

I have a 2018 and love it.

The rumors of the Tacoma’s demise are greatly exaggerated.

 

Two years and zero issues. Only a battery.
Much better than my antiquated 2nd gen.
Expect 300K out of this one.
Have you visited the rusty 2nd gen forum ? Chevy forum ? Seems not actually.

How many of these type threads by new posters of 1 message do we need to have. Sounds like bs trolling to me actually. I seriously doubt you were actually looking at buying one.

 

Totally agree... and of course, you will have any truck problems posted in this forum but no one counts all the thousands and thousands of people happy with their purchase and 0 problems.

Anyways - I love my 3rd Gen!!!

 

Not many people start a thread to say that nothing is wrong.

 

Post of the day. @tcBob, we need a ruling.

 

There is nothing wrong with them. They are great trucks. Go drive one and see if you like it.

 

More food for thought. If you consider the TW forums an accurate sample of all Tacoma owners, you'll also deduce that about 20% of 3rd Gen Tacoma's have been totaled in accidents.

 

It really comes down to your expectations for the vehicle. Taco owners tend to have a pretty high demand for these vehicles. A lot of guys, myself included, tend to what this vehicle to drive like a truck and a car simultaneously. I just wish I had more control over the transmission. Everything else is a-ok by me. Probably the best vehicle I've ever owned.

 

I promise I am not a troll. My first two cars were both Toyota products. I had a 1996 4Runner and a 1999 GS400. I loved them both and I really wanted to go back to Toyota. I'm sorry if I came across as a troll. My last 2 cars were BMWs which I bought emotionally. Interestingly enough I didn't really have any real problems with either of them although it probably has to do with only keeping them for 3 years. This time around I am simply trying to do due diligence and get something I will be happy with for a long time.

 

Especially ones who know how to multiquote already...

 

Toyota sells something like 20K tacomas a month. TW only has 250Kish members (much smaller active roster)? That should tell you we are a small but very bitchy vocal group.

 

https://www.consumerreports.org/car...ion/car-brands-reliability-how-they-stack-up/

Compared to everything else I’d say we are just fine.

 

The loud majority is here indirectly complaining about their buyer's remorse and other poor-care issues because they don't know how to treat their trucks. The silent majority is out actually driving, modding and enjoying their Tacos so I wouldn't take what you read on hear too seriously. Like I've seen a few people say so far, forums are good places to see what issues things have but the input is usually from the uneducated few that don't understand the true nature of the product. Treat this place like the drug it is and just take in enough to feel good

 

Good point and good find !!

That's pretty good catch !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Proof.

 

Here's a suggestion.

Test drive a Nissan Frontier. Then test drive a Chevy Colorado (don't forget to put all the plastic trim back on after it falls off). THEN go test drive the Tacoma.

Bring your wallet and bank paperwork to the third place.