Tacoma Stalking, er...uh, Spotting, with Charlie™ (3rd Gen Edition)!

What do you mean by "standard fuckery"?

 

3.5 is different than the 4.0, but I wouldn’t say a step down. I had one in my FJ, and yes, it was very linear and I knew exactly what it was going to do when I gave it gas. But, after about 3500-4000 rpm, it sort of ran out of steam. It would make a lot of noise up there, but acceleration really fell off. It was great for driving around town, and towing moderate loads under 65 mph.

The 3.5 is a decent engine. It makes more power up high vs down low which is odd compared to the traditional truck engine. I think the 0-60 time is about 0.3-0.5 seconds faster in the 3.5 depending on who you read. The real problem or challenge with this engine is the transmission and programming. Toyota has released some tsb’s that refine the performance. And of course there’s the $700 OVTune that is just now releasing the refined version.

And lastly, I thought you could get the 2.7 in a 4x4 manual in 2018’s? I know they dropped the manual for some models somewhere, I’d check pronto if you’re set on new, 2.7, and 4x4.

 

Like a lot of electronics that won’t work down the road from 2018 onward

 

I wish they'd make a 3rd Gen regular cab!

 

Oh yea, love the Inferno. That's why I got the 2018 now, before it wasn't available anymore and I would have a hard time finding a used one.

 

They discontinued single cabs, but you can get an access cab, still four doors

 

Like? Nothing in the tacoma is new for toyota. all of this stuff has been out for a while in LC and in other toyota/ lexus vehicles

 

Like TSS 2018 onward

 

They actually stopped making the regular cabs in 2014!

 

My Grandma has a 2002 Lexus RX300 and honestly I feel like it's a downgrade from my base model 2010 Taco in terms of technology.

 

@PennSilverTaco

As a fellow long time Tacoma owner, trust me when I say you would prefer the 3.5 over the 2.7. I had a 2008 2.7L 5spd SR5 Pre-Runner, and like you, wished I would have bought the same truck in 4wd. 10 years later, (well actually 8, i've had by 3rd gen for 2 years now..) I have a 2016 TRD OR DCSB in 4WD. I'll never look back. My 08 2.7 was good to me and as a kid fresh out of school, buying my first brand new truck all on my own, it was probably the best fit. However, the 3rd gen is a much better truck over-all. Spend a few extra bucks and get yourself the 4wd you want, and do not waste your time with the 2.7L. You'll thank yourself later. Oh, and go for a few test drives!

 

Still live at home and saving for a house, work two jobs (three if you count Uber Eats) have an associate's degree, and plan on going into HVAC as a career. I also have Aspergers Syndrome (don't know if you know what that is).

 

A luxury vehicle vs a base model? No comparison. What's your point?

 

HVAC is an excellent choice. One of the fields that will not be taken over by robots. Not only will you have the skills to service HVAC units, but some plumbing skills and electrical skills will carry over too.

 

I mean it predates features like Bluetooth and backup cameras, and the goddamn instrument panel is designed in such a way that it's virtually impossible to add an aftermarket head unit with these features. Also, my Grandma's car is front-wheel drive, which is disconcerting to drive in the rain...

 

And be able to service the A/C in my Taco if it leaks AGAIN...

 

My wife accuses me of that one.... and of course my response is allowed since she says I have it.

There's been lots of good comments here. Keeping reliable transportation and saving dollars is always 'smart' in the long run. The 2.7l is probably a decent power plant if you don't need to tow much, don't drive spirited, and are happy with the pace it'll set for you. I had a 2002 toyota (pre tacoma) and the old 22re 4 banger and loved that engine with a manual. Sometimes its more fun to drive a less powerful car than one that's overpowered.

I recently swapped two vehicles for two new vehicles (one's a 2015). I figure the 3.5 Tacoma will get me 10-15 trouble free years (relatively) and 250k miles if I take care of it well. The weekender will probably outlast me if I take care of it too. The point is, it's okay to spend some money as long as you don't go overboard. At your age, if you're setting aside 10%+ of your take-home, and you do that religiously for the next 45 years, you'll probably be set. If doing that allows you a new vehicle, I see no problems with a little debt.

Or, as others have said... if you're more interested in 4x4 instead of the new TSS stuff, find yourself something used and you have the best of both worlds. If you're really going to be going off-road, think about the repercussions if you muck up your daily driver.

 

OP, you mention liking the Crosstrek and Rav4? I have owned a Crosstrek, actually traded it for my Tacoma. nice vehicle for the money, but the Eyesight system is complete garbage! some people love it, I HATE IT! it literally almost wrecked me several times. be driving along at the speed limit and it will catch a glimpse of a car turning at least an 1/8 mile away and it will SLAM on the brakes for you. scaring the shit out of you. Subaru makes some reliable vehicles, but their Eyesight system needs a lot of work. the TSS in the Toyotas is at least a lil better, at least in mine it has been. it hasn't slammed on the brakes for me yet, and I am not sure it would. I just think safety features such as these are gimmicks from manufacturers to claim they can get your insurance rates down. of course, thats bullshit too! I do like the blind spot monitors and back up sensors, but thats about it. I don't need or want anything other than that.

 

I would definitely keep your 91k mi. truck. It's nice to have a new truck but yours is such a low mile vehicle it doesn't make much sense. Maybe toy with the idea of doing something you've always wanted to do with the truck you have . Maybe a cheap 4x4 to have fun with? Square body Cherokee models are pretty capable off road for a decent price.

 

I detail cars for a large family of dealerships which includes a Subaru dealer. I drive a lot of Subarus in my line of work. Would the "Eyesight" be the two things on either side of the rear view mirror that look like integrated dashcams?