Considering buying a 2019 TRD Pro Tacoma

A bit of a backstory. I was an early 3rd Gen adopter, having a fully loaded 2016 DCSB TRD Off Road 4x4 in Inferno back in the day. I liked the looks, interior and tech - but my truck had some issues. Vibration, transmission weirdness, overfilled transmission, improper pinion angle, etc. I ended up selling it after about a year of ownership and a bit later, picked up a 2015 DCSB TRD Off Road 4x4 in Super White w/ JBL.

I've been kicking around going back to a 3rd Gen and the Voodoo Blue TRD Pro has caught my attention. My 2015 (paid off) has 43k miles with the TRD Pro suspension, BFG AT KO2's in 265/70/17 and a few other upgrades. There are three things I don't like on the TRD Pro I'm looking at. The leather seats, tires (same as my 16) and the Predator side steps.

I'm trying to decide if I should buy a 19 or just keep what I have. Did the kinks get worked out from the 2016, and does it drive better after numerous calibration updates, etc? I can get an MSRP deal on a TRD Pro which I consider to be decent, being that I'm in California. Some of the dealerships around here are asking up to $10k over (crazy). I had one yesterday tell me that it's just a super rare vehicle (made me laugh like the time I was told a 2013 Accord Touring was rare) and that I should consider myself lucky to get one at $15k over. I'm tentatively going to go look at the TRD Pro this afternoon, though I'm not going to buy today. I'd want to take an evening to think it over after I check it out.

I like my 2nd Gen, it's just that I'm looking for a good all around DD, so I can part with my 2015 Explorer Sport as well (also paid off). Trying to reduce my vehicle fleet, though I'm also considering a 2020 Explorer ST. The 3rd Gen is a bit more appealing to me as an all around vehicle, versus my current 2015. I like the upgraded tech and looks, but I know the 2015 is rock solid. Decisions, decisions. haha.

I know the TRD Pro will hold its value pretty well, which is attractive to me. My 3rd vehicle is a 2018 Miata RF Club with the Brembo/BBS package. It's, my toy, and a damn fun, impractical one at that. The ironic thing is, I have an Ecutek OVTune installed in my Miata, which they are stopping further development to focus on, you guessed it, Toyotas.

I've had four prior Tacomas before I got the 2015 and the TRD Pro would be my 6th. I've heard some thoughts that there may be a refresh in 2020, which is something worth considering.

 

Keep the 2015, sell the Explorer.

Wait for the all electric Tacoma, I hear it's going to be really badass.

 

depending on you daily drive distance, keep the 2015

 

If you have tons of expendable money which based off of your post it seems you do, buy a Raptor man. I hate Ford but it sounds like the Raptor is a decent truck. That way you get a much higher level of function versus a Tacoma with a few add ons that it sounds like you don’t really care for such as the seats etc. It’s your decision but it seems like you may want to explore all options before spending money. Test drive a few trucks before making a decision is what I would suggest.

 

I'll second selling the explorer, beyond that I'd have to drive out to Kali and take over your life for a few months to form an opinion.

Don't mind taking over your life and all, but I'd really like to avoid kalifornia..

 

I've driven a 17 Ford Raptor and I didn't like it. The sound was meh, the brakes were AWFUL and it's huge. I'm actually trying to downsize and spend less on vehicles, while still having something nice (and practical) to drive.

 

Fair enough. Then how about you check out the lower models such as the OR and Sport and save some money to add little things here and there? That way you can customize stuff without disrupting the daily driver ability. Tons of cool stuff you can do to make it your own and not effect the drivability.

 

Regarding the Honda Accord being rare, i believe that was around the time of the Nuclear melt down in Japan. They were hard to find, had a buddy who traded his in at the time becuase the dealership had a shortage and customers in waiting. I could be smoking but I believe this is true.

 

My 2 cents as a tacoma addict, have had a 00, 08, 11, 15, 16, 17 and now my 19. As far as overall the 3rd gen wins the cake for best Tacoma. I will caveut that I still feel I should have kept my 15 as the 2nd gens were just solid and will likely be the least problematic. I too was an earlier adopter of the 3rd gen and bought a 16 in Jun of 16, had 2 rear diffs replaced, whistling control arms, low transmission fluid, etc. I will say my 17 was loads better than my 16 and my 19 is better than my 17, you can definately tell Toyota is refining them year by year. Financially and longevity wise I would say keep your 15, but if its simply worried about the 19 being like your 16, I wouldnt even entertain that idea and say go for it. Good luck, pics of the RF, that would be a second car for me if I were rich lol.

 

Thanks for all of the info. I stopped by one of the dealers I've been talking with and checked out the truck. It's BLUE, that's for sure. I liked it though. I drove my 2015 up that way (45+ mile drive) and once there, they let me test drive a white 2019 TRD Pro Tacoma. It was more accessible than the blue one, so that was cool.

It reminded me how much quieter and more comfortable the 3rd Gen is. It's also smoother in pretty much all driving conditions. I checked out the TSS stuff since my 2016 didn't have that. The seats were very comfortable to me.

It seemed more refined than I remember my 2016 being. Less NVH through the pedals and steering wheel. The Fox suspension is quite nice and it rode nicely on city streets and the freeway. The transmission was still shift happy in 4-6th which is one of the things that bugged me in my 2016. Overall, a very nice truck. Now I gotta see what kind of deal can be made and what trade value they'd give me for my 2015.

 

don't do the trade in dance with the dealership. your 2015 should sell quick privately.

 

It doesn’t hurt to see what they’d give me. If it’s in the ballpark, it simplifies the transaction. If they lowball, absolutely. As I told them, that’s a key component of the deal.

 

15k over? Keep shopping.

 

Guess you didn’t finish reading. I’m not paying ADM. This deal is MSRP.

 

It was a long post.

MSRP is cool. And yes, it appears most if not all of the issues have been resolved. That said, I’m not buying another Taco until 2020 details, colors, etc. are announced.

 

Yep, 19 is going to be quieter and smoother, by a far, than your 15. I would make the trade if I were in your shoes.

 

So if you already know the transmission is “shift happy” at least consider getting a manual. It’s blatantly obvious that tons of transmission issues are known... plus you felt it yourself.

If you are paying that much extra for a pro (which is a souped up OR or sport) you should at least realize that the quirks will not just go away. I say take a step back and wait to decide and not be impulsive. The blue is amazing but... It will be available in next years models and for very much cheaper.

It’s your money but you are clearly saying you are already seeing transmission quirkiness on a test drive. You are gonna pay a lot more for a pro and be stuck with it for quite a while so I say wait to really think it through.

 

Good points. My 2015 isn't as shift happy, but it still shifts quite a bit as well. I think I could live with the 2019, as it was a lot better than my old 2016. The 2016 would bog down, had shift flare when cold, etc. A manual would be nice, but not practical for my DD. Plus, I tow on occasion and don't want to beat up the clutch. I also like the JBL sound system, versus the non-JBL which can't be had on an MT truck.

You're right about most quirks, so that's why I didn't come home with the truck today. I wanted to think it over and also consider an Off Road Premium instead of the PRO.

 

In my region, I can get an Offroad Premium for at least 10% off MSRP. If the Pro ever came in a color I just loved, I would probably consider it. We’ll see what happens next year.

 

If you dont need the bed get a 4runner Pro. A Much better vehicle